Synopsis
Swami Tattwamayanandas exposition of the Mandukya Upanishad with Karika was given at the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco (founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) from April 13, 2012, to December 20, 2013, in a series of 44 lectures. The Mandukya Upanisad belongs to the Atharva Veda tradition and consists of 12 mantras. According to many modern scholars, it is the first systematic treatise on the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. The Mandukya Karika is a commentary in 215 metrical verses by Gaudapada Acharya who is the first well-known exponent of the doctrine of non-origination Ajtivda (). He is supposed to have lived around the 6th century A.D, about 150 years before Sri Shankaracharya. Sri Shankaracharyas (788-820 CE) commentary on Mandukya Karika establishes the superstructure of Advaita philosophy, the philosophy of Non-Dualism. Before Sri Shankaracharya, the idea of Advaita or nondualistic philosophy existed because it is as old as Rig Veda itself, but a complete and compact philosophical structure expounding its metaphysics, ontology, cosmology, logic, and epistemology, were not clearly expounded by pre-Shankaracharya philosophers.Swami Tattwamayananda, currently the Minister of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco, (originally founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) served in various centers of the Ramakrishna Order in India as editor, publisher, and teacher of Sanskrit, Advaitic texts such as Sri Shankaracharya's commentaries on the 'Prasthanatraya' (the fundamental Sanskrit texts of Vedanta philosophy), Buddhism and Indian philosophy. He underwent traditional training in Hindu scriptures, Sanskrit, Vedic and Vedantic literature for many years, from his early days. Before coming to the United States in January 2012 he was teaching Sanskrit, Vedantic scriptures and Indian philosophy at the Training center in Belur Math, the institution that trains the monks of the Ramakrishna Order at the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, Kolkata, India. Apart from his traditional education, the Swami has also received modern University education in English literature, psychology, European history, and Western philosophy. He is frequently invited for lectures on Yoga, Vedanta, and traditional Hindu scriptures and for participating in interfaith dialogues.For more:Web: www.sfvedanta.orgLivestream: https://livestream.com/sfvedantaFacebook: www.facebook.com/sfvedantaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SFVedantaAll Original Content © Vedanta Society of Northern California
Episodes
-
![44 – Concluding Session (iv) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
44 – Concluding Session (iv) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 01h04minLecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
-
![43 – Concluding Session (iii) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
43 – Concluding Session (iii) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 59minLecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
-
![42 – Concluding Session (ii) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
42 – Concluding Session (ii) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 01h19sLecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
-
![41 – Concluding Session (i) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
41 – Concluding Session (i) | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 01h04minLecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
-
![40 - Questions Answers | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
40 - Questions & Answers | Mandukya Upanishad with Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 01h05minLecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
-
![39 – Dialectical Confrontation: Parinamavaada (theory of evolution) Arambhavaada| Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
39 – Dialectical Confrontation: "Parinamavaada" (theory of evolution) & "Arambhavaada"| Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 51minVerses: Mandukya Karika 4.11, 4.12, 4.13. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The dialectical confrontation between "Parinamavaada" (theory of evolution) of the Samkhya philosophers and "Arambhavaada" of the Nyaya-Vaisheshikas continues.
-
![38 - Analysis of the Intrinsic Characteristics of Prakrti - Critique of the Samkhya theory of evolution | Mandukya | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
38 - Analysis of the Intrinsic Characteristics of "Prakrti" - Critique of the Samkhya theory of evolution | Mandukya | Swami Tattwamayananda
26/03/2019 Duration: 57minVerses: Mandukya Karika 4.9, 4.10, 4.11. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Vaisheshika's refutation of the "Parinamavaada" (theory of evolution) of the Samkhya philosophers. Accidentalism refuted.
-
![37 - Sadkaryavada Asadkaryavada – Mutual Contradiction between Samkhyas Nyaya/Vaisheshikas. | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
37 - Sadkaryavada & Asadkaryavada – Mutual Contradiction between Samkhyas & Nyaya/Vaisheshikas. | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 01h02minVerses: Mandukya Karika 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.9. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Showing the mutual contradictions among the non-Advaitic Schools establishes the truth of the doctrine of Non-origination. ‘Prakriti,’ the essential nature of things (swabhava) never changes. The four-fold nature of ‘Prakriti’ is explained.
-
![36 – Refutation of ‘Kaarya-Kaarana-Vaada’:Establishing the Doctrine of ‘Non-Origination.’ | Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
36 – Refutation of ‘Kaarya-Kaarana-Vaada’:Establishing the Doctrine of ‘Non-Origination.’ | Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 01h46sVerses: Mandukya Karika 4.3. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. In his attempt to establish the doctrine of non-origination (‘Ajaativaada’), Gaudapada refutes the ‘Kaarya-Kaarana-Vaada’ (doctrine of the relation of cause and effect) held by the Samkhyas, Vaiseshikas, and Naiyyayikas.
-
![35 – Going beyond Mind, Beyond Pain and Pleasure, Transcending the Shackles. | Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
35 – Going beyond Mind, Beyond Pain and Pleasure, Transcending the Shackles. | Ch 4 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 01h01minVerses: Mandukya Karika 4.1, 4.2. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. “Asparsha-Yoga” is the source of all happiness and freedom.
-
![34 – The Spiritual Journey Comes to an End. We Reach our Spiritual Destination. | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
34 – The Spiritual Journey Comes to an End. We Reach our Spiritual Destination. | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 01h04minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.36 – 3.48. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. We reach our spiritual destination with the realization of the unborn, changeless and immortal Brahman. There is no such thing as the birth of Jiva.
-
![33 – When We Realize that Atman is the Only Reality, Mind Ceases to be Mind, Mind becomes Non-mind. | Mandukya | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
33 – When We Realize that Atman is the Only Reality, Mind Ceases to be Mind, Mind becomes Non-mind. | Mandukya | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 59minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.32, 3.33, 3.34, 3.35. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. When all the “vikalpas” are gone, the mind is no longer mind: then mind realizes itself as the Brahman. This is totally different from deep sleep.
-
![32 – No Difference between Dream and Waking States. Both Are Identical. | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
32 – No Difference between Dream and Waking States. Both Are Identical. | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 57minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.29, 3.30, 3.31. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. All dualistic experiences are just the creations of our mind. When the mind stops they vanish.
-
![31 – Refutation of “Asadvadins” | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
31 – Refutation of “Asadvadins” | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
25/03/2019 Duration: 01h01minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.26, 3.27, 3.28. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. There can be no birth/creation whether real or illusory from nothingness (‘Asat’). Even an inquiry into what is absolutely unreal is meaningless.
-
![30 – Negative Theology of Advaita-Vedanta | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
30 – Negative Theology of Advaita-Vedanta | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 58minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.26. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The passage from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (II-3:6 and III-9:26) show that statements about creation should be taken only as secondary.
-
![29 – Advaita is the Ultimate Spiritual Experience | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
29 – Advaita is the Ultimate Spiritual Experience | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 42minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Dvaita and Visishtadvaita are only the early stages on our way to Advaitic Realization.
-
![28 – All Scriptural Statements are Meant to Assert the Unity and Oneness of Creation | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
28 – All Scriptural Statements are Meant to Assert the Unity and Oneness of Creation | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 58minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.15, 3.16, 3.17. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Advaita is described as the only foundation for a universal ethical philosophy and Spiritual Humanism. We hurt ourselves when we hurt others. Humanity is One Spiritual Family.
-
![27 – Reference to “Madhu-Brahmana.” Gaudapada on “Mukhya-Sruti” and “Gauna-Sruti” | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
27 – Reference to “Madhu-Brahmana.” Gaudapada on “Mukhya-Sruti” and “Gauna-Sruti” | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 53minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.12, 3.13, 3.14. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Reference to Brhadaranyaka text (Madhu-Brahmana: Madhuvidya). The idea implied in the karmakanda of the Veda that the Jiva and Brahman are separate is only figurative. Gaudapada distinguishes between “Mukhya-Sruti” and “Gauna-Sruti.”
-
![26 – Atman is Indivisible, Changeless and Panchakosha-Vilakshana | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
26 – Atman is Indivisible, Changeless and Panchakosha-Vilakshana | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 54minVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Atman is indivisible like the Akasha, birthless, deathless, and is the innermost Self of the five sheaths. It is also distinct from the five sheaths (panchakosha-vilakshana)
-
![25 – Atman (Turiya) Ever Remains Pure | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda]()
25 – Atman (Turiya) Ever Remains Pure | Ch 3 | Mandukya Karika | Swami Tattwamayananda
24/03/2019 Duration: 01h40sVerses: Mandukya Karika 3.7, 3.8. Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda.
