Gurudeva - Adhyapana Mudra
11. Scientific Spirituality - An Introduction to the Perceiver
by Dr. Narendra Tuli ( posted on 20.2.2006)
‘Knowledge of Brahman’ (Brahman Vidya) has been unambiguously assigned the paramount position amongst the multiplicity of available preferences. The reason for such laudable position can be attributed to its result - the emancipation. Hence the scriptures have declared this knowledge to be exceptionally sacred and surreptitious. A sincere aspirant must equip oneself with the essential pre-requisites.- Dr. Narendra Tuli ( posted on 28.2.2006)
13. Brahman Vidya - The Four Essential Pre-requisites
One should aspire to know the Brahman after fulfilling the four essential pre-requisites. The four essential pre-requisites are – discrimination between the eternal and non-eternal, detachment from the enjoyment of fruits of actions in this world and the worlds beyond, excellence in the six types of practices viz. control of mind (śama), control of senses (dama), firm belief in the preaching of scriptures and the Guru (śraddha), tolerance of dualities like cold and warm etc. (titikśā), renunciation of the scripturally prescribed actions like obligatory (nitya), occasional (naimittika) etc. for the purpose of attainment of knowledge (uparati) and the attainment of mental state consequent to the relinquishment of indolence, sleep etc. (samādhāna), and finally the fourth viz. the desire to attain emancipation (mumukśutā). Deliberation on the Vedānta is possible only after the fulfillment of the aforementioned criteria and not otherwise.- Dr. Narendra Tuli ( posted on 4.3.2006)
14. Thoughts on Bhagavad Geeta - Arjuna Vishaada Yoga (Yoga of Arjuna’s despondency)
The catchphrase given by Vedvyaasa at the conclusion of the first chapter, indicative of its name and its location in the epic ‘Mahabhaarata’, is all-appropriate only, since this chapter, essentially, is a prelude to ‘Bhagavad Geeta’. What demands consideration is that why this chapter has been named as ‘Arjuna vishaad yoga’, meaning thereby the ‘Yoga of Arjuna’s despondency’. Yoga is the mechanism that facilitates the comprehension of Supreme Lord and attainment of eternal peace. The Yogas of action, devotion, knowledge, meditation etc. are indeed well known, but how can one’s ‘despondency’ take the form of ’Yoga’ needs evaluation. The thought of bereavement of the dear ones gives rise to ‘sorrow’ initially, and when this emotion is not controlled by one’s astuteness, it takes the form of extreme dejection, gloom and pessimism, which is expressed here by the word ‘vishaada’, as had been experienced by Arjuna. This extreme dejection and gloom, afflicting Arjuna, made him relinquish the battle, thus forsaking his obligation. Thereafter, arose in his heart the extreme desire for eternal peace, appreciating which, the Lord preached to him the crown of all Yogas – ‘the knowledge of Self'. On hearing the Lord’s sermons, Arjuna not only rose to honor his obligation but also achieved eternal peace. The same sermon of the Lord, flowering out of Arjuna’s despondency, is showing the way to countless seekers today also. Thus Arjuna’s ‘despondency’ was transformed into ‘Yoga’ due to the propinquity and grace of Lord Krishna. In the present times also, it is appreciated that if a downhearted one finds a sagacious and erudite companion, then, by the process of worldly dispassion, arises the desire for knowledge, and finally one attains eternal peace and clarity of vision through this Yoga of the knowledge of Self. Thus it is apposite only to name this chapter as ‘Yoga of Arjuna’s despondency’. Dr. Narendra Tuli ( posted on 13.3.2006)
15. Thoughts on Bhagavad Geeta - The Three Types of Knowledge
The knowledge by which one sees, in all divided beings a single undivided, immutable entity, know that knowledge to be ‘sattvic’. The knowledge by which one perceives diversified Self of different natures in varied beings, know that to be rajasic. But the knowledge, which without reason, is confined to a single form as though it were all, and which is not concerned with Truth, and is petty, is said to be tamasic. Dr. Narendra Tuli ( posted on 30.3.2006)