Brahmavidya

The first one is called the Upakrama, which is the introduction.

And it starts with the with sage Ashwalayana approaching Brahmaji and asking for the highest secret Brahmavidya.

And the phrase here goes that, that which is always sought by the wise, by which an enlightened seeker instantly wipes away all the Papam to attain Moksha.

So that is the Pariprasna that the student asks Brahmaji.

That is what it finally comes to.

And then Uma, who is a goddess, is symbolic of Brahmavidya or Shruti.

So he says, only through Brahmavidya, you can know the existence of Brahman.

Through that Shruti or the Vedas or Brahmavidya, you can know the existence of Brahman.

And this is the story that's given in Keno Punishad, which says that, just like Swami says, a very beautiful poem in the beginning of this discourse, even if he is blind, he can still know the Brahman.

So it does not depend on the prowess of our senses, of our external senses to get the ultimate realization.

He was literally ruling the kingdom of dispassion.

Bhagavan Shankaracharya himself, before starting the commentary of Kathopanishad, he prostrates not only to Yamaraja, the teacher of Brahmavidya, he also prostrates to Nachiketa, the student, and is the only instance where he has done this.

Prostration to the student also.

[speaking Sanskrit] This is how the commentary begins of Bhagavan Shankaracharya.

I want this only." And Yamaraja becomes so happy listening to this.

Yamaraja says, "Nachiketa, if only all students are like you.

In fact, I see the qualification necessary for Brahmavidya.

You have much, much more qualification than me.

We really downplay what the gurus did.

The gurus were actively targeted and challenged when they were doing their work and saying, how dare you teach Brahmavidya, the divine knowledge, in a language that is inferior? How dare you do it not in Sanskrit, which is the only language that's good enough for this? And the Guru's response, I think Guru Amardas Ji says something very beautiful.

He says, Sanskrit is like an ocean.

It's very deep.

So today being Krishna Janmashtami, so the chanting of Bhagavad Gita which is Krishna's words imparting the knowledge to Arjuna and so that is the best way of remembering or celebrating Krishna's birthday, Sri Krishna, the Gita Acharya, who taught the subject matter of Upanishads, which is Brahmavidya Vedanta Shastra to Arjuna directly.

So we will do the chanting of that Bhagavad Gita today, the entire 18 chapters, the best way to celebrate and understand whatever we studied it helps us to contemplate also upon those words of krishna the best way to know him and to come in touch with krishna live now here so best wishes on this day

And it says, "'Thou art eternal ancient Paraprakriti and mother of this universe.

Thou dost impart out of mercy the Brahma-vidya, the knowledge of Brahman, to the ancient Purusha.

Thus he, Purusha, can realize his eternal nature.'" So she is the instigator of a self-unfolding process within the field of Purusha that transforms that field into a living reality.

And sometimes you have to ask the question, why would this perfect state of equilibrium disrupt itself and produce the universe.

Now getting on to the first section.

The first section consists of nine mantras and it has introduction and Brahmavidya in a nutshell.

That is what the first section of Mundaka Upanishad has.

So, Brahmavidya is a glorious teaching which originated from Lord Vishnu.

Just like what Gunz was telling towards the end of the Uddhav Geetha.

This was originated by Lord Vishnu and has been transmitted through generations and all other knowledges like sciences, art, everything else is validated by Brahmavidya.

That is the importance of Brahmavidya.

And this particular Upanishad, Mundaka, is a dialogue between two Rishis, Saunaka and Angiras.

One should be in it as the arrow becomes one with the mark." I love that verse, becoming one with the mark.

I love that the, the bow is Om, the arrow is the Atman, and the target is Brahman, which encapsulates all of the Mahavakyas, all of Sanatana Dharma, all of Advaita Vedanta, and the great spiritual knowledge, the Brahma-vidya, the knowledge of Brahman.

And so I love that quote.

I really love that quote.