Sringeri Videos's video: Chapter 2 - Advaita Tattva Kannada English Captions

Short Messages from Sringeri Jagadgurus: Jagadguru’s Anugraha Bhashana Video Series – Volume 2: Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada & His Teachings: Chapter 2 - Advaita Tattva (Kannada): The Tattva preached by Sri Adi Shankaracharya is Advaita Tattva. Advaita means “not two”. In this entire universe, there is only one Tattva that is true. This is the main theme of Advaita Siddhanta. That which is the sole Truth is called as “Parabrahma”, “Paramatma”. This “Parabrahma” is unconditioned by space, time and objects. That which exists at all places, at all times and in all objects is “Parabrahma”. That alone is eternal and the Truth. Everything else is a mere appearance. They do not have existence like “Parabrahma”. This is the main tenet of Advaita Siddhanta. The Upanishads, in many places, dwell on a particular subject. What is that subject? At no time can two things be real. “dviteeyaadvai bhayaM bhavati” says the Sruti (Vedas). There is always fear when there is duality. Only when there is One, is there a state of fearlessness. Hence, “Parabrahma” alone exists. That (“Parabrahma”) is not different from oneself. That alone is “myself”. This knowledge is the Advaitic Truth. There is no rebirth for the person in whom this knowledge has dawned. There is no bondage for him. We call him the “Liberated - One”. We refer to him as the one who has attained salvation. This non-dual knowledge does not arise easily in everyone. Because people’s minds are generally directed towards sense objects. If Advaitic knowledge has to dawn, one has to renounce everything, and focus single pointedly on the “Atma Tattva”. Only such an individual can get Advaitic knowledge. It is very difficult for an ordinary individual to direct his mind towards such a spiritual path. In order to attain the Advaitic state, Sri Adi Shankaracharya has mandated many “sadhanas” (spiritual disciplines). The foremost among them is “Karma”. There are innumerable impurities in a man’s mind. Unless the mind is pure, Advaitic realisation does not dawn. If one has to attain purity of mind, the impurities in it have to be removed. The Shastras have enumerated the impurities of the mind as: Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (arrogance), Matsarya (jealousy). The Shastras call these as “arishadvarga” (six classes of enemies). “Ari” means enemy. These Kama, Krodha, etc. reside in man’s mind as enemies. Just like an enemy troubles us, these Kama, Krodha, etc. residing in the mind pose extreme impediments for our spiritual progress. Hence, these are called “enemies” in the Shastras. If these enemies like Kama, Krodha, etc. are kept at a distance, the mind attains purity. If these are to be kept at a distance, the Karmas ordained in the Shastras have to be diligently performed. If these Karamas are diligently performed, the mind will attain purity. If asked how? Only when the Karmas are performed without expecting any kind of results and strictly performing them as a duty. If Karmas are performed with the desire for the fruits (of Karma), results may yield but the mind does not become pure. The Lord mentions in many places in the Bhagavad Gita...Without desiring the results of Karma, without the ego that “I am the doer”, if one performs a Karma, such a Karma will not bind you. “annaashritaH karmaphalaM kaaryaM karma karoti yaH| sa sannyaasee ca yogee ca” -- thus proclaims the Lord in the Bhagavad Gita. Sri Shankaracharya has highlighted this at many places in His commentaries. Giving up the desire for results and performing Karmas, you first purify the mind by such a performance of Karmas. After the mind has been purified, you will develop an eagerness to know the Atma Tattva. Even the desire to know the Vedanta Tattva will not arise in a person whose mind is impure. How can we teach the Vedanta Tattva to such a person? Hence “Chittashuddhi” (purity of the mind) is of prime importance. Perform Karmas for achieving “Chittashuddhi”. Abandon the desire for results. Consequently, you can know the Vedanta Tattva. Thus, Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada has instructed (us). Everyone must imbibe His teachings, act accordingly and gain one’s objective (in life). Video: https://youtu.be/P_YQ8KY0uw4 Copyright: Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri Source: https://www.sringeri.net/2007/08/25/publication/dvd/sri-adi-shankara-bhagavatpada-his-teachings.htm