WEEK ONE AT DLF FOREST ACADEMY – 98^TH YOGA-VEDANTHA FOUNDATION COURSE

(This is in continuation of my blog Day 1 and 2 YVFC at DLS FA)

The programme was inaugurated by HH Swamy Yoga Swarupananda ji Maharaj,  President of the Shivananda Ashram, Hrishikesh in the presence of other revered Swamis and faculty members.  In a simple but traditional function, we all were introduced by Shri Gopiji who read out our names, background and the basic instructions for an austere Ashram life was given.   Certain guidelines given was about six Gs being Govinda, Ganga, Geetha, Gayathri and to avoid Gossip in the ashram premises to get maximum benefit from the Course. 

There was also a practical session followed by a talk on meditation by HH Shri Padmanabhananda ji Maharaj, General Secretary Maharaj and he continued with some of the brilliant classes on scriptures from next day.  We also understood the concept of thought in a mathematical formulae; Consciousness + Mind= Thought.  If we can remove thoughts from the mind, consciousness can be experienced.  In his class taking notes is strictly prohibited and we just have to pay un diluted attention to what is said.  It used to be the method in ancient Gurukula system. 

Mobiles and other gadgets are out of bound in the class and we had to completely depend on note books/books provided.  About 13 books were also allotted to each of the students in a very systematic way and I started going through some.  I also intend to summarise the essence of this literature if time fully permits for my own reference.

Next day onwards, after the morning Satsang/meditation classes between 5 to 6, the first class by HH Swami Padamanabhananda began on Scriptures and later into Patanjali Yoga Sutras.  He took more than three classes to explain about the nature and content of Shruthi/smrithi and puranas and their mis representation by the foreign scholars.  Literal translation of Sanskrit verses made them mis understand that India was a primitive civilization without advanced thinking.  They later realised the richness of Indian thought process and extensive literature showing a great Culture.

The imageries developed in Vedic Period was explained with detailed examples and illustrations.  Vedas explained to be not about knowledge about after life but a deeper knowledge / methodology to achieve Moksha through Dharma, Artha and Kama. The primary pursuit of man is to be happy and to fulfil his desires (kama) which involves acquiring Artha through Dharmic means and finally to achieve Moksha.

The topics touched upon in the process ranged from Daksha prajapathi, Manu to his creation of Prachetas, numbering to 10000 children as his progenies for expansion of human race.  The concept of trees (no legs), Duplets (animals with two legs including wild ones which use two as hands for Kill), quadruplets; each being Anna for the other in the food cycle -  Anna and Annadat.

The essential quality of a human being that of “peace” and happiness by itself.  The inner goodness of all including a criminal is a wonder.  German Marko an Atheist wonders only about two things, stars in the sky and the goodness of human being.  All humans are essentially good and only clouded due to ari shad vargas and thriguna operating at various levels.

HH Swamy also touched upon 14 Maheshwara sutras and referred to 1180 different branches of Veda shakhas which originally existed, out of which only 10 are available at present. The concepts of Krama patha and importance of intonation while reciting Veda Mantras was also explained.  The beauty of Sanskrit language which is highly refined and with a perfect syntax was explained to be the reason for being used to transmit Vedic Knowledge.

The essence of Ramayana and Maha bharatha very beautifully summarised.   In Mahabharatha, Duryodhana has fallen “Bhagna Uru, pathithaha” without anyone to take care and left to die on the battle ground. He cant even shoo away flies, crows and other animals from eating away his body, with no dear ones to take care.  Result of Adharma.

In contrast, the construction of a Bridge (Rama sethu) with the help of monkeys.  The natural habit of is highly destructive and they tend to destroy everything out of curiosity or cruelty.  They pluck flowers, fruits and throw them after spoiling them.  Such a creatures are also help if the person is following Dharma and waging war against Ravana, an epitome of Adharma.

The Vedas (Shruthi) are Prabhu samahitha being unquestionable in their wisdom, Upanasids (Smrithy) being Sukha samhitha and Puranas, Literature being Kaanthaa Samhitha was also explained.

During first week, the other interesting topic covered is about Narada Bhakthi sutras by Swamy Devabhakthananada maharaj.  A very young swamy with a melodious voice recited the shlokas and gave ample examples and told stories to understand the concepts.  He also takes meditation classes and Yoga in the evening.

In his first class, he made us understand the importance of Bhakthi and futility of all other intellectual sadhanas, in the ultimate pursuit of Moksha.  Life story of Narada being a small boy and son of a maid servant working in a householders place and his sincerety in serving the guests was well explained.  (Narada Parivrajaka Upanaishad, Narada ratnakara???, Narada bakthi sutra were some of his works).  Story of Rishi Khatwant as mentioned in bhagavatam was also interesting.  He had 48 minutes live when got darshan of Bhagavan.

The glory of human life, Jantoonam narajanma durlabham, over and above this, getting manushyatvanm mumukshutwam and maha purusha sangat is said to be the greatest blessing.  Poornaat “Purusha”, is the in dweller of Nabha dwara koota whom we should worship.  Naram dadaathi naarada (knowledge giver also misinterpreted as the one who gives trouble by imparting bad knowledge). 

Love of god should be so much that He is Pranasya prana, chakshusya Chakshu, showing parama prema.  “Sa thu asmin Parama prema rupa” is the first shloka.  I love you ( 1+1=1 and not 2 in LOVE).  That - in this - supreme  - LOVE form.  “Amrutha Swarupan cha is the second Shloka indicating the nature of LOVe.  Mameva amsha lokathe – BG referred (All that is seen in this whole Universe is my own part).

 

QUERIES UNANSWERED:

NISHKAMA KARMA – motive for doing?? :

We are asked to do Nishkama Karma as per dictum of Vedantha/BG.  However, what drives us, incentivise us to do Karma??  Without desire, how can anyone do karma. Without gratification for work, is this not a mere Lofty ideal??  Desire for favourable results and desire to get gratification, is it not a driving force for performing Karma.  Then how do we achieve Nishkama Karma??

PRARBDA KARMA:

If the results of a given Karma fructify in this Janma, we attribute it to Prarabda Karma.  Is it not simply that we inherited from our forefathers and the same is triggered in this life (Genetic pre dispositions).  The cause and effect should be immediate or near immediate or due to unknown reasons.  The theory of seeming chaos in Universe and a cosmic plan supports the view that we do not know or do not have the ability to know the Grand plan of Universe (Butterfly effect??). 

If so, what is the purpose studying Karma Siddantha, being the most important concept supporting the theory of re birth.  Is it to make us accept what we do not know or sub due our spirits for not getting agitated over failures.  Can it be more rationally explained with support from Vedantic scriptures??