Vedanta: Ancient Wisdom for Life A. Parthasarathy

In this episode Swamiji reveals the Gita's secret to gaining mastery over sense objects. The Gita explains that by merely abstaining one cannot overcome one's desires for sense contact. Instead one must learn the art of dealing with sense objects culminating in complete suzerainty over them.

In this third episode of the series on 'The Perfect Human Being' from the Bhagavad Gita, Swamiji explains Lord Krishna's answers on how an Enlightened person conducts himself in the world and the impact of the world on him. Such a person bristles with dynamism and cheer but never gets attached to anything. He experiences the fluctuations of the world but never loses his mental equanimity.

In episode 2 of ‘The Perfect Human Being’ series from the Bhagavad Gita, the great warrior Arjuna asks Lord Kṛṣṇa to define the nature of an Enlightened person. How does such a person express himself in the world, what happens within him and how does he react to external environments and events. In response Lord Kṛṣṇa begins his famed definition of a perfect person.

Swamiji's deft explanation of the verses helps one grasp the depth of the philosophy being imparted.

This series is based on a portion of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita wherein Lord Kṛṣṇa describes the nature and characteristics of an Enlightened soul, known as Sthitaprajña in Sanskrit. It is considered a masterpiece in scriptural literature. In this episode Swamiji explains the meaning of spiritual Enlightenment, the state of Self-Realisation.

The Bhagavad Gita expounds the three fundamental yogas spiritual disciplines of karma action, bhakti devotion and gnana knowledge. These disciplines enable one to lead a productive and harmonious life whilst evolving spiritually. Yet tragically the Gita is considered a post retirement pastime. 

The two fundamental motivations that drive human action are acquisition and enjoyment. In this episode, Swamiji explains that while there is no taboo to acquisition, one’s present happiness should not be dependent on future acquisition. Also, to keep enjoyment alive in life one needs to moderate their contact.