Kathopanishad

Sanathana Vani
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Kathopanishad

Kathopanishad is one of the 10 principal upanishads which present the essence and culmination of all knowledge found within India’s most ancient and sacred texts; the vedas.  It is a dialogue between a little boy named Nachiketa and the Lord of Death, Yama,  which covers the nature of life after death, the true meaning of sacrifice, and how one can transcend death. It is believed that listening to the upanishads is the first step towards discovering our unique spiritual path to liberation. In 2020, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai gave a series of talks over the course of a month, which methodically and thoroughly explained the significance of the Kathopanishad and its relevance to us in our lives. This podcast series is compiled from those talks. 

  1. EPISODE 1

    0. Introduction to Paravidya and Kathopanishad

    What is the Kathopanishad? Why is it important for seekers of the Truth to study it? In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, gives an introduction to what is known as 'paravidya' or the highest spiritual knowledge that leads one to the Truth of one's Self. He describes how it is different from all other forms of knowledge which are all transient and ever-changing. Sadguru introduces the Kathopanishad, and explains why listening and contemplating to this upanishad can help one assimil...

    31 min

  2. EPISODE 1

    1. Four steps to become buddha (the enlightened one)

    In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai dives directly into what He refers to as the main question posed by Nachiketa. It is the very essence of Kathopanishad. “Tell me whether That exists or not because it cannot be touched, tasted, smelled nor heard? So how do I know if It exists?” We are all doubtful about it. Scientists may say It does not exist. But Lord Yama says there is something that exists beyond the senses and the mind. So, is it true or is it not ...

    57 min

  3. EPISODE 2

    2. Five qualities of a good student

    In the Gita, Lord Krishna says “The one who has śraddhā alone is entitled to knowledge.” Through the Kathopanishad, we are shown the qualities which the young Nachiketa embodies – these are the qualities that all seekers of the Truth should imbibe. Further, Sri Adi Shankara says, “In the śāstras, the scriptures, and in the guruvākya, whatever the guru tells, whoever has sattva buddhi, pure mindedness, who believes in that, such a person is called śraddhāvān.” In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madh...

    50 min

  4. EPISODE 3

    3. Three kinds of sufferings (Tapatrayas)

    oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥ During vedic or prayer invocations, it is common for it to conclude with the chanting of three shantis. When one recites three shantis, each shanti is dedicated specifically for one of the three types of sufferings that every human being endures during their lifetime. tapa means difficulty and traya means three. The three types of sufferings are ādhibhautika (related to the body), ādhidaivika (related to the gods/mind) and ādhyātmika (related to the soul). Swami be...

    33 min

  5. EPISODE 4

    4. Seven qualities of a spiritual seeker

    Although in this day and age, vedantic texts are accessible easily through various mediums at the touch of a button, the Truth as taught in vedanta, is not to be taken lightly. In the past, spiritual seekers had to prove their readiness and make great efforts in order to be deemed worthy of receiving the knowledge from their gurus. In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai describes in detail, the seven important qualities of such a spiritual seeker as described in another one of the ten ...

    40 min

  6. EPISODE 5

    5. The four aspects of the mind

    Using the analogy of a computer, Sadguru beautifully explains the four aspects of the mind, namely – मनस् manas – a collection of all kinds of thoughts बुद्धि buddhi – the ability to discriminate, analyse, and come to a decision चित्त citta – memory, storage अहंकार ahaṁkāra – identification The body follows what is collectively dictated by these four aspects of the mind. Having described this, Sadguru then shares how to attain a pure, good mind, with pure thoughts, pure intentions leading to...

    51 min

  7. EPISODE 6

    6. Never distract from the goal of Self-realisation

    Many times, Sadguru has declared that His favourite character from the upaniṣads is the young Nachiketa. In this episode, Sadguru gives us a clear indication of why this is so. Sadguru says that even though Yama tries to tempt the young Nachiketa using a multitude of techniques and an array of distractions, he could not succeed in tempting him. Anyone else in Nachiketa's position would have yielded long before this point, falling for these temptations. Sadguru says that if we cou...

    45 min

  8. EPISODE 7

    7. Essential qualities of a spiritual seeker

    Through the example of Nachiketa, and using anecdotes from other stories such as dialogues between Emperor Janaka and Rishi Astavakra, as well as from the Narada Bakthi Sutras, Sadrugu Sri Madhusudan Sai instructs us on the essential qualities of a spiritual seeker. Sadguru also clearly explains to us the meaning(s) of the word upaniṣad and how it relates to the changes within us as we study the kathopaniṣad. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://ww...

    39 min
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About

Kathopanishad is one of the 10 principal upanishads which present the essence and culmination of all knowledge found within India’s most ancient and sacred texts; the vedas.  It is a dialogue between a little boy named Nachiketa and the Lord of Death, Yama,  which covers the nature of life after death, the true meaning of sacrifice, and how one can transcend death. It is believed that listening to the upanishads is the first step towards discovering our unique spiritual path to liberation. In 2020, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai gave a series of talks over the course of a month, which methodically and thoroughly explained the significance of the Kathopanishad and its relevance to us in our lives. This podcast series is compiled from those talks. 

Information

  • Channel
    Sanathana Vani
  • Creator
    Sanathana Vani
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutha Prakashana
  • Show Website
    Kathopanishad

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