Class Summary for June 27, 2023 - Soham-ji's session + Chapter-1 (19 -23 slokas)

 Summarized by: Bala Dhandapani

Class started off with the chanting of Om and a short prayer. Brahmachari Soham Chaitanyaji joined the

session and was introduced to the class.

Salient points from Brahmachari Soham Chaitanyaji

-Pujya Swami Gurudev prescribed the study group format and it is a gift for all of us.

-Unlike cultural programs that celebrate once in a while and anniversaries we celebrate yearly, satsang

(such as study group) is conducted systematically and regularly . Study group provides lot of insight into the topics that are discussed. Benefits all who participate, can learn from each other’s experiences. In this format there should be more light than sound.

-Bhagavad Gita is an excellent ever green text. It teaches us how to face situations, anxieties,

uncertainties.

-Bhagavad Gita is a Guru in itself and teaches how our inner strength increases when one goes through

situations like Arjuna.

-If grief is provided the correct guidance, a person can grow out of it and can come out strong.

-Surrender to Bhagawan and ask him what to do and how to live in this transactional world.

-A student who is studying Upanishad is assumed to be a mature person and hence the Upanishads does

not discuss the transactional world. Bhagavad Gita does not assume anything, it shows us how to come

out of sorrow and face the transactional world.

-Bhagavad Gita teaches us karma Yoga. More and more work comes to a person who does more work.

For example, if two people report to a person it is more work than working with one person. And, if two

hundred people report to one person the ownership and responsibilities increases, more entanglement

occur. Important advise is everyone has to do their work but not get stressed out (ie. with taking

ownership of 200 people one can be calm and not stressed out). Hence one should do their duties

towards family, friends, society, world etc. Then the mind will start seeking for higher.

-When the mind is free it will start thinking about higher ideals and more subtler things. Bhagawan is

very much aware of how our mind works. To see Vedanta in Bhagavad Gita one needs fine tuning and

Karma Yoga provides that.

-A mother will take care of all her children in whatever state they are in, similarly Bhagavad Gita will take care of all its students. Every situation will be a teacher, at every point the student is guided.

-Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum, two meanings – one, Krishna is the Guru/Guide to the world. Second,

one who teaches us through the world. Live the world, it is a place to serve, do not get attached.

Experiences will give us guidance and teaches us lessons.

Question 1 posed to Brahmachari Soham Chaitanyaji

There is an end to everything, what is the whole purpose of our life.

Response: In Sundarkhand, Jambavanji reminds Hanuman what is the purpose of life. Even spall

monkeys were working hard to accomplish and help Lord Rama . Purify mind and do Lord’s work. One

should be grateful when one is able to perform noble work. Bhagawan chose us to do the work and

hence we should do our best. Ramnad Sagar’s interview regarding Ramayana TV serial was given as an

example. He said, looking back this was a divine opportunity. Bhagavan accomplished this thorough

him and he was a mere instrument for Bhagavan.

Hence, purify our life through serving and leave it to Bhagavan and let him direct us. Success and failure both go to him. Disconnect oneself from the result.

Question 2: As we progress in this spiritual journey, when we operate in a detached state, is it

perceived as being insensitive towards others. How do we deal with it.

Response: Misunderstanding of Vedanta by seekers. It can happen between spouses, differences can

be perceived as being insensitive. In Rome be a Roman, live as if we are worldly in the midst of worldy

life.

If mind is agitated , keep trying hard to focus (Abyasa Yoga) . Don’t be harsh. Put the effort, we have

no control on the result.

For a devotee, sensitivity is at the highest. A Yogi will put themselves in other’s shoes and see how to be

sensitive towards their health issue, family issues etc. Put oneself in their shoe and respond accordingly.

Vedanta will make one very sensitive, same feeling towards an ant, nature and everyone else. Brahman

enlivens in all.

Story: A maharaj as a ritual takes water from Ganga (Varanasi) to Rameswaram and takes sand from

Rameswaram and deposit in Varanasi all by walking. On the way pilgrims ran out of water and they

went in search of water. Maharaj sees a buffalo that is very thirsty and he gives the water to the

buffalo. Other pilgrims arrive and criticize him that he didn’t complete his task (taking the water to

Rameswaram) even though he was close to completion. He says that he sees Lord Shiva in the buffalo.

Lord Shiva gives him darshan.

Conclusion from Brahmachari Soham Chaitanyaji:

Spend time, reflect, hear from other’s experiences, let every situation be your teacher (instead of why

me, why me). Listen – Reflect -Benefit. Example: Honey that is collected from several flowers.

God gives us the situation, in the spiritual world, first the test and then the teaching (where as in the

normal world, first teaching and then the test).

Back to class:

Chant slokas 19-23

Sanjaya is further reiterating the mightiness of the Pandavas and is creating them as a scry, formidable

force.

Symbol on Arjuna’s chariot is Kapi – Hanuman.

Theme:

This is to show the fickle mindedness of Arjuna (as one of the interpretation). Arjuna addresses Krishna

as one who never falls or slips.

Arjuna is all pumped up and ready for war. He wants to evaluate who has come to support Duryodhana

more in an arrogant way. He is super confident of winning the war and slightly arrogant as well.

Subjective Analysis;

When you sit for meditation, your mind will take you to different places. One need the help of

consciousness to help control the mind. This is done by consciousness guiding the mind to a witness point where it can see both the emotional tendencies and the positive tendencies.

TIP – During meditation, observe how your mind is guided to a witness role to see various

thoughts/tendencies, get to the witness state.

Thoughts: Serve with humility like hanuman. Be confident and not over-confident. Humble mind set

will help not to attach.

Krishna wanted Arjuna to fight with a Satvic mind and not with an agitated mind.

Classes will restart on September 5, 2023, 8-9:15 pm.

Additional sadhanas will be posted. Continue with (1) Bed time introspection for 2-5 minutes. (2) 10

minute meditation, preferably in the morning. Don’t take the summer break as a reason for not

continuing your sadhana. Continue shravanam by reading the slokas and watching Gurudev videos.

Purify our mind to do Lord’s work !