Ambalam

23/05/2023

All are welcome😊🙏.

17/10/2022

25/08/2022

9th september 6pm IST - Koham world premiere on Tikki. Buy your tickets soon. Delighted to share the stage with my dearest students Meera Sreenarayanan and Apeksha Kamath. Ticket Link in my profile.

https://www.tikkl.com/gvrnatyakalafoundation

.advaita

24/08/2022

Coming soon! 9th september 2022!😔

Ramana Maharshi said the only question one needs to ask is KOHAM - literally translates as Koh, which means "who," and Am, which means "I." Together becomes the question "who am I?" - Lets start thinking

.advaita

23/08/2022

Post 7: preproduction post
In Advaita Philosophy, bo***ge is the source of misery. Self-Knowledge is the source of liberation. Mahavakyas are the source of Self-knowledge that leads to liberation. The Mahavakyas are "The Great profound Sayings" of the Upanishads. While Upanishads are the very essence of Vedas, these aphorisms are the very essence of Upanishads or Vedanta. They are widely used for contemplation and meditation. All mahavakyas are inter-connected and teach about the nature of truth and lead to the realization of unbounded consciousness. Mahavakyas can be used like mantras and be chanted aloud or silently.

Four most important Mahavakyas are:

Tat Tvam Asi: 'That Thou Art' is the Upanishadic Vakya from the Chhandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda. The Guru initiates the disciple into Brahma-Jnana through this Vakya. This Mahavakya gives rise to the other three Vakyas - Aham Brahmaasmi, Ayam Atma Brahma, and Prajnanam Brahma.

Prajnanam Brahma: 'Consciousness is Brahman.' This is called the Svarupabodha-Vakya that explains the nature of Brahman or the Self. This is from Aitareya-Upanishad of the Rigveda.

Aham Brahmaasmi: 'I Am Brahman.' This is the Anusandhana-Vakya from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajurveda.This Self is Brahman, which is the substance out of which all things are really made. The ‘I’ is that which is the One Witnessing Consciousness shining through every act of thinking and feeling.

Ayam Atma Brahma: 'This Self is Brahman.' This is the Anubhavabodha Vakya or the sentence that gives expression to the inner intuitive experience of the seeker. This is from Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda.

Q: Can you name other Mahavakyas?

.advaita

22/08/2022

Post #6 Brahman
Mandukya upanishad, the shortest of all the Upanishads is ascribed to Atharvaveda. It is associated with a Rig Vedic school of scholars and speaks of Brahman as the ultimate truth. Brahman is a Sanskrit word that refers to the highest universal principle, also called the ultimate or absolute reality. It is a central concept in the Upanishads, ancient scriptures that make up the doctrine of Vedanta philosophy. In vedantic terminology there is no actual evolution or creation of the world, but only the manifestation of the Brahman as the world.

In Sanskrit, Brahman is defined as satyam jnanam anantam brahma which can be translated as “that which never changes,” “knowledge,” and “infinity.” The word Brahman is derived from the Sanskrit root brh, meaning "to grow or expand." Brahman is understood to be both that which grows and that which causes other things to grow. Brahman manifests as Hiranyagarbha (the golden embryo), which can take countless forms or manifestations. It is like a seed form potentially before becoming a tree. Before sprouting, the seed swells and the manifestation of the subtle world takes place first. The gross world is the visible universe with the five elements known as space, fire, air, water and earth along with all planets. The Jivas, animals, birds, and other living beings are born out of iswara by different processes of evolution. The internal worlds, the mind, the pranas and the senses are founded on Brahman. Brahman is said to be composed of both consciousness - swarupa lakshanam and tatastha lakshanam, original consciousness and witness consciousness. At the individual level it is a sakshi, witness and at the world level it is Brahman. When jiva wakes up to the higher consciousness there is freedom. This liberated soul is of the nature of Brahman, with inner power and knowledge that is free from evil, free from grief, free from suffering, one of bliss and for such there is freedom in all worlds.

Q: What is the sanskrit word for liberation and soul?

20/08/2022

AUM - Scientists theorize that this world emerged from sound–the "big bang." Our Hindu rishis many thousands of years earlier said the same thing–Aum is the primal sound from which everything has been created, sustained and transformed. Om is the nectar which can only be experienced.

According to Chandogya Upanishad, one of the oldest Upanishads of Hinduism - As how the essence of all beings is earth; the essence of earth is water; the essence of water are the plants; the essence of plants is man; the essence of man is speech; the essence of speech is the Rigveda; the essence of the Rigveda is the Samaveda;  the essence of Samaveda is the Udgitha (song, Om).

Mandukya Upanishad  discusses the syllable Aum and asserts that Aum as Brahman; Om as all states of Time; Om as all states of Ātman .
Om as all states of Consciousness; Om as all of Knowledge. It presents the theory of four states of consciousness; and defines these states as waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and state of enlightenment.

The waking state is is represented by the "A" of the AUM Mantra. The dream state by U  and The deep sleep state by M of the AUM mantra.

1. Wakefulness—Jagrat
In the waking state, the jiva is caught up with objects (both external and internal) and loses the awareness of its true nature as pure “subject.”
2. Dreaming—Svapna
Here, the jiva travels in the imaginative world of dreams, becomes one with that realm, and loses the consciousness of atman. In the dream state, the jiva is caught up with internal objects and loses sight of its true nature as pure “subject.”
3. Deep Sleep—Sushupti
The soul travels in a subjective world without being conscious of it, and becomes one with that unconscious subjectivity. In deep sleep, the jiva is free from objects and blissful but has not yet transcended itself.

Q: 1.can you name the 4th state of conciousness.
2. Guess the title of the production

.advaita .v.ramprasadh

18/08/2022

Post 4 continued: + Quiz
DVAITAADVAITA was propounded by Nimbārka, based upon an earlier school called Bhedābheda, which was taught by Bhāskara. According to this school, the relationship of Jivatma with Brahman may be regarded as dvaita from one point of view and advaita from another. There are three categories of existence - chit, achit, and Isvara. Isvara is independent and exists by Himself, while the universe, consisting of chit (consciousness) and achit (what is not conscious that includes matter and time), forms the body of Brahman, or Vishnu. There is a kind of existence which is separate but dependent.

SHUDDHAADVAITA propounded by Vallabha (1479 – 1531) encouraged Bhakti as the only means of liberation and the glorious Krishna in His "sacchidananda" form is the Absolute Brahman. He said Prakriti (empirical world, body) is not separate from the Brahman, but just another manifestation of the latter. Everything, everyone, everywhere – soul and body, living and non-living, jiva and matter – is THE Eternal Krishna.

ACHINTYA BHEDAABHEDA  propounded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Bengal, 1486-1534) representing the philosophy of inconceivable one-ness and difference emphasized that the individual self (Jīvatman) is both different and not different from Brahman. The souls within everyone is deeply connected to the supreme but we as people do not understand that connection as we haven't understood what is the true nature of our soul and the supreme.

Quiz:
1. Name the pancha peetas established by Adishankaracharya.
2. Name some of the works of Adi Shankaracharya.

.advaita

18/08/2022

Post #4 - The main traditions of Vedanta are: 
Advaita (non-dualism), 
Bhedabheda (difference and non-difference)
Suddhadvaita (pure non-dualism)
Dvaita (dualism)
Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism)

Vedanta philosophies discuss three fundamental metaphysical categories and the relations between the three.
• Brahman or Ishvara: the ultimate reality
• Ātman or Jivātman: the individual soul, self
• Prakriti or Jagat: the empirical world, ever-changing physical universe, body and matter

ADVAITA Vedānta, which was propounded by Adi Sankara (mid-eighth century), says Brahman is the only reality, and the world, as it appears, is illusory. An illusionary power of Brahman called Māyā causes the world to arise and Ignorance of this reality is the cause of all suffering in the world. In Maya, Brahman appears as God (Ishvara), separate from the world and from the individual. In reality, there is no difference between the individual soul jīvātman (see Atman) and Brahman. Liberation lies in knowing the reality of this non-difference (a-dvaita, "not-two"-ness). Thus, the path to liberation is finally only through knowledge (jñāna).

VISHISHTAADVAITA was propounded by Ramanuja (1017-1137) and says that the jīvātman (individual soul) is a part of Brahman, and hence is similar, but not identical. The main difference from Advaita is that in Visishtadvaita, Brahman, matter and the individual souls are distinct but mutually inseparable entities. This school propounds Bhakti, or devotion to God visualized as Vishnu, to be the path to liberation. Māyā is seen as the creative power of God.

DVAITA was propounded by Madhvacharya (1238- 1317) identifies God with Brahman completely, and in turn with Vishnu or his incarnation Krishna. It regards Brahman, all individual souls (jīvātmans), and matter as eternal and mutually separate entities. This school also advocated Bhakti as the route to liberation. There is no concept of Māyā as an illusionary power behind the world.

To be continued.......

16/08/2022

Post 3 # Vedanta short intoduction + quiz : Vedanta is one of the six systems of orthodox Indian philisophy namely - Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva-Mimamsa (or Mimamsa) and Vedanta founded by sages Konada, Gotama, Kapila, Patanjali, Jaimini and Vyasa respectively. Three basic concepts that form the corner stones for the Indian philosophies are the self or soul (Aatman), work (Karma), and liberation (Moksha).

Vedanta - Veda means Knowledge and Antha in sanskrit technically means End. According to Swami Sarvapriyananda, some sanskrit scholars interpret antha as Siddantha. So, vedantas are the final, the conclusive and the highest teachings of Vedas. Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavadgita are the three foundations for Vedanta - Prasthaana thraya.

Upanishads are mystical. The questions that arises while reading Upanishads are dealt in very logical and rational fashion in Brahmasutras. Upanishads are called shruti prasthana as they come from Vedas. Gita is known as smrithi prasthana as it comes from Mahabharatha. Brahma sutras are called Nyaya prasthana as they form logical  foundation for vedanta. Thus, Upanishads, Gita, Brahmasutras and the commentaries on them form the textual foundations for Vedanta. The commentaries written on Brahmasutras by different eminent scholars gave rise to different schools of Vedanta.

Vedanta is universal in its application and  asserts that main goal of our life is to discover the greatest truth of our existence - our real nature is divine; God, the underlying reality, exists in every being;  Religion is therefore a search for self-knowledge, a search for the God within.

Q: Could you name some of the prominent schools of Vedanta.

15/08/2022

Fun time at Saudaminis engagement at Mangalore ❤️

15/08/2022

Happy 75th Independence day! 🙏. Vande Maataram! Resharing my dear friend Swatis post. Sooryakant Tripathi 'Niraalaaji's' famous poem Varadey Veena Vaadini Varade.
Extract from this poem.

नव गति, नव लय, ताल-छंद नव
Nava Gati,Nava Laya, Taala,Chhanda Nava
नवल कंठ, नव जलद-मन्द्ररव,
Naval Kanthha,
Nava Jalada Mandra Rava
नव नभ के नव विहग-वृंद को,
Nava Nabha Ke
Nava Vihaga Vrinda Ko
नव पर, नव स्वर दे,
Nava Para Nava Swara De
वर दे, वीणावादिनि वर दे,
Varade Veenaa Vaadini Varade
वर दे, वीणावादिनि वर दे,
Varade Veenaa Vaadini Varade
प्रिय स्वतंत्र-रव अमृत-मंत्र नव
Priya Swatantra Rava
Amrita Mantra Nava
भारत में भर दे
Bhaarata mein Bhara de.
🙏🙏🙏

Oh Mother Goddess Saraswathi
Bestow on us renewed momentum, pace, rhythm, inspiring rhythmic meters.

Bestow on us renewed strength in our voices, renewed sonorous mellow cloudlike sound (of solomn resolve ).

Bestow on our young ones new wings. Bestow on them strength in their wings and voice so that they can take off and explore and touch the skies (of new possibilities).

Bestow these boons Oh Goddess Sarawati who holds the Veena in Her Hands and plays it.

Let the loving sound of Freedom, and nectar of Sankalpa ( resolve) and Mantras (chants thereof) fill Bharatavarsha.

Thank you Swati Mahalaxmi for sharing this😊🙏

14/08/2022

VEDAS: The earliest known record of compilation of Vedas are circa 2nd century BCE

2. Study of Sanskrit in the western world began only by circa 1850s. This happened when the Raj noticed soldiers of Indian subcontinent to have better war techniques than their own.

3. All of early texts were written in proto Sanskrit or Vedic Sanskrit. The evolution of which started in the central asian plains (no known date) and ended in the Gangetic belt during Gupta rule (5th century CE).

4. One of the first languages these texts were translated are in fact Persian and Urdu, in 16th century under the rule of Akbar.

5. One of the first texts to be translated was not the vedas. It was Mahabharata.

ambalam

Interesting fact compiling credits: Shreedevi

10/08/2022

Dr. Chaitrai Rao - very beautiful talented dancer is performing on friday 12th at Kappanna kala mandira. Please do come😊🙏

08/08/2022

Post #1 - So, my dear young dancers and rasikas, here I am, as promised in my previous post regarding my upcoming production with Meera and Apeksha! The title will be released in 10 days time before which we will have series of posts leading there.

Right now, I am just crawling very very slowly like a baby and making an humble attempt to understand a bit of life from our greatest scripture - Vedas. The learned friends here, If there is anything wrong in my understanding, please do correct me. Let me start with a very very small introduction about it and in the end, a simple quiz for you.

For any time period, for any civilisation, it is essential that people in the society should possess absolute knowledge for a meaningful and purposeful existence. Vedas are the greatest store-house of this knowledge ever known to mankind. The Vedas contain everything - spiritual, scientific and intellectual knowledge, from life and death to the secrets of the universe.

Vedas are ancient religious texts of Hinduism composed in vedic sanskrit language.The Sanskrit word véda meaning"knowledge, wisdom" is derived from the root vid meaning- "to know". Vedas are believed to be the revelations of sacred knowledge heard, experienced and realised by ancient sages after intense meditation. Vedas are the reflection of the life-and-spiritual experiences of many generations of ancient Indian pre-Vedic people and have been orally transmitted through Shruti (what is heard) for many generations. Shruti texts are applicable to any society, religion, caste, or any period of time. They are for all of humanity and thus considered as eternal (Sanaathana).

Great sage Krishna Dwaipayana is said to have categorized this eternal primordial vedic texts into four parts in order to help us to understand the divine knowledge.

Quiz:
1.Name the four parts of Vedas?
2. What is the other name of Sage Krishna Dwaipayana?

Ps: Dont google😄

05/08/2022

So, some of my students and friends were very excited to know what actually Meera, Apeksha and myself going to do in the upcoming project next month .. Instead of just letting it out, I thought why not have series of quiz and make you think😊. I would love your participation. It's really very simple..But don't Google for answers🤣🤣. I will start from Monday! Are you ready??❤️..just say yes in your reply!

01/08/2022

Can you all guess what is being specially cooked by three of us Apeksha Kamath Meera Sreenarayanan and myself!?? ..

.nk

01/08/2022

Can you all guess what is being specially cooked by three of us Apeksha Kamath Meera Sreenarayanan and myself!?? ..

journey .nk