Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Oct 26, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Oct 19, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Dakshinamurti Stotra as part of a spiritual retreat. This Sanskrit hymn, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is a profound exposition on the metaphysics of the universe, presented through the lens of Advaita Vedanta. It venerates Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurti—the divine teacher—and explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and self-knowledge.

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Oct 12, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2025

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on June 15th, 2025.List of questions with timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:48 - What is the difference between the soul and awareness?10:39 - How do we break the link between the real and reflected consciousness? 27:44 - How is knowledge different from experience?36:02 - Is enlightenment obtained during meditation or while interacting with the world?49:38 - Is artificial super-intelligence a feasibility?  Could this lead to the end of humanity?59:27 - Can we design a generalized template for Karma?  How can I explain it to my grandchildren?01:05:55 - Doesn't the "consciousness wave" referred to in Buddhism imply duality?01:09:27 - What is the difference between realization that the dream is unreal within the dream (lucid dreaming) vs. in the waking world?

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the profound influence of Vedanta philosophy on American intellectuals and culture from Ralph Waldo Emerson to J. Robert Oppenheimer. He highlights how these thinkers incorporated Vedantic concepts into literature, philosophy, and science, and how they've shaped American thought and spirituality over the last century and a half. The talk underscores the ongoing relevance of these ideas in contemporary discussions about consciousness and artificial intelligence.

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Oct 5, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2025

Part 4 of the Retreat on Adi Shankaracharya's Vivekacūḍāmaṇi taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda. This retreat was held at Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely in April, 2025: https://ridgely.org

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2025

Part 3 of the Retreat on Adi Shankaracharya's Vivekacūḍāmaṇi taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda. This retreat was held at Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely in April, 2025: https://ridgely.org

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2025

Part 2 of the Retreat on Adi Shankaracharya's Vivekacūḍāmaṇi taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda. This retreat was held at Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely in April, 2025: https://ridgely.org

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

Part 1 of the Retreat on Adi Shankaracharya's Vivekacūḍāmaṇi taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda. This retreat was held at Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely in April, 2025: https://ridgely.org

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches verses 29-34 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 29:प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वश: |य: पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति ||29||prakṛityaiva cha karmāṇi kriyamāṇāni sarvaśhaḥyaḥ paśhyati tathātmānam akartāraṁ sa paśhyati ||29|| 🔴 He is the real seer who perceives that Prakrti (i.e., one's body-mind born of Prakrti) alone is doing all works and that the Atman, the true spiritual self, is the actionless witness. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 30:यदा भूतपृथग्भावमेकस्थमनुपश्यति |तत एव च विस्तारं ब्रह्म सम्पद्यते तदा ||30||yadā bhūta-pṛithag-bhāvam eka-stham anupaśhyatitata eva cha vistāraṁ brahma sampadyate tadā ||30|| 🔴 When one perceives the manifold objects as centred in the One and as evolved from It as well -- then he attains Brahman. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 31:अनादित्वान्निर्गुणत्वात्परमात्मायमव्यय: |शरीरस्थोऽपि कौन्तेय न करोति न लिप्यते ||31||anāditvān nirguṇatvāt paramātmāyam avyayaḥśharīra-stho ’pi kaunteya na karoti na lipyate ||31|| 🔴 That highest Self, being the immutable and unoriginated Spirit beyond Nature, is free from all action and stain, though dwelling in the body. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 32:यथा सर्वगतं सौक्ष्म्यादाकाशं नोपलिप्यते |सर्वत्रावस्थितो देहे तथात्मा नोपलिप्यते ||32||yathā sarva-gataṁ saukṣhmyād ākāśhaṁ nopalipyatesarvatrāvasthito dehe tathātmā nopalipyate ||32|| 🔴 Just as the all-pervading Akasa, because of its subtlety, is not stained by anything, so this Atman, though abiding in all bodies, is never affected by any impurity. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 33:यथा प्रकाशयत्येक: कृत्स्नं लोकमिमं रवि: |क्षेत्रं क्षेत्री तथा कृत्स्नं प्रकाशयति भारत ||33||yathā prakāśhayaty ekaḥ kṛitsnaṁ lokam imaṁ raviḥkṣhetraṁ kṣhetrī tathā kṛitsnaṁ prakāśhayati bhārata ||33|| 🔴 Just as the single sun illumines the whole universe, so the (One) Indwelling Spirit enlivens all bodies (with self-consciousness) 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 34:क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा |भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ||34||kṣhetra-kṣhetrajñayor evam antaraṁ jñāna-chakṣhuṣhābhūta-prakṛiti-mokṣhaṁ cha ye vidur yānti te param ||34|| 🔴 Whoever perceives by spiritual insight the distinction between Ksetra (Nature) and Ksetrajna (Spirit) as also the freedom of the Spirit from the hold of Nature, they reach the Supreme.

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 26-28 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 26:यावत्सञ्जायते किञ्चित्सत्वं स्थावरजङ्गमम् |क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञसंयोगात्तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ||26||yāvat sañjāyate kiñchit sattvaṁ sthāvara-jaṅgamamkṣhetra-kṣhetrajña-sanyogāt tad viddhi bharatarṣhabha ||26|| 🔴 O thou the best of the Bharata clan! Whatever there is born - whether moving or unmoving - it has come into being due to the union of Ksetra (body) and Ksetrajna (spirit). 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 27:समं सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्तं परमेश्वरम् |विनश्यत्स्वविनश्यन्तं य: पश्यति स पश्यति ||27||samaṁ sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu tiṣhṭhantaṁ parameśhvaramvinaśhyatsv avinaśhyantaṁ yaḥ paśhyati sa paśhyati ||27|| 🔴 He really sees who perceives the Supreme Lord alike in everything -- as the Imperishable Substance abiding amidst perishing phenomena. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 28:समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम् |न हिनस्त्यात्मनात्मानं ततो याति परां गतिम् || 28||samaṁ paśhyan hi sarvatra samavasthitam īśhvaramna hinasty ātmanātmānaṁ tato yāti parāṁ gatim || 28|| 🔴 For, he who perceives the Lord's presence alike everywhere no longer works against his own spiritual well-being (by mistaking the ego for the true spiritual Self as men in ignorance do). He therefore attains to the Supreme Goal.

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Jun 15, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Jun 8, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

27,697 views Apr 15, 2025 AskSwami Q&A | Swami SarvapriyanandaQ&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Mar 23rd, 2025. List of questions with timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:43 - Explain the two ways of approaching non-duality: “I am all of it” vs “I am none of it”?15:24 - Is devotion (bhakti) merely an aid to knowledge in Advaita, or something more?29:58 - Is the intense love of God (parabhakti) a form of insanity or mysticism?36:16 - Is Advaita Vedanta falsifiable?52:06 - The importance of asking questions in the study of Vedanta.58:44 - Should we always practice unconditional love?01:11:14 - What is the real meaning of ‘jada’ (insentient) in Advaita?01:20:30 - What is the relationship between Maya and Chit (consciousness)?

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Jun 1, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on May 25, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 22-23 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 24:ध्यानेनात्मनि पश्यन्ति केचिदात्मानमात्मना |अन्ये साङ् ख्येन योगेन कर्मयोगेन चापरे ||24||dhyānenātmani paśhyanti kechid ātmānam ātmanāanye sānkhyena yogena karma-yogena chāpare ||24|| 🔴 There are some who perceive the Atman within themselves by the practice of meditation with a purified mind. There are also others who approach Him through the discipline of knowledge or of work. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 25:अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्त: श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते |तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणा: ||25||anye tv evam ajānantaḥ śhrutvānyebhya upāsatete ’pi chātitaranty eva mṛityuṁ śhruti-parāyaṇāḥ ||25|| 🔴 There are still others, who, being unfit to follow the disciplines described before -- for they lack the knowledge of the Yoga Sastra and the Vedas--, adopt forms of worship (devotional disciplines) under instruction from teachers or elders. Full of faith in these instructions heard, and following them sincerely as their only refuge, they too certainly overcome the cycle of births and deaths.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension. It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908). Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on May 18, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on May 11, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

75,352 views Feb 18, 2018 Divine Personalities | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda speaks on “Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakrishna” Part 3/3 at the Vedanta Society of New York on February 18, 2018, celebrating the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna | Vedanta NY Watch Part 1 of this lecture here -    • (1/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  Watch Part 2 of this lecture here -    • (2/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

86,524 views Feb 18, 2018 Divine Personalities | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda speaks on “Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakrishna” Part 2/3 at the Vedanta Society of New York on February 18, 2018, celebrating the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna | Vedanta NY Watch Part 1 of this lecture here -    • (1/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  Watch Part 3 of this lecture here -    • (3/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

212,848 views Feb 18, 2018 Divine Personalities | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda speaks on “Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakrishna” Part 1/3 at the Vedanta Society of New York on February 18, 2018, celebrating the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna | Vedanta NY Watch Part 2 of this lecture here -    • (2/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  Watch Part 3 of this lecture here -    • (3/3) Avatara - Story of Sri Ramakris...  

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 55 (Chapter 2) of the Bhagavad Gita. Audio Lectures on Bhagavad Gita and the Mandukya Upanishad are available on the following platforms:Soundcloud:   / vedantany  Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX...Google Podcast: https://play.google.com/music/listen#... Or you can simply search for our podcast: ‘Vedanta Talks’ on any of your preferred podcasting apps.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

May 28, 2019 • Advaita Vedanta | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda provides an introduction to the philosophy of Vedanta at the St. Louis Vedanta Society (vedantastl.org)

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension. It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908). Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 22-23 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 22:उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वर: |परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुष: पर: ||22||Upadraṣhṭānumantā cha bhartā bhoktā maheśhvaraḥparamātmeti chāpy ukto dehe ’smin puruṣhaḥ paraḥ ||22|| 🔴 In this body there is also the Transcendent and the Supreme Spirit, who is described as the Supreme Self and Sovereign Lord, the unconcerned Witness, the Sanctioner, the Supporter, and the Enjoyer. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 23:य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणै: सह |सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ||23||Ya evaṁ vetti puruṣhaṁ prakṛitiṁ cha guṇaiḥ sahasarvathā vartamāno ’pi na sa bhūyo ’bhijāyate ||23|| 🔴 Whoever thus knows the Purusa (Spirit) and Prakriti (Nature) along with its effects, will never be born again, whatever be his mode of living.Transcript

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension. It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908). Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension. It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908). Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on May 4, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 19-21 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 19:प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि |विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ||19||Prakṛitiṁ puruṣhaṁ chaiva viddhy anādī ubhāv apivikārānśh cha guṇānśh chaiva viddhi prakṛiti-sambhavān ||19|| 🔴 Know both Prakrti (Nature) and Purusa (Spirit) to be beginningless, eternal verities. Know also that all changeful objects and attributes (that constitute the world of daily experience) are sprung from Prakrti. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 20:कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतु: प्रकृतिरुच्यते |पुरुष: सुखदु:खानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ||20||Kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛitve hetuḥ prakṛitir uchyatepuruṣhaḥ sukha-duḥkhānāṁ bhoktṛitve hetur uchyate ||20|| 🔴 Prakrti is the cause of the formation and functioning of the body and the senses, while it is the Purusa that experiences pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 21:पुरुष: प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङक्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् |कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ||21||Puruṣhaḥ prakṛiti-stho hi bhuṅkte prakṛiti-jān guṇānkāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu ||21|| 🔴 Seated in bodies, which are the products of Prakrti, the Purusa enjoys the objects and qualities born of Prakrti. Attachment to these objects is the cause of the Spirit getting embodiments in evil or exalted wombs.

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension. It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908). Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Apr 27, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025

This lecture by Swami Sarvapriyananda summarizes Sri Ramakrishna’s key teachings. It highlights his emphasis on direct experience of God, the validity of all religious paths, and universal accessibility to spiritual realization. The talk covers Sri Ramakrishna’s methods for God realization, his joyous approach to spirituality, and his transformative influence. It presents Sri Ramakrishna as a figure who made spirituality experiential and universally accessible in the modern age. Opening Music Credits to:  • মূর্ত মহেশ্বর।। স্বামীজী সঙ্গীত।। 🌺 S...  

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donateWeb: http://vedantany.orgiTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqXhiGwwyQcIUjRhtB

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 17 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God". 🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 17:ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमस: परमुच्यते |ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ||17||Jyotiṣhām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param uchyatejñānaṁ jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ hṛidi sarvasya viṣhṭhitam ||17|| 🔴 The self-luminous light of consciousness revealing even all that is luminous, He is beyond obscuration by the darkness of ignorance. He, the light of knowledge, He, the quest of knowledge, He, the way to whom is knowledge -- in the inner-most recess of all beings is He established.

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Apr 13, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Feb 23rd, 2025. List of questions with timestamps: 00:00 - Intro02:10 - How should we pray? What should we pray for?07:19 - I intend to become a monk. How can I maintain inner peace in the midst of the world before joining?14:48 - What is the best way to read through a text with others?18:50 - Is reflected consciousness the same as witness consciousness?30:28 - How do I apply Vedanta to day-to-day life?  38:23 - How can the world be an appearance to Brahman?54:01 - How can I understand consciousness through service?01:01:21 - How does the mind drop attributes?01:07:21 - If everything is an illusion why am I not an illusion as well?01:18:35 - If no company is better than bad company, how can we practice this without hurting others?01:23:50 - What is it that I want?

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M." This session was recorded on Apr 6, 2021.

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025