Vedanta Society of Iowa August 23, 2014

Vedanta according to

Sri Ramanujachary

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Effort

Self-Effort

Self-Surrender

Spiritual Evolution

(Instinctive)

(Deliberative)

(Intuitive)

awarenessownership

KarmaJnana

Bhakti

God Realization

CompleteSelf-surrender

Vedanta – Visishtadvaita (Acc. to Sri Ramanujacharya)

1.Tatva Knowledge of the 3 Real entities

Ishwara (God - the creator - controller of the world) Jiva (sentient, living souls) Ajiva (insensient, non-living )

2.Hita Means of God-Realization

Bhakti (devotion to God) Prapatti (self-surrender)

3.Purusartha Goal to be attained – freedom from bondage

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Means of Realization - Hita(Acc. to Sri Ramanujacharya)

1.Preparatory Means7-preparatory stepsLeads to purification of mindDevelops living & loving relationship with God

2.Advanced Means6-conditions of self-surrenderLeads to continual remembrance of GodSurrendering oneself completely to God

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1.Viveka Practice of Discrimination: Pure food helps to cultivate pure mind:

a) Avoid food that are impure by nature (jaati dosha)b) Avoid food with external impurities (nimitta dosha)c) Avoid food prepared/touched by impure person (aashraya dosha)

2.Vimoka Freedom from desire:

a) Getting rid of ‘worldly’ desiresb) Desire for God alone

3.Abhyasa Persistent effort to feel the presence of God

a) God is the Indwelling Spiritb) Thoughts, words and deeds must be in unison

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Preparatory Means

4. Kriya Pancha (5) Maha-Yagnas & Karmas:

a) Fulfilling the debts to Rsi, Deva, Pritr, Nara, Bhuta b) Following the path of karma (Nitya, Naimittika, Kamya, Nishiddha &

Prayaschitta

5. Kalyana Practice of Virtues:

c) Truthfulnessd) Non-violencee) Benevolencef) Straight forwardnessg) Friendlinessh) Compassioni) Well-wishing

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Preparatory Sadhana – II.

6. Anavasada

a) Freedom from despair due to disappointmentb) Being cheerful & positive

7. Anuddharshac) Absence of exaltation d) Avoiding extreme

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Preparatory Sadhana – III.

Six aspects of self-surrender (Sadvidha SaranAgatih)

1. Anukulasya Sankalpah Entertaining favorable thoughts and actions:

a) I will always do everything that pleases the Lordb) I will make myself fit to receive His Gracec) I will follow the instructions of my Guru

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Advanced Means

2. PrAtikulasya Varjanam Giving up unfavorable thoughts and actions:

a) I will never do anything that displeases the Lordb) I will give up anger, jealousy, pride, hypocrisy etc.c) I will give up name, fame, power, relationship, and wealth if

they prove to be obstacles in my pathd) I will give up objects and attachment to objects that obstruct

my spiritual progresse) I will give up company of the people that obstruct my

spiritual progress

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Advanced Means (contd.)

3. Raksisyati iti visvasah Firm faith that God will protect me:

a) Having firm conviction that God alone is capable of solving my problem

b) God protects me at all times under every circumstancesc) God is my well-wisher - whatever happens is for the bestd) God is the most kind and compassionate and His love for me

is unconditional e) I am His child and He will never abandon me

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Advanced Means (contd.)

4. Goptrtva varanam Actually seeking refuge in the Lord:

a) I voluntarily choose to place my responsibilities on Godb) I pray for protection, blessings and gracec) I come to you as I am; make me what you want me to bed) Hold me, guide me to truthe) You have guided me till now, help me further, bless me

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Advanced Means (contd.)

5. Atma Nikshepa Throwing oneself totally at the mercy of the Lord:

a) I fall at the feet of the Lord or surrender totally to the Lordb) I have no will or wish of my ownc) I am like the flute in Your hands – you can play in any tune

6. Karpanya Total helplessness:

d) I live in humility since I surrendered e) It’s not my greatness , but His Grace that he accepted me

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Advanced Means (contd.)

Q

&A

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Jaanaki-saki kripaa, jagavati sujana jiv

Jaagi tyagi mudhata, anuraga srihare

- Saint Tulsidas

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