Vedanta

Mundak- A tale of 2 birds representing Jiva and the Consciousness. It is a poetic style Upanishad with 64 mantras in the form of Guru and Shishya samvaad (dialogue). This Upanishad contains 3 mundakam each with 2 sections. 1st mundakam defines the science of higher (para vidya) and lower knowledge(apara vidya) and asserts the acts of oblations and pious gifts are foolish due to it not reducing the unhappiness of life in this birth and next birth which only comes from the knowledge.
2nd Mundakam describes the Brahman, relationship between world and Brahman and path to know Brahman. 3rd Mundakam is an expansion of the second and then going into describing the state of knowing the Brahman.

Swami Abhedananda expounds on each section bringing out the beauty of Shankar Bhashya and establishing the Truth.

Prashnopanishad is found in Atharveda, again in the form a dialogue between Pipplada Rishi and 6 seekers each with their own inquiries regarding the highest knowledge and the world. By the guidance of the teacher the students had put forth effort for one year to gain the qualifications there after the teacher answered each question.

Swami Abhedananda delves into the depths of each seeker’s question and the teacher’s compassionate and knowledgeable response based on Shankara Bhashya.

Mandukya Upanishad belongs to Atharveda and has been given a very high status. It is the shortest Upanishad and contains only twelve Mantras. Because of its brevity, it becomes difficult for students to understand its entire import without sufficient explanation and therefore Shri Gaudapada Acharya, (Guru of Bhagwaan Shri Shankaracharya) has written karikas (verses written with a view to expound an aspect of the subject matter). 

Brahman is the only reality, nothing else is real. This is the declaration of the Upanishad. The karika explains and proves with various inferences and logic that this universe is nothing but a dream. Challenging our small thinking, Mandukya Upanishad leaves a seeker with intense desire to realise this unwavering Truth.

Kathopanishad belongs to Krishna Yajurveda and is unique in a sense that it starts with a story of a young brahmin boy (Nachiketa) who is ready to face Lord of death (Yamraj) in his quest for Truth. Totally rejecting the limited worldly pleasures offered to him by Yamraj, Nachiketa displays qualities which ever seeker should aim to have. Having the desire only on the Truth, choosing that ONE alone, Yamraj is compelled to give him the Ultimate knowledge, knowledge of the Self. The seeker is guided step by step to the glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss.

Chandogya Upanishad belongs to the Samveda.

The sixth chapter contains the famous mahavakya, Tat Tvam Asi and is regarded as one of the most important of all Upanishadic teachings. Chapter 6 deals with brahman as sat or existence and hence called sat vidya. It establishes that essence of all beings is same, it is that One Truth, One Reality!

The eighth chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad opens by declaring the body is born with as the “city of Brahman”, and in it is a palace that is special because the entire universe is contained within it. Whatever has been, whatever will be, whatever is, and whatever is not, is all inside that palace asserts the text, and the resident of the palace is the Brahman, as Atman – the Self. With the knowledge of the Brahman, one is free from darkness. 

Swami Abhedananda has explored these chapters in-depth in these talks.

Kenopanishad belongs to the Saamveda, talavakara shakha. It essentially deals with nature of Brahman and establishes that this highest Truth does not come under the scope of ordinary means of knowledge in a human mind.This Upanishad is divided into 4 khands- the first 2 khand is in pursuit of the nature of Brahman. The 3rd and 4th khand reiterates the nature of Brahman in a story form. This makes the Upanishad unique in the sense that it speaks of Ishwara and Avatar. 

An in-depth analysis of Shankara Bhashya outlining the essential principles along with Ishwara prakaran has been beautifully expounded by Pujya Swamiji.

Upadesh Saar is a very popular vedantic text by the great sage, Bhagwan Raman Maharishi. This text indicates how a seeker can prepare his mind for contemplation.

In this series of talks, Swami Abhedananda has explained the verses, with easy to understand examples.