The mah\u0101v\u0101kyas are “the great sayings” of the Upanis\u1ea1ds as characterized by the Advaita school of Ved\u0101nta. There are four mah\u0101v\u0101kyas associated with the four main Vedas. Our focus in this discussion will be on the mah\u0101v\u0101kya \u201caham brahm\u0101smi\u201d from the Brihad\u0101ra\u1e47yaka Upani\u1e63ad of the Yajur Veda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAha\u1e43\u201d indicates the individual (j\u012bv\u0101tm\u0101) and\u201cBrahma\u201d the supreme consciousness (param\u0101tm\u0101); \u201casmi\u201d means \u201cI am\u201d. So \u201caha\u1e43 brahm\u0101smi\u201d means \u201ci am the divine.\u201d This concept encapsulates the notion that within every individual resides the ultimate reality, the all-pervading supreme consciousness. This is the essential teaching of the Bhagavadg\u012bt\u0101. The entire text is presented in the form of a dialogue between Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and Arjuna, the warrior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first chapter presents the universal problem of suffering in the form of Arjuna\u2019s dilemma. Overcome by grief, he surrenders to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a who, first and foremost, teaches him about the eternal nature of the \u0101tm\u0101 or the Self in the second chapter. He explains that individuals suffer because they are not able to recognize their true selves because of spiritual ignorance or avidy\u0101. One who realizes his true nature attains spiritual liberation or mok\u1e63a. But for this, we need to purify and prepare the mind. From Chapters 3-5, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a advice Arjuna to follow the path of karma yoga <\/a><\/strong>to gain knowledge of the Self. Thereafter, the sixth chapter is on meditation<\/a><\/strong> to realize our divine essence. Therefore, the first six chapters indicate \u201caha\u1e43\u201d. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the 7th to the 12th chapter Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a elaborates on his essential divine nature, Brahman. He explains that the world and all its beings are an expression of his own Self. In the 7th, 8th, and 9th chapters, he reveals that He is in all and everything is in Him. In the 10th chapter, he reveals his divine manifestations or his vibh\u016btis. In the 11th chapter Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a reveals his divine cosmic form to Arjuna. Arjuna sees the entire universe contained in the limitless glorious form of the Lord. In the 12th chapter, Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a talks elaborately about bhakti or devotion. Therefore, the second set of six chapters is about Brahma. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the 13th chapter onwards, the Lord reveals that Aha\u1e43 and Brahma are essentially the same. In the 13th\u00a0 chapter, Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a describes 20 values that we need to uncover to realize that our essential nature is Brahma. He describes our essential nature as k\u1e63etraj\u00f1a, the witness.\u00a0 This is not different from Brahma. In chapter 14, He talks about transcending the gu\u1e47as to realize our true Self. In the 15th chapter, He talks about the qualities required to recognize the Self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the 16th chapter, Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a talks about divine and demonic qualities that are there in all. He advised that we need to enhance divine qualities to realize our true nature. In the 17th chapter, He elaborates on \u015braddh\u0101 as an essential part of our spiritual path. In the\u00a0 18th chapter Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a once again summarises the essential teachings and asks Arjuna to act according to his own svadharma and achieve self-realization. Therefore,\u00a0 the third set of six chapters is about \u201casmi.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Level 1<\/a> began with the chanting of the Git\u0101 Dhy\u0101nam, nine verses in praise of the Git\u0101. Two verses from this were taught to students as an opening prayer for every session.\u00a0 An overview of the scripture was given and its relevance to each and every one of us. There was an introduction to the\u00a0Sa\u1e43sk\u1e5btam alphabet and pronunciation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The focus of this program is to teach the chanting of a few key verses from each chapter. In Level 1, a few \u015blokas from chapters 1- 6\u00a0 were taught. At the same time, an overview of each chapter was explained, and a brief explanation of each verse. The emphasis of Volume 1 was to demonstrate to students that with some effort, we can all chant verses from the G\u012bt\u0101 and apply them to our own lives. We can equip ourselves with dynamic everyday spirituality<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link to the program: The Bhagavad Gita – Chanting with Chitra Ganesh Level 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This section of the text contains some very beautiful \u015blokas, where Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a reveals his essential nature as the divine consciousness or Brahman. \u015alokas contained in this section encourage us to experience divinity in every aspect of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example in \u015bloka 7.8, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a says: \u201ci am the\u00a0 taste in water, the light in the sun and the moon and the\u00a0 sacred syllable O\u1e43 in the Vedas, the sound in ether and the\u00a0 ability in man.\u201d In \u015bloka 10.20, K\u1e5b\u1e63na says: \u201cI am the Self abiding in the hearts of all beings. I am the beginning,\u00a0 middle, and the end.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n So you see, there is a very beautiful thread of divinity that runs through these chapters. It is going to be very challenging to pick \u015blokas from this\u00a0section of the text! This section culminates with an elaboration of bhakti yoga<\/a><\/strong> which is an important aspect of surrender.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link to the program: The Bhagavad Gita Chanting with Chitra Ganesh Level 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Level 3 will be based on Chapters 13-18 of the G\u012bt\u0101. I\u00a0 hope that by then most students will be familiar with the pronunciation of Sa\u1e43sk\u1e5btam. There will certainly be a recap of the first two volumes so that students can gain a deeper understanding of the final six chapters of the text. \u015alokas from this section will be carefully picked so that the essence of the G\u012bt\u0101 is clear. At the end of this program, I hope that students will be able to chant the selected \u015blokas from every chapter that was taught and make that a part of their daily s\u0101dhan\u0101. I also hope that students are able to appreciate that deep teachings from the Upani\u1e63ads are conveyed in such simple \u015blokas and deepen their study of this beautiful text.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To Conclude,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n hellomyyoga<\/a><\/strong> truly believes that the Bhagavad Gita is the timeless solution to all the challenges of modern life, suitable for people of all ages and phases. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our self-paced Volume 1 program, as well as our paid Volume 2 program<\/a><\/strong>, making this ancient wisdom accessible to everyone. Join us on this incredible journey of self-discovery and find the answers you seek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more blogs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The mah\u0101v\u0101kyas are “the great sayings” of the Upanis\u1ea1ds as characterized by the Advaita school of Ved\u0101nta. There are four mah\u0101v\u0101kyas associated with the four main Vedas. Our focus in this discussion will be on the mah\u0101v\u0101kya \u201caham brahm\u0101smi\u201d from the Brihad\u0101ra\u1e47yaka Upani\u1e63ad of the Yajur Veda. \u201cAha\u1e43\u201d indicates the individual (j\u012bv\u0101tm\u0101) and\u201cBrahma\u201d the supreme […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5257","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chat-on-mat"},"yoast_head":"\nQuestion to Chitra ji: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What learnings do you offer to your students with the program Level-1?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Question to Chitra ji: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you share what kind of \u015blokas are you picking for your upcoming program Level 2 based on chapters 7-12 based on the concept of Brahma?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Question to Chitra ji: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What can we expect in Level 3 of the Bhagavad\u00a0 Gita Chanting?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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