*/ There are the 5 categories of spiritual knowledge which one needs to study, reflect upon, realise and practice in order to progress spiritually. These are:- 1. The nature of the Godhead. (para-svarūpam) 2. The nature of the Self. (sva-svarūpam) 3. The nature of life’s goal. (puruṣārtha svarūpam) 4. The means to attain that goal. (upāya svarūpam) 5. The obstacles

*/ Chapter 1 The Nature of the Godhead Para-svarūpam 1. Intro The universe around us is seen to be constantly changing highly complex phenomena which are impermanent. Behind these transitory phenomena lies an unchanging eternal substratum (noumenon) upon which these effects take place. This can be likened to a movie which is projected upon a screen. The screen is the

Chapter 2. The Nature of Self ( Sva-svarūpam ) 1. Intro The basic tenet of all schools of Vedanta is that every living entity consists of two components: (a) the insentient (non-thinking) material (physical) component and (b) the sentient (thinking) conscious component. The Self (jīva) is not the body/mind complex but the conscious entity which animates the body and uses

*/ Chapter 3 The Purpose of Life (Puruṣārtha svarūpam) 1. Intro The earthly plane is known as karma Bhūmi or the realm of action . According to the Vedic cosmology in addition to this world there are other realms called bhoga lokas or places of enjoyment where aims, goals and striving have no meaning as they are transcendental states of

*/ Chapter 4 The Means to God-realisation (Upāya Svarūpam) 1. Intro The process by which one works towards a spiritual goal is known as yoga , which means to yoke or to join . It indicates the unification of the seeker with the sought. The Veda declares: tat tvam asi - “Thou art that which you seek”. So Yoga should

Chapter 5 The Obstacles to Spiritual Practice (Virodhi Svarūpam) 1. Intro The spiritual path is metaphorically described in the Upanishads as “the edge of a razor” (kṣīrasya dhāra) because of all the dangers inherent upon it. The spiritual path is beset with difficulties, obscuration and obstructions and as such is traversable only by those with courage, determination and insight. There

*/ */ Index Anchors 1. The Filters of Comprehension 2. Initiation - samāśrayanam 3. Disciples - Shishyas 4. Spiritual Practice - Sādhana 5. Daily Duties 6. Personal Conduct 7. Livelihood 8. Tadiya-aradhanam 9. The Community 10. Women Daily Practice 1. The Filters of Comprehension It can be seen that our perception of the world and our place in it and

The Eighteen Points of Doctrinal Difference between Vaḍakalai and Teṅkalai Aṣṭa-daśa Bhedas The classical eighteen points of doctrinal dispute became codified during the 18th Century. The Vaḍakalai scholars base their arguments on the works of Vedanta Deśikan and the Teṅkalai consolidate their position on the basis of the teachings of Pillai Lokāchārya and Manavallamamuni. 1. The Nature of God’s All-Pervasion

Śrī Stuti is a devotional text dedicated to Śrī, our Divine Mother and consort of Lord Nārāyaṇa, also known as Lakshmi Devi or in South-Indian tradition of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism often known as Perundevi Thayar. It is believed that reading and studying Śrī Stuti can bestow many kinds of riches to devotees – both spiritual and material. It is also filled