Voyager 1 has been flying non-stop for nearly 48 years since 1977. It has already travelled over 24 billion kilometres and is still not even one light-day away from Earth. Let that sink in. Just one day of light-speed travel, and we haven’t reached it yet.
And here we are… On this tiny, fragile speck called Earth, floating in infinite space, Wasting our precious moment of life with ego, pride, inferiority, religious superiority, hatred, and greed.
All our religious places, ideologies, nations, and flags – they vanish into nothingness when seen from just a few kilometres above Earth, let alone from Voyager’s view.
The spacecraft carries a golden record of music and greetings from humanity, in case it ever meets another intelligent being. Imagine if it did. What would we say we stood for?
It’s time we grow up, let go of imaginary divisions, ridiculous beliefs, and cults, and embrace the sheer miracle of being alive at all. Because in the grand movie of the universe, we’re not even a pixel on the screen.
Most people live their lives filled with noise, dogma, and contradiction, making sense of life a challenging task. They have unanswered questions, such as, “Who am I?” or “What’s the point of all this?” They are either caught up in beliefs and rituals, have no inclination to engage with such questions, or, due to their beliefs, are afraid to question traditions, or simply too busy to stop and think.
Religions and ideologies claim to offer answers, but more often than not, they leave us confused and divided. They demand belief, but fail to encourage true understanding.
Vedanta is not another belief system. It offers a unique method – a way of seeing – that helps you distinguish between what is real and what is assumed. It doesn’t require blind faith. Instead, it invites you to look within and engage with your own direct experience.
You’ve been told what to think. You’ve been conditioned to accept, obey, and conform. But what if everything you believe—everything you rely on—has been carefully placed there to keep you from seeing the truth?
What if the world around you isn’t what it seems?
This isn’t just another talk. It’s an experience—one that might shake the very foundation of what you think is real. But be warned: once you step through this door, there is no going back.
What if everything you worship, think, and perceive is not the ultimate truth?
The Kenopanishad shakes the very foundation of our understanding by revealing that Brahman—the ultimate reality—is not what the senses perceive, nor what the mind can grasp. It is that by which all perception happens, yet remains beyond perception itself.
I am pleased to share my English explanation of the Kenopanishad, now available on the new Vedanta channel, Timeless Vedanta. This Upanishad is a profound text that explores the nature of ultimate reality, the limitations of perception, and the essence of Brahman—the supreme truth that is beyond the grasp of the senses and intellect.
This video presents a clear and insightful analysis of the Kenopanishad, encouraging deeper reflection and self-inquiry. Watch, learn, and break free from blind beliefs to embrace the wisdom of Vedanta.
Your engagement helps spread the knowledge of Advaita Vedanta and enables more seekers to benefit from these ancient yet ever-relevant teachings.
Summary of the Kenopanishad
The Kenopanishad from the Sama Veda’s Talavakara Brahmana is a profound exploration of Brahman, the ultimate reality that transcends sensory perception and intellectual comprehension. It is structured into four sections, addressing the nature of consciousness, the limitations of the mind and senses, and the necessity of realisation beyond mere knowledge.
I. The Nature of Brahman
The text begins with fundamental inquiries: What is the force behind the mind, speech, and senses? What enables perception and cognition? The answer given is that Brahman is the unseen power that enables all faculties yet remains beyond their grasp.
Brahman is the “ear of the ear, the mind of the mind, the speech of speech, the life of life, and the eye of the eye.”
The wise attain immortality by renouncing identification with the senses and realising this truth.
Brahman is beyond thought, speech, and sight, yet it is that by which the mind thinks, speech expresses, and the eyes see.
“Nedam-yadidam-upaasate” – That which is worshipped as an object is not Brahman; the real Brahman is that which enables perception itself.
II. The Paradox of Knowing Brahman
The Upanishad asserts that Brahman is not fully knowable, nor is it completely unknown. It is beyond dualistic comprehension:
If one thinks, “I know Brahman,” they have only a partial understanding.
Brahman is known by those who realise they do not fully know and remains unknown to those who think they know it completely.
True knowledge of Brahman leads to immortality, strength, and ultimate fulfilment.
III. The Parable of the Gods and Brahman’s Revelation
The Upanishad illustrates the ignorance of the gods through a symbolic story:
After a great victory, the gods (Agni, Vayu, and Indra) assume their triumph is solely their own.
Brahman appears as an unknown Yaksha (divine being) to humble them.
Agni, the fire god, fails to burn a blade of grass; Vayu, the wind god, fails to lift it—revealing their limited power.
Indra, seeking answers, meets Uma (Parvati), the embodiment of wisdom, who reveals that their victory was due to Brahman alone.
Indra, being the first to realise this, is praised above the other gods.
IV. The Flash of Realisation
Brahman is realised like a lightning flash or a blink of an eye—sudden and beyond conceptualisation.
The seeker must meditate on Brahman as “Tadvana” (the most desirable).
Austerity, self-restraint, and righteous action serve as the foundation for realisation.
One who attains this knowledge becomes established in Brahman, free from ignorance, confusion, suffering, and Karma
The Kenopanishad asserts that Brahman is the essence of all experience but cannot be objectified. It must be known intuitively, not intellectually. The Upanishad leads the seeker away from external worship to direct self-inquiry, revealing that the ultimate truth is not in what is perceived but in that which enables perception itself.
As we take a moment to reflect on our lives, let’s remind ourselves that a new year, whether it’s the Gregorian year or any other marker of time, by itself cannot do anything. It is our perception of things and our attitude towards life that truly influence our lives.
In my opinion, what we need to first strive for is clarity—clarity in the way we think, perceive, and judge. For this, some fundamental understanding of oneself and universal oneness is essential.
In our world, filled with numerous cults, groups, spiritual leaders and gurus, it is crucial to recognise the true qualities of divinity, which are honesty, sincerity, compassion, modesty, and gratitude. These virtues surpass any specific doctrine or tradition.
TThe Vedas, Upanishads, and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita are invaluable tools designed to guide individuals towards selflessness. However, although they make things easier for a seeker, they are not the only path to achieving a divine state. Many remarkable people who have never encountered these texts exhibit profound divinity, suggesting that true spirituality transcends any specific set of teachings.
In the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Shloka 2:46, Krishna says that one who has attained SELF-realisation needs the Vedas as much as one would need a well when it is flooded everywhere. This illustrates that attaining supreme knowledge is the highest goal.
Everyone’s spiritual journey is unique. The purpose of Karma Yoga, or performing one’s duty without expecting results, is to maintain a balanced state of mind. Emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, hatred, and envy are born from our perceptions. These emotions are merely waves in the otherwise tranquil ocean of awareness.
When we learn to perceive things differently, we can face and handle challenges better. However, the root causes of mental pain, sadness, and suffering are often attachments and our expectations.
The greatest lesson I have learned from life’s ups and downs is to never expect anything from anyone or life itself. Instead, relish every moment, knowing that anything can happen at any time. Being alive, healthy, sane, and conscious is a gift to be celebrated.
I think that feeling upset about things can also be seen as a form of arrogance or entitlement. It is because it overlooks the miracle of life happening with every heartbeat, which, by the way, can stop at any time.
BBy cultivating a profound understanding of this, we can achieve peace in any circumstance. Introspecting and recognising our fundamentally innate honest and sincere nature reveals the misguided notions arising from a lack of clarity, which obscure our divine true self. Challenging situations refine and polish us, leading to the highest clarity and the ultimate state of Krishna.
Please reflect on the following Shlokas from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita:
SBG 14:23 Krishna says: “He remains unattached and is not moved by sense objects. He knows that it is the senses and the mind born of the Gunas that act while his real Self remains unwavering in all situations.”
SBG 14:24 “He is the same in pleasure as well as in pain; is established in the Self; he is one to whom a lump of earth, a stone and gold are no different from each other; he treats equally the friendly and the unfriendly, and accepts praise or criticism with equanimity.”
SBG 14:25 “He who remains unmoved in honour and dishonour; is the same to friend and foe, and has renounced all actions by giving up claims of being the ‘Doer’, is said to have transcended the three Gunas.”
SBG 14:26 “He who serves Me with unflinching devotion and transcends the Gunas, is fit for becoming Brahman.”
SBG 14:27 “For I am the abode of the formless Brahman, the imperishable and the immutable, of eternal Dharma and of absolute bliss.”
Reflect on these teachings to find peace and equanimity in your spiritual journey. Once such clarity has been achieved, every new day can be celebrated as the first day of the rest of your life, without waiting for any calendar to announce and validate it.
As we embark on our own journeys, let us seek the fruits of the Tree of Abundance. This metaphorical tree, rooted in the fertile soil of knowledge and wisdom, offers us an endless bounty. From its branches hang the fruits of health, prosperity, and happiness, each one a result of the nurturing power of understanding and insight. When we cultivate our minds with learning and awareness, we gain the true wealth that life has to offer. May the Tree of Abundance bless you with its riches, nourishing every aspect of your life and guiding you towards a future filled with endless possibilities.
Please remember that if you continue to be what you have always been and do what you have always done, your life will continue to be how it has always been. Different results need different inputs. It all starts with knowledge. It is usually through the transformative power of knowledge that one can plant the seeds of change and harvest a future abundant with new possibilities.
I am pleased to share a comprehensive resource for those dedicated to the pursuit of self-realisation through Advaita Vedanta. This collection of 45 videos, hosted on YouTube, serves as a guided journey to help you internalise the profound teachings of non-dual Vedanta, the pinnacle of all Vedic studies. Each video is thoughtfully designed to facilitate a smoother path towards the realisation of Atma-Gnyaana — the knowledge of your own true, all-pervading, and attributeless SELF, known as Brahman or Krishna.
For your convenience, I have compiled these videos into a single PDF index with clickable links, allowing you to easily access each video at your own pace.
May this resource inspire and aid you in your quest for self-awareness and enlightenment, freeing you from all fears and negative emotions. These emotions can only rob you of your most precious asset — time on this planet — without offering true happiness in return.
The Path of Knowledge has been accorded the highest status among all paths towards Self-Realisation: Shloka SBG 4:38
In my journey of counselling and guiding individuals over the last decade through my Tavamithram blog, I have encountered numerous men and women who, after interactions with me, emerged more courageous, fearless, and self-confident. There have been a couple of young women who imbibed the knowledge I imparted so well that they did things requiring extensive courage—actions that would make a regular man think not just twice but three times. However, there are exceptions. Despite receiving extensive personal counselling, some individuals persist in wallowing in self-pity, which is something I always try to nip in the bud. This phenomenon, especially among young men, often manifests as existential rhetoric and disillusionment with worldly pursuits. This certainly does not sound even fundamentally manly to me. CONTINUE READING ON SUBSTACK.
What if everything you perceive as reality is just an illusion shaped by your mind? In the ancient teachings of Advaita Vedanta, the analogy of the rope and snake is a powerful tool used to illustrate this profound truth. Imagine seeing a rope in dim light and mistaking it for a snake. Your fear and reactions are real, but the snake is not. The rope never ceases to be a rope, just as the ultimate reality never changes, despite our misconceptions. READ MORE
*The paperback version is not available on Amazon India.
Part 1: Preface and Introduction + Chapters 1-6
The preface and introduction lay the foundation for your exploration. Don't be tempted to skip these initial chapters; they are the compass guiding you through the intricate terrain of the Gita's philosophy. Understand the core teachings, and you'll find yourself motivated to delve deeper, perhaps into the rich Bhashyams or commentaries of Shri Adi Shankara and other great teachers.
Part 2: Chapters 7-12
As you progress through these chapters, absorb the profound insights that unfold. The clarity of understanding achieved in the earlier sections becomes the stepping stone for an even more profound comprehension of Krishna's teachings.
Part 3: Chapters 13-18 + Outro
The culmination of your journey awaits in the final chapters. The outro ties the threads together, offering a comprehensive view of the Gita's timeless wisdom. This concluding section is not to be missed; it holds the key to empowerment and self-confidence.
Namaste Seekers,
Embark on a profound journey into the timeless wisdom of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita with ‘The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-day Rendering by Tavamithram Sarvada.’ Below, I’ll elucidate the profound significance of this work and its potential to illuminate the path to self-realisation.
In a fast-paced world fraught with complexities, the solace found in ancient wisdom often remains unexplored. 'The Ever-Relevant Gita – A Present-day Rendering by Tavamithram Sarvada’ endeavours to bridge this gap, bringing forth the profound teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to everyone, irrespective of age, background, or familiarity with ancient scriptures.
Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
The main challenge involves dispelling misconceptions that surround the Srimad Bhagavad Gita—misconceptions about its perceived depth, religious connotations, and its relevance limited to the elderly or devout individuals. In this modern interpretation, we untangle myths and present timeless wisdom in a manner that aligns with the sensibilities of the contemporary mind.
A Unique Approach: Audio, Video, and E-book Formats
Understanding the daunting nature of lengthy translations, a unique approach has been taken by creating easily digestible audio recordings of each chapter. These recordings allow listeners to absorb the essence of the Gita at their own pace, breaking down barriers that often deter individuals from exploring this ageless scripture.
Beyond presentation, this initiative is a call to embark on a blissful journey of self-discovery. In my life, which has been shaped by numerous challenges and life-altering situations, the importance of a well-trained instinct and a balanced mindset has become crystal clear to me. A clear understanding of the fundamental principles of the teachings in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita certainly plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes, cultivating fearlessness, and fostering rational thinking during critical moments.
Practical Insights for Daily Application
The true power of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita lies in its application in everyday life. The focus is not merely on delivering a rendition or chanting Shlokas, but on providing practical insights that enable individuals to apply these teachings in their daily lives, leading to a more fulfilling and blissful existence.
In essence, the mission is to make the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita easily accessible, relatable, and applicable to everyone, fostering a deeper understanding of life's intricacies. Join me on this enlightening journey, and let's journey through the supreme scripture together.
Those who would like a promo code for a free download of the Audiobook version of the ‘The Ever-Relevant Gita – A Present-Day Rendering by Tavamithram Sarvada’ may email their request to tavamithramoffice@gmail.com
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