Tavamithram Sarvada | Rational Vedanta, Clarity, and the Science of the Mind
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PodTalk No. 07
Karmic ‘Potholes’
Temptations are Karmic ‘potholes’ which are detrimental to one’s Karmic evolution. They can influence the minds of even very highly intelligent and educated people. Such people when tempted, are led to do things that they would normally never do. It is usually because of a moment of weakness, either due to desire, or READ ON…https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/karmic_potholes/
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः || २ ३७ ||
SBG 2:37
Either you will be killed in the battle and you will attain the celestial abodes or, you will win this battle and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise and fight with resolution.
Extreme ego, the feelings of entitlement, the ‘I deserve better’ attitude or simply one’s inability to come to terms with the reality are usually the common factors that drive one to go to the extent of ending their own life.
With all due respect to the unfortunate people who ended their lives, I would like to tell people who are currently battling challenges that it depends on an individual to view life either as a battle that causes ‘pains’ and ‘sufferings’ or as a ride on a giant rollercoaster that adds experience to life. A truly fulfilling life is one which is filled with different kinds of experience. Should you feel that your life is full of challenges, you need to be only thankful for being blessed with such a life because it offers you great learning opportunities.
All situations change. Be patient and learn from the challenges you face while you work for your future and wait for your time.
We all are aware that the Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Arjuna and Bhagavan Krishna. Arjuna was not only in a dilemma, but he was also under severe stress because he was unsure of what he was supposed to do. He found it difficult to decide what was righteous and what was not. This uncertainty led his mind to his being deluded which in turn made him consider giving up and walking away. He was also ready to stand unarmed and get killed by the Kauravas – SBG 1:46 “It would be better for me if the sons of Drtaraashtra killed me with weapons while I stood unarmed and not resisting.”
Towards the end of his conversation with Bhagavan Krishna, it becomes clear to Arjuna that all the problems he faced, existed only in his mind and that the ways to be victorious in the battle between the negative forces and positive virtues within him, were to have absolute faith, to master his own mind and to change his way of thinking.
Dogs – the epitome of loyalty, trust and unconditional love
Vicki was merely a couple of days old when my sister found him lying next to two dead puppies. His condition was pretty bad and she knew that if he did not receive any help, he would not survive even a day more. She took him to a vet and then took him home. The little chap has since then remained at my sister’s home and has grown up to become a strong and fearless dog that considers guarding my family to be his very purpose in life.
Mental Freedom and Happiness vs. Mental Dependence and Heartaches
Almost everyone has undergone heartaches caused by someone who hurt them or left them for someone else. It could have been among school friends, colleagues, relatives or romantic couples who had sworn earlier they would never leave. From a psychological point of view, such a heartache can be said to be a result of ego, attachment and the will to possess the loved person. Play the video below to listen to the talk.
It’s been a year since you left us and our material world, my dearest friend. You were more of an older brother to me who showed me the way from my teens into the open wide world.
I am sure that you have reached the ultimate abode of the Supreme Bhagavan Krishna.
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् |
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः || ८ ५ || SBG 8:05 And whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth thinking of Me alone at the time of death, he attains My Being. There is no doubt about this.
Om Shanti.
My dearest friend K, little did we know that either one of us would leave so soon and that destiny would make the one remaining offer the same favourite song of ours, which we have sung together on stage, as a tribute for the other one’s demise.
I thank you for the greatest gift of your friendship that you gave me during your last stay on our planet.
The song “Tere jaisa yaar kahan” used by me in this video of mine has been sung by Rahul Jain. (Courtesy Pehchan Music)
Is your CUP HALF-FULL or is it HALF-EMPTY? Are people in general continuously LIVING or are they steadily DYING?
All living beings are constantly on a crescendo towards that climax moment of the physical death of their perishable bodies. However, since the Atman or the Self is imperishable, physical death signifies merely the end of one brief leg of the grand Karmic voyage of their True Self within them.
Bhagavan Krishna handles this most important fact of life in the second chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita right at the beginning of His Discourse. The sky is the limit for the one who has overcome the fear of death.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE TEXT OF MY PODTALK NO. 02
It is an irrefutable fact that everybody possesses some degree of a personality trait called narcissism. Of course, the degree of narcissism in a person is what that separates a normal person from someone who needs professional help. However negligible one’s degree of narcissism might be, it certainly is capable of pushing a person towards the feeling of entitlement, selfishness and also the typical ‘Why me’ Question. READ MORE
A presentation of a set of 23 questions asked by some of the visitors to this site and their respective answers from me. They are primarily the most common questions people have regarding the Sanatana Dharma, which in no way is any organised religion.
History has it that entire civilisations were wiped out through mass slaughter; millions of people were killed in the name of religion, god or some book that was said to contain the word of god; barbaric dictators ruled over vast lands that were…
The new page with FAQs posted by some of our members, has been published. There are still many questions that need to be answered. I have posted 21 questions and their answers for now and will update the page once I have written my responses to the remaining questions.
The latest version (1.6a) of the Tavamithram App is ready. It contains the entire Bhagavad Gita too. Suggestions that will help improving the App are most welcome.
Quite a few visitors and members of our site have faced relationship problems. They came to our site looking for ways to clear misunderstandings they have had with their loved ones or to bring back someone who left them.
Compatibility problems and disagreements happen to people from all walks of life. Trouble in a relationship usually starts when there are misplaced expectations. It is a natural quality of humans to expect others to be like them and want them to agree with them in everything. Read more…
Jai Shri Krishna
PS: Special thanks to my beloved son for being the narrator.
Many of you must have watched a video of a European man talking about him being a ‘veggie vegan’ (sic) on Facebook or through WhatsApp. This new post in the Reading Corner is about the myth of meat and dairy being good for health, and about the non sequitur rants and arguments that supporters of animal exploitation are known for. You can also watch an excellent short video by ‘Mercy for Animals’ featuring Dr. Milton Mills.
Understanding the ‘Who am I?’ question through the Chariot Analogy explained to Nachiketa in the Kat-hopanishad by Yama, the lord of death.
Ego plays a major part in the lives of people. It is one of the major causes for discords among people including closely related people, married couples, close friends and colleagues at work. The lack of understanding about who one is and how actions are performed by people is the prime reason behind this mental disease called ego which invariably leads people to major downfalls.
Young Nachiketa receives the divine knowledge directly from Yama, the lord of death. Standing face to face before death blessed him with Atmajnyanam or the knowledge of the Self.
Understanding the brevity of life and the impermanence of all material possessions removes ego and all other negative qualities associated with it.
One of our friends is designing a Bhagavad Gita mobile phone App for us and we would greatly appreciate ideas and suggestions to build a useful, user friendly and an easily affordable App. The prime objectives are to make reading the SBG and referring its Divine verses as easy, enjoyable and comfortable as possible. The Divine Knowledge gained by people by reading the SBG will straightaway clear their minds of false notions, improve their lives and fill every moment of their sojourn on the planet with love, gratitude, appreciation, kindness and Divine Grace that collectively aid in the process of a person’s Karmic evolution.
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः |
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् || १८ ७१ ||
shraddhaavaan anasooyash cha
shrunu yaadapi yo naraha
so’pi muktaha shubhaam-llokaan
praapnuyaat punya karmanaam (SBG 18:71)
Even a person who hears this divine conversation with deep faith being free from malice, will attain liberation and the auspicious worlds of righteous people.
This post is in response to some mails I have received from people who are nursing a broken heart or are undergoing stressful situations due to separation from someone they loved and shared their life with. This is not a response to any particular mail from anyone but a few thoughts on ways to handle a breakup.
Separation can be something gloomy, melancholic, stressful or traumatic but at the same time it can also a great relief for those who suffered due to bad relationships or marriages.
We come across thousands of people in our life but how many do we get to know, make friends with, build deep and sincere relationships with, get married to and live together until the end. Therefore, there must be some Karmic reasons for people to come together in a life time, especially when they are from different corners of the world and met despite the odds of their meeting being were very low.
Two things about a breakup are that either you wanted to happen or you didn’t want it to happen.
A lot of people, particularly Vrischikans and others undergoing periods of Saturn have written to me expressing the difficulties they face due to financial problems. I performed a special Mahalakshmi Puja this morning and prayed for Divine Grace to help people financial troubles overcome their challenges and be blessed with Lakshmi Kataksham.
I have added the Sri Mahalakshmi Suprabhatam on our TVM Mantras site. It would be advisable for people to listen to the Suprabhatam every morning before commencing their work.
The Ishavasya Upanishad presentation is ready but I would like to publish it along with an audio recording for which I will require one more day.
It will be a presentation along with an audio recording of the 18 verses of the Upanishad which describe the greatest and the most logical, real, rational, scientific and sensible way of life – The Sanatana Dharma.
Kill Fear and Anger
Remove Demotivation
Handling Temptation
Fighting Laziness
Strengthening and calming down a weak and restless mind
Demise of a Loved One
Why should one study Advaita Vedanta
Tavamithram Sarvada 
PodTalk No. 07
Karmic ‘Potholes’
Temptations are Karmic ‘potholes’ which are detrimental to one’s Karmic evolution. They can influence the minds of even very highly intelligent and educated people. Such people when tempted, are led to do things that they would normally never do. It is usually because of a moment of weakness, either due to desire, or READ ON…https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/karmic_potholes/
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हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः || २ ३७ ||
SBG 2:37
Either you will be killed in the battle and you will attain the celestial abodes or, you will win this battle and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise and fight with resolution.
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Sushant
Om Shanti.
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How could a young man with such a clear understanding of life take such an extreme step? What was it that he did not know or had not learned?
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Extreme ego, the feelings of entitlement, the ‘I deserve better’ attitude or simply one’s inability to come to terms with the reality are usually the common factors that drive one to go to the extent of ending their own life.
With all due respect to the unfortunate people who ended their lives, I would like to tell people who are currently battling challenges that it depends on an individual to view life either as a battle that causes ‘pains’ and ‘sufferings’ or as a ride on a giant rollercoaster that adds experience to life. A truly fulfilling life is one which is filled with different kinds of experience. Should you feel that your life is full of challenges, you need to be only thankful for being blessed with such a life because it offers you great learning opportunities.
All situations change. Be patient and learn from the challenges you face while you work for your future and wait for your time.
Jai Shri Krishna
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PodTalk06
Thoughts, Desires, Passion and Lust
We all are aware that the Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Arjuna and Bhagavan Krishna. Arjuna was not only in a dilemma, but he was also under severe stress because he was unsure of what he was supposed to do. He found it difficult to decide what was righteous and what was not. This uncertainty led his mind to his being deluded which in turn made him consider giving up and walking away. He was also ready to stand unarmed and get killed by the Kauravas – SBG 1:46 “It would be better for me if the sons of Drtaraashtra killed me with weapons while I stood unarmed and not resisting.”
Towards the end of his conversation with Bhagavan Krishna, it becomes clear to Arjuna that all the problems he faced, existed only in his mind and that the ways to be victorious in the battle between the negative forces and positive virtues within him, were to have absolute faith, to master his own mind and to change his way of thinking.
Click Play.
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Dogs – the epitome of loyalty, trust and unconditional love
Vicki was merely a couple of days old when my sister found him lying next to two dead puppies. His condition was pretty bad and she knew that if he did not receive any help, he would not survive even a day more. She took him to a vet and then took him home. The little chap has since then remained at my sister’s home and has grown up to become a strong and fearless dog that considers guarding my family to be his very purpose in life.
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KINDLE
Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Translated & Annotated: Master the Art of Mastering your Mind
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PAPERBACK
The Srimad Bhagavad Gita in English – Translated and Annotated: A Timeless Treasure Trove of Wisdom
https://www.amazon.com/Srimad-Bhagavad-English-Tavamithram-Sarvada/dp/B07XYGDPGS
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PAPERBACK
https://www.amazon.com/Srimad-Bhagavad-English-Tavamithram-Sarvada/dp/B07XYGDPGS
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AUDIOBOOK
https://www.amazon.com/Srimad-Bhagavad-English-Tavamithram-Sarvada/dp/B07XYGDPGS
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PodTalk No. 05
Guarding your Happiness Key and Preparing Yourself for the Future
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PodTalk No. 04
Mental Freedom and Happiness vs. Mental Dependence and Heartaches
Almost everyone has undergone heartaches caused by someone who hurt them or left them for someone else. It could have been among school friends, colleagues, relatives or romantic couples who had sworn earlier they would never leave. From a psychological point of view, such a heartache can be said to be a result of ego, attachment and the will to possess the loved person. Play the video below to listen to the talk.
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Reposting a two-year-old video on the Power of Apology
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It’s been a year since you left us and our material world, my dearest friend. You were more of an older brother to me who showed me the way from my teens into the open wide world.
I am sure that you have reached the ultimate abode of the Supreme Bhagavan Krishna.
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् |
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः || ८ ५ ||
SBG 8:05 And whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth thinking of Me alone at the time of death, he attains My Being. There is no doubt about this.
Om Shanti.
My dearest friend K, little did we know that either one of us would leave so soon and that destiny would make the one remaining offer the same favourite song of ours, which we have sung together on stage, as a tribute for the other one’s demise.
I thank you for the greatest gift of your friendship that you gave me during your last stay on our planet.
The song “Tere jaisa yaar kahan” used by me in this video of mine has been sung by Rahul Jain. (Courtesy Pehchan Music)
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PodTalk03
Listening to others – Is it UNSOLICITED ADVICE or FREE INFORMATION
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PodTalk No. 02
THE CUP OF LIFE
Is your CUP HALF-FULL or is it HALF-EMPTY? Are people in general continuously LIVING or are they steadily DYING?
All living beings are constantly on a crescendo towards that climax moment of the physical death of their perishable bodies. However, since the Atman or the Self is imperishable, physical death signifies merely the end of one brief leg of the grand Karmic voyage of their True Self within them.
Bhagavan Krishna handles this most important fact of life in the second chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita right at the beginning of His Discourse. The sky is the limit for the one who has overcome the fear of death.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE TEXT OF MY PODTALK NO. 02
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There are FIVE magical words that can work wonders in one’s life and cause instantaneous peace:
COME TO TERMS WITH REALITY
Of course, this does not apply to all situations. Sometimes, it’s a ‘yes or no’ decision that needs to be taken.
Have a peaceful and fulfilling life.
Jai Shri Krishna
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https://www.amazon.com/Srimad-Bhagavad-English-Tavamithram-Sarvada/dp/B07XYGDPGS
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https://www.storytel.com/in/en/books/1002884-The-Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita
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Amazon International
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tavamithram
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Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/s?k=tavamithram
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KARMA and the ‘Why me?’ question
It is an irrefutable fact that everybody possesses some degree of a personality trait called narcissism. Of course, the degree of narcissism in a person is what that separates a normal person from someone who needs professional help. However negligible one’s degree of narcissism might be, it certainly is capable of pushing a person towards the feeling of entitlement, selfishness and also the typical ‘Why me’ Question. READ MORE
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A Yogi with a Steady Mind
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Q&A about the Fundamentals of the Sanatana Dharma
A presentation of a set of 23 questions asked by some of the visitors to this site and their respective answers from me. They are primarily the most common questions people have regarding the Sanatana Dharma, which in no way is any organised religion.
READ ON
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New post
Indian Elections – Making the Right Choice
Namaste.
History has it that entire civilisations were wiped out through mass slaughter; millions of people were killed in the name of religion, god or some book that was said to contain the word of god; barbaric dictators ruled over vast lands that were…
READ ON
Jai Shri Krishna
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New Post: https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/2018/05/19/karmayoga-and-doership/
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Namaste.
The new page with FAQs posted by some of our members, has been published. There are still many questions that need to be answered. I have posted 21 questions and their answers for now and will update the page once I have written my responses to the remaining questions.
Jai Shri Krishna
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May Dharma prevail.
Jai Shri Krishna
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Namaste.
The latest version (1.6a) of the Tavamithram App is ready. It contains the entire Bhagavad Gita too. Suggestions that will help improving the App are most welcome.
Click here for download instructions.
Jai Shri Krishna
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New Post : https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/the-power-of-apology/
Namaste.
Quite a few visitors and members of our site have faced relationship problems. They came to our site looking for ways to clear misunderstandings they have had with their loved ones or to bring back someone who left them.
Compatibility problems and disagreements happen to people from all walks of life. Trouble in a relationship usually starts when there are misplaced expectations. It is a natural quality of humans to expect others to be like them and want them to agree with them in everything.
Read more…
Jai Shri Krishna
PS: Special thanks to my beloved son for being the narrator.
LikeLike
The ‘Veggie vegan’ twaddle
Namaste.
Many of you must have watched a video of a European man talking about him being a ‘veggie vegan’ (sic) on Facebook or through WhatsApp. This new post in the Reading Corner is about the myth of meat and dairy being good for health, and about the non sequitur rants and arguments that supporters of animal exploitation are known for. You can also watch an excellent short video by ‘Mercy for Animals’ featuring Dr. Milton Mills.
Read here: https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/the-veggie-vegan-twaddle/
Jai Shri Krishna
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Understanding the ‘Who am I?’ question through the Chariot Analogy explained to Nachiketa in the Kat-hopanishad by Yama, the lord of death.
Ego plays a major part in the lives of people. It is one of the major causes for discords among people including closely related people, married couples, close friends and colleagues at work. The lack of understanding about who one is and how actions are performed by people is the prime reason behind this mental disease called ego which invariably leads people to major downfalls.
Young Nachiketa receives the divine knowledge directly from Yama, the lord of death. Standing face to face before death blessed him with Atmajnyanam or the knowledge of the Self.
Understanding the brevity of life and the impermanence of all material possessions removes ego and all other negative qualities associated with it.
LikeLike
https://tavamithramsarvada.wordpress.com/discussion/comment-page-16/#comment-4759
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Namaste dear ones.
One of our friends is designing a Bhagavad Gita mobile phone App for us and we would greatly appreciate ideas and suggestions to build a useful, user friendly and an easily affordable App. The prime objectives are to make reading the SBG and referring its Divine verses as easy, enjoyable and comfortable as possible. The Divine Knowledge gained by people by reading the SBG will straightaway clear their minds of false notions, improve their lives and fill every moment of their sojourn on the planet with love, gratitude, appreciation, kindness and Divine Grace that collectively aid in the process of a person’s Karmic evolution.
Please mail your suggestions to tvmgita@gmail.com
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः |
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् || १८ ७१ ||
shraddhaavaan anasooyash cha
shrunu yaadapi yo naraha
so’pi muktaha shubhaam-llokaan
praapnuyaat punya karmanaam (SBG 18:71)
Even a person who hears this divine conversation with deep faith being free from malice, will attain liberation and the auspicious worlds of righteous people.
Gita Dhyaanam – Meditation on the SBG
Jai Shri Krishna
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Namaste,
This post is in response to some mails I have received from people who are nursing a broken heart or are undergoing stressful situations due to separation from someone they loved and shared their life with. This is not a response to any particular mail from anyone but a few thoughts on ways to handle a breakup.
Separation can be something gloomy, melancholic, stressful or traumatic but at the same time it can also a great relief for those who suffered due to bad relationships or marriages.
We come across thousands of people in our life but how many do we get to know, make friends with, build deep and sincere relationships with, get married to and live together until the end. Therefore, there must be some Karmic reasons for people to come together in a life time, especially when they are from different corners of the world and met despite the odds of their meeting being were very low.
Two things about a breakup are that either you wanted to happen or you didn’t want it to happen.
Scenario 1 – READ MORE
May everyone stay blessed.
Jai Shree Krishna
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How does one become dear to Bhagavan Krishna?
Jai Shri Krishna
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New on the Gita-Quick Reference page:
Krishna – The Divine Father and Mother
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Namaste dear family,
A lot of people, particularly Vrischikans and others undergoing periods of Saturn have written to me expressing the difficulties they face due to financial problems. I performed a special Mahalakshmi Puja this morning and prayed for Divine Grace to help people financial troubles overcome their challenges and be blessed with Lakshmi Kataksham.
I have added the Sri Mahalakshmi Suprabhatam on our TVM Mantras site. It would be advisable for people to listen to the Suprabhatam every morning before commencing their work.
May all be blessed with health, wealth and peace.
Jai Shri Krishna
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Please click here to visit the Isha Upanishad (Ishavasyopanishad) page.
Jai Shri Krishna
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The Ishavasya Upanishad presentation is ready but I would like to publish it along with an audio recording for which I will require one more day.
It will be a presentation along with an audio recording of the 18 verses of the Upanishad which describe the greatest and the most logical, real, rational, scientific and sensible way of life – The Sanatana Dharma.
Shreyo bhooyaath sakala janaanamam.
Jai Shri Krishna.
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A presentation on the Ishavasya Upanishad will posted on 12.01.2018.
Jai Shri Krishna
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Gita – Quick Reference
Kill Fear and Anger
Remove Demotivation
Handling Temptation
Fighting Laziness
Strengthening and calming down a weak and restless mind
Demise of a Loved One
Why should one study Advaita Vedanta
LikeLiked by 1 person