In this continuation of his now legendary Narada Bhakti Sutras class, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya explains in great depth the relationship between philosophy and direct spiritual experience; the subtleties of spiritual epistemology; the differences between pure devotion versus mixed devotion; and the clear superiority of the path of bhakti for the purpose of knowing God, compared to every other spiritual path and form of Yoga.

The Supreme Absolute of the Vedic tradition is known by the divine name Sriman Narayana. Narayana is the source of all reality, transcends all materiality, is never subject to illusion, and is the utmost highest of all beings. In this powerful livestream event, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya explains to us two verses from the beautiful Vedic scripture known as the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama that reveal what is the true nature of God.

“The sages, Pitaras (departed ancestors), gods, the mahābhūtas (great elements), and their effects, the moving and the non-moving objects which comprise the entire universe – all have been projected from Nārāyaṇa.” (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Uttara Bhāgaḥ, 18)

“Vishnu is the unique and unparalleled deity in that He pervades the great elements of different kinds and the three worlds of existence. He is the Super-soul of all beings and their protector. He transcends all of them and is not touched by their defects. Thus He enjoys supreme bliss.” (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Uttara Bhāgaḥ, 20)

Every living being is seeking true joy. True and lasting joy is nothing less than our spiritual birthright. Despite this fact, so many people feel deprived of the joy that they so earnestly seek and desire. In this special livestream discourse and Q&A session, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya outlines the path of joy for us. In knowing the Infinite, you can know joy!

“Bhrigu practiced meditation and learned that joy is Brahman. For from joy all beings are born, by joy they are sustained, being born, and into joy they enter after death. This is the wisdom which Bhrigu, taught by Varuna, attained within his heart. He who attains this wisdom wins glory, grows prosperous, enjoys health and fame.” (Taittiriya Upanishad, 3.6.1)

“The Infinite is the source of joy. There is no joy in the finite. Only in the Infinite is there joy. Ask to know of the Infinite.” (Chandogya Upanishad, 7.23.1)

From the Introduction to “Living Dharma”: “The contents of ‘Living Dharma: The Teachings of Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya’ cover a wide range of topics, both philosophical and practical. This great diversity of topics is very much by design, since there is no aspect of the human experience that Dharma does not touch upon directly and conclusively. Thus, while each one of these short wisdom sayings will provide a deeply spiritual vision to the reader, some of them also comment upon such seemingly “secular” aspects of human thought as psychology, politics, economics, social science, culture, aesthetics and health. The only way to truly incorporate the teachings of Sanatana Dharma into your life is to practice Dharma in every single aspect of your life, without exception. This is exactly what ‘Living Dharma’ was created to help you do.”

AUM (sometimes misspelled “om”) is neither a New Age invention, nor an incomprehensible mystery, but rather represents the very sound representation of the omnipresence of God Himself. In this livestream discourse, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya provides an exhaustive and conclusive explanation of the meaning of the mantra AUM as revealed in the Vedic scriptures.

“By virtue of a little understanding of Aum a person returns to earth after death. By virtue of a greater understanding he attains to the celestial sphere. By virtue of a complete understanding he learns what is known only to the seers (rishis). The sage, with the help of Aum, reaches Brahman, the fearless, the undecaying, the immortal!” (Prashna Upanishad, 5.6-7)

“Affix to the Upanishad, which is the incomparable bow, the sharp arrow of devotional worship. Then, with mind absorbed and heart melted in love, draw the arrow and hit the mark – the imperishable Brahman (God). Aum is the bow, the arrow is the individual being, and Brahman is the target. With a tranquil heart, take aim. Lose the arrow of your self in Him, even as the arrow is lost in the target.” (Mundaka Upanishad, 2:2:3-4)

“Within the lotus of the heart he dwells, where, like the spokes of a wheel in its hub, the nerves meet. Meditate on him as Aum. Easily may you cross the sea of darkness.” (Mundaka Upanishad, 2:2:6)

The Eternal, God, can be gained and known by the sincere spiritual seeker. In this special livestream event, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya explores the teachings of the Mundaka Upanishad with us, and reveals precisely how we can know the Eternal! “Let a man devoted to spiritual life examine carefully the ephemeral nature of such enjoyment, whether here or hereafter, as may be won by good works, and so realize that it is not by works that one gains the Eternal. Let him give no thought to transient things, but, absorbed in meditation, let him renounce the world. If he would know the Eternal, let him humbly approach a guru devoted to Brahman and well-versed in the scriptures.” (Mundaka Upanishad, 1.2.12)