The Essence of Scriptures

In this track, Swamiji urges that we should try to find out the essence of the shastras. We should sift the essence of shastras and hold on to it.

Sukha and dukha are the only 2 experiences the entire world provides. A seeker must never foster a preference to one and prejudice to the other, as they follow each other. This is irresistibly had by us due to our interactions with the world.

Then what are we supposed to do? Become a ‘Nirdvandva’, says Swamiji. Try to rise above both. Take away the preference and prejudice and allow sukha and dukha to be what they are. Then we have taken away the sting from both and we arrive at a level of transcendence.

This is the gist of the entire shastras. All explanations are only confirmations of this basic point. Texts like Bhagavad Gita, Yogavasishtha and other scriptures speak about this.

Shlokas chanted in the Track:

अनन्तशास्त्रं बहुवेदितव्यं स्वल्पश्च कालो बहवश्च विघ्नाः ।
यत्सारभूतं तदुपासितव्यं हंसो यथा क्षीरमिवाम्बुमिश्रम् ।।
Subhashitam

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः ।
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ।।
Bhagavad Gita 12.18

निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ।।
Bhagavad Gita 5.3