REVIEW OF THE BOOK “ THE UPANISHADS DEMYSTIFIED” BY SHRI. VED PRAKASH BHATIA

Shri.Ved Prakash Bhatia deserves all appreciation for his painstaking and nicely presented work titled “The Upanishads Demystified “. He has vividly brought out the essence of  eleven major Upanishads covering Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka and Svetasvara Upanishads. He has lucidly explained  the key philosophical concepts  in terms of Brahman, Atman, Avasthas, Omkara , Panca Kosa, Panca Bhuta and so on. He has also presented interesting and meaningful stories from the Upanishads.  He has beautifully touched upon the ethical values as embedded in the Upanishads. He has been greatly successful in simplifying the complex nature of the  contents of the Upanishads which represent the treasure of the wisdom of our revered Rishis. This excellent book will be of great interest to anyone who is interested in knowing the nuances of Upanishads especially the younger generation. I urge  upon  all those interested in spirituality to make use of this remarkable work. I  wish the author all the best and  congratulate him for his tireless efforts in propagating the eternal voice of the Vedas which transcends all barriers in terms of caste, creed, race , religion or gender.

https://www.amazon.com/Upanishads-Demystified-Ethical-values/dp/194823047X

जय जय श्रीराधे  

VEDANTA RELATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1.

Q: I believe God has no second and hence the world, senses and thoughts and whatever is a part of the Brahmam - it may be an over simplification, but I wish to be corrected if wrong.

 

A: All this is verily the Supreme.

Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma  - ChAndogyopanishad

 

ISavAsyamidam sarvam --  IsAvAsyopanishad

 

2.
Q: Does it mean even the vasanas are attached to the part of Brahmam?

A: VAsanas are not all  attached to Brahman.  It is attached only to JIvAtmAs.

3.

Q: The question I understand is not answered so far - as to how the vasanas came about in the first place. Was there a chance to use free will the first time and it was used against dharma at the first instance?

A: Yes. When the Jivas accumulate karmas through sakAma karma , VAsanas start to accumulate in terms of Karma Phala.

 

4.

Q:Have you tried to reconcile Darwin's theories and the big bang theory etc with the non-duality concept derived from Vedas? Where does vasana fit in here. Can there be a large repository of the deeds done by the portion of the Brahmam over a mind boggling length of time. As the concept of self and mind and feelings are not in the realm of Darwin or the recent origin of universe theories, I expect reconciliation would not be easy.

A: Darwin's Theory is not correct as per Vedic Scriptures. All the Beings have been independently  created by the Brahman  Each Being brings with it its own baggage od VAsanas based on the Karmas.

 

Vedic Scriptures give vivid  details of creation of the Universe.

  

5.
Q:It is told that world is a manifestation of the Brahman, animate and inanimate. Thought, feelings and intellect are transitory and hence are only a short reflection of Brahman in various forms for the time being. Apparently the vasanas influence these. Is this right understanding?

A: Thought, feelings and intellect are to be used to  realize the Brahman. No doubt  VAsanas impact these until divine grace is obtained and one pursues the path of nishkAma karma.

 

6.
Q:I am told that no intellect can understand such matters of Brahmam and only belief and dhyana can make one realise Brahmam. Scientific inquiries and reasoning does not help. Does it mean Jnana is different from such reasoning.

 

A: According to Advaita, Self realization is only through knowledge. JnAnAt eva tu kaivalyam.

But It is ViSvAsa (utmost faith) which takes you forward in the pursuit of the Supreme. The recommended and safer path for  Kali Yuga is Bhakti Yoga through devotional nAma japa  of RAdhAKrishNa.

7.
Q: I really do not know if I deserve to get answers, as I do not consider myself as a seeker with total dedication. All the same I thought I should start.

A: VedAnta is  your birth right. A truthful person like you  is verily  a true seeker.

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF REAL HAPPINESS?

This question arises as the objects-oriented happiness is only temporary and finite. Seeking the real and supreme happiness is the sincere pursuit of a true seeler.

Yo vai bhUmA tat sukham, nalpe sukham asti, bhUmaiva sukham !

This is the declaration of the Chandogya Upanishad, the intricacies of which should be learnt from the Guru in person. BhUmA in a nutshell is BrahmAnanda. The Brahman which is eternal, infinite, wholesome and is of the nature of satcidAnanda is the abode of real happiness. If one looks for happiness elsewhere, it is bound to bring disappointment sooner or later.

जय जय श्रीराधे  

WHETHER THE TERM ''SAGUNA BRAHMAN" APPEARS IN THE VEDAS?

In my limited undertanding, the term "SaguNa Brahman" is not there in the Vedas. However, in the ancient texts like nyAya sUtra , nyAya BhAshya , nyAya tIka, vyAkaraNa kASika, vyAkaraNa SrrngAra PrakASa, vyAkaraNa vAkyapAdIyam, vyAkaraNa vArtikam and so on , the term "saguNa" appears in different context like saguNa dravyam etc.

In the Vedas there are statements which describe the Brahman as nirguNa, There are also Vedic statements which deal with the form and qualities of the Brahman. The interpretation of what is nirguNa itself is varied. There are Mantras which say that there is no difference between the Atman and Brahman. There are many Vedic hymns which assert that there is marked difference between the Atman and the Brahman. In Bhagavad GItA, BhagaVAn highlights the importance of unconditional love and surrender to Him. We have to understand all these and reconcile.

Those who are attracted by nirguNa , nirAkAra Brahman contemplate and reflect on it and attain liberation from bodily forms.

Those devotees who worship the Supreme go to His Adode and are ever associated with Him, singing His glory.

The option is yours and is in your hands.

Even all the Advaita AcAryas are meticulously engaged in the daily upAsanA of the Deities in various names and forms like SrI ChandramauIeeSvara, SrI SAradAmbA , SrI KAmakshI and so on.

We leave it at this and there is no need to have heated debates on core philosophies with divergent approaches.

जय जय श्रीराधे