Summary of class from April 24 2026 - Chapter 1, Valli 2 (Mantras 15–18)

 Summarized by: Kumar Singaraju   

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Recap & Initial Q&A 
  • To get to this knowledge, mind has to be available (beyond dualities)
  • We discussed, what is beyond Jagat & Ishvara?
  • Nachiketa is interested in learning from Yama - not the knowledge from scriptures, but specifically what is their first person experience?
  • One needs Viveka & Vairagya to seek such a wisdom.
  • Two terms we discussed - Modata (Experiencer) & Modniyam (Provider)
  • Seeking the knowledge that is beyond time (Past/Present/Future)
  • One that is beyond cause/effect / Dharma/Adharma
  • One that is beyond imagination.
  • One that is beyond BMI (Shukshama Shareer/Vasana).
  • Verse 15 
  • sarve vedā yatpadamāmananti tapāṃsi sarvāṇi ca yadvadanti |
  • yadicchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti tatte padṃ saṃgraheṇa bravīmyomityetat || 15 ||
  • Translation
  • Yama said - The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, which men desire when they lead the life of continence. I will tell you briefly, it is Om.
  • Verse 16
  • etaddhyevākśaraṃ brahma etaddhyevākśaraṃ param |
  • etaddhyevākśaraṃ jñātvā yo yadicchati tasya tat || 16 ||
  • Translation
  • This syllable OM is indeed Brahman. This syllable is the highest. Whoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires.
  • Verse 17
  • eadālambanaṃ śreṣṭham etadālambanaṃ param | 
  • etadālambanaṃ jñātvā brahmaloke mahīyate || 17 ||
  • Translation
  • This is the best support, this is the highest support. Whosoever knows his support is adored in the world of Brahma.
  • Verse 18
na jāyate mriyate vā vipaścin
nāyaṃ kutaścinna babhūva kaścit
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato'yaṃ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre ||18||

Vali 2, Verse 15, 16

    • Translation
      • The knowing self is not born. It does not die. It has not sprung from anything, nothing has sprung from it. Birthless, eternal, everlasting & ancient, it is not killed when body is killed.
Theme and Discussion
  • OM - Its the support mechanism to realize Brahman.

  • This section is called Omkara Upasana

  • This is the essence of all Vedas & which is obtained by Tapas. But it is not directly referenced in Rig or Atharva Veda, but only in Yajur Veda.

  • That which others try to obtain by the lifetime of brahmacharyam.

  • You are supposed to end OM with all air exalted. Focus on the absence of sound. Any object we see is nothing but light of conscience.

  • If one does the good deeds they may go to heaven (but it is still a path of return)

        = Om - way/indicator.

  • OM upasana leads to Brahma loka where they are taught Braham Vidya by Brahma & then mukti (this is called Krama Mukti)

  • Second path leads with Knowledge (after giving up all desires) - this lead to immediate Moksha (leads to Kaivalya Mukti)

  • Om - absolute knowledge that nothing else exist (desireless).

  • Om is the support for Upasana.

  • Om can mean diff things, but act as support in all cases.

  • The Atman is unborn & unperishable like the space within a pot.

  • How you move beyond worldly issues (one that are beyond your control)? Best answer is to draw bigger line by holding on to something larger like Bhakti or the path of knowledge.

  • Don't be attach to daily wins/losses. Continue to do your duties (what needs to be done), but function dispassionately like Raja Janak.

  • E.g. Like Rock climbing, where you hold one string and leave other hook to move upward.

  • How symbol may mean diff to diff people?

  • For e.g. Starbucks (employee v/s customer) - Employee may not like to go to Starbucks but customer may love it.

  • e.g. Bharat used Ram's shoes as a symbol of King.

  • Two type of Mukti:

  • Jeevan Mukti (Sadhya Mukti)

  • First step: Omkara Saguna Upasana for sharpening mind

  • Second step: Nirguna Vichara - Immediate liberation through Nirguna Upasana. Realizing "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman) in the here and now & gain Mukti.

Ended class 

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