Summary of class from Oct 30, 2026 - Chapter 1, Valli 3 (Mantras 09 to 12)

Summarized by: Sree Sekar

We started the class with regular prayers and looked at the recap from previous class
on Mantras 1 to 7

 We discussed why we should practice Intellect/Freewill being in control, as early
as we could. Even though sense objects are driving us, Vasanas through Intellect
keep telling us to pursue them

 It is proved through various research that, as we age, the intellect/will power is
lost. It becomes more challenging to control the mind (indirectly through
practice/discrimination)

 We need to apply the Substitute/Sublimation approach, to keep senses
controlled/balanced

 We looked at couple of points in this context:
a) In an assisted living, an old woman with dementia, was able to still recollect
the talks from Swami Dayanand Saraswati. This shows how her
early/consistent practice helped her in recollecting those talks despite of her
medical condition.
b) Gurudev puts it together nicely. He said “There is nothing to lose, but we only
have to gain”. Whatever Saadhana we do in this path is only going to move
us a little bit closer to the ultimate destination. We all are in the path of Krama
Mukti

 We must make conscious effort to keep doing Saadhana, fighting against
Vasanas. We looked at an example of how one could consider doing Japa while
walking

 Mind will play all tricks to pull us down from this path but we need to keep at it.
o Ex: Sri Ramakrishna observed that when a sacred Ashwattha (banyan)
tree is just a young, tender sapling, it must be surrounded by a protective
fence. If it is left exposed, stray goats or cows will easily eat it or trample it,
destroying it before it can grow.
o However, once the sapling grows over time and its trunk becomes thick
and strong, the fence can be safely removed. At that advanced stage, the
tree is so resilient that even if a massive elephant is tied to its trunk, it
cannot harm or uproot the tree.
o The Sapling: Represents a beginner on the spiritual path whose faith,
focus, and spiritual habits are still fragile and easily disturbed by worldly
distractions.
o The Fence: Represents the temporary practice of solitude, discipline,
and seeking holy company (satsang). In the beginning, an aspirant
needs to step away from negative environments and intense worldly
attachments to guard their mind.
o The Mighty Tree: Represents a fully realized or highly advanced soul.
Once your inner spiritual foundation becomes deeply rooted, you can
return to live and work in the busy world without being corrupted or shaken
by its challenges.

Translations:

Mantra 9: A man who has a discrimination for his character and holds the reins of the
mind firmly reaches the end of their road; and that is Supreme position of Vishnu
Here, “Vishnu” isn’t representing the Saguna Lord Vishnu, but represents the Nirguna
(Brahman)

Mantra 10: Beyond the senses are the rudiments of it’s objects, beyond those
rudiments is the mind; beyond the mind is Aatman, known as Mahat
Here “Atman” isn’t representing Brahman, but it refers to the Hiranyagarbha (union of all
the subtle bodies)

Mantra 11: Beyond great Atman is the Unmanifested; beyond the Unmanifested is the
Purusa; beyond Purusa there is nothing
Here Purusa is representing Brahman; Atman is again representing Hiranyagarbha
Unmanifested -> Ex: like a seed which has a tree within, but not visible.

Mantra 12: That Self hidden in all beings does not shine forth; but it is seen by subtle
seers through their one-pointed and subtle intellect.

Themes:

Mantra 9:
 Such a person whose mind is fully under the control of intellect is able to cross
the Samsara and reach the ultimate; Availability of mind is important
 Informed Intellect can control the mind (indirectly through practice and
discrimination)
 We saw a quick reference from Self-Unfoldment’s definition of Happiness ;
Gurudev mentions that happiness is inside; not in external things/persons
 Ex: We see wealthy persons aren’t necessarily happy; while some seers who
have nothing are in a blissful state

Mantra 10/11:
We looked at a visual of Human experience which showed the hierarchy of human
experience
5) Atma

4) Intellect

3) Mind

2) Sense Organs

1) Sense Objects

This hierarchy shows that Atma is subtler than Intellect, which is subtler than Mind;
which is subtler than Sense Organs, and Sense Objects are subtler than Sense Organs
Here, Sense Organs are mentioned as subtler than Sense
Example: Eye seeing a sweet
Here the sense object (sweet) has ability to express for multiple organs as it can be
seen, smelt, touched and tasted.