vedabhASya - Vedic Studies

Shiva is the property of Energy. Uma is quiet, potential energy. durgA is impassable the kinetic energy which cannot be made zero (absolute zero impossible).  Universe matter forms evolve on the matted hair of Shiva.  Refer Shiva thandava stotram here.   https://youtu.be/j8ud8dC5IaY   This evolution is driven by durgA, the kinetic energy, who makes the matted hair of Shiva beautiful by enabling evolution of newer and newer matter forms. durgA does this by winning over powerful (mahiSa) non-evolving (asura) matter forms. This is the crux of mahisasura mardhini stotram.  Uma is the potential in us. We invoke this durgA, the kinetic energy, by utilizing our potential, and win over powerful (mahiSa) non-evolving (asura) characteristics in us. 

Introduction The sequence of kanyA dAnam, pAni grahaNam and sapta-padi convey a specific set of meanings. They have to be seen together as a series of steps and not stand alone procedures. These are common across different grhya sutras that different  communities follow. Often people say that kanyA dAnam is a regressive patriarchal procedure as kanyA is traded as a property or given out (dAsyami) by father to a groom.  Is that what is conveyed by our grhya sutras..? Let's see. What is kanyA dAnam..? Human beings are supposed to have evolved from primates like chimpanzees. It is estimated that  70% of human genome could be  similar to that Chimps (15% to that of gorillas), stating how closely we were to Chimpanzees in evolutionary tree (2). Chimpanzees have a patrilinear society in which males tend to stay together in groups, while females move out into other groups(1). This helps avoid in-breeding and enables better natural selection processes. So humans have follow...

Universe's evolution is driven by a design pattern of an external observer driving the evolution, just by observation. We call this observer, the Atman and the evolution as Brahman. If we develop that detached observation capability in us, the ultimate isolation of mind (ekAnta), then we are in a state similar to that of Atman. There are five phases in this process.  The first phase is do our work with knowledge, but without desires. At the same time, remove all defects in our work to wash away sins.   The second phase is to develop devotion to an external god so that we don't get attached to the results of our work. It is also the time we learn the vedic verses from other learned people.  The third phase is to understand the vedic verses on our own, understanding other arguments and comparing it with vedic revelations. It is also the time to develop that 'Iam Brahman' attitude and abandon the 'I am body' attitude.   The fourth phase is to eat food as medic...

Often people say Shankara 'dismisses' the Universe as 'mAyA'. It is not true.   Shankara simply explains that mAyA is the reason for the existence and evolution of this Universe. That's no dismissal.   In mAyA panchakam, Shankara explains how mAyA works in 5 different ways How mAyA became interpreted as illusion 'ma' means 'me'. 'maya' is 'my'. mAyA is derived from maya, which means that is derived from this 'my' identity or 'my' perspective.  When we are filled with 'my-identity' or 'my-perspective' we are said to be under illusion or confusion (bhrama). That's why mAyA is termed 'illusion'. mAyA is simply the process that creates different identities (ma), different perspectives (aham-kAra) and thus 'differentiates' (vi-bheda). These differentiated identities and perspectives then interact and evolve to create more and more identities and perspectives. This process masks the actual...

 Shiva is Energy. Energy has 5 characteristics. They are 1. It exists outside the matter forms as three primary sources of energy. They are dark energy that expands the Universe, Vacuum energy that fills the empty space and Cosmic Microwave Background that manifests on top the space.  These three are the three 'eyes' or sources of primary energy. These three energy forms exists below the surface like fire resides below the ash. 2. Energy exists in multiple forms as secondary energy inside the matter forms. For eg. nuclear energy, atomic energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy etc etc. These multiple forms of secondary energy exists like multiple flowers, flows like a river between the matter forms. 3. Energy is 'stored' in matter forms as Internal energy which is the 'Gauri' which is a combination of potential and kinetic energies. 4. Energy is 'transferred' between matter forms through various mechanisms like conduction (candra), convection (vaizva-n...

Background sAdhana panchakam is set of 5 stanzas written by Adi Shankaracharya.  sAdhana means a process or 'means' to do something. It could be interpreted as 'practise' as practise is a process/means to accompish something. The 5th stanza describes what needs to be accomplished. How to remain situated in that para-brahman, in that evolutionary external observing Atman, in a world full of deeds/karma flowing as a chain of bondage from one to another..?  Shankara gives five phases to follow one after another for people to move gradually from their current state to the state of remaining situated with Atman, which is the state of being an observer of ourselves and others. sAdhana panchakam talks about the phases through which mental maturity has to be accomplished in us. It's not related to age or celibacy status or stages of life, in my understanding. In my understanding, it's more about moving/evolving from our current state where we perform defect free work wi...

Universe is filled with an invisible cosmic milky ocean (paar-kadal) which is called the ‘Higgs field’ now. Higgs field is ‘condensate’ and ‘milky’ because it is dense and when particles ‘couple’ with it, it gives a force to particles that impedes/stops their motion. This impediment acts as ‘nourishment’ (like milk) for particles to have an identity, interact between them, grow/evolve further. Since Higgs interaction impedes the motion of particles, Science says it is making particles ‘Colder’. This Colder making Higgs interaction shines/smiles in all the particles, becomes foundation of Universe (paramam padam). This Higgs interaction with particles causes the property of mass, ‘Vishnu’ in all particles. Vishnu gives rise to Lakshmi, the wealth of the Universe, its varied matter forms. The Higgs interaction that causes the property of mass is ‘Hari’. Hari, the Higgs interaction remains ‘dissolved’ in all particles and matter forms, while giving them mass, winning over weak dec...