Is Vedanta Relevant in present day life ?

Priya Amarnath · Sep 1, 2006

wonderful start

Dear Chithra

Sorry for my belated feedback. It was nice to know about the meaning of Vedanta. Ur presentation made a very good reading, Chithra. Looking forard to more of Vedanta.

Love and Regards
Priya

Chitvish · Sep 1, 2006

I did start missing your feedback, Priya !

Better late than never ?
Since you are very regular, this doubt arose.
Please continue with me in this thread, Priya. I know you love such subjects ( being DIL of vedanta student Vatsala) & hence this request.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

Tara · Sep 5, 2006

Interesting...

I am a new poster on this forum. I subsribe to the Indus Ladies newsletter and the word Vedanta caught my attention, because I am on a spiritual quest in my life right now and Vedanta is something I know precious little about. Hoping to learn more from this thread.

Do keep them coming.

Chitvish · Sep 5, 2006

Hello Tara !

Welcome to this forum. I do hope you continue with me & enjoy the other posts on culture as well. I plan to alternate between both.
Thanks for the feedback.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

kalpana · Sep 6, 2006

I love this topic Vedanta- because that is the only truth that exists

Hi Chitra,
THat was a awesome start, I would like to hear more about this.
It is really good to know what is the truth and how we can achieve it. I think Vedanta is a blissful subject. Unknowingly your mind goes to very blissful state when reading about it or hearing about it. That is the magic of Vedanta.
Especially in this stressful world, one should know this and practise it.

Thanks Again Chitra mami.
Affly

Kalpana.

chitvish said:

Let us first try to understand what is meant by Vedanta. Vedanta is a systematic knowledge which explains the meaning and purpose of our existence in the world.

Vedanta is made up of two words Veda and Anta.
According to one meaning of the word Anta, Vedanta means the physical end of our scriptures. So the Upanishads which appear at the end of the Vedas make up Vedanta.
But another meaning of Anta is knowledge or vision. So we can also interpret it as the vision of the Vedas.

Vedanta is a knowledge that is founded on its own authority. It trains us to think for ourselves, analyse, investigate and realize the quintessence of life. It ultimately leads us to spiritual enlightenment. Hence we can say that it is universally applicable to all, at all times, under all situations. That is the main reason why we are interested in knowing about it.

What a man tries to do in and through all actions, is to seek happiness and avoid unhappiness. Vedanta is bold enough to say that the only reason why there is life in the universe, or the only thing that sustains the universe, is the basic urge in the heart of every living being of seeking happiness (sukha prapthi) and avoiding unhappiness (dukha nivruthi). Any action, ancient or modern, whether it is performed by the rich or poor, is prompted by one of these two motives. Hence an endeavour to attain happiness is essentially what we mean by life.

Now our enquiry becomes more subtle. The field of enquiry becomes narrow because now we have to say “relevance of Vedanta in the quest of happiness”. This quest is the same irrespective of time, ancient or modern. The basic problem transcends time.

What relevance do the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita have in our lives? They are always applicable because they deal with the fundamental desire of human beings, that is, gaining happiness and avoiding unhappiness. As Vedanta addresses itself to this fundamental problem it becomes relevant even today. It suggests a solution to this problem which is applicable at all times, in all places and under all conditions. That is called Truth or Satyam.

Since we cannot stand sorrow and love happiness, Vedanta is relevant. Since every man, knowingly or unknowingly is interested only in this one thing in life - happiness, Vedanta becomes relevant to everyone.

Love & regards,
Chithra.
Click to expand...

Chitvish · Sep 6, 2006

Hello Kalpana !

Thankyou very much for the beautiful feedback. That you have enjoyed it immensely, is obvious from your words, Kalpana !
It is a very deep and abstract subject and I plan to give the same in microscopic capsules, for fear of people, running away from this forum !
Please stay tuned.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

kalpana · Sep 7, 2006

Thanks chitra,

Hi Chitra,
Can't wait...very excited to hear about it more....

Here we go...you have got heaps of fans to start with..

Good luck

in God's grace

Affly

Kalpana

sudhavnarasimhan · Sep 14, 2006

:clap Dear Chitra,
Finally got down to reading your post on Vedanta and its relevance in life.....you may it sound so simple.....this concept of sukha prapthi and dukha nivrithi.....well i wish we can all make our lives also so simple after understanding this ....
I am awaiting to hear more on these lines.....especially the following line.....will we get to hear more onthis concept ma'am!

"It suggests a solution to this problem which is applicable at all times, in all places and under all conditions. That is called Truth or Satyam."

Life can be so simple , if we can understand and follow some of the concepts you have been giving us, but i wonder why we end up complicating it?

Chitvish · Sep 14, 2006

My dear Sudha !

After all, we are human, are'nt we ? That is the answer for all your questions !
We will move in slow steps, gradually - the nature of the subject is such ! It is so subtle and so abstract !
Please continue with me, Sudha.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

kkrish · Dec 28, 2010

Re: My dear Sudha !

Very lovely Chitra Ma'am
I was thinking, "Oh that is what it is?.."
In our place there is a "vedanta" group who meet peridoically and they don't let anyone inside the group because "not everyone can understand vedanta". So I was under the impression that vedanta was for an elite group of intellects.
Here you are explaining it in such simple terms that even I can understand! I am looking forward to reading the rest of your threads.
Thank you very much