For a limited time, we are granting viewers of Swamiji.tv on-demand streaming access to the Swamiji.tv archive. All videos are copyrighted by the International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship. We invite you to support our social projects with a donation. With your support, the Fellowship carries out numerous social projects in India. To continue these activities, every donation is deeply appreciated. Please support us here: https://swamiji.tv/support
5582 results found
The Union of Yoga
Yoga is the union of individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness, the aim of life.This unity means two must become one to walk the narrow street of love. We are often unaware of this divine presence. A story illustrates this: a man walking in a pleasant desert saw footprints and … read more »
Millennium World Peace Summit
The fundamental problem is ego, which prevents tolerance and peace for the sake of power and position.When individuals claim their religion is best, they operate from ignorance. Worldly summits on peace are often undermined by those same egotistical forces. True knowledge dispels this ignorance. A story illustrates this: a crow, sitting atop … read more »
Human qualities
Human life is a precious chance for spiritual realization, not to be wasted on mere animal pursuits.Life's temptations and phases pass swiftly like a river's high water, bound by time and karma. The greatest tragedy is to die without self-realization, as rebirth into human form is not guaranteed and depends on one's … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854680)
Rakshabandhan (15.8.2000)
Rakshābandhan is a festival for sisters and brothers.The coming full moon marks this day. A brother promises to protect his sister. Every man makes a vow to protect and respect the entire feminine world. For those with no sister, you can choose someone … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854680)
Rama and Shiva (from Ramayana)
Devotion must flow through the Guru to reach the divine.One who understands anything truly understands Śiva. Understanding Śiva is necessary to understand Rāma, and understanding Śiva is required to understand Viṣṇu. Thus, divine love moves through these forms, ultimately directed toward Śiva. Pure love for … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854680)
Sri Ganeshji (from Ramayana)
Gaṇeśa is the principle of beginnings and the governing power of all reality.The common belief is that Gaṇeśa is the son of Śiva and Pārvatī, but this presents a chronological contradiction if He existed before their union. The true meaning is found in the name: "Gaṇ" refers to … read more »
Guest
The art of hospitality is defined by generous, proactive service, not hesitant questioning.Tradition dictates immediately offering a guest a drink, then food, without asking if they are hungry. Polite guests will decline even if starving. Therefore, say "Please come and eat," not "Are you hungry?" While serving, never … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854679)
Shakti and Shiva (from RAMAYANA)
The Eternal Śakti is the primordial, immortal power, the inseparable half of Śiva.She is Anādi-Śakti, without beginning or end. The body is symbolically divided: the left side is feminine Śakti, the right is masculine Śiva. She is Ardhā ginī, the half-part. This is not physical but the fundamental … read more »
Unity of nature and consciousness
The cosmic wedding symbolizes the perfect union of nature and consciousness.This union brings balance and joy to all creatures across the earth. It is not a personal event but a planetary celebration. Every being, from rabbits to rivers, is invited to partake in this happiness. The … read more »
Santosha
Our life is unsettled, a wandering search.True peace, santoṣa, arises from inner settlement, not external pursuits. We exist in pravṛtti, a state of endless doing and fragmentation, divided by relationships and roles into countless pieces. Life's pressures and disappointments wound us, hammering … read more »
Cleannes
Prosperity is not just money; it is cleanliness, which is Lakṣmī.Lakṣmī goes only where there is purification: clean dress, room, body, and clean thoughts. Your luck disappears if you are not clean. The caste system was originally a division within one's own body, where the feet … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854679)
Request of Devas (from Ramayana)
The gods request Śiva's marriage to Pārvatī.Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and all the devas approach the meditating Śiva. They greet and praise him. Śiva, happy, welcomes them and asks their purpose. Brahmā explains they come with a great request for his help. Śiva gives … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854679)
Inner qualities (from Ramayana)
The battle against the inner demon of ego is fought within your own mind.A powerful demon named Tāraka, representing ego and jealousy, conquers the world and enslaves the gods, who are your own good qualities. You plead with your mind to abandon these negative traits, but your efforts fail. … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854679)
Vishnu and Shiva (from Ramayana)
A divine encounter requires full attention, for its moment is fleeting and its nourishment eternal.Rāma appears to Śiva to describe Pārvatī's divine qualities, carefully preparing his mind. We must seize such moments completely, as you never know if destiny will allow another meeting, like a leaf separated from its branch. … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
Sadhana and Tapasya (from Ramayana)
The call to spiritual practice is the authority to endure and overcome all obstacles.Sādhanā is the giver of happiness and the remover of troubles, which is why all saints and yogis practice. Obstacles are natural on the path; one must master physical and mental difficulties and not give up … read more »
Coconut
A greedy man's vow to Śiva reveals how bargaining and delay create unnecessary peril.He vows a coconut offering if his wish is granted. When successful, he seeks the cheapest coconut, repeatedly delaying his purchase while praying for economic collapse to lower prices. After twenty-five days, a merchant finally reveals … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
Satiji (from Ramayana)
The narrative examines a spiritual conflict arising from attachment and disrespect.A devotee wishes to attend a festival at her father's house, but her lord advises against going without an invitation, sensing deliberate disrespect. The principle is that one may visit a parent's home uninvited, but not … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
About Satsang (from Ramayana)
The glory of satsa ga is its power to transform and elevate.In good company, ordinary wood becomes like sandalwood, and street water becomes holy by joining the Ga gā. When water mixes with milk, the water's value rises to match the milk's price. Similarly, whoever joins satsa … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
Inner Dialogue (from Ramayana)
The inner dialogue is the source of clarity and action.You ask a question inwardly and receive an answer, gaining clarity. With inner clarity, you do not suffer; you know what to do. Everything begins with inner decisions. First, decide inside while controlling the senses and … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
God's play - Lila (from Ramayana)
The divine play is profound and often misunderstood by those bound by attachment and ignorance.Human perception is limited, seeing only present suffering without understanding its past causes from previous lives. Questions about why the innocent suffer arise from a selfish perspective that fails to comprehend karma and destiny, which are … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854678)
Haribhakti (from Ramayana)
The technique of devotion is paramount, for without knowing how, you realize nothing.Many perform spiritual practices but are not successful, lacking the precise method. You must ask the experts and follow their instructions. Millions try their best yet do not succeed. You are here to learn how to … read more »
Sri Yagyavalkya Muni and Sri Bharadvaj Muni (from Ramayana)
The sage's inquiry about Rāma is met with a knowing smile, for the question comes from one already devoted.When you love, you seek endless descriptions of the beloved; each telling strengthens the heart. So it is with hearing of God. The glory of Rāma dispels the great darkness of ignorance like moonlight. The devotee … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854677)
Tri Tapas (from Ramayana)
The protective power of devotion and satsa g shields one from life's greatest dangers.The threefold miseries—from other beings, cosmic forces, and one's own body and mind—constantly attack. Yet, those immersed in God-consciousness through prayer and meditation are protected. While some minor karma must be experienced, serious harm is averted. … read more »
Manana, Svadhyaya and Abhyasa
A yogi's practice rests on three pillars: manana, svādhyāya, and abhyāsa.Manana is to think over your life, identifying problems and cultivating thoughts that bring happiness while releasing those that cause unhappiness. The greatest tragedy is to die without God-realization, as this human life is precious. Ku-sa … read more »
Seva
Selfless service purifies consciousness and is the essence of spiritual success.Karma yogis who serve with love gain more benefit than mere intellectual understanding. In a story, when students chose seva, Krishna waited and took the remaining task of clearing the used leaves, stating it held the … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854677)
River Saryu (from Ramayana)
The holy river Saryu is a divine conduit for remembrance and purification.Devotees bathe there, meditating on God Rāma, keeping His name constantly on their lips. In trouble, one remembers God automatically, but in happiness, one often forgets. Remembering God intensely during happiness can prevent troubles. When God … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854677)
Name of the God (from Ramayana)
The glory of God Rāma is a pure, holy river that purifies all who approach it.This river flows by Chitrakūṭa, where the divine story was realized. Just as clean water inspires us to become clean, the name of God cleanses the soul. You need not search elsewhere; remain steadfast in your … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854677)
Human Life (lecture for public in Zlin)
Human life is a precious, unrepeatable opportunity not to be bought or borrowed.Its purpose extends beyond animal instincts like eating and breeding. Humans alone ask, "Who am I? Where do I come from? What is my purpose?" If we do only what animals do, there is no difference. … read more »
_thumb.jpg?v=1770854676)
About Prayer (from Ramayana)
The divine gaze perceives the quality of the heart in the moment of prayer.God recognizes the love within a devotee's request, not external status or duplicitous words. Prayer must emerge from the heart, yet if the heart contains doubt, jealousy, or anger, that is what is truly offered. God … read more »
The Divine Dawn: The Essence of Guru Pūrṇimā
Guru Pūrṇimā is the divine dawn, the first spiritual festival.Contemplate its real meaning. Ancient Vedas described a spherical Earth and declared everything is created from divine sound, Śabda Brahma. Modern science now detects a cosmic hum and theorizes a creation from sound. The sequence of … read more »