Tattva Bodha – Preliminary Text of Vedanta
Tattva Bodha is a fundamental text for those desirous of moksha [freedom from the sense of limitation centered on ‘I’]. Its value is to present succinct definitions of some key terms in Vedanta. Tattva Bodha presents all important Sanskrit terms and provides detailed explanations of them. They need to be known before diving into the 3 major texts Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutra and Upanishads – which comprise the essence of non-duality (Advaita Vedanta).
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1 – Tattva Bodha (Knowledge of Truth) – A Comprehensive Introduction to the Wisdom of Vedanta
Summary: Vedanta is a means of knowledge. Not a philosophy or “School of thought”. Definition of Vedanta (veda + anta). Three texts of Vedanta. What kind of text is Tattva…
2 – Tattva Bodha: What is Discriminative Enquiry of Self and Not-Self (Viveka)?
Summary: Discourse 2 explains what is viveka (discriminative enquiry). Who is qualified for liberation? What determines readiness? Vedanta is a growing clarity. Introduction to word anitya (impermanent). Entry into Tattva…
3 – Tattva Bodha: The Permanent & Impermanent (Nitya – Anitya)
Summary: Discourse 3 points out difference between anitya (impermanent) and nitya (permanent). Discriminative enquiry involves differentiating the two. By doing so, moksha is gained. Then points out viraga (absence of…
4 – Tattva Bodha: More about Eternal Truth, Dispassion (Vairagya) & Mumukshu
Summary: Discourse 4 sheds more light on what is the unchanging Truth, called Brahman. About proper attitudes of dispassion and qualities of seeker of liberation/enlightenment. Source: Tattva Bodha What…
5 – Tattva Bodha: Healthy Dispassion, Mind Mastery, Sense Control, Moral Duty
Summary: Discourse 5 speaks about healthy version of detachment/dispassion (viraga), mind management (shama), control of senses (dama) and uparama (doing what is to be done). Source: Tattva Bodha Adhikārī qualification…
6 – Tattva Bodha: Endurance & Interpreting Life Circumstances Optimistically
Summary: Discourse 6 expands with examples of applying shama (cognitive flexibility), dama (pause before replying), uparama (duty), and titiksha (endurance). Source: Tattva Bodha Adhikārī qualification 3 — 6-fold-wealth: śamādi sādhana…
7 – Tattva Bodha: Trust in Vedanta & Guru, Burning Desire for Liberation
Summary: Discourse 7 finishes the 6-fold virtues, which are faith (shraddha), single pointedness (samadhanam). And points out the final 4th qualification of adhikari, which is a burning desire for liberation…
8 – Tattva Bodha: Analysis into Ontological Status of Reality (Satya, Tuccham & Mithya)
Summary: Discourse 8 performs an analysis into reality using 3 significant ontological terms; a prerequisite to reconciling apparent differences in later parts of text. Source: Tattva Bodha Section 2: Tattva…
9 – Tattva Bodha: Deeper Analysis into Nature of Reality (Satya-Mithya Examples)
Summary: Discourse 9 uses more examples to helps us capture the implications of reality using satya-mithya method. Source: Tattva Bodha Section 2: Tattva Viveka — Method to Distinguishing the Real…
10 – Tattva Bodha: Self is the Awareness of the 3 States (Waking, Dream, Deep Sleep)
Summary: Discourse 10 further explains what is nature of Self (Atma). Self is the Awareness of the 3 States. Self is the Knowledge principle, because of which knowledge of objects…
11 – Tattva Bodha: Your Nature = Sat-Cit-Ananda & How Happiness Happens
Summary: Discourse 11 analyses meaning of sat-chit-ananda, how happiness is denied and how it manifests. Source: Tattva Bodha Verse: (Intro Verse to What Self is and is NOT) ātmā kaḥ?…
12 – Tattva Bodha: Ananda has 2 Definitions & Origin of Ignorance
Summary: Discourse 12 looks into two definitions of ananda and which is to be understand, and origins of ignorance (avidya). Source: Tattva Bodha Verse: (Intro Verse to What Self is…
13 – Tattva Bodha: Where Identity Mistake is Committed – 3 Bodies & 5 Koshas
Summary: Discourse 13 points out where Self places it's identity, thereby committing an error. Also points out the problem with superficial, or pseudo-spiritual approach of saying “I am not body-mind”….
14 – Tattva Bodha: On Karma, Rebirth, Reincarnation – Material & Efficient Cause of Physical Body
Summary: Discourse 14 speaks about the Material and Efficient Cause of your physical body (sthula-sharira). Source: Tattva Bodha Intro: Purpose of life is not to get everything right or perfect,…
15 – Tattva Bodha: Using 3 Bodies Model To Help Deal with Challenges & Gain Objectivity
Summary: Discourse 15 speaks about living from objectivity in reference to life situations, what is punya-papa karma, function of physical body, 6 modifications of physical body, and general intro to…
16 – Tattva Bodha: 3 Powers You are Endowed With & What is the Subtle-Body?
Summary: Discourse 16 speaks about intelligently using your mind, and what is the subtle-body. Source: Tattva Bodha Intro: Subtle-Body (commonly called just “Mind”) cannot be perceived by physical senses nor…
17 – Tattva Bodha – Range of Mistakes In Reference to “I AM” & Wise Use of Sense Organs
Summary: Discourse 17 speaks of the 5 faculties that enable perception and 5 faculties that enable action. Source: Tattva Bodha Intro: Atma (“I”, or Self) is Satyam. Satyam is an…
18 – Tattva Bodha – What is the Causal Body? — Beginningless Ignorance (Karana Sharira)
Summary: Discourse 18 answers what is the Causal Body (karana sharira), one response for rebirth. Source: Tattva Bodha Verse: (What is the Causal Body?) kāraṇa śarīaṃ kim? anirvācya anādi avidyā-rūpaṃ…