Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 41 - Karma yogi is single mindedHow is Karma yogi's mind and attitude?What does the word "vyavasāyātmikā" mean?What is the Karma yogi determined on?What is a Karma Yogi's singular goal?Do people know the real purpose of life?What do most people take it to be their goals?How does life's goals for most people change with their age?What is the path / sādana that a Karma yogi knows for attaining the ultimate goal?What goals do non-Karma yogis have?Why are these goals changing?Why are these goals so many?Why does a Karma yogi have only 1 goal according to Adi Sankara?From where has Karma Yogi identified the goal to be moksha?What should be the pramana / source of knowledge that one must use to identify life's goal?Why do people who come to spirituality get confused about the goal and sadana?Where does a confused person end up at the end of a spiritual quest?What are the common questions that people have with regard to religion & culture?Sloka 42-44 - Karmi gets enamored by MaterialistsWhy does a person not have a straight singular focused goal?What do the different sense organs mean for?What is the meaning of "Stotrasya bhooshanam Sastram"?Why do people get misled?Who misleads them?Who is to be blamed?Why do people get deluded?What does bhogaiśvaryam mean?What does Bhagavan call the misleaders?What are the 5 adjectives that Bhagavan uses for these misleaders?1. avipaścitaḥ-Unintelligent people who believe in materialistic successWhat does "avipaścitaḥ" mean?Why does Bhagavan call them unintelligent ones?What is success according to them?What are these people's goals? What should be our takeaway when we listen to this portion?2. vēdavādaratāḥ-Enamored by Karma Kanda; focusing on arthakāmaWhat does "Vēdavādaratāḥ" mean?Which portion of Vedas are they enamored by?Why do they chant mantras, do pooja, perform rituals, go for pilgrimage?What does Avahanti Homa ask for?Does vedas talk about material accomplishments alone?Which portion of the vedas will give us emotional & spiritual growth?What does rājasa karma ratāḥ, sakāma karma ratāḥ mean?3. nānyadastītivādinaḥ-Who argues there is nothing else than enjoymentWhat does "na asti anyat, vādinaḥ iti" mean?What do these people argue about?What is there apart from materialism?How interested are these people when we talk about morality, ethics, Ishvara, religion, service etc?What is their motto in life/?How does Upanishad call them?What does "pramūḍhaḥ" mean?4. kāmātmānaḥ-who are full of desiresWhat does "kāmātmānaḥ" mean?What is these people embodiments of?What do these people think constantly?5. svargaparāḥ-who believe in heaven as the ultimate goalWhat does "svargaparāḥ" mean?Why do they want to go to heaven?Is there a permanent heaven?Is there a permanent hell?How does Bhagavan describe the words they speak?What does "Pravadanti" mean?What do they say?What kind of philosophy do these people spread?What happens when we try to convert them?Which wins more often in the minds of people - materialism or Spiritualism?Which is more attractive - Brahman or Maya?What are the 3 words that Bhagavan uses to describe the words they speak?1. yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam - such flowery wordsWhat does "yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam" mean?What is the analogy of the words they speak with a tree?How are the words they speak - are they attractive / tempting / seducing?How do they seduce us?2. jenma karma phala pradām - which lead to further birthsWhat does "jenma karma phala pradām" mean?What sloka from Bhaja Govindam talk about "Punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ"?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 39 (Contd...) - Karma yoga liberates a person from BondageWhat is the meaning of Karma yoga?What are the different spirtiual sadanas that we are generally aware of?What is Karma yoga?How can we do spiritual sadana without performing the general known sadanas like prayer, vratha, nama japa etc?Does karma bind us or free us by nature?How does Karma bind a jiva?What does Bhagavan say here?What does Karma yoga liberate us from?What does the word "karmbandham" mean?What does karma yoga liberate us from?What are the various kinds of emotional problems?Sloka 40 - Differences between Karma and Karma yogaWhere does Bhagavan give the glory of Karma yoga?In which slokas does Bhagavan give the lakshana / definition of Karma yoga?In which chapters does Bhagavan deal extensively on Karma Yoga?What is the benefit of Karma Yoga?How do we generally able to appreciate a thing over the other?How does advertisement use the method of comparison to highlight the product features and benefits?If Karma yoga is proper action with proper attitude, will there be unacceptable actions?What is the first difference between Karma and Karma yoga?What does "asti na abhikrama nāśaḥ" mean?Why is there no failure in karma Yoga?What are the possible outcomes for any karma?Why could some actions result in success and some result in failure?How is Karma yoga always result in success?What is the outcome expected in Karma yoga?Will the outcome of the action have any effect on the outcome of Karma yoga?Is it possible for someone to do good and yet get a bad name?What happens if we do an action driven out of desire and expectations?What is the second difference between Karma and Karma yoga?What does "vidhyatē na pratyavāyaḥ" mean?Why is there no adverse result / vipareeta phalam in the case of Karma Yoga?What does Adi Sankara give as an example to illustrate adverse effect?What sort of side effects we will get when taking medicine?What could be the reason if our action done with proper intent gives an adverse result for the person intended? Do we need to take guilt there? What do we incur, if we do any pooja or yajna for kāmyartha (for fulfilling desires) and do not follow the vidhis (rules) to the dot?What is the third difference between Karma and Karma yoga?What does "api svalpam asya dharmasya" mean?How does Karma Yoga give benefit to the extent the action is performed?What is the example that can be given to illustrate that we do not get any benefit until the entire work is completed?What does Karma Yoga protect one from?Which is the greates fear, according to Adi Sankara?What is the other way to look at fear?Will there be any fear of failure when we do Karma yoga?Will there be any fear for adverse result when we do karma yoga?Will there be any fear for incompleteness when we do karma yoga?Will a person be able to do a job better with no anxiety or with passion?When we do any action ourt of desire, what is the other emotion that goes along with it that hinders us from performing well?What is Bhagavan doing right now with regards to Karma Yoga?Why is Bhagavan advertising Karma Yoga?Why is Bhagavan making us curious?How does conviction help us to stay in the path?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 36 - Enemies will ridicule if you withdraw from the warWhat does the word ahitāḥ mean?What will the enemies speak?What does the word avācyavādān mean?Why will the enemies speak unmentionable words?What does the word nindantaḥ mean?What will the enemies ridicule Arjuna for?What does the word apamānam mean?What is more painful than death?How did Kaikeyi manage to get Dasharatha's agree to keep his promise?Why Kamsa does not kill Devaki when the aśarīri tells that Dēvaki's 8th son will be his killer?What is the weakness of a kṣatriyā?Sloka 37 - Both outcomes are favourableWhat are the 2 possibilities for Arjuna in this war?Why does Bhagavan say that either way Arjuna stands to gain?Why will Arjuna go to heaven if he gets killed in this war?What will Arjuna enjoy if he remains victorious?What does Bhagavan want Arjuna to do?What resolve does Arjuna need to make before getting up?What do we need to understand whenever we see yudhascha?Why are some duties pleasant and some duties unpleasant?Sloka 01-37 SummaryWhat was Arjuna suffering from?What was the result of his delusion?What are the 2 things that Bhagavan had to do with regard to Arjuna?What are the 3 levels of dṛṣṭi that Bhagavan gives Arjuna for removing his sorrow and make him fight?Why should Arjuna not feel sorrow from adhyātmika dṛṣṭi?Why should Arjuna not feel sorrow from dhārmica dṛṣṭi?Why should Arjuna fight the war from loukika dṛṣṭi?Sloka 38 - How not to incur sin when performing duties?Why is this a transition sloka?Which slokas dealt with jñāna yōga or saṅkya yōga?In which portion of vedas can one find religion?In which portion of vedas can one find philosophy?What gives us the right way of life?What gives us the right view of life?What is the difference between Vēdā antha and Vēdā poorva?Where did Bhagavan teach Brahma śāstram and where will Bhagavan be teaching Dharma śāstram?Why is this sloka called the seed of Karma yoga?What does Bhagavan explain in this sloka?What should be the attitude when performing one's duties?What is other name of Buddhi Yōga?What is Karma yoga?What should be the attitude that one must have when performing duties?How should one treat sukha & duḥkha, lābha & alābha, jaya & ajaya?How is happiness related to gain and how is gain related to victory?How is defeat related to loss and how is loss related to sorrow?Will one incur sin if he treats all the pairs of opposites alike?What does Rāga devshou akrtva mean?What happens when one does not have attachment on victory / gain / happiness?What happens when one does not have aversion towards defeat / loss / sorrow?What is the essence of Karma yoga?Sloka 39 - Introduction to Karma YogaWhy does Bhagavan want to show division of topics?Why is Bhagavan going to talk about Karma Yoga?Why did Bhagavan give Jñāna Yōga first?How are Shastras taught?What is upkrama and upasamhara?What is other name for sāṅkhyam?Can everyone directly get ātma jñāna and be ever happy?What are the necessary qualifications for getting ātma jñāna?Can a patient who needs operation be operated without any checks?What does one need to do for the operation to succeed?What helps a person to get prepared to receive ātma jñāna?What are the 4 fold qualifications / Sādana Chatushtaya Sampithihi?What is the most important & difficult qualification among the four?What do we need to do get Vairagya?What is easiest among the four?How does one get Viveka?When will Viveka give its benefit?Where will Karma yōga lead us to?Where will Jñāna yōga lead us to?What is impossible without Karma yoga?What is incomplete without Jñāna yōga?What is the misconception in Kali Yuga?Can some other yoga other than jñāna yōga give liberation?If jñāna yōga is difficult in kali yuga, what should we do?What is Bhagavan telling Arjuna here?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 32 - Righteous war is a gateway to HeavenWhat does Bhagavan say that Arjuna has got a chance?What does the word yadṛcchayā mean?What does the word apāvṛtam mean?What does the war open up for Arjuna?Why does Bhagavan say it opens up the swarga loka for Arjuna?What sort of war is this according to Bhagavan in this sloka?What sort of kshatriyas get this opportunity to participate in a dharma yuddha?When does a kshatriya get heaven according to dharma shastra?How can sukhinaḥ be interpreted in this sloka?Sloka 33 - Foresaking Swadharma will incur sinWhat if Arjuna argues I am not interested in heaven, What is Bhagavan's counter argument?What are the 2 doshas that Arjuna will get as a result of not doing his swadharma (fighting this war)?What is the Iha loka dukham that Arjuna will get?What is the Para loka dukham that Arjuna will get?What does the word saṅgrāmaṃ mean in this sloka?What are the consequences if Arjuna does not fight this war?What will Arjuna lose in this world if he does not fight?What will Arjuna incur if he does not fight?How many categories can we divide Pāpam on the basis of doing or not doing action?What is Commission type of papa?What is Omission type of papa?What does Niṣiddaḥ karaṇam mean?What does Vihithaa akaraṇam mean?What verses in Siva Manasa Puja help us pray for forgiveness for these 2 types of papa?What is the consequence of papa?How does Bhagavan confirm both swarga and naraka in these 2 slokas (32 & 33)?What is the pramana for Swarga and Naraka?Are they drshta or Adrshta?Which fear makes people to lead a life of Dharma?Sloka 34 - Infamy is worse than death for a KshatriyaAfter talking from Dharma-Adharma drishti, in what angle does Bhagavan talk to Arjuna now?Which loss is difficult to accept for a kshatriya?What is the weakness of a Kshatriya?What do politicians and rulers do to retain their name and fame?What do we do to retain our name even after our life?Do people lead a life of Dharma because the shastras say so or do so because they will lose their name?What was Arjuna famous for?Why was Thayumaanavar a mahatama?What is more intoxicating than liquor?Will Arjuna get temporary or permanent infamy by walking away from the war?What does sambhāvitasya mean?What is worth than death?Sloka 35 - Arjuna's reputation with other warriorsWhat is the reason that people will think that Arjuna had for not fighting the war?Will the great warriors think that Arjun withdrew out of compassion and respect or out of fear?What will Arjuna's fame come to from the same people who had praised Arjuna earlier?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 30 - Indestructible Atma is present in all bodiesHow does Bhagavan conclude the section on Atma-Anatma vichara?Why should one not grieve from atma standpoint?Why should one not grieve from Anatma standpoint?What are the 3 things that a body is subject to?What should we able to accept regarding the body?Why did Parikshit felt happy when he knew that he had 7 days to live?What is the meaning of the word avadhyaḥ?Which is mortal and which is immortal?Whose death should one not grieve over?Whose mortality are we willing to accept?Will grief change the fact that everyone has to die one day?In which sloka did ātma vichara conclude?In which sloka did Anātma vichara conclude?Sloka 31 - SwaDharma supercedes Saamanya DharmaWhat is the topic that Bhagavan is going to address in slokas 31 to 34?What is the doubt that Bhagavan expects Arjuna to have?Why would Arjuna think it is Adharma to kill his Guru and his grand father?What is Saamanya Dharma?Does Saamanya Dharma depend on varna or ashrama or gender?What is the thumb rule for Saamanya Dharma?What are the 5 yamās and the 5 niyamās?What is ahiṁsa?What is satyam?What is āstheyam?What is brahmacharyam?What is aparigraham?What is śaucam?What is santoṣam?What is tapaḥ?What is Svādhyaya?What is īśvara praṇidhānā?What is Swadharma or Visesha Dharma?Does each ashrama has the same visesha dharma?Does each varna has the same visesha dharma?What happens if there is a conflict between Saamanya and Visesha Dharma? Which takes precedence?Can a Brahmana take up arms and fight?Why did Vishwamitra come to Dasaratha and sought Rama and Lakshmana to kill the demons?What is a Kshatriya duty?What is āpaddharmaḥ?If there is a general rule, can there be exceptions?What is utsargaḥ and What is apavādaḥ?What is the meaning of Kshatriya?How does a Kshatriya protect the society from Dharma?Is killing people allowed according to Shastras? If so by who and when?What is the analogy that can be given to removing cancerous people from the society?What does Bhagavan advice Arjuna with regards to his duty (in the first line)?Why does Bhagavan say that Arjuna should not waver from his duty (in the second line)?Is there anything greater than a Dharma Yuddh (righteous war) for a Kshatriya (warrior)?What is the meaning of Shreyas here?What does a person get by following his swadharma?Can a Sannyasi beat back a person who is giving him Himsa?Should a Kshatriya interfere when a Sannyasi gets beaten up?Who will get Chitta shuddhi (pure mind) by not beating the person who is giving Himsa?Who will get Chitta shuddhi (pure mind) by beating the person who is giving Himsa?Who will get papa (sin) by beating the person who is giving Himsa?Who will get papa (sin) by not beating the person who is giving Himsa?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 29 (Contd...) - Vedantic Study and PunyaHow is Ātma jñānam as a subject āścaryam?How is Ātma jñānam as the end to our search an āścaryam?How is the way Ātma jñānam as taught an āścaryam? How is the method of understanding Ātma jñānam an āścaryam?Do everyone come for Vedantic study?What is the role of punya in Vedantic Study?Why do "Some never understand this atma, in spite of hearing"?Can Ātma jñāna be attained through Ishvara Sharanagti?Can Ātma jñāna be attained through Meditation?Can Ātma jñāna be attained through Social Service?Can Ātma jñāna be attained through Naama Sankeertanam?Can Ātma jñāna be attained without Self Effort?Can Ātma jñāna be attained through Ishvara Sharanagti?What does one need to understand Ātma Tattva?If one does not have sādana chatushtaya sampathi now, can he do shravanam now?Why is Shravanam important?What will Shravanam give a student who does not have sādana chatushtaya sampathi?What are the 2 benefits of Shravanam?Is Shravanam alone enough for Ātma jñāna?How much time does one need to spend on Shravanam?What happens when we listen to the teachings again?How many times does one need to listen to the lectures?Whom should we blame if one is not able to get the full benefit of listening to shastras?How is Ātma jñāna different from other subjects?Why does Bhagavan call Ātma jñāna as Raja Vidya and Raja Guhya?Why is Ātma jñāna a secret?Is Shravanam difficult or to get qualification difficult?What happens when we keep listening to lectures?Why does some not able to understand in spite of listening?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 29 (Contd...) - Atma Jnana is a wonderWhat are the 6 things that are āścaryam?jñānam āścaryam & jnātha āścaryam=================================How is Ātma jñāna Asādāranam?Is the Ātma jñāna teaching about something new?In the 10 friends crossing the river story-- Why did the person fail to count 10?- Why did he not count himself?- Was he foolish?- What was the reason that he was looking for the 10th man outside?- When he was made to know the 10th did he learn something new?- What did he get as a result of this episode?- After getting the knowledge, was he relieved of sorrow?Is Brahman a new substance revealed by Vēdānta?How is the Ātma to be understood from the definition of "I"?How is Atma to be understood as against the other objects?Why is ātma jñāni a wonder (rare)?How is the same idea given in Kathōpaniṣad?Upadesha āścaryam & Upadeshta āścaryam=======================================Difficulty in explaining ātma When can we describe an object?According to our Shastras, what are the 4 basis characterisitics on which an object can be described?What is the example of describing an object based on kriya (action)?What is the example of describing an object based on guna (nature)?What is the example of describing an object based on dravyam (ingredients)?What is the example of describing an object based on sambandam (relation)?Can we describe ātma using any of the 4 above?Can ātma be objectified by senses?Can ātma be conceived by mind?Is ātma perceptible?What does the Upanishad verse "yatho vacho nivartante aprāpya manasā saha" mean?Are there many people explaining ātma jnana?Shravanam āścaryam & Shrotha āścaryam======================================Difficulty in understanding ātma Can anyone be a born jnani (non-samsari)?What are people deluded on?What is the meaning of "dvandwa mohena"?Do we need to be taught to be a samsari?Do we need to be trained to get angry?Do we need to be trained to become jealous?Is discontentment inherent in all of us?Do then people come for Spirituality?Within those who come to Spirituality, how many come to know about Moksha?Within those who know about Moksha, how many come to vedanta?Within those who come to Vedanta, how many know the steps to get Atma Jnana?What are the steps to get atma moksha?What is the pramana for atma jnana?The Sloka==========How do we need to understand the word "paśyati" ?How can we take "seeing" to be "understanding"?If "āśhcharya-vat" is considered to be an adverb, what do we understand the sloka?If "āśhcharya-vat" is considered to be an adjective, what do we understand the same sloka?How can the first line be understood as "Some see this ātma as a wonder"?How can the first line be understood as "Rarely Someone see this ātma"?How can the second line be understood as "Someone speaking (teaching) about ātma is a wonder"?How can the second line be understood as "Rarely Someone speaks (teaches) about this ātma"?How can the third line be understood as "Someone hearing (listening) about ātma is a wonder"?How can the third line be understood as "Rarely Someone hears (listens) about this ātma"?What does Bhagavan say in the fourth line?Why do "Some never understand this atma, in spite of hearing"?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 28 - What is Birth and What is Death?What is the essence of this sloka?Why do we need to understand death?What are we ignorant about?What is creation?Can there be an effect without a cause?Can things appear & disappear on its own?What does vyakta and avyakta mean?What is the unmanifest state of a tree?How is the seed different from tree?Is birth considered the manifest state or the unmanifest state?What do we call when a thing changes from avyakta to vyakta state?What is birth?What is the physical body made of?Where does the physical body's creation, sustenance and dissolution happen?Why is sleep called Nitya pralayam?What is death?What is Brahma's day?How many Chatur yugas make a Kalpa?What happens during pralaya?Is there total destruction at anytime?Is Vedanta against the law of conservation of matter and energy?Can Ishvara create anything out of nothing?What is body creation then?What is our delusion in terms of birth and death?Will atma have a manifest and unmanifest state?What are the 2 states of anatma?What is the advantage of knowing about death?What should be our attitude towards things that are constant?What is our problem with regards to accepting the change?How does Bhagavan explain the cycle of birth and death in this sloka?And what is the lesson he wants us to take from this understanding?How should we overcome grief?Sloka 29 - Atma Jnana is a wonderWhat is the essence of this sloka?From which upanishad is this sloka picked from?What are the three points that Bhagavan wants to convey in this sloka?What are the 2 meanings for the word āścarya?What is an example of an unusual event?What is an example of a rare event?How is Ātma jñāna Asādāranam?How do we generally learn about anything?What is one common thing about all the things that we have learnt so far?What does Shastra say we must do to attain Moksha?How is knowledge of atma different from all other things that we have learnt?Why is Ātma jñāna Asādāranam?What are the three things that human beings look for in this world?Does everyone come to spirituality?Does everyone who come to spirituality get to know about Brahman or atma?Does everyone who get to know Brahman or atma know that is the very subject and that it cannot be experienced?Where is the fulfillment, security and happiness that we look for in this world is actually present?Does a person need punya to come into vedanta?is it fair to say that the self knowledge is the greatest wonder?