Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta for Everyday Living

In this talk, Gautamji explains how all worldly desires and objects, no matter how abundant, remain finite compared to the infinite bliss of the Self. Just as mighty rivers merge into the ocean without altering its fullness, the enlightened soul remains unmoved by pleasures or possessions, finding total peace within. He contrasts this vast contentment with the restless craving and fear that define ordinary human life, urging us to reflect on the futility of chasing satisfaction in the world.

In this podcast series, Gautamji takes listeners through a verse-by-verse study of the Bhagavad Gita, providing actionable insights...

In this episode, Gautamji explains how the senses drag the mind, carrying away the intellect, and why true discipline begins by restraining that first pull toward objects. He concludes with the striking contrast between worldly life and the enlightened vision—what appears as day to most is night to the sage, and what is night to most is day to the one established in wisdom.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how on...

In this episode, Gautamji explains how the senses drag the mind, carrying away the intellect, and why true discipline begins by restraining that first pull toward objects. He concludes with the striking contrast between worldly life and the enlightened vision—what appears as day to most is night to the sage, and what is night to most is day to the one established in wisdom.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how on...

In this episode, Gautamji clarifies the subtle difference between attachment and desire, showing how one thin stream of thought binds us to an object before it matures into desire and fear of loss. He explains how self-control leads to peace of mind, and how peace in turn makes the intellect sharp and effective. He concludes with verse 66, highlighting that without steadiness of mind there can be no knowledge, no focus, no peace—and without peace, no real happiness.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wi...

In this Q&A, students ask how to escape the “ladder of fall” once a thought has begun—are there exits before obsession and destruction, and how should one withdraw from toxic environments to recover? Gautamji also answers questions about lingering memories (photos), whether an intense desire aligned with higher values still destroys, and how intellect, self-control, and the right environment help reverse the downward spiral. More about the podcast:

The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can na...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji helps us gain a clear understanding of Brahman—the enlivening principle that sustains the world. He explains that the direct path to liberation from worldly entanglements and suffering lies in acquiring the knowledge of Brahman, the ultimate goal of all Vedantic teaching. He further outlines the practices required to internalize and assert this knowledge.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how on...

In this episode, Gautamji explains Krishna’s teaching that self-control is not denial but the ability to live in the world without being ruled by likes and dislikes. When actions are guided by the intellect rather than impulses, and the mind does not linger in the past, one gains inner peace.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and challenges and ultimately find true happiness and pu...

In this Q&A session, Gautamji addresses questions on how to preserve and grow the intellect, the importance of right company, food, and unselfish living in safeguarding spiritual progress, and the role of early morning study in strengthening one’s thinking. He also clarifies the true meaning of ahimsa, explains common misunderstandings of renunciation, caste, and karma, and shows how a single unchecked thought can escalate into attachment, desire, anger, and downfall.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all hu...

In this episode, Gautamji explains how even a wise person can be carried away by the turbulence of the senses and why the intellect must guide the mind. He highlights that only with controlled senses is one prepared for meditation and outlines the famous “ladder of fall,” which shows how a single thought can spiral into attachment, desire, anger, and ultimately destruction.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life...

In this episode, Gautamji explains Verse 59 of Chapter 2, where Krishna teaches that while sense objects fall away through abstinence, the subtle relish for them remains until the Supreme is realized. He highlights the twin disciplines of knowledge and self-control, and shows through examples and the Ramayana how conviction and focus on the higher help us overcome lingering desires.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and...

In this episode, Gautamji continues with the concluding portion of Chapter 2 where Krishna describes the perfect human being. He recaps the earlier verses that explain how true wisdom brings inner satisfaction, freedom from agitation, and dynamic action without attachment. He then turns to Arjuna’s last question—how does the sage speak and interact with the world? Through Verse 58, Krishna uses the analogy of the tortoise to illustrate how a seeker must learn to withdraw the senses when faced with danger to spiritual growth, guided by the intellect and a higher ideal.

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Th...

In this Q&A session, Gautamji addresses thought-provoking questions on the instinct to have children and whether that desire is essentially selfish. The discussion also turns to parenting—how to fulfill one’s obligations to a child without creating expectations, how to recognize the selfishness hidden in parental worry, and when to learn to let go. Through everyday examples and references from scriptures, Gautamji shows how intellect and understanding can guide parents to perform their duty with clarity, without falling hostage to desire, anxiety, or expectation.

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Gautamji Answers Questions from Students:

In this episode, Gautamji explores the transformative power of true service and self-sacrifice as a means to rise above selfishness and free the mind from worldly attachments. Rooted in the principles of Karma Yoga, selfless action is presented not just as a noble ideal, but as a vital practice for spiritual growth. By engaging in unselfish service, one purifies the mind, refines emotions, and cultivates inner clarity on the path toward Self realization.

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In this podcast, Gautamji explains that the mark of steady wisdom is freedom from dependence on the world. A person established in the Self is not bound by fear, anger, or endless craving, but acts dynamically without attachment. Using practical examples, he shows how shifting our satisfaction from results to right action transforms our lives. Happiness, he emphasizes, arises not from selfishness but from unselfishness—living for something higher than oneself.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human be...

In this episode, Gautamji continues to discuss Krishna’s description of the sage of steady wisdom. Such a person is not shaken by sorrow, nor carried away by joy, and remains free from desire, fear, and anger. Through real-life examples, he shows how external events are never in our control, yet with spiritual wisdom we can face them with balance and ease.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate li...

In this episode, Gautamji guides us through Chapter 2, Verse 55 of the Bhagavad Gita, where the Blessed Lord reveals the true nature of a person of steady wisdom. Krishna explains that when one gives up all desires of the mind and finds complete contentment in the Self alone, that person is established in wisdom. As Gautamji points out, this teaching shows us that renunciation is not about forcing ourselves to give things up, but about rising to a higher joy that makes lesser attachments fall away naturally. In contemplating these words of the Lord, we are invited to reflect on...

Gautamji responds to students’ questions on the qualities of a Yogi, the three paths to salvation, and the path of Dharma. He also discusses the role of physical asanas and pranayama in spiritual growth, how to set healthy boundaries with materialism, and how Vedanta offers guidance in overcoming collective fear and anxiety. Gautamji explains that the concluding 18 verses of Chapter 2 present the portrait of the perfect human being — the most celebrated, uplifting, and divine section of the Gita. He explores what it takes to attain this state: remaining calm and blissful even in moments of extreme agitation, and acting with...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji provides guidance on identifying and overcoming selfishness, a required first step on any spiritual path. He also explains how the practice of tapas or withdrawal is essential for the pursuit of higher goals, instead of dissipating energy in self-centered activities which always result in agitation and sorrow.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and...

In this podcast, Gautamji explains why the wise choose the path of knowledge, anchoring their goal in Self-realization. He outlines the spiritual path journey, where growth becomes possible only when effort is guided by true understanding. When one gains the knowledge to rise above attachment—by renouncing the fruits of action—higher values naturally emerge. Acting upon these values, the lower desires gradually fall away. Gautamji explains that as the intellect crosses the mire of delusion, one becomes dispassionate to the external pull of the senses. This is a stage of inner clarity and deep spiritual maturity where wisdom repl...

In this podcast, Gautamji clarifies the common misunderstanding that spirituality implies inaction. This misinterpretation has led many to become passive and disengaged from purposeful living. Gautamji explains how selfish and desire-driven actions agitate the mind and lead to wretchedness. The ever-craving mind is likened to an unquenchable fire as external pursuits only intensify this unrest. Gautamji reiterates that true peace comes from turning inward and realizing the Self. Dedicating actions to a higher purpose elevates one, while chasing only material rewards diminishes one's dignity.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and...

In this podcast, Gautamji emphasizes the importance of continuing to act as long as the body and mind are capable. Action generates energy and dynamism, but it must be free from selfish motives. He explains that Sattvic action—selfless, purposeful action performed for a higher goal—leads to both inner peace and outer prosperity. Gautamji clarifies that action is the cause and success is merely its effect. Yet, many today seek success without effort. The prevailing attitude seems to be one of maximum taking and minimal giving.

True yoga lies in evenness of action. As Lord Krishna advi...

In this podcast, Gautamji explains that the Vedas address the three gunas—the fundamental qualities or attributes of the mind: tamas (inertia or ignorance), rajas (ego-driven activity), and sattva (purity, clarity, and balance). Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to transcend these gunas, urging him to rise beyond their influence. As one progresses toward higher states of purity, they begin to move beyond the dualities of life—the pairs of opposites. Ultimately, the goal is to rise above all three gunas and attain the fourth state of consciousness, which lies beyond mental fluctuations. This encapsulates the journey and overall vision of a tr...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji discusses the nature of right action and why it is essential to perform such actions. He emphasizes that practicing karma yoga, or performing right action without attachment, is a vital discipline for anyone on the spiritual path. Understanding the components of right action is therefore crucial for spiritual growth.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this podcast, Gautamji responds to a student’s question on Karmakanda. He explains the structure of the Vedas, highlighting the four sections within (Mantra, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads). Gautamji points out how many people today have become overly focused on Karmakanda—rituals, ceremonies, and prayers—while completely neglecting Jnanakanda, the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and self-inquiry. He also addresses why the Upanishads, which represent the highest knowledge, are placed at the end of the Vedas and not at the beginning. Finally, he observes that when people are driven by myriad desires, they o...

In this podcast, Gautamji explains how people across the world follow rituals that often have little to do with true spirituality. Many approach religion with a self-centered mindset, believing that by performing these rituals, their personal desires will be fulfilled. Their focus is not on enlightenment or inner growth. Gautamji reiterates that the true purpose of spiritual knowledge is to help individuals grow and evolve as human beings, not to serve material or sensual gratifications. He clarifies that rituals should serve as reminders—not means to an end—that our ultimate purpose is to return to the Self, to seek...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this podcast, Gautamji reiterates the difference between the mind (scattered with endless desires) and the intellect, which is grounded in conviction and clarity. He answers a student’s question on how to act without desires. He explains that true fulfillment comes not from indulging desires but from sacrifice—the core principle of yagna, or the renunciation of selfishness. Gautamji also addresses a student’s concern on how to stay focused while listening to podcasts or spiritual talks. He offers practical guidance to students by encouraging them to cultivate discipline and create a dist...

In this insightful podcast, Gautamji breaks down the four stages of the spiritual journey —Salokyam, Samipyam, Sarupyam, and Sayujyam—using a relatable, everyday example. These stages represent the progressive path to spiritual realization and oneness with the Divine. Focusing on Verse 46, Gautamji highlights the first step in our spiritual evolution. He clarifies the crucial difference between irresolute goals, which stem from fleeting desires of the mind, and single-pointed goals, guided by the discriminative power of the intellect. This distinction is essential for anyone seeking lasting inner growth and clarity on the spiritual path.

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Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji helps us understand the role of 'vasanas' —our inherent tendencies—in driving our actions. He also emphasizes the importance of controlling the growth of desires that arise from these 'vasanas' and explains how best to redirect their force toward achieving Self-Realization.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and challenges and ultimately find true happiness and...

In this episode, Gautamji explores Lord Krishna’s teaching on Buddhi Yoga—the path of uniting intellect and action to break free from the bondage of karma. Acting with self-knowledge and selflessness, even in small ways, offers protection from deep fear and mental turmoil. Gautamji also reflects on how Hindu festivals and rituals, like the nine days of Dussehra (Navaratri), serve as powerful reminders of our ultimate spiritual goal—Self-realization. He explains how selfish desires and sensory cravings trap us in mental agitation, and why rising above them through purposeful, detached living is essential on the Vedantic path. More about...

Gautamji explains the consequences of failing to act selflessly for a higher purpose and not learning to view the pairs of opposites with equanimity. When we act selfishly to satisfy our desires in the present, we sow the seeds of future desires and, consequently, future suffering. Gautamji explains that sin is a mental disturbance or reaction born from present actions rooted in selfishness. True fulfilment lies not in the outcome of our actions, but in the joy and alignment found in the action itself, especially when performed with selflessness and purpose.

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Gautamji explains that our happiness is entirely dependent on the external world—a world that is constantly changing and incapable of fully satisfying our needs. Therefore, we must shift our focus from this impermanent world to our true nature: the eternal soul within. Our swadharma is to pursue a path aligned with our inherent nature. Sorrow, he says, is a reflection of our selfishness. To overcome this, we must gradually reduce our ego-driven desires and self-centered tendencies in daily life. The more selflessly we work, the more peaceful we become. Our actions then grow in productivity and purpose, leading na...

Gautamji answers insightful questions from various students on the spiritual path. He responds to questions on the ego which acts as a barrier between us and God, the right attitude of a student seeking spiritual knowledge, and the symbolism of Lord Vishnu resting on the serpent. In addition, he explores profound topics such as how to identify with the real Self, the role of faith in spiritual growth, ways to reduce our attachments, and the true nature of knowledge.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji helps us understand that Self-realization is an attainable goal for everyone, highlights the qualities required to become a good student, and emphasizes the importance of practicing standardization in order to achieve both material and spiritual success.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and challenges and ultimately find true happiness and purpose in life.

Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

In these two verses, Lord Krishna continues to provoke Arjuna to shake him out of his hesitation. He warns that if Arjuna refuses to fight, not only will he fail in his duty as a warrior (Kshatriya), but also his enemies — and even those inferior to him — will mock him. The shame of being ridiculed by those he sees as less capable becomes a powerful motivation. Krishna uses this psychological insight to awaken Arjuna’s inner strength and sense of honor, pushing him to rise above doubt and act wi...

Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

Krishna provokes Arjuna’s ego that all his peers will ridicule him if he does not continue to fight the war. Gautamji emphasizes that along with devotion and knowledge, acting selflessly is crucial, as it helps eliminate our desires. Desires impede our spiritual growth and selfishness is the root cause of all problems. Gautamji explains the principle of cause and effect in spiritual growth, need to focus on higher thoughts, whereby the lower egocentric selfish thoughts fade away. If we can live our life without the reference of wh...

Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

Gautamji discusses the importance of understanding our duty to act with a selfless attitude. In these verses, Lord Krishna emphasizes the need to align our actions with swadharma, which refers to our inherent nature, talent, or inclination. Gautamji clarifies that duty is an action performed with intellect for a higher purpose, while most people perform their duties driven by personal attachments and emotions. He explains that sin is the result of mental agitation, and thus, sorrow itself is a form of sin.

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Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

Gautamji discusses the natural cycle of life and death and how the unknown reality evokes wonder and true devotion. He emphasizes that devotion is an attunement to the Self without selfish motives. He highlights that the world is a projection of divinity, and nature itself embodies this divinity. Despite this, many remain in spiritual darkness. Gautamji encourages gratitude for what nature provides, rather than constantly seeking more.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal...

Gautamji Answers Questions from Students

In this episode, Gautamji explains the concept of Swadharma or the performance of actions in accordance with one's true nature and the role of free will in determining choice in actions performed.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains the universal wisdom of life applicable to all human beings. This sacred scripture explains how one can navigate life's complexities, dilemmas, and challenges and ultimately find true happiness and purpose in life.

In this podcast series, Gautamji...

Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

Krishna addresses Arjuna's grief on multiple levels: spiritually, by emphasizing the eternity of the soul; mentally and intellectually, as these aspects of the self carry forward; and physically, acknowledging the inevitability of birth and death. The world operates through constant cycles of birth and death—childhood fades, and youth is born. Gautamji discusses how grief stems from our selfish attachments, mourning the lost benefits once provided by the objects of our attachment. The only certainty in life is death, and just as summer must end for autumn to be...

Gautamji talks on Chapter 2 - The Yoga of Knowledge

Krishna continues to teach Arjuna the highest truths, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one's duty. Gautamji explains how the Self is subtle and beyond the reach of physical elements. Like the ocean giving rise to waves, the universe emerges from, exists in, and dissolves into the self. Without understanding these metaphysical truths, we remain entangled in worldly struggles. By focusing on the unchanging Self, grief and agitation disappear.

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The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that contains...