Introduction to Vedanta – Course by Dr R.V Giridhar
Vedanta is the name for the highest wisdom of the Vedas, which is the focus of the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Here’s an introductory talk by Dr R.V Girdhar on Advaita Vedanta.
Introduction to Vedanta – Course by Dr R.V Giridhar
Dr R.V Giridhar
Advaita Vedanta Teacher & Semiconductor Technologist
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Synopsis of Introduction to Vedanta
In this series on Introduction to Vedanta, we will undertake a detailed study of a classical introductory text on Vedanta called “Tattva Bodha”. Tattva means the Ultimate Reality. Bodha means Knowledge. The text “Tattva Bodha” clarifies the subject matter, the benefits of Knowledge, the qualifications of a sincere student and the relationship between the study and the benefits. Tattva Bodha clarifies the nature of the spiritual journey itself as well as teaching the essence of Vedanta. Tattva Bodha dwells on the nature of the Individual, the nature of the Universe and the nature of the Divine. It then talks about the nature of liberation, the means for liberation as well as the benefits of liberation. A thorough study of Tattva Bodha provides an excellent foundation for understanding the nature of the spiritual journey and greatly aids one’s study of the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita by establishing the vocabulary as well as the methodology used to teach this extremely subtle and profound knowledge.
Class Text:
We will use Swami Paramarthananda’s Class Notes on Tattva Bodha for our classes. It is available at the link below for download for your personal use.
https://arshaavinash.in/index.php/download/tattva-bodhah-swami-paramarthananda/
Format of Classes:
The subject matter of Vedanta is only assimilated when we build the understanding very systematically and addressing doubts as they arise.
We ask that all students come prepared by studying the assigned lecture ahead of the class and making notes as well as documenting any questions you have. In each session of 90min, we will have one or two students summarize the content of the lecture which is the focus for that class. This will be followed by other students adding any other points in the lecture while staying within the content of the lecture in the first 30min. Giridhar will then dive into a deeper discussion of the significance of the content, add perspective, as well as address doubts. The approach will be to focus on depth rather than breadth. We will go slowly and ensure maximum clarity as we progress step by step.
The classes will last 26wks with weekly class of 90min.
About the Teachers
Dr R.V Giridhar
Dr R.V Giridhar was born in India grew up in Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. He got his Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Regional Engineering College in Tiruchirapalli and subsequently got an M.Eng and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in NY and joined Intel Corporation in Santa Clara, CA to work on Flash Memory Technology development. Over his 36yr career at Intel, he has contributed to or overseen the increase of Flash Memory Chip capacities by 4 Million times and currently serves as Vice President of NAND Technology Development based in Santa Clara, CA. Over the past 10years, he has devoted his personal time to studying the Vedanta including Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita under the guidance of Swami Santatmananda, himself a student of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Giridhar has found the ancient wisdom of Vedanta to be profoundly transformational and started sharing his learning over the last few years with small groups of serious students in India and the USA. He uses his diverse background to help unlock the wisdom of Vedanta to modern students.
