This is a discourse series given by Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha during the Gurupoornima Retreat at Narayanashrama Tapovanam, in Kerala. As the name suggests, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a voluminous text. It is a treatise on Self knowledge and it covers all aspects of human life.

Chanting the shanti Mantra of the Upanishad, (ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते।पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥), Swamiji discusses why this chanting is taken up before the study of the Upanishads. He explains that to understand this subtle and profound knowledge, there has to be a conducive and harmonious environment and right attunement of the body, mind and intelligence.

Discussing the Shanti Mantra, Swamiji deeply analyses the word ‘Poorna’. This Poorna is the non-dual consciousness. It is different from anything in the objective world. This Consciousness or Brahman is Poorna in essence and when it produces the objective world, then also it is full and undergoes no change at all. Swamiji emphasizes that the Self is changeless, causeless, immortal and always in its pristine form. When the whole world is manifested, the Self does not undergo any change.

Swamiji concludes the day by discussing the three kinds of shanti or peace.

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