The spiritual journey of a Hindu

Gist of Taittriya Upanishad

He who realizes Brahman attains the supreme with reference to that very fact it has been declared:

"Brahman is Existence, Intelligence, Infinitude;

he who realizes him treasured in the cave,
in the highest ether,
fulfills all wants together,
as Brahman the omniscient.

Brahman being the ground and substratum of all,
he is immanent even in contradictories.
Whatever is perceived,
intuited, or imagined,
all that is He".

-Taittirioupanishad by Swami Sarvananda, Ramakrishna Math

Teachers in Hinduism

                                                                          Adi Shankara

Born -Kaladi (now Ernakulam  District, Kerala)
His Guru - Govinda Bagavatpada
Doctrine - Advaitha Vedanta
Works - Copious commentaries (Bhasya)  on  Brahma Sutra, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita and
 many Prakarana Granthas (philosophical treatises).

All the monks in India trace their spiritual lineage to a common guru, Adi (the first) Shankaracharya. 'Acharya' means  religious teacher. Sage Anathagiri gives the dates of Adi Shankara from 44-12 B.C. whereas Western historians assigns 8-9 century A.D.

The title Shankaracharya , then headed the unbroken lineage of venerable teachers.

He was the first to establish the monastic life. His 4 disciples are :-
1. Suresvara
2. Padmapada
3. Hastamalaka
4. Totaka

He then, founded 4 mathas to help the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta through his disciples (achariyas) and their lineage, respectively.

1. Saradha peetham, Sringeri
2. Govarthanamath, Puri
4. Dvaraka pitha
5. Jothirmath

Till now, many monks make up the Swami Order, take vows of poverty (non-attachment to possessions), chastity and obedience from men who themselves are swamis. They are the one who contribute to the unbroken lineage of Hindu teachers with their ideal selfless service to all mankind.

There are 10 sub divisions (dasanamis) of Swami Order:-

1. Giri (mountain)
2. Sagara (sea)
3. Bharathi (land)
4. Puri (tract)
5. Saraswati (nature of wisdom)
6. Thirtha (place of pilgrimage)
7. Aranya (forest)
8. Vana
9. Parvatha
10. Asrama

For example Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda Giri, Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Swami Barathi Thirtha Sringeri

A Hindu swami's monastic name usually ends with ananda (supreme bliss). It  signifies their aspiration to attain emancipation (the one who seeks to achieve union with the Swa or Self).

Karma Yoga

Karma = action
Yoga = union
Literally, Kama Yoga means union through action.

Karma Yoga includes both action and the fruit of the action.

What ever action perform with our body, mind, speech, intellect (theham, manam ,vakku, buthi) either intentionally or unintentionally is dedicated to the Supreme Lord. In Bhagavat Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna

"... O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight."

4 ways to be a Karma Yogi :-

1. Reduce Adharmik activities
2. Increase Dharmik activities
3. Dedicate all our actions to the Supreme Lord
4. Experience everything and every happenings as prasada