Gita Discussions #13 - Introduction to Tattva Bodha, The Enquiry into Truth

In this episode, we discuss the classic text by Shankaracharya, Tattva Bodha. Tattva means the TRUTH. Bodha means KNOWLEDGE. The first few pages summarize the key qualification to even understand Tattva Bodha. It is known as the four folded qualification [Sadhana Chatushtaya]. The Sadhana Chatushtaya qualification is discussed as - Vivekam (ability to separate real from unreal), Vairagyam (being dispassionate about 'worldly' objects as they are perishable), Shama Damadi (this is the six folded subset known as shama - mind control; dama - sense control; uparamah - prolonged involvement in doing our duties; titiksha - forbearance; sraddha - trust in words of Guru and shastras; and Samadhana - single pointed focus of mind. We also digress a bit to discuss why Sanskrit words express meanings better than English translation. The last fifteen minutes we practice group chanting of Nirvanashatakam.