<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!-- generator="WordPress/2.9.1" -->
<rss version="0.92">
<channel>
	<title>Sri V.  N. Gopala Desikan</title>
	<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan</link>
	<description>Books / Articles written by Sri V.  N. Gopala Desikan</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:36:36 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss092</docs>
	<language>en</language>
	
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Conclusion</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan


I now have a broad idea about the greatness of our philosophy and religion. I have a few doubts in regard to certain points which you mentioned. Now , there are certain passages, in our accecpted authorities like the Vedas, Sastras, Puranas and Divya Prabandha, which appear to be mutually contradictory. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-conclusion/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Vadakalai and Tenkalai &#8211; Chapter 13</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

We have got two sects, Vadakalai and Tenkalai. What is the difference between these two schools of thought?
There is no fundamental or basic difference in the philosophy, between the two schools, Vadakalai and Tenkalai. There is only difference of opinion on some issues. These are not significant.
When did this division, Vadakalai [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-vadakalai-and-tenkalai/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; The Three Secrets &#8211; Chapter 12</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

What are the three secrets in our system (rahasya traya)?
The first and the most important is called Ashtakshara. This consists of 8 syllables and is in the form of three words.
The first word is a single syllable Om. The second word is Namaha. The third word is Narayanaya.
So, the ashtakshara is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-the-three-secrets/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Prapatti &#8211; Chapter 11</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

You have already explained to me about bhakti yoga. Now, please tell me something more about the second means of attainment of moksha, namely prapatti.
Prapatti is also called Saranagati, Bharanyasa, Bhara Samarpana and Nyasa. Here, we seek the Lord as the sole refuge, for salvation. We surrender ourselves unto Him; and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-prapatti/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; The Departure of the Soul &#8211; Chapter 10</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

At the time of death, how does the Jivatma depart from this body?
This is well explained in the Upanishads. At the time of death, the Jivatma leaves the body. When the Jivatma leaves the body, the following also leave:-
1) The five senses of knowledge; (Jnana Indriyas)
2) The five senses of action; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-the-departure-of-the-soul/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Jivatma and Paramatma &#8211; Chapter 9</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

You said that like Brahman, the Jivatma and matter are also eternal. Is there only one Jivatma or there are several of them?
Jivatmas are infinite in number. The fact that they are countless, has been made clear in the Vedas,as Well as in the Bhagavad Gita.
Then, is there any difference between [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-jivatma-and-paramatma/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Karma, Jnana, Bhakti Yogas &#8211; Chapter 8</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

What are the types of activities of the Jivatma, in this world?
The activities pursued by Jivatma are of three kinds: 1) Nitya 2) Naimittika 3) Kamya
1) Nitya: That which has to be done, without fail, regularly, like Sandhyavandana. By not doing these, one incurs sins.
2) Naimittika: Those, which have to be [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-karma-jnana-bhakti-yogas/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Advaitha, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita &#8211; Chapter 7</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

How did the three systems of Vedanta philosophy, namely Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita come about?
The question can be answered with a little bit of background on the Upanishads.The Upanishads are of three types namely bheda sruti, abheda sruti and ghataka sruti.
What is the Bheda sruti?
There are many passages in the Vedas, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-advaitha-visishtadvaita-and-dvaita/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Iswara &#8211; The Lord and Master &#8211; Chapter 6</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

What is the essential nature of Iswara?
The essential nature of Iswara is truth, knowledge, infiniteness, happiness and purity. He is present everywhere. He knows everything.
Why is He called Bhagavan?
He possesses six qualities and that is why He is called Bhagavan. Bhaga in Sanskrit means good quality.
What are these six qualities?
These are: [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-iswara-the-lord-and-master/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Matter and Creation &#8211; Chapter 5</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan

What is the meaning of Achetana?
As mentioned earlier, we have three tattvas or reals. We will next take up Achetana and then finally Iswara. Achetana means non-sentient. It means that it	does not possess any knowledge. So, theAchetana is not capable of thinking, since it has no knowledge(pramana).
What are the categories under [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-matter-and-creation/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; The Eternal Jivatma &#8211; Chapter 4</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan 

Please explain how you say that the soul is different from the body?
When I say &#8220;this is my book&#8221;, I mean the book belongs to me. The book is obviously something different from myself.
Similarly, I say &#8220;this is my body&#8221;. So, the body is different from myself. Here, the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-the-eternal-jivatma/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; The &#8220;Doctrine Special&#8221; of Visishtadvaita &#8211; Chapter 3</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan 

What is an authority (Pramana)?
An authority is something from which we learn truths. We consider the Vedas, as the basic authority We also use logic and arguments to arrive at the truths, in addition to learning from the Vedas.
Such things from which we learn the truths or arrive at [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-the-doctrine-special-of-visishtadvaita/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Azhwars and Acharyas &#8211; Chapter 2</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan 

What is the importance of Guru or Acharya in our system of philosophy?
To understand the proper meaning of Sastras is very difficult. We have to properly interpret some of the texts, which seem to be conflicting with each other. There are also inner meanings and secret meanings of the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-azhwars-and-acharyas/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>A Dialog on Hinduism &#8211; Vedas and Sastras &#8211; Chapter 1</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan 

What is the basic authority (pramana) for Hindu religion and philosophy?
The Vedas are the basic, fundamental authority.
What is the meaning of the word Veda?
Veda, in Sanskrit means that which gives knowledge.
Is there any other name for Veda?
Veda is also called Sruti.
What is the meaning of the word Sruti?
Sruti means [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://saranagathi.org/blogs/gopala-desikan/a-dialog-on-hinduism-vedas-and-sastras/</link>
			</item>
</channel>
</rss>
