Raseshwari Devi, the foremost preacher of Kripalu Maharaj, on Friday commenced a special spiritual discourse series titled “Upanishad Gyanamrit”, highlighting the eternal relevance of the Upanishads in guiding human life toward its true purpose. The series opened with an in-depth exposition on “Upanishad Mahatmya”, focusing on the greatness and indispensability of the Upanishads within Sanatan Dharma.
In her opening address, Raseshwari Devi underlined that while the Vedas are revered as the supreme scriptures of Sanatan Dharma, the Upanishads represent their highest philosophical culmination. She explained that the Upanishads distill the essence of the four Vedas and function as a complete manual for human life, offering clarity on the nature of the self, the world, and the Supreme God. Emphasizing their universal character, she noted that the Upanishads are not sectarian in nature but provide guidance relevant to all of humanity, irrespective of time and place.
Introducing the central philosophical theme of the discourse series, Raseshwari Devi elaborated on a key declaration from the Svetasvatara Upanishad (1.12), which explains the eternal truths of existence by categorizing reality into three aspects—bhoktā (the experiencer or soul), bhogya (the object of experience or material nature), and preritā (the Supreme Controller).
Reflecting on this mantra, she explained that individual souls, described as Bhogta Brahma, have been wandering through the cycle of birth and death since time immemorial. Despite an innate and continuous search for happiness, the soul remains bound to suffering due to material limitations.
Raseshwari Devi further elaborated that these sufferings arise from factors such as the triguṇa (three modes of material nature), trikarma, pañca-kośa (five coverings of the self), and pañca-kleśa (five afflictions). She observed that countless attempts made across innumerable lifetimes to find lasting happiness within the material realm have repeatedly failed, highlighting the need for higher spiritual understanding.
Stressing the unique significance of human birth, Raseshwari Devi explained that among all forms of life, only the human body provides the soul with an opportunity to transcend material bondage. While animals lack discernment and the devatās lack complete freedom of action, humans alone possess both Gyan Shakti (the power of discrimination or viveka) and freedom of action—two indispensable prerequisites for God-realization.
The Upanishad Gyanamrit Prabachan series will be held from January 31 to February 9, 2026, with daily sessions scheduled in the evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The inaugural day witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, BJP Odisha State President Manmohan Samal, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, senior BJP leader and social worker Jagannath Pradhan, Chairman of MBC TV Dr. Badrinath Pattnaik, and youth leader Sujit Das.
