Acharya Prashant begins the session by introducing the Niralamba Upanishad. He explains that this Upanishad is like a glossary or a dictionary for the entire Upanishadic literature. It defines all the terms, principles, and concepts that are found in various Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and other texts of Vedanta. The Upanishad is structured as a dialogue where disciples ask their Guru a series of questions, and the Guru provides concise and meaningful answers in the form of verses. The session focuses on two specific questions from the Upanishad: "What is 'Graahya' (that which is to be grasped)?" and "What is 'Agraahya' (that which is not to be grasped)?" The Rishi answers that 'Graahya' is the pure consciousness (Chinmatra Swaroop) which is beyond the limitations of space, time, and object. This is the only thing worthy of being grasped. Conversely, 'Agraahya' is the contemplation of the reality of the world, which is separate from one's own nature, imagined by Maya, and perceptible to the intellect and senses. The speaker emphasizes that one should not grasp this. Acharya Prashant elaborates on the Guru's teaching method. He points out that when the disciple asks what to grasp, the Guru's answer about 'Graahya' also implicitly defines what is 'Agraahya'. By stating that only that which is beyond space, time, and object is to be grasped, the Guru is indicating that everything within the realm of space, time, and object is not to be grasped. The speaker explains that the disciple is not a blank slate but is already running frantically in various directions, engrossed in the world. Therefore, the Guru's primary task is to first make the disciple stop. The question of what to do is secondary to what to stop doing. The main message is to stop the mindless running and empty the mind. The speaker clarifies that this does not mean abandoning worldly duties. One must live in the world and perform actions, but without giving the world the highest place in one's heart. The heart should remain empty, pure, and untouched, like a sanctum sanctorum. This emptiness is the ultimate purity, the Atma. He advises that while one must prioritize things in the world, there must be something that is held above all worldly priorities. This highest principle acts as a protective shield. The mistake we make is giving the highest importance to worldly things, which then consume us. Liberation is nothing but freedom from that which seems most important.
