Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda
Vedanta Society of New York
Swami Sarvapriyananda delivers insightful talks on Vedanta at the Vedanta Society of New York, an institution founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Vedanta, rooted in the ancient Vedas, is one of the world’s oldest and most expansive spiritual philosophies. It emphasizes the oneness of all existence, the divinity of the individual soul, and the harmony among all religions, offering timeless wisdom for personal and spiritual growth. Through these talks, Swami Sarvapriyananda explores profound spiritual truths, making Vedanta’s teachings relevant to modern seekers.Vedanta Society of New YorkApple PodcastSpotify PodcastDonations to support Vedanta Society of New York gratefully accepted via PaypalAll Original Content © Vedanta Society of New York
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 25min
8. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantra 2.4.12 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the concluding portion of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, its name means “the great forest.” The text comprises six chapters organized into the Madhu, Yājñavalkya (Muni), and Khila kāṇḍas, and is tenth in the traditional canon of 108 Upanishads. Renowned for its profound nondual philosophy, it includes the celebrated dialogue between Yājñavalkya and his wife Maitreyi, where all love is shown to be ultimately directed toward the Self (Ātman), whose realization as identical with Brahman leads to immortality and infinite bliss. For more information, please visit:https://www.vedantany.org/brihadarany...Reference material:Book: https://a.co/d/iQqKCWMPDF of the entire Upanishad can be found https://dn790002.ca.archive.org/0/ite....
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 17min
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 5) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."
Mar 21, 2026 • 1h 16min
173. Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 15, Verses 1-4 (Contd.) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches verses 1-4 from the fifteenth chapter, entitled Purushottama Yoga, the Yoga of the Supreme Being, of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks by Swami Sarvapriyananda on the Bhagavad Gita, 'the Song of God,' unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta.____________Chapter 15, Verse 1श्रीभगवानुवाच |ऊर्ध्वमूलमध:शाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् |छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् || 1||śhrī-bhagavān uvāchaūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ-śhākham aśhvatthaṁ prāhur avyayamchhandānsi yasya parṇāni yas taṁ veda sa veda-vit⧫ The Blessed Lord said, "They speak of the immutable Ashwatham tree, with its roots above and its branches below, whose leaves are the Vedas." He who knows it is the knower of the Vedas.Chapter 15, Verse 2 अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखागुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवाला: |अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानिकर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके || 2||adhaśh chordhvaṁ prasṛitās tasya śhākhāguṇa-pravṛiddhā viṣhaya-pravālāḥadhaśh cha mūlāny anusantatānikarmānubandhīni manuṣhya-loke⧫ Its branches, nurtured by the gunas spread below and above, its shoots are the sense objects, and its rootlings are stretched below, producing actions in the world of men.Verse 3 & 4न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यतेनान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा |अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा || 3||तत: पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यंयस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूय: |तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्येयत: प्रवृत्ति: प्रसृता पुराणी || 4||na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyatenānto na chādir na cha sampratiṣhṭhāaśhvattham enaṁ su-virūḍha-mūlamasaṅga-śhastreṇa dṛiḍhena chhittvātataḥ padaṁ tat parimārgitavyaṁyasmin gatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥtam eva chādyaṁ puruṣhaṁ prapadyeyataḥ pravṛittiḥ prasṛitā purāṇī⧫ Its form as such is not experienced here, nor its end, nor its beginning, nor its continuity. Having severed this deep-rooted Ashwatha tree with the strong weapon of non-attachment, one should next seek that goal, reaching which they do not return, saying 'I seek refuge in that primordial Purusha from whom this eternal process has sprung.'🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New York
Mar 16, 2026 • 55min
Searching for the Divine – An Exploration of Jewish Theology | Rabbi Benjamin H. Spratt
In this lecture, Rabbi Benjamin Spratt reflects on the human search for the Divine through the lens of Jewish theology, exploring how uncertainty, questioning, and evolving ideas of God are central to authentic spiritual life. Drawing on Jewish thought and interfaith dialogue, he suggests that faith is not about rigid certainty but about a continuing journey of inquiry, humility, and deeper connection with the sacred.Rabbi Benjamin Spratt grew up in Salt Lake City and was ordained by The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in May 2008, with a concentration in Jewish Philosophy. In his years at JTS, he received many awards and prizes in Talmud, philosophy, homiletics, and Bible.Rabbi Spratt spent his early years exploring his Jewish identity. His Jewish journey took him through the Conservative, Renewal, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist worlds of Judaism before finding a home within the Reform movement. Rabbi Spratt now serves as senior rabbi of Congregation Rodeph Sholom. https://rodephsholom.org🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.
Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 13min
7. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantra 2.4.11 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the concluding portion of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, its name means “the great forest.” The text comprises six chapters organized into the Madhu, Yājñavalkya (Muni), and Khila kāṇḍas, and is tenth in the traditional canon of 108 Upanishads. Renowned for its profound nondual philosophy, it includes the celebrated dialogue between Yājñavalkya and his wife Maitreyi, where all love is shown to be ultimately directed toward the Self (Ātman), whose realization as identical with Brahman leads to immortality and infinite bliss. For more information, please visit:https://www.vedantany.org/brihadarany...Reference material:Book: https://a.co/d/iQqKCWMPDF of the entire Upanishad can be found https://dn790002.ca.archive.org/0/ite....🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.
Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 13min
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 4) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."This session was recorded on May 3, 2022.
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 13min
6. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantras 2.4.7 - 2.4.10 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the concluding portion of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, its name means “the great forest.” The text comprises six chapters organized into the Madhu, Yājñavalkya (Muni), and Khila kāṇḍas, and is tenth in the traditional canon of 108 Upanishads. Renowned for its profound nondual philosophy, it includes the celebrated dialogue between Yājñavalkya and his wife Maitreyi, where all love is shown to be ultimately directed toward the Self (Ātman), whose realization as identical with Brahman leads to immortality and infinite bliss. For more information, please visit:https://www.vedantany.org/brihadarany...Reference material:Book: https://a.co/d/iQqKCWMPDF of the entire Upanishad can be found https://dn790002.ca.archive.org/0/ite....
Mar 8, 2026 • 1h 13min
The Reality and Unreality of Rebirth | Prof. Jeffery Long
Prof. Jeffery Long is the Carl W. Ziegler Professor of Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Studies at Elizabeth Town College, Pennsylvania, where he has taught since receiving his doctoral degree from the University of Chicago's School of Divinity in 2000. He has written many books and articles, including Hinuism in America, A Convergence of Worlds, which won the Rajendra & Jyoti Award for Theology, Philosophy, and Critical Engagement in 2022. His latest book is Discovering Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Thought. This year, he published a volume of Hindu Primary Sources with his colleague, Dr. Ravi Gupta, with Oxford University Press. He has spoken at a wide variety of venues, both national and international, including three presentations at the United Nations. He has also been interviewed for a PBS documentary on the life and teachings of swami Vivekananda and for the History Channel series 'Holy Marvels.' Dr. Long took initiation into the Vedantic tradition in 2005 and is a frequent speaker at Vedanta Societies across the US🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
Mar 8, 2026 • 1h 12min
Harmony of Religions | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda explores the Vedantic ideal of the harmony of religions as taught by Sri Ramakrishna and interpreted by Swami Vivekananda, showing that religions are not identical but diverse paths suited to different human temperaments, all leading toward the same ultimate reality. Moving beyond mere tolerance, the lecture emphasizes acceptance grounded in spiritual experience, highlighting Sri Ramakrishna’s direct realization of God through multiple religious traditions as the foundation for genuine interfaith harmony.Intro Music Credit : • Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram Violin Cover | र... 🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
Feb 28, 2026 • 1h 9min
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 3) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."


