February 15, 2026

Recently when interacting with couples Vivek ji shared expectations are one of the most difficult facets of living with people, working with people. When the expectations are not managed it leads to criticism. If we know and feel that Bhagavan is Omni present then anyone who has expectations of us, anyone who criticizes us our absorption changes because its Bhagavan who is expecting of me, Bhagavan who is criticizing me. Once we have this feeling, we are grateful for the criticism.  It means that person that’s criticizing you wants you to be perfect. This is Vision of Bhakti time to not just theorize Bhagavan is omnipresent but to feel this. Advanced advice is finding more meaning in what they are doing. Beginner advise is change what you are doing. If we reflect on Prince Arjuna, he wasn’t given advise to step back. Sri Krishna guided him to find more meaning in what he was doing.

In our 18^th class we learned about Dasya/active respecting. Science behind this is, it is only when we are sacrificing, then we are learning. Active respecting here mean I am ready to sacrifice to help my learning. For Scripture we went through series of Chaupai of Hanuman Chalisa. Vivek ji was sharing how self-reflection leads to self-development. Givins us another scriptural reference of how Sri Hanumana is role model for active respecting. Sri Rama asks Sri Hanumana “What is our relationship?” Sri Hanuman’s response is this famous verse from Ramayana “Deha Budya Tu Dasosmi” Indeed from the narrative of this body our relationship is where I am a servant to you, Dasa/Active respecting.  In this respect there is sacrifice because I want to learn from you, I want to grow. Then Hanumana adds “Jeeva Budya Tvaram ShakaHa” Indeed from the narrative of Jiva, the ego not the body I am a part and you are the whole. Sri Hanumana takes a deeper step “Atma buddhya tvamevaham” From the narrative of the spirit our relationship is of oneness.  “Iti ne nishchita matihi” This is my understanding. Vivek ji is trying to zoom into is first narrative is to be one of a Dasa then we can go from there. Another story. Sri Hanumana was reflecting on Sun who bring the most, light to the creation he wanted to learn from the Sun. He wanted the Sun to be his Guru. Sri Hanumana couldn’t get into that class right away so he became sad. So, he made a deal with the Sun “I don’t need a seat into class I will fly with you while you are traveling. You continue with your day with your work. You keep teaching and I will watch you and listen to you and learn from you.” Later Sri Hanumana helped Sugriva as Dakshina. He dedicated his life to Sugriva; he made Sugriva the king. Rishi Prahlada sharing with us how to be active in our dedication not passive in our devotion. 

Now eighth practice to evolve from passive devotion to active dedication shared by Rishi Prahlada. To evolve from being a Dasa to being a Sakhya; from a servant to a friend. In English it is active loving. Vivek ji is sharing with us lot of frameworks that we have heard before to connect all of this.

Vivek ji shared in detail about Bhaja during Wake up to Your Potential class. Beginning point of Bhaja is Sit, Sing, Seek passive step, active effort is not needed. Next in Bhaja are Support, Serve, Surrender. We built up enough momentum to go from passive to active. Support is I am giving my resources; Serve I am giving my time; Surrender I am giving my effort. If one is not giving one is passive, if one is giving one is matured enough to be active. Support, Serve, Surrender matches with being a Dasa, being a Sakhya, being Atma, THE Atma. Supporting I still feel there is a difference supporter and supported. With serving it comes closer I go from Dasa to Sakhya. Finally, to Atma where there is no difference between supporter and supported; the server and served. Dasa would be active respecting, Sakhya would be active loving, Atma would be combining respect and love which is active revering. We have lot of respect for secular may not be so much love for it.  We may not love the secular but we love the sacred. When we bring these together that is reverence. Vivek ji offering one more layer to this. Active respecting of the Guna/Divine’s qualities. Leela is deeper than Guna that brings us together more. Leela here means the play, the purpose, the love all beings because we all want to be happy. We are all moving towards oneness. Finally, deeper than Leela is Dhama where I surrender separation there is only one Dhama, Parandhama. See how there are severe connections, which lead to conviction.

Scripture: From Panadava Gita in Maha Bharata Devi Gandhari is sharing with Sri Krishna.

tvameva mata cha pita tvameva tvameva bandhushcha sakha tvameva

tvameva vidya dravinam tvameva tvameva sarvam mama-dev-deva

Here teachings going from known to unknown. First known is Mata, next would-be Pita. Our first known would be our mother where we would feel divinity is our mother, then our father. There is a new layer of known, it is bandu/relative, who are related to us by force. Then Sakha who we choose. We are choosing to divinity with each other. 3^rd facet which is more unknown it goes from animals, plants to stones. Vidya means that which is animate like this class is animate which feels alive. That would be more along the lines of animals and somewhat plants. Dravya here refers to stones which is inanimate ex driveway, bricks etc. Throughout all of this we are trying to feel awareness. tvameva sarvam mama-dev-deva, all is awareness. This verse was selected to show the evolution of feeling awareness/divinity/Bhagavan from known to the unknown. It not different than when we say Acharya Devo bhava then finally Atithi Devo bhava. First my mother, then my father, then Guide. Real guide will teach all are divine. Bhagavan is omnipresent.  

Science is active loving, that comes from active respecting. Psychological point is whatever you serve, you become. Pushing this harder whatever you love you most definitely become. Loving means stepping deeper. So, active loving is be engaged in Sakhya to have love for the Leela. For Scripture Vivek ji shared love has to go from known to the unknown.  Pujya Swami Chinmayananda has shared that a love that doesn’t grow is not love. That’s why those who don’t evolve serving community or society etc. those are heavier and lighter forms of attachment. Love is finally only offered to oneness.

Story: Story comes from Vyadha Gita of Mahabharata. Vyadha means to cut so Vyadha refers to a butcher. Vivek ji loves this because Vyadha in this case is the teacher. How aligned this is with it is not outside that makes you wise rather the meaning that makes you wise. There is a Sanyasi who is Sanyasi externally not so much internally. As he was contemplating a crane and a crow battling and some leaves fall on him and he was easily disturbed. He opens his eyes and burns them. He is feeling so good because of the power that he could burn the birds. He goes to nearby house for Bhiksha.  The lady said “I will come as soon as I finish helping my husband and feed you.” He being arrogant and impatient threatened saying” Don’t you know who I am? You should be serving me, not your husband “.  She replied “I am not that crow or crane that you can burn up. I am serving my husband in a divine way.” That leveled him. She came out and he started learning from her about how divinity has to be felt in the uncontrolled environment. That lady felt that she is not serving her husband is not the family member it’s not Bandhu Sakha, not Sakha it’s not Vidya its Dravya stepping deeper into who that being is. Many have changed with Vivek ji that it’s through exploration of Ramayana, Bhagavatam their relationships have changed. Bhakti can provide us so much where there are less games about expectations where criticism feels like someone wants you to be perfect.

Pooja Vidhanam: Soumya ji will facilitate a Pooja today. Last week we understood various stages in a Pooja.  Lavanya will perform Pooja today. Pooja is broken into three sections as Soumya ji explained last week

1.  Poorvanga Pooja: Preparation for purification for divinization of everything. This happens through Mantras. This means mentally get ready, set all up and sit down and zone in. Today we will learn a simplified version of Poorvanga Pooja to understand how great our Pooja Vidhi is. For Nitya Pooja we don’t have to perform all these steps.

Now we are going to Perform simple steps today.

1. Praying to Bhagavan Ganesha: Hands folded eyes closed we chant Ganesha sloka we know “Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha Neervigna Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada”. Offer a flower petal to Bhagavan Ganesha.
2. Praying to Guru: Now chant Guru sloka “Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshvarah Guruh Saakshaat Para Brahma Tasmai Shree Gurave Nama”. Offer flower Petal to Guru
3. Lighting Lamp: You can chant Shubham Karothi or Asathoma Sadgamaya.
4. Pranayama: Very important step. Put right thumb on the right nostril and take a deep breath with your left nostril chanting Om in the mind for 4 counts. With ring finger hold your breath for 16 counts. Release your thumb and exhale for eight counts. Reverse it to finish one cycle
5. Sankalpa: We are telling Bhagavan to be present in this Pooja. We are going to promise Bhagavan that we will give undivided attention. We will thank him. We seek Bhakti at his feet in return, purity of mind so that we can evolve spiritually. Hold Akshata in your left hand, put a flower petal on them. Keep your left hand on your right thigh and cover it with your right hand. If you know Mantra chant, if not make this promise to Bhagavan Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu mamopatta samastha durithakshaya dwara Sri Parameshwara preethyartham (Oh Bhagavan may you be pleased with this) Shraddha Bhakti Jnana Vairagya Siddhyartham (may we have Shraddha Bhakti Jnana Vairagya) Vidya Vinaya Praptyartham (may we gain Vidya) Sri Namah Shivaya Poojam Karishye.  Now move Akshata to the right hand and offer it to the Altor. Pray to Bhagavan to fulfil our Sankalpa.
6. Mukhya Pooja: Now mind is focused, feeling connected to Bhagavan, time to worship.
   1. Dhyanam: Take flower in hand, touch it to your heart, close your eyes, intensely visualize Bhagavan in your heart. If you know Dhyana Mantra of Ishta Devata otherwise chant Aum Nama Shivaya. Soumya ji chanted Karpoorgauram karunaavataaram Sansaar saaram bhujagendrahaaram Sada vasantam hridayaravinde Bhavam bhavaani sahitam namaami. You have invoked Bhagavan within you deeply and intensely. Tell Bhagavan
      1. Om Namah Shivaya, Dhyayami I meditate upon you. Offer this a petal at the Altor.
      1. Om Namah Shivaya, Asanam offer a petal at the Altor. You are offering your steady, thoughtless mind for him to sit.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Padyam, wash Bhagavan’s feet.  
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Arghyam, we wash Bhagavan’s hands.   
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Achamanam, we wash Bhagavan’s face
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Snanam, wash idol with flower petal dipped in water with right hand, ring the bell with the left hand.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Vastram, offer fresh new clothes by offering flower petals or Akshata.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Gandham, take Chandan with ring finger and offer it to Bhagavan on his forehead
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Akshata worship him with Akshita
      1. Depending on the time offer Archana with 11 names (you can chant Aum Namah Shivaya) or 108 or 1008 names of Bhagavan. Soumya ji picks names like Aum Gurave Namaha, Aum Eshwaraya Namaha, Aum Anantaya Namaha that she connects with Bhagavan. So, pick your Ishta Devata names, understand the meaning to offer Archana with flower petal. With each Namaha deeply feel you are thanking him.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Dhoopam, Offer Dhoopam with incense sticks also ring the bell.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Deepam, offer Diya with right hand, ring the bell with left hand.
      1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Naivedyam, offer fruits or dry fruits. Put one flower petal in fruits. Close your eyes, pray to Bhagavan to accept our humble Naivedya. Remember Naivedya represents our ego. Pray to accept your ego and give back Prasada. Prasada is the ego that is free of likes, dislikes. This one is optional take one spoon of water and go around Naivedyam and offer it to Bhagavan. If you know you can chant this om pranaya swaha, om apanaya swaha, om vyanaya swaha, om udanaya swaha, om samanaya swaha, om brahmane swaha. While Bhagavan is eating, we change Aum Namah Shivaya 16 or more times in our head.
      1. Once Naivedya is done we offer him drop of water to wash his hands chanting Aum Namah Shivaya
7. Uttara Pooja:
   1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Mangala Neerajanam we offer Arathi you can sing an Arthi song.
   1. Aum Namah Shivaya, Pushpanjali Take couple of flowers.
   1. Chant Aum Namah Shivaya, three times tooffer Pradakshina Namaskara by doing Sashanga Namaskar, complete surrender.
   1. Now sit offer Japa, contemplation etc.
   1. After this, you offer Pooja and Pooja Phala to Bhagavan and close with closing prayers.
   1. We invoked him earlier from within; we send Bhagavan back. Take one flower petal from the Altor inhale deeply feeling Bhagavan’s presence going back into you.
   1. Closing with Shanti Mantra.

RAW: Understand and follow the live lighter challenge on social media.