35 - Mystery of Avatara | Swami Tattwamayananda

-4th chapter: verses 6, 7, 8, 9, 10<br />-The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on May 1, 2020.<br />-6th verse: “Though I am unborn, and beyond all changes – yet, without being subject to the regulation of prakriti and the three gunas, keeping prakriti under control, I incarnate.”<br />-“I” does not refer to Lord Krishna as a limited human being. Rather it refers to the eternal dimension of His personality as Atman. As Atman, He is beyond the six changes: birth, existence, growth, evolution, degeneration and death.<br />-Highly spiritually elevated men are called Satya-Sankalpa (सत्य-सङ्कल्प). They are capable of assuming any human form at their own divine will. They only appear to take the human form – actually, they are established in their true identity as Atman, and are beyond any human weakness.<br />-Avatara (incarnation) is endowed with three qualities. (1) As Atman, He is unborn (2) He is devoid of any changes (3) He is the lord of all beings - and present everywhere, in everything,<br />-Avatara is endowed with six Bhagas (great spiritual characteristics). (1) Great effulgence (2) Great prosperity (3) Great power (4) Great knowledge (5) Great renunciation and (6) Great reputation.<br />-Avatara emerge in all cultures. When we look beyond the diversity of language and culture, we find universality in their teachings and a cosmic unity. In their everyday life, activities, and teachings, there is always a visible transcendental connection.<br />-7th and 8th verses: “Whenever there is a decline of dharma (धर्म) and increase of adharma (अधर्म), then this incarnation takes place to preserve dharma (धर्म), to protect virtuous people, to remove their obstacles and to punish evil doers.”<br />-Ritam (ऋतम्) is the central principle of inherent harmony that exists in nature. Satyam means truth – a person will not deviate from the path of harmony if he practices Satyam (सत्यम्). Dharma (धर्म) refers to the ethical and moral principles through which one practices Satyam (सत्यम्). For example, it is immoral