Swami Ishwarananda lectures at Cal State Bakersfield

On April 9th, Swami Ishwarananda, spiritual head and resident monk at CMLA, gave a gripping and erudite lecture on Hinduism and Vedanta at Cal State Bakersfield. The lecture was the first in a planned series, with approximately 30 students in attendance. Given the enthusiastic response, we intend to invite Swamiji to deliver these talks at CSUB each time he visits. The audience reaction was overwhelmingly positive. 

Swamiji conducted the session in a highly interactive and participatory manner, engaging students with thought-provoking questions. The attentive students also posed pertinent and insightful questions.

Swamiji began by explaining the origin of the word “Hinduism,” tracing it to the Sindh region, and emphasized that it represents not merely a religion but a way of living. He described culture as having three key aspects: beliefs (Dharma), values, and celebrations aligned with the seasons.

To engage the audience, Swamiji asked what determines life. Various answers were offered. Swamiji elegantly explained that our life is what results from our way of thinking. He then introduced the Vedas as Shruti—that which is “heard”. He explained that “Veda” means knowledge and "Anta" means end,  so “Vedanta” represents the the end goal or culmination of that knowledge.

Swamiji elaborated on Dharma, including the four stages of life, and thoughtfully addressed a student’s question about balancing the roles of a householder and a student simultaneously. He also discussed the concept of the four varnas—priest, warrior, trader, and worker—clarifying that these are determined by individual traits and qualities rather than by birth.

Turning to the question of happiness, Swamiji emphasized that true happiness lies within. Quoting his Master, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, he advised, “Do not put the key of your happiness in someone else’s pocket.” He explained that happiness is our essential nature and introduced the concept of Sat-Chit-Anand — existence, consciousness, and bliss — as the nature of the Divine. He further guided students to reflect on how this truth applies to their own self, explaining the deeper meaning of “I am.”

Overall, it was a deeply illuminating discourse that left attendees enthralled and reflective.

--Anil Mehta