Do we have to believe in horoscope knowing fully our destiny is all pre-determined?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is up to you. If you believe that the planets decide your life, then you can believe in horoscope. If you believe that Krishna decides your life, then it does not matter.
-----------------------------------
What is Mukti?(Liberation) Why there is a desire for a devotee to get Mukti? Can't he love God without having this desire?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Mukti is not something you can see. It is supreme joy; eternal bliss. You can love God without having the desire for Mukti too. But true love for God takes one to that state, whether he desires it or not.
------------------------------------
Whenever I pray for job, money, etc., I am advised that I should be asking for more important things like Liberation. I wonder how I can expect Liberation if I am not able to attain even the mundane needs. Am I right in thinking so?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Liberation is the birth right of every jiva (Soul). That is why you are advised to pray for it. In fact that is the right thing to ask.
---------------------------------
What is pleasing to Krishna? How can I make him happy?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Cheerfulness pleases Him
Sharing with others pleases Him
Sacrifice pleases Him
Giving up ego pleases Him
Selflessness pleases Him
All beautiful things please Him
Helping others pleases Him
Flowers please Him
Honesty pleases Him
Truth pleases Him
Simplicity pleases Him
An open heart pleases Him
Patience pleases Him
Not finding fault with others pleases Him
Unconditional love pleases Him
Caring for cows pleases Him
Caring for Tulsi Plant (Holy Basil) pleases Him
Feeding the poor and feeding His devotees pleases Him
Non-violence ('ahimsa') pleases Him
Serving the Guru (Master) pleases Him
Witnessing and accepting all the happenings in the world as His play pleases Him more than anything else.
-------------------------------
I wish to know if we can choose the Guru or does God show us one.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Many people believe that only with the help of Guru can one attain God. It is actually the other way round – only with the help of God can one attain a real Guru.
---------------------------------
What's the best way to forgive so that past doesn't haunt us again?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Forgive in the Name of Krishna. That is the one and only way.
----------------------------------
Despite doing my duties regularly, chanting regularly and having great love towards God why is there some sort of emptiness in the mind. How it can be avoided and how to be ever in the happy state?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If you have great love towards God, you will not feel emptiness. True love to God and emptiness do not go together. If it seems to, then there is something wrong. Check to see which one is missing.
-----------------------------------
What is more important in Kaliyuga? Following dharma or surrendering dharma?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Following Dharma – specifically, Bhagavata Dharma.
What is Bhagavata Dharma? Reading Itihasas and Puranas, listening to them and performing Nama Kirtan always. These are the essentials of Bhagavata Dharma.
The Vedas speak about Dharma. The Bhagavata Dharma is verily the nuance of Dharma ('Dharma Sookshma'). It is not only a revolutionary dharma, but also the most practical one.
---------------------------------
How to strike a balance between living in the spiritual world and the "worldly" world till your duties in the "worldly" world are not done?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The life of a householder is the most blessed one.
Even if one is wealthy and leads a comfortable life, if he fails to chant the Mahamantra, he is certain to suffer in the life after death! If a Sanyasi follows the rigorous austerities laid down for him, he suffers in this birth but is happy in the life beyond. By being a householder, leading a righteous life and chanting the Mahamantra, one can enjoy this life as well as in the life beyond!
Is it not a blessing to be a householder?
So chant the Mahamantra. Chant it with faith, love and patience. Then you will see for yourself that the heaven is at your feet, even while doing your worldly duties.
------------------------------
I am straight forward. Where ever I work, all my colleagues are against me for this trait of mine, as if it was a bad trait. What can I do?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Don't lose your quality of straight-forwardness. At the same time be kind to all. For that, chant the Mahamantra. It will make you a pleasing character in everyone's eyes.
-------------------------------
On a journey from one place to another we use a map which indicates the essential landmarks to confirm that we are on the right path. If one chooses Bhakti,what are these signs that one encounters as he progresses, which identify the location of the aspirant on the path?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
According to Bhakti Shastras, there are 20 characteristics that indicate the state of Bhakti.
Horipilation, trembling of the body, loss of consciousness, eyeballs getting fixed upwards, sleeplessness, becoming leaner and paler, blood oozing out of hair nodules on the body – these are a few of them. The key among them is the feeling of 'viraham' or the loneliness felt by the separation from the beloved.
Instead of reading the Bhakti Shastras, one can merely read the life history of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and see how he exhibited all these Lakshanas.
-------------------------------
I Beg to know, how to control our mind to refuse sensual indulgence at least when it affects our health and duties.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The mind is enslaved to habits. So it will not obey you if you order it to stop doing something that it has been accustomed to. It is only by constant practice that one can get rid of habits. The best way to overcome it is to chant with patience and perseverance.
-----------------------------------------------
Please tell me about Lord Krishna's birth time history.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:Those with a research mindset are concerned about ' history '. True devotees of the Lord are concerned only about 'His story'.
-----------------------------------
I am in my twenties. These days just my mind is not working. I want to find peace, which has gone far away to me. I request to you please tell me your valuable advice for finding the peace in my life.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Peace is within you. As long as you search for peace outside yourself, you will not attain it. To find the peace within you, please chant the Mahamantra always, thinking of Lord Krishna and surrendering to Him.
------------------------------------
Amongst all the Names of God which is the greatest? Different people give different names (Namas).
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Any Divine Nama is precious. According to Kali Santarana Upanishad, the 'Hare Rama..' Mahamantra is capable of giving deliverance in this Kali Yuga.
---------------------------------
Are Krishna and Christ one and the same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Even you and I are the same!
-------------------------------
I love Krishna and everything to do with him. When I listen to some songs, I can visualize myself being there, but when it comes to accepting Guru or Godhead, I become critical and start to question. How do you explain this? Is there anything wrong in my thinking? This makes me wonder if I am sincere or not in my intention or love for Krishna.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
There is nothing wrong in your approach. Don't compel your mind to accept anything. Shower more and more love on Krishna. He will show you a true Guru by Himself.
---------------------------------
We perform Shrardhas and Tarpanam for the deceased. How do we know that they are not suffering? How do we know how they are reborn?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If at all the soul of the deceased undergoes sufferings, it is indicated in the dreams of their relatives.
In general, one who has performed advanced spiritual Sadhana discerns what was the earlier 'janma' of a soul, what form the soul takes and so on. It is not discernable to the common man.
Once when Swami Vivekananda visited Chennai, he was haunted by a host of spirits (astral bodies of the dead). They came to him and cried, requesting him to deliver them from their sufferings. Swamiji went to Marina beach and took some sand in his hand and offered it into the ocean praying for liberation of these spirits, by virtue of his meditative powers.
It is said in the Shastras that the offerings that one gives during Tarpanam (like water and sesame) reach our ancestors in the form that they can consume – for eg., grass, if they were born as a cow, blood if they were born as demons and so on.
----------------------------------
Sri Krishna defies idol worship in many verses of the Gita. He states it is inferior form of worship done by ignorant people. Can you please give the verses of the Gita regarding idol worship?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Please listen to the first sloka in the "Bhakti Yoga" chapter of the Gita, which is Arjuna's question, and the subsequent Slokas, which are the Lord's response to Arjuna's question. That will answer your question.
-----------------------------------
Parents bring up their children and try to give them a decent career with the available resources at their command feeling it as part of their duty. In this case are the children indebted to parents and have to repay it in another life?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Every human being has four debts. One of the foremost among them is one towards his parents. So taking care of the parents will not become a karma that will be carried on to the next birth.
---------------------------------
Being in a foreign country, I spend my life in worldly pleasure even though I want to come out of it. I am my Guru's devotee for more than 10 years and yet I am not ready to sacrifice my meaningless life for the sake of my Guru's mission, while some of them, devote their life for my Guru's service at their first darshan. Why am I not ready to give my meaningless life to such a noble cause?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
That is because Lord Krishna may think of taking you to His service at a later time.
------------------------------
According to our Dharma Shastra, a Hindu woman who has been divorced or widowed cannot remarry. But in modern times, it is not possible to follow that dharma due to various circumstances. So if such a woman does remarry, will chanting the Mahamantra absolve her of the sins so acquired?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
All the sins will be burnt by Mahamantra.
-------------------------------
Do you think there will be any solution to the Kashmir conflict? Is Kashmir safe with India?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Whatever happens in the present happened in the past or will happen in the future, happens only because of the 'Sankalpa' of the Lord. Sometimes it may seem good or bad, when we think from the perspective of our intellect.
-------------------------------
How can I help others and yet not get unduly attached? I wish to help and serve but sometimes get involved emotionally.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When ever you are helping someone, remind yourself that Krishna is only helping them and that you are only an instrument and nothing more. Pray to Krishna that you should not be affected by the outcome of the help.
-------------------------------
How to develop the 'Atma Balam'(strengthening the self) in oneself? What is the difference between Atma balam and Manobalam?(strengthening the mind) Are they same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If you maintain your body healthy, that is strengthening the body ('Sarira Balam')
If you keep the 'Prana' (breath) under control, then that is strengthening the breath('Prana Balam')
If you control the mind and tune it in the proper direction, then that is strengthening the intellect.
If you keep your mind thoughtless and positive, and keep it one-pointed, that is strengthening the mind ('Mano Balam')
By merely having 'Mano Balam', it is possible to perform superhuman tasks like bending an iron rod, or extracting the juice from a fruit without touching it and so on. But these are occult practices.
The soul (aatma) is beyond the mind (manas). The power of the true Jnanis (Saints) is Atma Balam, and that is the real strength.
Chanting the Mahamantra increases the 'Aatma Balam'.
-------------------------------------
I believe karma and everything that relate to it such us reincarnation. As far as I know most people prefer to die in peaceful way. I have a question about people who die in accident like car crash, plane crash or any horrible tragedy. Does this happen because of what they did in the past like they are prisoner of the past so they deserve to die like that or is it God's will?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is God who designed and who is implementing the Karma Theory. Whatever happens in the world happens only according to karma, be they good or bad. God does not usually interfere in this system of working. Very rarely, He interferes in the case of extremely faithful devotees, and to prove that He is above all the Karmas and is not bound by them. Even if a person dies by way of an accident or a tragedy, it is because of their Karma only.
-----------------------------------
I read somewhere that it is an offense to preach the glories of the holy name of the Lord to the faithless. Then what is the way to get the faithless to chant?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
There are scriptures. The same scriptures also state that one should follow the words of the Guru without any doubts or questions and act accordingly. Going by that rule, all our masters starting from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are crying aloud to make the people chant the Holy Name to have them liberated! So we take that path.
Every rule has an exception too!
------------------------------------
Swamiji, Please explain why karma is carried from one birth to another? Why if someone does a wrong thing he is not been punished immediately. For any suffering all say it is due to past karma. Is it correct?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If God punishes immediately, you would say why can't he give him time and chance to correct what he has done! It is due to infinite patience and compassion of the Lord that he gives us chance after chance to attain his feet. So if you turn to Him and chant Maha mantra now, Nama does all the purification instead of 'purification by punishment'.
---------------------------------
What is the significance that given to 'Nagam'(snake) in our Hindu Religion?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Nagam' refers to 'Kundalini' in Yoga Shastra. The same refers to 'Prakruti' in Vedanta. The same refers to 'Kainkarya' (Service) in Bhakti (devotion).
-------------------------------
1. How can I get mental peace?
2. How can I attain God?
3. What is the way to success?
4. Is it possible to earn a lot of money? - Please let me know.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You have wished for 'Dharma', 'Artha' (wealth), 'Kama' (ambitions) and 'Moksha' (God). Srimad Bhagavatam says that all these four can be attained by performing service to Lord Sri Hari.
Chanting the Mahamantra and pleasing the Lord is the easiest way to serve Sri Hari. So start chanting right away and attain these four very easily.
---------------------------------
Can one get salvation only though a Sadguru who is present in physical body?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
That is not the only way. But it is one of the easier paths.
----------------------------------
If everything happens as per karma, and fate cannot be defeated, then why should convince people about Bhakti?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Can you tell me if Bhakti is also in your fate or not? Convincing people about Bhakti is in your fate, asking this question is in your fate, and getting this answer from me is also in your fate!
-----------------------------------
The destination of every path to the Almighty is the same That being the case, should I avoid the company of one who takes a path different from that of mine?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Although, as you rightly said, the truth is One only, the mind consciously or unconsciously gets influenced by what it sees, hears, reads and so on. So if you are already on a particular path, it is better (not a 'must') to avoid other paths.
---------------------------------
I am financially insecure. What will be my future? Is there any change in my profession?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When God is there, why worry? Have faith in Him, chant and pray sincerely. Don't be dejected. Be cheerful and chant the Mahamantra with faith. That is enough. It will give you the desired results.
------------------------------
What happens to a person who in their lifetime has not been graced with the shelter of a Guru (Sadguru) and in their final moments utters Rama Nama or hears Rama Nama? Do they still attain the Divine Abode of Sri Hari?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Yes. The Ajamila Charitra (life history of Ajamila) describes just this. So it is true. But it is very difficult.
-------------------------------
What does is mean to 'Just Be' ?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It means that you should not even ask this question!
-------------------------------
The Mahamantra itself is so pure that you can take it any where but my friend was singing a Kirtan when he was in the wash room. Is it alright?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Yes. There is nothing wrong in it.
-------------------------------
Lord Vishnu has taken the Rama avatar. In that He experiences sorrows and sufferings. For example, by His power, He could have easily found out where Sita is and He did not require Hanuman to search the whole of Lanka and find Her finally at Ashoka Vana! He could have directly appeared in Lanka instead of building the bridge! But why does He undergo those difficulties?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Rama Avatar was an avatar in which the Lord came down on earth to live the life of a human being and show us how one can stick on to Dharma by leading a human life. Hence He did not use any of His godly powers.
-------------------------------------
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is up to you. If you believe that the planets decide your life, then you can believe in horoscope. If you believe that Krishna decides your life, then it does not matter.
-----------------------------------
What is Mukti?(Liberation) Why there is a desire for a devotee to get Mukti? Can't he love God without having this desire?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Mukti is not something you can see. It is supreme joy; eternal bliss. You can love God without having the desire for Mukti too. But true love for God takes one to that state, whether he desires it or not.
------------------------------------
Whenever I pray for job, money, etc., I am advised that I should be asking for more important things like Liberation. I wonder how I can expect Liberation if I am not able to attain even the mundane needs. Am I right in thinking so?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Liberation is the birth right of every jiva (Soul). That is why you are advised to pray for it. In fact that is the right thing to ask.
---------------------------------
What is pleasing to Krishna? How can I make him happy?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Cheerfulness pleases Him
Sharing with others pleases Him
Sacrifice pleases Him
Giving up ego pleases Him
Selflessness pleases Him
All beautiful things please Him
Helping others pleases Him
Flowers please Him
Honesty pleases Him
Truth pleases Him
Simplicity pleases Him
An open heart pleases Him
Patience pleases Him
Not finding fault with others pleases Him
Unconditional love pleases Him
Caring for cows pleases Him
Caring for Tulsi Plant (Holy Basil) pleases Him
Feeding the poor and feeding His devotees pleases Him
Non-violence ('ahimsa') pleases Him
Serving the Guru (Master) pleases Him
Witnessing and accepting all the happenings in the world as His play pleases Him more than anything else.
-------------------------------
I wish to know if we can choose the Guru or does God show us one.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Many people believe that only with the help of Guru can one attain God. It is actually the other way round – only with the help of God can one attain a real Guru.
---------------------------------
What's the best way to forgive so that past doesn't haunt us again?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Forgive in the Name of Krishna. That is the one and only way.
----------------------------------
Despite doing my duties regularly, chanting regularly and having great love towards God why is there some sort of emptiness in the mind. How it can be avoided and how to be ever in the happy state?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If you have great love towards God, you will not feel emptiness. True love to God and emptiness do not go together. If it seems to, then there is something wrong. Check to see which one is missing.
-----------------------------------
What is more important in Kaliyuga? Following dharma or surrendering dharma?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Following Dharma – specifically, Bhagavata Dharma.
What is Bhagavata Dharma? Reading Itihasas and Puranas, listening to them and performing Nama Kirtan always. These are the essentials of Bhagavata Dharma.
The Vedas speak about Dharma. The Bhagavata Dharma is verily the nuance of Dharma ('Dharma Sookshma'). It is not only a revolutionary dharma, but also the most practical one.
---------------------------------
How to strike a balance between living in the spiritual world and the "worldly" world till your duties in the "worldly" world are not done?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The life of a householder is the most blessed one.
Even if one is wealthy and leads a comfortable life, if he fails to chant the Mahamantra, he is certain to suffer in the life after death! If a Sanyasi follows the rigorous austerities laid down for him, he suffers in this birth but is happy in the life beyond. By being a householder, leading a righteous life and chanting the Mahamantra, one can enjoy this life as well as in the life beyond!
Is it not a blessing to be a householder?
So chant the Mahamantra. Chant it with faith, love and patience. Then you will see for yourself that the heaven is at your feet, even while doing your worldly duties.
------------------------------
I am straight forward. Where ever I work, all my colleagues are against me for this trait of mine, as if it was a bad trait. What can I do?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Don't lose your quality of straight-forwardness. At the same time be kind to all. For that, chant the Mahamantra. It will make you a pleasing character in everyone's eyes.
-------------------------------
On a journey from one place to another we use a map which indicates the essential landmarks to confirm that we are on the right path. If one chooses Bhakti,what are these signs that one encounters as he progresses, which identify the location of the aspirant on the path?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
According to Bhakti Shastras, there are 20 characteristics that indicate the state of Bhakti.
Horipilation, trembling of the body, loss of consciousness, eyeballs getting fixed upwards, sleeplessness, becoming leaner and paler, blood oozing out of hair nodules on the body – these are a few of them. The key among them is the feeling of 'viraham' or the loneliness felt by the separation from the beloved.
Instead of reading the Bhakti Shastras, one can merely read the life history of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and see how he exhibited all these Lakshanas.
-------------------------------
I Beg to know, how to control our mind to refuse sensual indulgence at least when it affects our health and duties.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The mind is enslaved to habits. So it will not obey you if you order it to stop doing something that it has been accustomed to. It is only by constant practice that one can get rid of habits. The best way to overcome it is to chant with patience and perseverance.
-----------------------------------------------
Please tell me about Lord Krishna's birth time history.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:Those with a research mindset are concerned about ' history '. True devotees of the Lord are concerned only about 'His story'.
-----------------------------------
I am in my twenties. These days just my mind is not working. I want to find peace, which has gone far away to me. I request to you please tell me your valuable advice for finding the peace in my life.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Peace is within you. As long as you search for peace outside yourself, you will not attain it. To find the peace within you, please chant the Mahamantra always, thinking of Lord Krishna and surrendering to Him.
------------------------------------
Amongst all the Names of God which is the greatest? Different people give different names (Namas).
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Any Divine Nama is precious. According to Kali Santarana Upanishad, the 'Hare Rama..' Mahamantra is capable of giving deliverance in this Kali Yuga.
---------------------------------
Are Krishna and Christ one and the same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Even you and I are the same!
-------------------------------
I love Krishna and everything to do with him. When I listen to some songs, I can visualize myself being there, but when it comes to accepting Guru or Godhead, I become critical and start to question. How do you explain this? Is there anything wrong in my thinking? This makes me wonder if I am sincere or not in my intention or love for Krishna.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
There is nothing wrong in your approach. Don't compel your mind to accept anything. Shower more and more love on Krishna. He will show you a true Guru by Himself.
---------------------------------
We perform Shrardhas and Tarpanam for the deceased. How do we know that they are not suffering? How do we know how they are reborn?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If at all the soul of the deceased undergoes sufferings, it is indicated in the dreams of their relatives.
In general, one who has performed advanced spiritual Sadhana discerns what was the earlier 'janma' of a soul, what form the soul takes and so on. It is not discernable to the common man.
Once when Swami Vivekananda visited Chennai, he was haunted by a host of spirits (astral bodies of the dead). They came to him and cried, requesting him to deliver them from their sufferings. Swamiji went to Marina beach and took some sand in his hand and offered it into the ocean praying for liberation of these spirits, by virtue of his meditative powers.
It is said in the Shastras that the offerings that one gives during Tarpanam (like water and sesame) reach our ancestors in the form that they can consume – for eg., grass, if they were born as a cow, blood if they were born as demons and so on.
----------------------------------
Sri Krishna defies idol worship in many verses of the Gita. He states it is inferior form of worship done by ignorant people. Can you please give the verses of the Gita regarding idol worship?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Please listen to the first sloka in the "Bhakti Yoga" chapter of the Gita, which is Arjuna's question, and the subsequent Slokas, which are the Lord's response to Arjuna's question. That will answer your question.
-----------------------------------
Parents bring up their children and try to give them a decent career with the available resources at their command feeling it as part of their duty. In this case are the children indebted to parents and have to repay it in another life?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Every human being has four debts. One of the foremost among them is one towards his parents. So taking care of the parents will not become a karma that will be carried on to the next birth.
---------------------------------
Being in a foreign country, I spend my life in worldly pleasure even though I want to come out of it. I am my Guru's devotee for more than 10 years and yet I am not ready to sacrifice my meaningless life for the sake of my Guru's mission, while some of them, devote their life for my Guru's service at their first darshan. Why am I not ready to give my meaningless life to such a noble cause?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
That is because Lord Krishna may think of taking you to His service at a later time.
------------------------------
According to our Dharma Shastra, a Hindu woman who has been divorced or widowed cannot remarry. But in modern times, it is not possible to follow that dharma due to various circumstances. So if such a woman does remarry, will chanting the Mahamantra absolve her of the sins so acquired?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
All the sins will be burnt by Mahamantra.
-------------------------------
Do you think there will be any solution to the Kashmir conflict? Is Kashmir safe with India?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Whatever happens in the present happened in the past or will happen in the future, happens only because of the 'Sankalpa' of the Lord. Sometimes it may seem good or bad, when we think from the perspective of our intellect.
-------------------------------
How can I help others and yet not get unduly attached? I wish to help and serve but sometimes get involved emotionally.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When ever you are helping someone, remind yourself that Krishna is only helping them and that you are only an instrument and nothing more. Pray to Krishna that you should not be affected by the outcome of the help.
-------------------------------
How to develop the 'Atma Balam'(strengthening the self) in oneself? What is the difference between Atma balam and Manobalam?(strengthening the mind) Are they same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If you maintain your body healthy, that is strengthening the body ('Sarira Balam')
If you keep the 'Prana' (breath) under control, then that is strengthening the breath('Prana Balam')
If you control the mind and tune it in the proper direction, then that is strengthening the intellect.
If you keep your mind thoughtless and positive, and keep it one-pointed, that is strengthening the mind ('Mano Balam')
By merely having 'Mano Balam', it is possible to perform superhuman tasks like bending an iron rod, or extracting the juice from a fruit without touching it and so on. But these are occult practices.
The soul (aatma) is beyond the mind (manas). The power of the true Jnanis (Saints) is Atma Balam, and that is the real strength.
Chanting the Mahamantra increases the 'Aatma Balam'.
-------------------------------------
I believe karma and everything that relate to it such us reincarnation. As far as I know most people prefer to die in peaceful way. I have a question about people who die in accident like car crash, plane crash or any horrible tragedy. Does this happen because of what they did in the past like they are prisoner of the past so they deserve to die like that or is it God's will?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is God who designed and who is implementing the Karma Theory. Whatever happens in the world happens only according to karma, be they good or bad. God does not usually interfere in this system of working. Very rarely, He interferes in the case of extremely faithful devotees, and to prove that He is above all the Karmas and is not bound by them. Even if a person dies by way of an accident or a tragedy, it is because of their Karma only.
-----------------------------------
I read somewhere that it is an offense to preach the glories of the holy name of the Lord to the faithless. Then what is the way to get the faithless to chant?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
There are scriptures. The same scriptures also state that one should follow the words of the Guru without any doubts or questions and act accordingly. Going by that rule, all our masters starting from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are crying aloud to make the people chant the Holy Name to have them liberated! So we take that path.
Every rule has an exception too!
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Swamiji, Please explain why karma is carried from one birth to another? Why if someone does a wrong thing he is not been punished immediately. For any suffering all say it is due to past karma. Is it correct?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If God punishes immediately, you would say why can't he give him time and chance to correct what he has done! It is due to infinite patience and compassion of the Lord that he gives us chance after chance to attain his feet. So if you turn to Him and chant Maha mantra now, Nama does all the purification instead of 'purification by punishment'.
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What is the significance that given to 'Nagam'(snake) in our Hindu Religion?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Nagam' refers to 'Kundalini' in Yoga Shastra. The same refers to 'Prakruti' in Vedanta. The same refers to 'Kainkarya' (Service) in Bhakti (devotion).
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1. How can I get mental peace?
2. How can I attain God?
3. What is the way to success?
4. Is it possible to earn a lot of money? - Please let me know.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You have wished for 'Dharma', 'Artha' (wealth), 'Kama' (ambitions) and 'Moksha' (God). Srimad Bhagavatam says that all these four can be attained by performing service to Lord Sri Hari.
Chanting the Mahamantra and pleasing the Lord is the easiest way to serve Sri Hari. So start chanting right away and attain these four very easily.
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Can one get salvation only though a Sadguru who is present in physical body?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
That is not the only way. But it is one of the easier paths.
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If everything happens as per karma, and fate cannot be defeated, then why should convince people about Bhakti?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Can you tell me if Bhakti is also in your fate or not? Convincing people about Bhakti is in your fate, asking this question is in your fate, and getting this answer from me is also in your fate!
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The destination of every path to the Almighty is the same That being the case, should I avoid the company of one who takes a path different from that of mine?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Although, as you rightly said, the truth is One only, the mind consciously or unconsciously gets influenced by what it sees, hears, reads and so on. So if you are already on a particular path, it is better (not a 'must') to avoid other paths.
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I am financially insecure. What will be my future? Is there any change in my profession?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When God is there, why worry? Have faith in Him, chant and pray sincerely. Don't be dejected. Be cheerful and chant the Mahamantra with faith. That is enough. It will give you the desired results.
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What happens to a person who in their lifetime has not been graced with the shelter of a Guru (Sadguru) and in their final moments utters Rama Nama or hears Rama Nama? Do they still attain the Divine Abode of Sri Hari?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Yes. The Ajamila Charitra (life history of Ajamila) describes just this. So it is true. But it is very difficult.
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What does is mean to 'Just Be' ?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It means that you should not even ask this question!
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The Mahamantra itself is so pure that you can take it any where but my friend was singing a Kirtan when he was in the wash room. Is it alright?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Yes. There is nothing wrong in it.
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Lord Vishnu has taken the Rama avatar. In that He experiences sorrows and sufferings. For example, by His power, He could have easily found out where Sita is and He did not require Hanuman to search the whole of Lanka and find Her finally at Ashoka Vana! He could have directly appeared in Lanka instead of building the bridge! But why does He undergo those difficulties?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Rama Avatar was an avatar in which the Lord came down on earth to live the life of a human being and show us how one can stick on to Dharma by leading a human life. Hence He did not use any of His godly powers.
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