Could you please tell us the names of the 18 Puranas written by Veda Vyasa?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Siva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana – these are Shaiva Puranas.
Vishnu Purana, Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Naradeeya Purana, Garuda, Paadma Purana , Varaha Purana – These are Vaishnava Puranas.
The Brahma Puranas are Brahma Purana,Brahmaanda Purana, Brahma Vaivartha Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana and Vamana Purana.
--------------------------------------
I am in my seventies. I am able to develop some level of detachment to children, grandchildren, even wife and in general wealth and its ramifications. My wife on the contrary has her concentration only on wealth. Please show me the way.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
While you have developed a level of detachment for your family and children, let it mature enough to extend to your wife's perceptions also.
--------------------------------------
Krishna says "Do not have attachments as it leads to sadness." If a person is spiritual before entering Grihastashrama, it cannot be said he will be same after getting a family. I have seen people whose needs and wants have increased after their marriage. Wouldn't marriage for a bachelor who is a spiritual aspirant make him more materialistic as will have less time for God?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
These are generic statements that have been stated as a general guideline. However, it varies from person to person.
Intense spiritual Sadhanas foregoing family and the society is applicable only for Vedantis.
Bhaktas and those who follow the Bhagavata Dharma have always been exception to this rule. They never shy away from the duties of the Grihastashrama, and the Lord keeps them close to His heart in which ever state they are. Great Mahans who were Bhaktas of the highest order, like Jayadeva, Purandaradasa, Thiyagaraja and all the Pandarpur Sadhus are standing examples of this fact.
--------------------------------------
Will a mentally retarded person know about God? How do we make them understand this? I believe that they are very near to God even if their birth is deprived of the normal activities.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Those who were born as mentally retarded people in this birth were great sadhaks in their previous birth. In spite of their Sadhanas, due to the wrongs that they might have committed, they are born so in this birth. They don’t accrue any merits ('punya') or sins during this period. After having experienced the fruits of their past deeds, they attain liberation.
--------------------------------------
Where will a human being go after his death?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
After the body dies, the soul goes to different lokas (heaven or hell) based on the punya or papa (Merits or sin) and to the lokas(world) of their ishta devata (Favorite Lord) .
--------------------------------------
What is the soul?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Soul is the pure consciousness or the origin of energy or the infinite being.
--------------------------------------
What is Diksha (Initiation)?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A formal initiation process is called Dhiksha. It may be done with a Mantra, or by sight, touch or by remembering ('smarana').
--------------------------------------
How does the Guru know that a sishya (disciple) needs Diksha at a particular time?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If a Guru does not know that, he is not a Guru.
--------------------------------------
What is expected of a sishya after he is given Diksha?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The disciple should practice sincerely what the Guru instructs. That is what is expected of the disciple.
--------------------------------------
What's the shortest mantra of the Almighty?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
"Rama"
--------------------------------------
While chanting the Mahamantra, my mind wanders, but still the mouth chants. Will there be any effect?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Definitely. Continue it. You will experience the bliss by yourself.
-------------------------------
Why is the Atharvana Veda not accorded as much importance as the other three Vedas?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The important purpose of the Samhita portion of the Vedas is the performance of Yagnas. The three Vedas – Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas themselves cover the performance of Yagna completely. Atharvana Veda does not have any unique mantra to aid the Yagnas (it does not have any mantra which is not in other Vedas). Hence importance is given only to these three Vedas.
--------------------------------
Why does Lord Vishnu call the Sama Veda the best of all the Vedas?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Sama veda is the Stuthi portion of Vedas. It sings the praises of devas. This could be the reason that it is liked by the Lord.
-------------------------------
Do women have right to realize the Self?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Why not? Starting from the Upanishads (Maitreyi in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) down to the recent past, there have been so many women who have realized the Self, Andal, Meera, Andavan Pitchai, Janaki Mata, Avudaikka Amma, Anandamayee, Saradha Devi to mention a few.
-------------------------------
I am a misguided man. I don't want to lose faith in God, but I am afraid I am slowly losing it. I don't know what to do.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Don't lose faith on God for the sake of a wrong person or a silly reason. Faith is very important. Whatever happens, it happens only for your good. It is happening according to the will and wish of God, only for your good. We don't know what is good today and what is good tomorrow. But God knows that and foreseeing that, He does good for you.
Accept your life and all its incidents as a gift of God. Accommodate and adjust your life based on that. Then your living will not only be easy; your life will also be a wonderful one.
----------------------------------
I am chanting Gayatri Mantra and also I am from the Gayatri Pariwar. I have not had spiritual awakening even after so many years. Why?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A person was grinding some grains on a grinding stone. He asked how long the grinding should be done. What is the answer? The grains should be ground until we get flour ('atta') out of it. Is it not? There is no fixed time for it. In the same way, the aim of chanting the Mantra is to attain the Siddhi (power). If you have not yet attained the goal, then it means that you have not put in sufficient effort. The only remedy is to put in more and more dedicated and sincere efforts. So continue chanting with strong faith.
--------------------------------------
What is the aim of good education?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The aim of social education is transformation of an individual into a perfect gentleman.
The aim of spiritual education is liberation or Jivan Mukti.
--------------------------------------
While there is no doubt in my mind that Nama chanting is the surest way in kaliyuga for liberation, sometimes i get frustrated when i see the suffering around me. We stay in Maharashtra, where we read about farmers committing suicide every single day. Around us there are so many slums where people consider themselves lucky when they are able to get two square meals a day. I understand that "Nama Prachar" (Propogation) is the main motto of our mission, can we not do some sort of service for these people?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A tree is infected with some pests. One way of combating pests is to spray pesticides on the leaves and fruits. The other, more efficient way is to treat it at the root. Social service is akin to the former whereas spiritual transformation (by way of Chanting the Nama) is like treating at the root.
--------------------------------------
When it is said that everything in this world is God's creation then why people reject certain days as inauspicious? When we have faith in God and carry out our duties as prescribed and adhere to the religious path, do we need to give importance on these things like not undertaking any thing on Ashtami and Navami and Prathamai days?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
God created poison too. Can one consume poison just because it is also God's creation? The great Maharshis have prescribed that good things be done in certain times and avoided at other times.
It is only for our benefit that they have prescribed it. It is up to you to either believe it or reject it.
--------------------------------------
What do you mean by Nama Dwaar?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Nama' is the Holy Name of the Lord.
'Dwaar' in Sanskrit means an entrance or a way.
Attaining the Lord by chanting His Divine Name is Nama Dwaar.
--------------------------------------
Is it true that not a disciple but a Guru finds his true disciple?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A Guru identifies. A disciple understands.
--------------------------------------
India is known as the Karma Bhoomi and it is generally said that our actions (including spiritual) bear the complete fruit if done only in India. I would like to know if our actions produce the same or different kind of results if we do not live in India and live in another country.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Karma' in this context refers only to the Vedic Karmas (rituals prescribed in the Vedas). It is not applicable to Bhakti or anything else. You can be devoted to God and belong to any part of the world. When you do Nama Kirtan from anywhere in the world, it will give you exactly the same results as it would when done in India.
--------------------------------------
Who succeeds in life?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The one who loves life succeeds in life.
--------------------------------------
In our family we have a mentally challenged person. He is more than 50 years old. His family members have not performed Upanayana samskaara for him. Is it necessary to do the same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Even if a person is mentally retarded, Upanayana samskaram has to be done. This is not done in the usual procedure. The 'Sutrakara Rishis' have prescribed special procedures in our Shastras which should be adapted in performing the Samskara for such a person.
--------------------------------------
In olden days, brahmins were forbidden from crossing oceans. Why?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is not only Brahmins, even Swami Vivekananda's trip abroad raised a lot of oppositions. Avoiding the inter-mixture of cultures could be a strong reason for restricting people from crossing oceans.
--------------------------------------
Sometimes we may have to offer obeisance to elderly people who stay nearby on special occasions like Diwali, Navaratri etc. even though they are not right authorities to offer blessings. What do we do in such cases?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When you prostrate unto them thinking of your Guru or Jagadguru Sri Krishna, the obeisance goes to your Guru or Sri Krishna.
-------------------------------
What is the surest way to know the Creator's purpose for my role having been born as a human being?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You have now started thinking 'What is the purpose of my Creation.' That is the very purpose of Lord's Creation.
--------------------------------
Why is it that each time I perform some Maha Pooja (worship), Homa (Offering in Fire) or such other religious observances, I have always immediately experienced something unpleasant and never been rewarded with anything which I desired. In fact I have lost my job and my peace of mind after such religious observances, while things were good before performing such poojas.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Taking the right medicine for a disease will never make one sick, will it? When we perform divine activities ills befall us, it only means that we don’t have the capacity to judge what is right and what is wrong. To our limited mind and perception, something might seem as bad, as we tend to look in the short term. The Lord knows what is good in the longer term. So He will always do only good to us. All we have to do is just have complete faith in the fact that He will always do only good to us.
-------------------------------
I performed 'Girivalam' at Tiruvannamalai this Sivaratri. I chanted Rama Nama all the while, though the fellow-devotees asked me to chant the Shiva mantra. Am I right in doing what I did?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You can chant the 'Rama' mantra to any deity. In fact, Lord Siva Himself chants the 'Rama' mantra all the time. Hence you are absolutely right in chanting the Rama mantra.
----------------------------------
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Siva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana – these are Shaiva Puranas.
Vishnu Purana, Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Naradeeya Purana, Garuda, Paadma Purana , Varaha Purana – These are Vaishnava Puranas.
The Brahma Puranas are Brahma Purana,Brahmaanda Purana, Brahma Vaivartha Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana and Vamana Purana.
--------------------------------------
I am in my seventies. I am able to develop some level of detachment to children, grandchildren, even wife and in general wealth and its ramifications. My wife on the contrary has her concentration only on wealth. Please show me the way.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
While you have developed a level of detachment for your family and children, let it mature enough to extend to your wife's perceptions also.
--------------------------------------
Krishna says "Do not have attachments as it leads to sadness." If a person is spiritual before entering Grihastashrama, it cannot be said he will be same after getting a family. I have seen people whose needs and wants have increased after their marriage. Wouldn't marriage for a bachelor who is a spiritual aspirant make him more materialistic as will have less time for God?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
These are generic statements that have been stated as a general guideline. However, it varies from person to person.
Intense spiritual Sadhanas foregoing family and the society is applicable only for Vedantis.
Bhaktas and those who follow the Bhagavata Dharma have always been exception to this rule. They never shy away from the duties of the Grihastashrama, and the Lord keeps them close to His heart in which ever state they are. Great Mahans who were Bhaktas of the highest order, like Jayadeva, Purandaradasa, Thiyagaraja and all the Pandarpur Sadhus are standing examples of this fact.
--------------------------------------
Will a mentally retarded person know about God? How do we make them understand this? I believe that they are very near to God even if their birth is deprived of the normal activities.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Those who were born as mentally retarded people in this birth were great sadhaks in their previous birth. In spite of their Sadhanas, due to the wrongs that they might have committed, they are born so in this birth. They don’t accrue any merits ('punya') or sins during this period. After having experienced the fruits of their past deeds, they attain liberation.
--------------------------------------
Where will a human being go after his death?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
After the body dies, the soul goes to different lokas (heaven or hell) based on the punya or papa (Merits or sin) and to the lokas(world) of their ishta devata (Favorite Lord) .
--------------------------------------
What is the soul?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Soul is the pure consciousness or the origin of energy or the infinite being.
--------------------------------------
What is Diksha (Initiation)?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A formal initiation process is called Dhiksha. It may be done with a Mantra, or by sight, touch or by remembering ('smarana').
--------------------------------------
How does the Guru know that a sishya (disciple) needs Diksha at a particular time?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
If a Guru does not know that, he is not a Guru.
--------------------------------------
What is expected of a sishya after he is given Diksha?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The disciple should practice sincerely what the Guru instructs. That is what is expected of the disciple.
--------------------------------------
What's the shortest mantra of the Almighty?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
"Rama"
--------------------------------------
While chanting the Mahamantra, my mind wanders, but still the mouth chants. Will there be any effect?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Definitely. Continue it. You will experience the bliss by yourself.
-------------------------------
Why is the Atharvana Veda not accorded as much importance as the other three Vedas?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The important purpose of the Samhita portion of the Vedas is the performance of Yagnas. The three Vedas – Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas themselves cover the performance of Yagna completely. Atharvana Veda does not have any unique mantra to aid the Yagnas (it does not have any mantra which is not in other Vedas). Hence importance is given only to these three Vedas.
--------------------------------
Why does Lord Vishnu call the Sama Veda the best of all the Vedas?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Sama veda is the Stuthi portion of Vedas. It sings the praises of devas. This could be the reason that it is liked by the Lord.
-------------------------------
Do women have right to realize the Self?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Why not? Starting from the Upanishads (Maitreyi in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) down to the recent past, there have been so many women who have realized the Self, Andal, Meera, Andavan Pitchai, Janaki Mata, Avudaikka Amma, Anandamayee, Saradha Devi to mention a few.
-------------------------------
I am a misguided man. I don't want to lose faith in God, but I am afraid I am slowly losing it. I don't know what to do.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Don't lose faith on God for the sake of a wrong person or a silly reason. Faith is very important. Whatever happens, it happens only for your good. It is happening according to the will and wish of God, only for your good. We don't know what is good today and what is good tomorrow. But God knows that and foreseeing that, He does good for you.
Accept your life and all its incidents as a gift of God. Accommodate and adjust your life based on that. Then your living will not only be easy; your life will also be a wonderful one.
----------------------------------
I am chanting Gayatri Mantra and also I am from the Gayatri Pariwar. I have not had spiritual awakening even after so many years. Why?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A person was grinding some grains on a grinding stone. He asked how long the grinding should be done. What is the answer? The grains should be ground until we get flour ('atta') out of it. Is it not? There is no fixed time for it. In the same way, the aim of chanting the Mantra is to attain the Siddhi (power). If you have not yet attained the goal, then it means that you have not put in sufficient effort. The only remedy is to put in more and more dedicated and sincere efforts. So continue chanting with strong faith.
--------------------------------------
What is the aim of good education?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The aim of social education is transformation of an individual into a perfect gentleman.
The aim of spiritual education is liberation or Jivan Mukti.
--------------------------------------
While there is no doubt in my mind that Nama chanting is the surest way in kaliyuga for liberation, sometimes i get frustrated when i see the suffering around me. We stay in Maharashtra, where we read about farmers committing suicide every single day. Around us there are so many slums where people consider themselves lucky when they are able to get two square meals a day. I understand that "Nama Prachar" (Propogation) is the main motto of our mission, can we not do some sort of service for these people?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A tree is infected with some pests. One way of combating pests is to spray pesticides on the leaves and fruits. The other, more efficient way is to treat it at the root. Social service is akin to the former whereas spiritual transformation (by way of Chanting the Nama) is like treating at the root.
--------------------------------------
When it is said that everything in this world is God's creation then why people reject certain days as inauspicious? When we have faith in God and carry out our duties as prescribed and adhere to the religious path, do we need to give importance on these things like not undertaking any thing on Ashtami and Navami and Prathamai days?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
God created poison too. Can one consume poison just because it is also God's creation? The great Maharshis have prescribed that good things be done in certain times and avoided at other times.
It is only for our benefit that they have prescribed it. It is up to you to either believe it or reject it.
--------------------------------------
What do you mean by Nama Dwaar?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Nama' is the Holy Name of the Lord.
'Dwaar' in Sanskrit means an entrance or a way.
Attaining the Lord by chanting His Divine Name is Nama Dwaar.
--------------------------------------
Is it true that not a disciple but a Guru finds his true disciple?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
A Guru identifies. A disciple understands.
--------------------------------------
India is known as the Karma Bhoomi and it is generally said that our actions (including spiritual) bear the complete fruit if done only in India. I would like to know if our actions produce the same or different kind of results if we do not live in India and live in another country.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
'Karma' in this context refers only to the Vedic Karmas (rituals prescribed in the Vedas). It is not applicable to Bhakti or anything else. You can be devoted to God and belong to any part of the world. When you do Nama Kirtan from anywhere in the world, it will give you exactly the same results as it would when done in India.
--------------------------------------
Who succeeds in life?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The one who loves life succeeds in life.
--------------------------------------
In our family we have a mentally challenged person. He is more than 50 years old. His family members have not performed Upanayana samskaara for him. Is it necessary to do the same?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Even if a person is mentally retarded, Upanayana samskaram has to be done. This is not done in the usual procedure. The 'Sutrakara Rishis' have prescribed special procedures in our Shastras which should be adapted in performing the Samskara for such a person.
--------------------------------------
In olden days, brahmins were forbidden from crossing oceans. Why?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
It is not only Brahmins, even Swami Vivekananda's trip abroad raised a lot of oppositions. Avoiding the inter-mixture of cultures could be a strong reason for restricting people from crossing oceans.
--------------------------------------
Sometimes we may have to offer obeisance to elderly people who stay nearby on special occasions like Diwali, Navaratri etc. even though they are not right authorities to offer blessings. What do we do in such cases?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
When you prostrate unto them thinking of your Guru or Jagadguru Sri Krishna, the obeisance goes to your Guru or Sri Krishna.
-------------------------------
What is the surest way to know the Creator's purpose for my role having been born as a human being?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You have now started thinking 'What is the purpose of my Creation.' That is the very purpose of Lord's Creation.
--------------------------------
Why is it that each time I perform some Maha Pooja (worship), Homa (Offering in Fire) or such other religious observances, I have always immediately experienced something unpleasant and never been rewarded with anything which I desired. In fact I have lost my job and my peace of mind after such religious observances, while things were good before performing such poojas.
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Taking the right medicine for a disease will never make one sick, will it? When we perform divine activities ills befall us, it only means that we don’t have the capacity to judge what is right and what is wrong. To our limited mind and perception, something might seem as bad, as we tend to look in the short term. The Lord knows what is good in the longer term. So He will always do only good to us. All we have to do is just have complete faith in the fact that He will always do only good to us.
-------------------------------
I performed 'Girivalam' at Tiruvannamalai this Sivaratri. I chanted Rama Nama all the while, though the fellow-devotees asked me to chant the Shiva mantra. Am I right in doing what I did?
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You can chant the 'Rama' mantra to any deity. In fact, Lord Siva Himself chants the 'Rama' mantra all the time. Hence you are absolutely right in chanting the Rama mantra.
----------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment