---- Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji Answers devotees questions.

Chant the Maha Mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare     
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Is it necessary to undertake fasting? I know that for health reasons it is good to give rest to our intestine but what is the spiritual connection? Does our Bhakti (devotion) increases by fasting or does God get impressed? Please explain.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
By observing fasts, you  appreciate better the pain of hunger and thereafter discern the need for helping the poor and needy.
By observing fasts, your senses lose the strength. So on that day, your actions will reduce, and so do the number of sins you commit too.
By fasting, your mind becomes calm. It is easier to contemplate on God in a calm mind than in a tumultuous mind.
Over and above all these reasons, the rules for fasting has been mentioned in the Shastras (Scripture).
It is not possible to reason out in its entirety using our intellect. Even if we try to do so, it may be only one such reasons. There may be so many other reasons that are not visible to the naked eye and the intellect.
Ekadasi is one such fast which has to be regularly observed. When thus observed, God will certainly be pleased, for the very reason that you are abiding by the Shastras.
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Can the doshas(sins)that we incur in the day to day life for leading a path opposite to what is written in the Shastras(Scripture) be washed away completely by uttering Naama (Divine Name)? 
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
100%! Certainly! There is no doubt about it. You can take my word for it.
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I have never seen happiness in my life since childhood. I get emotional when I see others suffer and I can’t bear the sight of others being sad. Why is it so?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
As you have said yourself, you are emotional and not practical. That is verily the cause for your problem.
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Why is 'Aum' not included in Mahamantra? Is it because its efficacy is already in the Mahamantra? Does Mahamantra represent all the three states (viz. wakefulness, dream and deep-sleep) that 'Aum' represent?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Whatever importance is accorded in the Vedanta to the 'Aum' syllable is accorded to the 'Rama' Nama in Bhakti Shastras.
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My son is a divorcee. Should he still wear the 'Upavitha' (sacred thread) of a Grahasta?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Though the court may grant divorce to a couple, according to Sanatana Dharma, once tied in wedlock, they are couple for life. Hence he is still a grihasta (family man).
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Sanathana Dharma may have been written when people were not divorcing. I can understand that if wife dies you are still a Grihasta, but in the new age where there are divorces, how can one consider himself married to someone who is not in his life?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Our Rishis were far-sighted. They had looked far deep into the future so many years ago. For example, if you read Bhavishya Purana, you will realize that most of the current day state of affairs have been predicted by our Maharshis long long ago.
Hence the Sanathana Dharma is universally true. While the Dharma cannot be changed, the alternative is to adapt the right kind of Dharma, apt for the age. That is verily the Bhagavata Dharma, which is nothing but chanting of the Divine Name of God. This simple path is the atonement to everything [sarva prayaschitta] and does not have any rules and regulations.
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Is chanting Gayathri Mantra enough, instead of chanting Mahamantra? When I go to satsang, I chant the Mahamantra. But, personally when I am in my room, I chant Gayathri Mantra.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
There are rules and regulations to chant the Gayathri Mantra. They require appropriate 'Nyasa's . It mandates purity and cleanliness in all respects. You can chant the Gayathri Mantra only while sitting or standing. You cannot chant it while moving about. Unlike Gayathri Mantra, Mahamantra can be chanted at any time and any place with absolutely no restrictions at all.
Hence, whenever you are pure and clean, and find the appropriate time and place, chant the Gayathri Mantra. At all other times, chant the Mahamantra. 
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I hear that the Mahamantra is from the Kali Santarana Upanishad. Hence, is it okay to chant it anywhere without any conditions, or are there rules associated with chanting these? I am asking this because I have heard that Veda mantras have strict rules.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Unlike the other Veda Mantras, the Mahamantra has absolutely no rules and restrictions.
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During the Japa of Mahamantra should I concentrate my mind on my soul?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
You would not know the exact location of the soul. Hence you will not be able to concentrate on the soul. Hence, during the Japa, concentrate on your mind.
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I am quite confused as to Why God create life? Then only the theory of Karma and bhakti and merging with Him came in. But in the first place why did God Create Life? If you can clear some of my confusion I will be very much thankful to you.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
Before we answer this question, first contemplate and try to find an answer to the following question: "Who created this confusion within you?" 
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I have a miniature Peepul tree at home. Some of them say that it is inauspicious to have peepul trees at home. I have kept it near the Tulsi plant. Please let me know if I can keep it.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
We can very well grow this tree at home. It is capable of giving wisdom.
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I am reading Bhagavat Gita and trying to follow what it says. Initially it seemed easy but it is not so anymore. I am losing my concentration. Secondly, I am short tempered and I want to change instantly. But as the change is gradual, I get frustrated at times. Please suggest ways to improve my concentration and the way I think about others.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
The actual essence of Bhagavat Gita is surrender. – Surrender unto the Lord and be a mere instrument in His hands – that is what Bhagavat Gita conveys to us.
The easiest way to surrender is to chant the Mahamantra. Continuously chant the Mahamantra and eventually, you will attain the state of surrender. You will also see that while you chant the Mahamantra, you will slowly get rid of your negative qualities like short temper and your concentration, optimistic attitude and positive mentality will improve.
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Chant the Maha Mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare