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Frequently Asked Questions

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God and His Existence
God or Gods?
God in Daily Life
Surrendering to God
Prayer
Temples
Vedas
Food
Sri Vaishnava
Bhakthi
Technical
Karma
Scriptures
Others
Discovering the path
Rituals and Special Days
Schools
Practices
Marriage and more
Astrology
Mantra
Soul
Avataras
Caste
Personality Development
Festivals
Dreams
Death and Liberation
Ithihasas
Submit Your Question
God and His Existence
God or Gods?
God in Daily Life
Surrendering to God
Prayer
Technical
Bhakthi
Vedas
Temples
Food
Sri Vaishnava
Karma
Scriptures
Discovering the path
Others
Schools
Mantra
Rituals and Special Days
Practices
Astrology
Marriage and more
Avataras
Soul
Personality Development
Caste
Festivals
Dreams
Death and Liberation
Ithihasas

Submit Your Question

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    God and His Existence

    Answer:

    We see that the universe that we are all part of – which is not created by us or anyone around us, is working so well. Then it is only logical that there must be some power controlling everything and running the system.  

    Detailed Explanation:

    The world around us, and our lives have not been created by any of us. Our origin is not yet known clearly. None of us control what’s happening around us, yet the system is working very well. It is therefore only logical that whenever a system goes in order, there must be some person or power behind it, controlling everything and running it.  This power that is controlling everyone and everything, should naturally be much more intelligent and powerful than any one of us.  Else it will not be able to run the system so perfectly. This power must also be quick in execution and all pervasive as it is able to observe every corner of the universe and knows everything. This power is referred to as God.

    Answer:

    To name the all-pervasive and all-knowing power, that is bigger than the biggest of objects is tough. In the Vedas, the closest appropriate name given is Na:ra:yana, which encompasses all attributes of the absolute supreme being.

    Detailed Explanation :

    In order to name the superpower that is all-pervasive, all-knowing,  and controls everything and is bigger than the biggest of objects, let us  refer to our scriptures. The name for this absolute supreme being, that encompasses all these attributes is Na:ra:yana, given to us in the ve:das.. Among the literature, only the word Na:ra:yana is able to cover the vastness of the power of God. Other names are unable to cover all the abilities of the supreme Being. 

    The origin of the term God in English is not known clearly. Some say it’s an acronym for generator, organiser and destroyer. Maybe … God is beyond names and is beyond form. If we want to call God with some kind of name, the ve:das give a very appropriate name called Na:ra:yana.

    Answer:

    i:svara (controller of everything), Vishnu(all pervasive), Bramha (biggest of biggest of objects) – all highlight different attributes of the supreme being. However, only the name Na:ra:yana conveys the vastness of the power of God. 

    Detailed Explanation :

    The scriptures give an explanation for these names. i:sa means to control and the one who controls everything is i:svara. Our scriptures also mention the name Vishnu that means all-pervasive (permeates every atom of the universe). As this power is also bigger than the biggest of the objects, it’s also called as bramha. Not to be confused with the 4 headed Bramha: (chatur mukha Bramha:) who also seeks the grace of this supreme power. Our scriptures also say, that this power is not only big but can make anyone also big. The description given in our scriptures for the word Bramha is “bruhathi” and “brumhayathi”. Bruhathi means big one. Brumhayathi means whoever surrenders to it, can also be made big. Hence it’s also known as Bramha. A point to note – If long vowel is there Bramha: – it’s the 4 headed divine being that is being referenced by that name; the supreme power is just called Bramha

    However the name for this absolute supreme being, that encompasses all these attributes is Na:ra:yana, given to us in our authoritative scriptures. 

    Answer:

    Revering and respecting the supreme Being is mark of our gratefulness, for the help we receive from Him for our very own survival. Surrendering to Him, will enable one to receive the benefit of the power. 

    Detailed Explanation

    The supreme power has helped us by creating the world for us. Revering and respecting this supreme power is our own decision. God doesn’t demand anything from us. However it’s a mark of our gratefulness for the help we receive from Him for our own survival. The Upanishads recognize the power as sarvajna, sarva ve:ththa: meaning one that knows everything in all respects. Given the existence of such an all-pervasive and all-knowing power, surrendering to it will enable us to receive the benefit of this power and enable us do things in a better way. The supreme power will not go against our free-will and hence our consent and submission is required for Him to help us.  Belief in God helps in empowering oneself and develop self-confidence. 

    Answer:

    One who stands as an example to the rest of the world in human life is referred to as peruma:l and is worshipped as well. The illustrious and righteous Rama was given the title of peruma:l as He showed that a man can exist with all virtuous qualities. ‘perum’ means big and ‘a:l’ means person.

    Detailed Explanation

    ‘perum’ means big and ‘a:l’ means person. It’s a title given to Lord Rama who being a man existed with all virtuous qualities. The illustrious and righteous Rama, followed the code of conduct to the tee and was a model for everyone in the society. Even the devatas adored him and continued worshipping him after he slayed Ravana. One who lives a human life and makes himself a model for the society is referred to as peruma:l and will be worshipped by everybody including the de:vata:s. One who exemplifies himself to the rest of the world is called peruma:l and is worshipped as well..

    Answer:

    When things happened beyond man’s control, man understood that there is someone behind everything. And that someone started being called as God.

    Answer:

    Just like how air controls our lives God controls us as well. God controls air as well and the rest of the things.

    Answer:

    God never wants anyone to do bad things or hurt other people. If you don’t hurt others and believe in Him, He takes care of you. However, if you do not care about Him and do not want Him, He thinks that you need independence and He leaves you to see the result. And then if you do bad things, people around you themselves, teach you a lesson and not God. But then God doesn’t come to help you at that time as you wanted that independence.

    Answer:

    There are many activities done by people in the society. Based on the activity, people have been divided into castes. Though different parts of the body do different activities they are all equal in an individual’s eyes. Similarly, God feels equal about everybody even though they do different activities as we are different parts of His body. Humans named it as a caste and started fighting with each other over political gains and that became bad. Caste is not a bad thing but using it wrongly is a bad thing.

    Answer:

    Mantra created God. Mantra is a sound. Sound has always been there. Its supreme. And God came out of that. He then learnt it and then His breath became the mantra.

    Answer:

    The world was in a subtler form like the seed. Then God camecame, and He let it grow. Then it started growing. Before Him it was like a seed.

    Answer:

    If not all the activities, at least, what TTD is doing in printing the Consort on the right side of the Lord is right. In all the traditional temples and also in all the traditional houses, ladies are placed on the right side of the husband only, not on the left side at all. For the right side of the male is auspicious to him and the left side of the lady is auspicious to her. Always, everybody wants that his or her better half should be on the auspicious side only. Then, the male should come on the left side of the lady and the lady should come on the right side of the male. Dharma Shastras recommend this system only. In Srivaishnava Sampradayam, all sections of the society follow this tradition only.

    See Original Question
    Dear Swamiji, Pranams! I have a question about Lord Venkateswara. Alamelumanga Tayaru is shown on the right side of the Lord in all publications of TTD, whereas all our Gods have their consort on the left side. Why is it so? Kindly clarify. Namaste!

    Answer:

    If not all the activities, at least, what TTD is doing in printing the Consort on the right side of the Lord is right. In all the traditional temples and also in all the traditional houses, ladies are placed on the right side of the husband only, not on the left side at all. For the right side of the male is auspicious to him and the left side of the lady is auspicious to her. Always, everybody wants that his or her better half should be on the auspicious side only. Then, the male should come on the left side of the lady and the lady should come on the right side of the male. Dharma Shastras recommend this system only. In Srivaishnava Sampradayam, all sections of the society follow this tradition only.

    Answer:

    no. it is not. according to the original srimad bhagavatham, composed by the great sage veda vyasa, there is no character called “radha” at all.
    the mention of radha is available in rajasa purana, like brahma vaivartha puranam.

    we can take “radha” as a symbol of a devotee with selfless devotion. in sanskrit, “radh” means to please. the devotion of one who pleased the lord with heart, deed, and word will be called radha. because the word “devotion” is in feminine gender, the word “radha” also became feminine. when a character is personified, that character became “lady radha”.

    how the lord loves such a devotee and how such a devotee is merged in the lord is seen in radha-krishnas. hence, radha is not really a person — it appears so. that is the reason why kalyanam is not performed for them. it is done for those who were really present during his period.

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana! I have a question which has been left unanswered by many religious speakers whom I have asked about conducting the Kalyanam of Radha with Lord Krishna. Is Radha Krishna Kalyanm celebrated?

    Answer:

    no. it is not. according to the original srimad bhagavatham, composed by the great sage veda vyasa, there is no character called “radha” at all.
    the mention of radha is available in rajasa purana, like brahma vaivartha puranam.

    we can take “radha” as a symbol of a devotee with selfless devotion. in sanskrit, “radh” means to please. the devotion of one who pleased the lord with heart, deed, and word will be called radha. because the word “devotion” is in feminine gender, the word “radha” also became feminine. when a character is personified, that character became “lady radha”.

    how the lord loves such a devotee and how such a devotee is merged in the lord is seen in radha-krishnas. hence, radha is not really a person — it appears so. that is the reason why kalyanam is not performed for them. it is done for those who were really present during his period.

    Answer:

    God Is Not A Business Man. He Will Not Clear The Account Of The Individual Then And There Itself, Whenever It Is Started.he Wants Us To Realize And Practice Good Things. What You Need To Understand Is, God Did Not Creat Souls. Nor He Created Their Samskaras. They Are Self Made. According To The Samskara,
    Gunas Arise, And According To Those Gunas, Birth Appears, Accordingly Activities Are Done. So ‘differences Of Opinion’ Is Not God-created. It Is Man Made. Whom We Call As God Or Supreme, Is One Only. It Is Accepted By All. As You Realize That Supreme, You Give A Name. ‘krishna’ Also A Name Came Like That, Venkateswara Also A Name Came Like That Only. Names Are Always Appear To Reveal Certain Qualities Or Gunas. Without That No Name Will Be There. We, Human Beings, May Have Names Without Any Meaning Or Irrelevant To The Object, But Not
    Those Names To God. Now, Those Who Fight Supporting Their Argument, As ‘this Form Of God Is Origin And Everything Came Out Of It’ Or ‘that Form Is The Original’, Are Basically Ignorants, In Realizing The Fact That ‘all The Names Belong To The Same One And For God, Everything Can Come From Anything.

    Now, Come To The Point, That Lord Krishna Born In Jail And Withdraw His Incarnation Also On A Day. That Clearly Says He Is Only An Incarnation. There Must Be Some Origin For That Also. Srimad Bhagavatham Itself Clearly Says That ‘origin’s’ Name Is ‘va:sude:va’ In Some Places And ‘na:ra:yana’ In Some Places.

    Again These Names Also Were Given Basing Upon A Particular Ability Of That Supreme. When We Go Into The Etymology Of The Word, The Word ‘na:ra:yana’ Encompasses Wider Area Than That Of ‘va:sude:va’. When We Look At The Word “krishna” Even Its Meaning Also Is Limited When Compared To The Word ‘na:ra:yana’. This Is About The Word We Are Mentioning. Not About The Supreme. “supreme Is Always Supreme Only” In Whatever Form And Name He Is. Names And Forms Creat Limitations For Everything. For God, Though Forms Are Havings
    Limitations, But The Power In That Particular Form, Will Have No Limit. Chapter 4 Of Bhagavad Githa Makes It Clear.
    Krishna, Thus Showed The Limit Of His Form In That Incarnation. For The Name Of “narayana” There Is No Limit Either In The Name (According To Vya;karanam) Or In The Form, For, The Whole Universe With All The Beings In It, In Other Words, Entire Matter & Material With Energy, Comes In To That Form.

    So, Difference Of Opinion Comes, When Our Perception Is Different Or Not Full. In Fact, There No Need To Argue. Accepting That Ours Is Also “a View” Is Alright. But, If We Say That Ours Is Only “the View” , And All Views Of Others Or Wrong, Becomes A Big Problem. A Rose Is Always Is A Rose. But Different People Look In Different Ways, At It. A Poet, Scientist, Philosopher, Business Man, Common Man Etc., Have Their Own Views Over It, Right! It Is Not The Fault Of The Rose, But Of The Persons. Same With Supreme Also.

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana! We are happy for the interest you have in knowing things. we try to give you replies in brief at those questions only. You may go through them. =Chinnajeeyar= Why does the difference of opinion exist between Vaishnavas on who the Source of all incarnations is? Why does the Supreme Lord leave room for these differences?

    Answer:

    God Is Not A Business Man. He Will Not Clear The Account Of The Individual Then And There Itself, Whenever It Is Started.he Wants Us To Realize And Practice Good Things. What You Need To Understand Is, God Did Not Creat Souls. Nor He Created Their Samskaras. They Are Self Made. According To The Samskara,
    Gunas Arise, And According To Those Gunas, Birth Appears, Accordingly Activities Are Done. So ‘differences Of Opinion’ Is Not God-created. It Is Man Made. Whom We Call As God Or Supreme, Is One Only. It Is Accepted By All. As You Realize That Supreme, You Give A Name. ‘krishna’ Also A Name Came Like That, Venkateswara Also A Name Came Like That Only. Names Are Always Appear To Reveal Certain Qualities Or Gunas. Without That No Name Will Be There. We, Human Beings, May Have Names Without Any Meaning Or Irrelevant To The Object, But Not
    Those Names To God. Now, Those Who Fight Supporting Their Argument, As ‘this Form Of God Is Origin And Everything Came Out Of It’ Or ‘that Form Is The Original’, Are Basically Ignorants, In Realizing The Fact That ‘all The Names Belong To The Same One And For God, Everything Can Come From Anything.

    Now, Come To The Point, That Lord Krishna Born In Jail And Withdraw His Incarnation Also On A Day. That Clearly Says He Is Only An Incarnation. There Must Be Some Origin For That Also. Srimad Bhagavatham Itself Clearly Says That ‘origin’s’ Name Is ‘va:sude:va’ In Some Places And ‘na:ra:yana’ In Some Places.

    Again These Names Also Were Given Basing Upon A Particular Ability Of That Supreme. When We Go Into The Etymology Of The Word, The Word ‘na:ra:yana’ Encompasses Wider Area Than That Of ‘va:sude:va’. When We Look At The Word “krishna” Even Its Meaning Also Is Limited When Compared To The Word ‘na:ra:yana’. This Is About The Word We Are Mentioning. Not About The Supreme. “supreme Is Always Supreme Only” In Whatever Form And Name He Is. Names And Forms Creat Limitations For Everything. For God, Though Forms Are Havings
    Limitations, But The Power In That Particular Form, Will Have No Limit. Chapter 4 Of Bhagavad Githa Makes It Clear.
    Krishna, Thus Showed The Limit Of His Form In That Incarnation. For The Name Of “narayana” There Is No Limit Either In The Name (According To Vya;karanam) Or In The Form, For, The Whole Universe With All The Beings In It, In Other Words, Entire Matter & Material With Energy, Comes In To That Form.

    So, Difference Of Opinion Comes, When Our Perception Is Different Or Not Full. In Fact, There No Need To Argue. Accepting That Ours Is Also “a View” Is Alright. But, If We Say That Ours Is Only “the View” , And All Views Of Others Or Wrong, Becomes A Big Problem. A Rose Is Always Is A Rose. But Different People Look In Different Ways, At It. A Poet, Scientist, Philosopher, Business Man, Common Man Etc., Have Their Own Views Over It, Right! It Is Not The Fault Of The Rose, But Of The Persons. Same With Supreme Also.

    Answer:

    According To Vedas, Whatever You Fix Up As Your Goal, And Meditate Upon God, You Reach That Goal Only. Not A Common Goal. This Is Called “yattha: Krathu Nya:yam”.

    As And How You Meditate, Thus You Attain. In Your Question You Asked About Iskcon. They Believed In Go:lo:kam As Their Goal. But Not Vaikuntham. Hence They Reach Go:lo:kam Only. Here Our Opinion Is Immeterial. The Opinion Of Veda Is Important. For Us Veda Is Supreme And Unquestionable Authority On Any Issues Related To Soul, God And Attainment.

    See Original Question
    Will we reach different destinations if we treat Vishnu as source Vs. Krishna as source. In your opinion if some one follows ISKCON sampradaya can that help attain Vaikunta.

    Answer:

    According To Vedas, Whatever You Fix Up As Your Goal, And Meditate Upon God, You Reach That Goal Only. Not A Common Goal. This Is Called “yattha: Krathu Nya:yam”.

    As And How You Meditate, Thus You Attain. In Your Question You Asked About Iskcon. They Believed In Go:lo:kam As Their Goal. But Not Vaikuntham. Hence They Reach Go:lo:kam Only. Here Our Opinion Is Immeterial. The Opinion Of Veda Is Important. For Us Veda Is Supreme And Unquestionable Authority On Any Issues Related To Soul, God And Attainment.

    Answer:

    Only To Some Extent, Yes. They Accept “brahma Vaivartha Purana” As Supreme Authority. We Accept That Part Of Purana & Only Then, When And Where It Is Not Contradicing The Vedas. In Vedas It Is Clear That The Ultimate Goal Of The Soul
    Should Be “so: Dhvanah Pa:ra Ma:pno:thi Thad Vishno:h Paramam Padam” ‘paramapadam Of Vishnu’. This Is Only We Accept.

    See Original Question
    Being an Acharya of an authentic sampradaya do you consider ISKCON sampradaya as an authorized one?

    Answer:

    Only To Some Extent, Yes. They Accept “brahma Vaivartha Purana” As Supreme Authority. We Accept That Part Of Purana & Only Then, When And Where It Is Not Contradicing The Vedas. In Vedas It Is Clear That The Ultimate Goal Of The Soul
    Should Be “so: Dhvanah Pa:ra Ma:pno:thi Thad Vishno:h Paramam Padam” ‘paramapadam Of Vishnu’. This Is Only We Accept.

    Answer:

    Only To Some Extent, Yes. They Accept “brahma Vaivartha Purana” As Supreme Authority. We Accept That Part Of Purana & Only Then, When And Where It Is Not Contradicing The Vedas. In Vedas It Is Clear That The Ultimate Goal Of The Soul
    Should Be “so: Dhvanah Pa:ra Ma:pno:thi Thad Vishno:h Paramam Padam” ‘paramapadam Of Vishnu’. This Is Only We Accept.

    See Original Question
    Being an Acharya of an authentic sampradaya do you consider ISKCON sampradaya as an authorized one?

    Answer:

    Only To Some Extent, Yes. They Accept “brahma Vaivartha Purana” As Supreme Authority. We Accept That Part Of Purana & Only Then, When And Where It Is Not Contradicing The Vedas. In Vedas It Is Clear That The Ultimate Goal Of The Soul
    Should Be “so: Dhvanah Pa:ra Ma:pno:thi Thad Vishno:h Paramam Padam” ‘paramapadam Of Vishnu’. This Is Only We Accept.

    Answer:

    In Sanskrit this term is refered as “33 Ko:ti De:vathas”

    ‘Koti’ in Sanskrit language means: “Section”.
    For Instance, words like ‘Pratipaksha Koti , Purvapaksha Koti’ in Sansrkit use the word ‘Koti’ in them.
    Hence, 33 Koti Devathas mean – 33 sections of Gods who administer this creation in different ways.

    The 33 Koti Devathas are:

    • 12 “Adityas” – (They take care of the sustanance of the universe in different ways)
    • 11 “Rudras” – (They change the forms of the entities from one to another. People call it destruction, but it actually means changing the forms for the better)
    • 8 “Vasus” – (They nurture the entities)
    • 2 “Ashwinis” – (They rectify the problems. They are known as the doctors. One of them take care of living entities, while the other takes care of ‘Animal Husbandry and Forestry’)

    Under each of the Koti Devathas, there are millions of other Gods working for them

    – Excerpt from Sri Swamiji’s Pravachanams : LA Summer Camp 2007

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana Sheelaji!

    We have gone through your mail. Also observed the reply given to you by our Sri Vishnuji. It is nice.

    In olden days Gods used to play with human beings. Probably to give a repartee, now a days human beings are playing with Gods. They stopped creating man and man started creating Gods.

    In olden days, we used to hear few stories about Ganesa, that he was the son of Lord Siva & Parvithi, having two wives viz, Siddhi and Buddhi. But now a days, my god, it is unbelievable that Ganesa appearing in somany forms. Some, Lakshmi Ganapathi also appeared from some corner. We do not know when and where he came from. And also we do not know whether his parents know something about Lakshmi or not. All this type of writings are nothing but their own creations and ultimately they impose these things in puranas and say, that some Rishi has written them. We have sufficient evidences about our own gods, fortunately. So, you need not believe all the non-sence from x, y, z books.

    See Original Question
    Before few months I have purchased two books , in thirst of knowing about Lord Narayana and mother Goddess Lakshmi ,The books are 1.An Introduction to Lord Vishnu; 2.Godess Lakshmi an Introduction , By Devdutta Pattanaik In those books there r many things which make me sad , He tells that Draupadi is Bhudevi incarnation, And Mother Lakshmi is like a sister or even wife to Kubera , And many other things. Please kindly give me the truth.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana Sheelaji!

    We have gone through your mail. Also observed the reply given to you by our Sri Vishnuji. It is nice.

    In olden days Gods used to play with human beings. Probably to give a repartee, now a days human beings are playing with Gods. They stopped creating man and man started creating Gods.

    In olden days, we used to hear few stories about Ganesa, that he was the son of Lord Siva & Parvithi, having two wives viz, Siddhi and Buddhi. But now a days, my god, it is unbelievable that Ganesa appearing in somany forms. Some, Lakshmi Ganapathi also appeared from some corner. We do not know when and where he came from. And also we do not know whether his parents know something about Lakshmi or not. All this type of writings are nothing but their own creations and ultimately they impose these things in puranas and say, that some Rishi has written them. We have sufficient evidences about our own gods, fortunately. So, you need not believe all the non-sence from x, y, z books.

    Answer:

    What Are You Going To Do With All Of Them By Knowing? There Are Millions Of Gods. You Need To Chose Only One For You And Be Happy With Him. Let Them By Happy In A Way They Are And You Try To Be Happy By
    Worshipping One And Respecting All Don’t Mess Up Everything, Ok!

    See Original Question
    I would like to know more about the minor gods of Hinduism, especially those connected with the Shaiva traditions. Everyone knows Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Bhairava, Durga, Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Rama, Hanuman, Ganesha, Skanda, etc., but Hinduism has so many gods, there should be many interesting other gods.

    Answer:

    What Are You Going To Do With All Of Them By Knowing? There Are Millions Of Gods. You Need To Chose Only One For You And Be Happy With Him. Let Them By Happy In A Way They Are And You Try To Be Happy By
    Worshipping One And Respecting All Don’t Mess Up Everything, Ok!

    God or Gods?

    Answer:

    It’s only logical that there can be only one power that controls everything.  Otherwise it would result in conflicts in the system which is not the case.

    Detailed Explanation:

    The presence of some unseen or invisible power behind all the creation is evident. The perfect execution of the system also implies that there is a controller behind the same. If there is more than one controller or creator, we would experience conflicts just as a kingdom would face when it has 2 rulers. Hence there can be only one God who is the controller of the universe. The same is also ascertained in the ve:das, the authoritative scriptures of ours, which mentions de:va ekaha meaning there is only one God.

    Answer:

    There is only one supreme power. But it’s abilities are seen through many souls and they are powers of God and not Gods by themselves. They are misconstrued as Gods by humans. The souls showing His power are known as de:vatas.

    Detailed Explanation :

    When God is in every form, it is only logical that every form belongs to Him. People get misled by seeing some of the powers that are there in the world, thinking that they run the universe. For example, the self-illuminating planet sun, also called as Surya Narayana is worshipped by some for being the life giver. Yes, he can be worshipped as God, as God is in him too. God is in the Moon, tree, bird – everywhere and everything. All the things that are visible, are different organs of God says the Ve:da. A person works through his organs. The sun is His eye, the space is His ear, and the wind is His nose. So, wherever His power is seen or experienced, instead of connecting those powers to God, some mistakenly call them as God, which is wrong. God will always be one. But His abilities are seen through many others. Each will be able to bring out His abilities in some respect of their own. They are not Gods but are the powers of God. And they are called ‘de:vata:’ in Sanskrit (closely translated as divine beings in English).

    Answer:

    Each de:vata has a different role assigned to them, to help run the universe. If one has to categorize the de:vatas, it is said in the ve:da that there are 330 million(33 crores) de:vatas. 

    Detailed Explanation :

    God has unlimited powers (infinite). Each de:vata is one aspect of the power of God. The human body is made of 5 elements and a de:vata body is made of light (te:jas). The de:vata of water is Varuna, Agni is the de:vata of fire, Va:yu is the de:vata of wind , Kube:ra is the de:vata of wealth, Ashwini kuma:ras are de:vatas for health and so on. Different de:vatas play different roles to help run the universe. It is similar to different ministers running different departments under a ruler in governing the kingdom. They are superior beings than humans and hence, are misconstrued by some as Gods. The Ve:das say that de:vatas are the different parts of God – anga:ni anya:ha de:vata:ha sa a:tma (sa a:tma is the inner soul which is God). God is inside them too, just like everyone else. All the de:vatas are His different parts and his limbs. It does not make sense to worship the part of a person instead of the person themself. If one has to categorize the de:vatas it is said in the ve:das that there are 330 million (33 crores) de:vatas.

    Answer:

    Revering and respecting the supreme Being is mark of our gratefulness, for the help we receive from Him for our very own survival. Surrendering to Him, will enable one to receive the benefit of the power. 

    Detailed Explanation

    The supreme power has helped us by creating the world for us. Revering and respecting this supreme power is our own decision. God doesn’t demand anything from us. However it’s a mark of our gratefulness for the help we receive from Him for our own survival. The Upanishads recognize the power as sarvajna, sarva ve:ththa: meaning one that knows everything in all respects. Given the existence of such an all-pervasive and all-knowing power, surrendering to it will enable us to receive the benefit of this power and enable us do things in a better way. The supreme power will not go against our free-will and hence our consent and submission is required for Him to help us.  Belief in God helps in empowering oneself and develop self-confidence. 

    God in Daily Life

    Answer:

    When we think we are answerable to each other, the problem comes and emotions rise high. However, if one considers God as the boss at home to whom one is answerable, it helps in controlling anger. Our job is to let Him know of everything and accept whatever He does.

    Detailed Explanation

    At office, people work together in teams and there are people who work hard and those who laze around. How much ever one is irritated and angry on the one who is lazy, there is no yelling and shouting. Everyone completes the work as a team. Any complaints are made to the boss with the belief that the boss will take care of things. The reason we control our emotions because of the boss above us, who we believe is the right one to take action on such issues. Similarly, at home God is the boss. And everyone at home is answerable to Him and not to each other. When we think we are answerable to each other the problem comes. Just like office, everyone in the house has God as a boss who is there to take care of everything and our job is to let Him Know and accept whatever He does. The quarrels that are caused by thinking that we are the boss will deplete our own ability and lead the mind in unnecessary paths.

    Answer:

    When the need to shout at a person arises, using the names of God instead of harsh words is better. It’s a way to vent out anger. Also, as these are names of God, they purify the atmosphere. It does not damage the friendship and the individuals can have a good laugh later. Believing in God as boss and reciting His names definitely helps.

    Detailed Explanation

    Swami gives us a great tip which is funny but effective and unique. When one gets angry as a first step the angry person wants to reject the other person and follows it with words as “I don’t like it, I want it to be this way .” etc Next the facial expressions also becomes aggressive and the desire to use harsh words arises. Though one’s vocabulary might be good, when one is angry only a few words come out. Instead of these harsh words, if one knows Vishnu Sahasranama, it helps throw a 1000 words. One can say these words in harsh tone, using the same facial expressions. Other foul words damage friendship and ends up hurting people. However, the names of God purify the atmosphere. Swami jokingly mentions that the other person will be confused and the situation diffuses. The angry person also gets to vent their anger and both can have a good laugh. So definitely believing in God as boss and reciting His names when angry helps.

    Answer:

    Human Beings, animals and trees are creation of God and man is supposedly at the top of this chain. It is expected that he does more than the other two beings. However, we see that man is neither as selfless as a tree or as faithful as an animal even though he claims he is good or a conscientious person. Praying to God helps him/her to grow to that level and is not for fulfilling material needs.

    Detailed Explanation

    In an office, there are different levels of employees with varying salaries. A top level employee receives more salary than lower levelled ones. S/He is expected to know of her work plus the work of all her juniors and is expected to perform more than the lower levelled employees. Hence the justification of higher payment. Similarly, in life we have different types of living beings such as plants, animals and man. All are creation of God and receive a certain amount of energy (similar to salary). When we consider eating, sleeping and procreation of these beings, it is similar in all respects and no variation in payment is required. However, we observe that trees don’t live for their own sake – Any amount of energy they possess is given to others in the form of shade, wood, fruits/vegetable/flowers. And it keeps doing this every season regenerating itself. The second category is animals, which live by themselves and live sincerely. They do not speak a lie; take what is needed for them and nothing more. Animals also transfer their qualities to the next generation 100% without any deterioration. However, man receives more than these categories and he also takes more than these two from nature. Yet his contribution back is not in the same category as plants that give a 100%. He is not able to transfer the good qualities learnt 100% to his next generation (it is always less). Are we selfless as plants or as faithful as an animal? Man is much below the level of trees or animals, though he is supposedly higher in the chain. So, it is not justified to claim we are not bad because we follow and live by conscience. Praying to God is not for material reasons but to get the help, to reach the level that a man is required to grow into. Prayer is not for achieving the results of one’s actions.

    Answer:

    What may appear as a bad thing happening to one, may not be really bad and we land in a bad situation based on our thought process. Everything happening is for good and it depends on how one perceives it. It is because of God that we have this body to live in this world. Instead of blaming Him, let us be grateful to Him. Let us also remember that there is no one who can claim that they have never done a bad thing ever or never hurt anyone.

    Detailed Explanation

    How can anyone claim that they haven’t done anything bad ever? How many insects have we killed unknowingly like batting a mosquito, killing several insects when we travel or build a house. Is there anyone who has never said a lie ever in their life or never hurt anyone by their behaviour? It is a combination of both arrogance and ignorance when one says that s/he has not done anything bad to anyone or claim that s/he is a good person. Secondly what we consider as a bad thing is based on our thought process. They may not be bad necessarily. A man who had to go for a job interview missed his flight and cursed everyone including God. However later he found that the flight met with a problem and had to do an emergency landing. He was much better off. What appears bad may not be really bad. Everything happening is for good and it depends on how one perceives it. If we think that something is bad the thought process has a cascading effect which disturbs everything and lands one in a bad situation. God has given us the body to live in this world and is the one helping us to breathe. He does not ask anything in return. Let us be grateful to Him for being the universal caretaker and not blame Him for everything that happens to us.

    Answer:

    Comparison is the cause of unhappiness. Each person is unique. When our own 2 eyes in our body are different, how does it make sense to compare two unique people? Religion tells us that we are different from our body and helps us in discovering our abilities and energies for our role to play in this universe.

    Detailed Explanation

    Each person in this world is unique. In our own body both our eyes are different. When that is the case, how does it make sense to compare 2 unique people with different background. It is equivalent to comparing roses to apples. No one can become you and you cannot become anyone else. Hence comparing with others is not advisable. It is the cause of unhappiness. Religion helps us in discovering our own energies and abilities. It lets us know that we are just not the body alone but more than this body. You are a person with knowledge carrying records of the past and supported by God in a way that is exclusively for you. Religion makes us understand the support we receive from God, our qualities, our role to play in this universe using our abilities and skills.

    Answer:

    Jealousy makes one forget their own abilities and focus on something that the other person has. It results in panic as one constantly worries. It is always better to understand one’s own inert abilities and use that to the best. Jealousy is never good and doesn’t help in one’s progress.

    Detailed Explanation

    The result of comparison is jealousy. Jealousy means not being happy with another’s progress. Jealousy makes one forget their own abilities and focus on something that the other person has and trying to replicate it. It results in panic, as one constantly worries and aims to attain what the other person has or does. This will not yield right results. If one aspires the same result for their own sake, then practicing in their own way is good and not in another person’s way. When the thought process takes a wrong step by feeling jealous, the inner spring that needs to flow naturally is disturbed. It stops them from understanding their own abilities, inhibits them from using their own skills for the better. And in the end becomes detrimental to the person feeling jealous. It is always better to understand one owns inert abilities and use that to the best. Thinking that one is trying to do good out of jealousy, can lead to bad. So, don’t allow the feeling of jealousy and think that it will help you in your progress.

    Answer:

    When one realizes that they are the powerful instruments in the hands of the all-powerful supreme being then they are no longer incapable, insecure or ordinary. They can draw enormous power from God and do great things. Forgetting this is the main reason for all sorts of disturbances that happen in our mind.

    Detailed Explanation

    Negative emotions and thought process go away when one understands that they are here in this world with a purpose. Everyone is an instrument in the very powerful hands of God. No one here should think that they are ordinary or incapable or insecure. God is the all-powerful supreme Being. Being an instrument in His hands means the instrument also becomes powerful. When we are instruments in the hands of God then imagine how powerful and capable we are inherently! Understanding that and submitting ourselves to become an instrument in the hands of God, we can draw enormous power from God and perform good things in this world. Unfortunately, we forget that most times and that is main reason for causing all sorts of disturbances like jealousy etc in our mind.

    Surrendering to God

    Answer:

    Act of surrendering to God means developing the mental faith that you dedicate yourself and your activities to God and that He’s monitoring us always. Surrendering does not mean helplessness out of incapability of doing things. It is the act where you have complete faith in what God does. Sita could have burnt down Ravana to ashes but she did not do so, as she had surrendered to Rama and held the belief that He will take care of her.

    Answer:

    Complete state of joy while being on earth is not possible because of Prakruti or nature. Because, it is always in the fluctuating mode of satva, rajas and tamas.

    Answer:

    The act of surrender involves surrendering to God through all 3 instruments – physical, mental and verbal forms.

    Answer:

    Mukti/moksha are words given for the release of soul from the karmic bondage

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Your Question Seems Genuine. Sarana:gathi Does Not Mean Realizing God As ‘means & End’. It Is Total Surrenderance. You May Realize Him In Any Manner. Once Surrendered Then You Loose Your Identification. Yet, You Do Everything, Because, Your Body, Mind, Intellect And The Soul Itself Became Him Properity. He Makes Them To Function And For Him Sake Only.
    Then All The Activities Will Be There. The Only Difference Is Everything Will Be Aimed At God.

    As We Are Not Inscient Beings, Having Knowledge Of Ourselves, We Need To Show Some Difference Than An Life-less Object. That Is What We Call As ‘pra:rdhana’. It, In Fact, Is Not A Request For Granting Anything, Including Mo:ksha. Still, We Request For Things To Grant, ” It Is Chaitanya Ka:ryam And Ra:ga Prayuktham” That Means It Is Only The Result Of The Knowledge One Possesses. And When We Know The Unbreakable Relation-ship With God, He Is Having All Wonderful Traits With Him, All Are For Us Only, We Also Are Not Otherwise Doing Anything For Our Own Sake Nor Trying To Go On Our Own For Some Other Goal, Not Trying To Wipe Out Our Sins On Our Own, And He Is Not Incapable Of Erasing Them In Total, As There Is No Other Reason For Our Stay Here In This World, We Plead Before God To Accept Us Soon To Him. That Becomes The Pra:rdhana, What Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja Made With Lord, Of Course, It Is Done For Our Sake.

    See Original Question
    SrImatE rAmAnujAya nama: Dear SrImad jIyar-svAmi-ji, jai SrIman-nArAyaNa! daNDavat praNAma-s & dAsasya vigyApaNam, I have heard “SaraNAgati is merely the knowledge that the Lord Himself is verily the Means and the End. Therefore any action performed or words uttered by a jIva seeking mOksha/bhakti is svarUpa-viruddhaM (ie inconsistent with SarIrAtma-bhAva/artha-pancaka gyAnam)”. In view of the above, I have difficulty understanding SrI-rAmAnuja’s explicit requests (in SaraNAgati-gadya) to the Lord to bestow upon him para-bhakti/para-gyAna/parama-bhakti. dhanyOsmi, aDiyEn rAmAnuja-dAsa: /Ramkumar

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Your Question Seems Genuine. Sarana:gathi Does Not Mean Realizing God As ‘means & End’. It Is Total Surrenderance. You May Realize Him In Any Manner. Once Surrendered Then You Loose Your Identification. Yet, You Do Everything, Because, Your Body, Mind, Intellect And The Soul Itself Became Him Properity. He Makes Them To Function And For Him Sake Only.
    Then All The Activities Will Be There. The Only Difference Is Everything Will Be Aimed At God.

    As We Are Not Inscient Beings, Having Knowledge Of Ourselves, We Need To Show Some Difference Than An Life-less Object. That Is What We Call As ‘pra:rdhana’. It, In Fact, Is Not A Request For Granting Anything, Including Mo:ksha. Still, We Request For Things To Grant, ” It Is Chaitanya Ka:ryam And Ra:ga Prayuktham” That Means It Is Only The Result Of The Knowledge One Possesses. And When We Know The Unbreakable Relation-ship With God, He Is Having All Wonderful Traits With Him, All Are For Us Only, We Also Are Not Otherwise Doing Anything For Our Own Sake Nor Trying To Go On Our Own For Some Other Goal, Not Trying To Wipe Out Our Sins On Our Own, And He Is Not Incapable Of Erasing Them In Total, As There Is No Other Reason For Our Stay Here In This World, We Plead Before God To Accept Us Soon To Him. That Becomes The Pra:rdhana, What Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja Made With Lord, Of Course, It Is Done For Our Sake.

    Prayer

    Answer:

    Prayer is an outpouring of one’s love, that flows incessantly from the heart towards whom they love. That love flows automatically in the form of words, music, etc . Prayer is a call with love.

    Answer:

    We pray to God due to our love towards Him, the one who has helped us with many things right from our survival. It’s an automatic outpouring of our love that generates from the gratitude we feel for Him. Prayer should not be a call to God to fulfil our desires arising from our greed.

    Detailed Explanation :

    Whenever we understand that we receive help from someone, we feel like expressing our gratitude, our thanks to the person.  When we throw a piece of bread to a dog, it responds with love and care, even a tiger that receives a piece of flesh shows its gratitude by playing with the zoo-keeper. Just taking a little something from someone, makes us feel humble and makes us respond with love. We receive tremendous help and abundant energy from God. It’s only natural that our love outpours and the result is prayer. Some people mistake prayer to be a call to God to ask for things they desire. Prayer is not there for us to ask God for more things arising out of our desires. God knows and  gives one what they truly need and does not require us to ask. Prayer is nothing but the outpouring of our love for God. 

    Answer:

    God does not expect anything from us. One can pray to God however they want. Love for Him makes us do some activity and hence prayer comes out in multiple ways. In the form of tears through eyes, or listening to songs or words about Him through our ears or singing through our mouth or dancing with our legs and hands and many more. 

    Detailed Explanation :

    God does not expect anything from us. We pray out of our love for Him. Praying to God is always associated with sitting quiet, taking flowers and saying things like o:m ke:sava:ya namaha, o:m ma:dhava:ya namaha, o:m govinda:ya namaha etc. Yes, this is a way, but not necessarily the way. Whatever one wants to do for God, like offering food, flowers, song, it is ok with God. God understands our intent and the amount of love that we have. Whenever love forces one to do some activity with pri:ti (love), that becomes a prayer. And Bhagavad Ramanuja says when the overflowing love mixes with roopa (form), hands will feel like doing something – take flowers, wash the feet, make garlands etc, or the lips will sing or legs will dance. Such activities are not because we have to do it, but we feel like doing it. Prayer is not something that you sit and wait for the mood to come. The love that you feel, commands you to do something. And the love comes when you understand the help received and understand the relationship with God.

    Answer:

    Whether one knows the meaning of a sloka or not it doesn’t matter. Just like how the sound of a cuckoo brings us joy even if we don’t understand the meaning, chanting the sloka helps one to experience joy. If the meaning is known, then it is even more joyful.

    Detailed Explanation

    Slokas are the outpourings of the people who felt incessant love for God . Slokas are not something that one creates because of their knowledge in Sanskrit, or for any kind of benefit. Slokas came out of pure love. Hence when one recites it with the same love and intention, it brings in the same effect to them as it did with its creator. Whether one knows the meaning or not, it doesn’t matter. When the cuckoo sings, it brings us joy even if we don’t understand the meaning. Similarly chanting of the sloka brings us joy whether we know the meaning or not. The joy is multiplied if one understands the meaning as well. Something for us to ponder – We spend energy and effort on many activities that don’t give us any kind of benefit. Do we stop doing them? When there are people with experience who got the benefit, why should we leave it? So do not stop reciting slokas. Out of the many slokas present, learn whatever suits you, and enjoy. You will definitely see the benefit.

    Answer:

    It Was Sriman ” Prathivadi Bhayankaram Annan Swamy Only, We Suppose, Who Composed Srivenkateswara Suprabhatham Etc.,

    Answer:

    To Chant And Do Pu:ja, There Was No Discrimination, Whether They Are Ladies Or Gents Etc., All Are Equal Before God. After Chanting The Manthra Given To You As Initiation, By Your Guru, You Can Chant Ashta Slo:ki, 8 Slo:kas Written By Sri Para:sara Bhattar. They Are The Quintessence Of 3 Manthras. You Can Chant Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram. You Can Also Chant Sankshe:pa Ra:ma:yanam Etc, So Many Are Available In Our Sripathi Sthuthima:la:.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    In Tamil there are no many a letter. They have to be adjusted for somany other sounds. Hence there will be some problem in fixing up the usage of particular sound to a particular letter. ‘ka’ may be pronounced as ‘kha’ , ‘ga’ and ‘gha’ also. You need to choose your own sound from that letter. So also here with the word Venkata. If you take this word as a Tamil word you can pronounce either ‘vekata’ or ‘vengada’ makes no difference. If you take the word as a sanskrit word then it should be ‘ve:nkata’ only.

    For Tamil one, the meaning was already given by Nammalwar as, ‘kadangal ve:m’ kadangal=unavoidable debts like karmas, which soul carries along with it, which should be otherwise experienced without any hesitation, will be, ve:m=burnt to ashes, when one surrenders unto Him.

    In sanskrit the meaning was given in a different way like ‘ve:m’ = all the links with one’s own sins, ‘kata=will be cut off in total, to one, who surrenders to Him.

    See Original Question
    I would like to know the proper pronounciation for Venkatesa in the Venkatesa Suprabhatam. I am informed that according to some Aacharyas, one should say Vengada and not Venkata. Is this the tradition amoung some schools? If so, what is the Ta:tparyam? Why does the Sanskrit version say”Venkata”. What does the word mean? Would Swami be able to help with this issue? Ramaa Sampath

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    In Tamil there are no many a letter. They have to be adjusted for somany other sounds. Hence there will be some problem in fixing up the usage of particular sound to a particular letter. ‘ka’ may be pronounced as ‘kha’ , ‘ga’ and ‘gha’ also. You need to choose your own sound from that letter. So also here with the word Venkata. If you take this word as a Tamil word you can pronounce either ‘vekata’ or ‘vengada’ makes no difference. If you take the word as a sanskrit word then it should be ‘ve:nkata’ only.

    For Tamil one, the meaning was already given by Nammalwar as, ‘kadangal ve:m’ kadangal=unavoidable debts like karmas, which soul carries along with it, which should be otherwise experienced without any hesitation, will be, ve:m=burnt to ashes, when one surrenders unto Him.

    In sanskrit the meaning was given in a different way like ‘ve:m’ = all the links with one’s own sins, ‘kata=will be cut off in total, to one, who surrenders to Him.

    Answer:

    God appears in different forms. Each form helps in some way or the other. Rama is the replica of humane qualities and if one worships His, that person develops humane qualities. Lord Krishna is the replica of divine qualities and to His
    worshippers He blesses divine qualities. Lord Siva also several occasions sought the help of these incarnations. You can see that in Sri Ramayana, after the killing of Ravana. All the devathas appeared before Rama and one among was Lord
    Siva, who praised Srirama as the saviour of the wise and punisher of wicked. We can see this in all most all the incarnations. People with no knowledge and having love towards Lord Siva, spread such wrong stories. One can definitely worship Lord Siva, at the same time, they should not create wrong stories against incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Somany big big people are trying to do this
    in recent decades. Remember, Lord Rama & Krishna teach us as and how to face the problematic situations, yet how to maintain equilibrium. You may remember our githa jyothi, suthras ‘worship your own..respect all’. If this is understood, then there won’t be any wicked thoughts like this.

    See Original Question
    How far it is true that worshipping Rama/Krishna bring difficulties and worshipping Siva would bring happiness and properity? (If that is the case for a country like India having 1 billion population with so much unemployment is not it better to go with Siva?) pranams to your feet. with humble regards

    Answer:

    God appears in different forms. Each form helps in some way or the other. Rama is the replica of humane qualities and if one worships His, that person develops humane qualities. Lord Krishna is the replica of divine qualities and to His
    worshippers He blesses divine qualities. Lord Siva also several occasions sought the help of these incarnations. You can see that in Sri Ramayana, after the killing of Ravana. All the devathas appeared before Rama and one among was Lord
    Siva, who praised Srirama as the saviour of the wise and punisher of wicked. We can see this in all most all the incarnations. People with no knowledge and having love towards Lord Siva, spread such wrong stories. One can definitely worship Lord Siva, at the same time, they should not create wrong stories against incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Somany big big people are trying to do this
    in recent decades. Remember, Lord Rama & Krishna teach us as and how to face the problematic situations, yet how to maintain equilibrium. You may remember our githa jyothi, suthras ‘worship your own..respect all’. If this is understood, then there won’t be any wicked thoughts like this.

    Answer:

    For The Sake Of Sloka, It Is Mentioned ‘narayanayethi Samarpayami’. To Avoid Confusion Further, They Added That Narayana Is Not Single One But ‘srimannarayanayethi…’ Of Course, Narayana Is Always ‘sriman’ Only. When That Concept Incarnated Became ‘krishna’ To We Offer To Him Everything. The Stories Of Chandamama Need Not Be Taken As Exact Stories Of The Puranam. Lord In His Divine Abode Is Called As Para-vasudeva Or Srimannarayana. When He Starts The Creating He Takes The Name As Vishnu, Along With Brahma & Siva. But When Ever The Time Comes Takes Incarnations. In That Process, One Incarnation Among Them Was Lord Krishna, Who Is Very Near To Us. So We Dedicate At The End To Him, As He Asked That From Us In Bhagavad Githa In 9th Chapter. Incarnations From Krishna, As Explained By Iscon, Is Not Accepted By Our Acharyas. Even Authentic Puranas Also Were Not In Tune To That Concept. This Has Been Explained In Brahma Vaivartha Puranam, Which Was Considered As A Thamasa Puranam. So You Need Not Take The Portions Of That, Which Go Against To Srimad Bhagavatham, Because It Is The Most Authentic One. In That Bhagavatham, Iscon Peoples Stand Was Not Supported.
    See Original Question
    Subject: Q – Krishna / Vishnu / Sriman Narayana From so many days, I am getting a query in mind: In the end part of Vishnu sahasra naamam, we chant “Kaayaena vaachaa….Naaraayanaayaeti Samarpayami” and then “Sriman Naaraayanaayaeti Samarpayami”. After this again people chant”Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu” which is not printed in the book. But even though printed, as Sriman Naaraayanaa and SriKrishna are same, why we need to say both of the above lines: “Sriman Naaraayanaayaeti Samarpayami”. “Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu” ———————————————— I bound the Vishnupuranam stories from Chandamama in India and got it to Pittsburgh. When I went thru the dasaavataaram stories taken from Vishnupuraanam, it mentions about 14 worlds in which, the first top most world is “Dhruva Kshiti” where Dhruva lives permanently and this kshiti contains “Golokam” where SriKrishna Stays here with Prakriti Maata (radha devi). Above this Druva kshiti, there will be a total darkness and at the other end of this darkness, there lies the “Vaikuntam” where Sriman Naaraayana lives. that means Sriman Naaraayana lives in the top most part of Brahmaanda. In some other stories, I read that Sriman Naaraayana came from SriKrishna. There is some missing information I guess. My question is out of these two, who came from whom? Iscon people also says that Sri maha Vishnu came from SriKrishna. Can you please elaborate and clarify me on this? ———————————————— Also In Vishnu puraanam, when I read, it says, Parasurama went to Golokam to get “Krishna Kavacham” from Sri Krishna, to fight and remove kings on earth. That means, SriKrishna exists before he descends to earth in the time of Mahabharata. But there is no exact story how he came to Golokam. Can you please let me know? Please correct me also if I am wrong in any of my mentions here and also let me know, if my first question is related to any of these stories because of which we have to chant “Sri Krishnaarpana mastu” after chanting Vishnu saharsa naamam. Jai Sriman Naaraayana.

    Answer:

    For The Sake Of Sloka, It Is Mentioned ‘narayanayethi Samarpayami’. To Avoid Confusion Further, They Added That Narayana Is Not Single One But ‘srimannarayanayethi…’ Of Course, Narayana Is Always ‘sriman’ Only. When That Concept Incarnated Became ‘krishna’ To We Offer To Him Everything. The Stories Of Chandamama Need Not Be Taken As Exact Stories Of The Puranam. Lord In His Divine Abode Is Called As Para-vasudeva Or Srimannarayana. When He Starts The Creating He Takes The Name As Vishnu, Along With Brahma & Siva. But When Ever The Time Comes Takes Incarnations. In That Process, One Incarnation Among Them Was Lord Krishna, Who Is Very Near To Us. So We Dedicate At The End To Him, As He Asked That From Us In Bhagavad Githa In 9th Chapter. Incarnations From Krishna, As Explained By Iscon, Is Not Accepted By Our Acharyas. Even Authentic Puranas Also Were Not In Tune To That Concept. This Has Been Explained In Brahma Vaivartha Puranam, Which Was Considered As A Thamasa Puranam. So You Need Not Take The Portions Of That, Which Go Against To Srimad Bhagavatham, Because It Is The Most Authentic One. In That Bhagavatham, Iscon Peoples Stand Was Not Supported.

    Vedas

    Answer:

    Vedas are compilation of divine sounds responsible for the creation of the entire universe. Ve:da means that which reveals or which bestows. They contain universal truth and scientific facts.

    Detailed Explanation:

    Vedas are compilation of divine sounds. These sounds were preserved as they are and passed on to generations by experienced people called Rushis (sages of ancient times). Vedas are the outpourings, as a result of the penance and experiences of ancient sages. They bestow things we require and reveal the truths that are needed. ve:dayathi iti ve:daha – Vedas reveals everything we need. Vedas contain things truly experienced by sages . In other words, it is science. Vedas talk about both the visible world and the one that is not perceived by us. Vedas talk about the land we live in, about the solar family that we observe, about the galaxy in which we live and so on. In general the ve:das talk about the whole universe and a lot about other worlds, that was experienced by these sages. Vedas contain universal truth and scientific facts.

    Answer:

    Vedas contain universal truth and facts. When a foundation exists, it makes sense to understand them and build upon it rather than starting from scratch. This will save time and effort and help build new things

    Detailed Explanation :

    Vedas contain wisdom needed for the world and have been passed down through generations as messages. They contain universal truth that is not perceived by us. One can choose not to accept them and can go down the path of discovering things from scratch. However, it takes a long time to discover something. People of the vedic lore lived a much longer life (tens of thousands of years) and had the time and knowledge required to discover and experience various things. Currently our lifespans are nowhere close to that. When a foundation exists, it makes sense to build upon that, rather than starting from ground zero. This also saves efforts and produces more value. Any word of wisdom need not be ignored.

    Answer:

    Vedas are ‘a:ptha va:kyam’ – meaning messages from our well-wishers handed down to us through a lineage of people. They contain universal truth and facts, some of which are beyond the perception and conception of humans. Just because something is complex and is not yet fully comprehended does not mean it is incorrect. It is our job to figure out the facts.

    Detailed Explanation :

    Vedas contain universal truth about the world we live in and other worlds. Not all the information about the visible world itself, is comprehended by us. But that does not mean what the Veda contains is untrue. Take the example of the mathematical equations of Srinivasa Ramanujam. We don’t understand some of the equations even now. That just implies the equations are complex for us to grasp. Similarly, anything that is difficult to comprehend need not be denied. Whatever the vedic sages spoke, are about concepts they have seen and experienced. None of it is beyond logic or experience. It’s our job to understand and figure out those facts. Vedas talk about facts and universal truth that we cannot perceive or conceive and that which is beyond our imagination. We are limited by our senses and imagination and hence it’s advised to start with the existing words of wisdom to discover more. Swamiji shares an example given by Pedda Jeeyar swamiji on how our sensory perception can go wrong – A Britisher while passing by a bridge observed a washer-man washing clothes on the banks of a river by beating the clothes on a stone and dropping them in a clay-pot which had fire lit under it. Later he made a remark on his observations saying “Poor illiterate Indians they are cooking the clothes in a clay pot and trying to break the stone using multiple clothes.“ How ignorant the observer was! This is a great example to prove how our sense observation may go wrong. Hence, it’s very important we take the guidance of a wise guru, to understand things beyond our comprehension.

    Answer:

    Revering and respecting the supreme Being is mark of our gratefulness, for the help we receive from Him for our very own survival. Surrendering to Him, will enable one to receive the benefit of the power. 

    Detailed Explanation

    Though Vedas are considered as a mass of divine sounds, basing upon their characteristics they have been classified as four having 1131 sub branches. They are the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda Sa:ma Veda, and Atharva Veda. Rig Veda has 21 branches, Yajur has 101 branches, Sa:ma has 1000 and Atharva has 9 branches. Unfortunately, we lost most Vedas as time passed. Today, we are able to get only 11 branches of Veda.

    Answer:

    Jai srimannaryana ! We were clear that de:vathas are also ji:vas, who took this life as per their previous punya visesham. Consuming that, those de:vathas will again go to get some other body as per their karmic records. This is what Lord Krushna said in the concluding slokas of 8th chapter of Bhagavad Githa ‘a:bramha bhuvana:d lo:kah punar a:vartino:rjuna!’ We need not know where those souls were in their previous life or after their post is over.
    See Original Question
    JainSriman Narayana Om Namo Narayanaya Swami, meeku Padaabhivandanam swami Swami one of your speeches you told that every diety has got his or her post by the virtue of lost life means andaru devathalu shashwatham kadu Narayanude Shashwatham vere devathalu vari venaka janma punyapalamtho ippudu devathalayyaru antu Chepparu swami. Then Please tell me what is the lost life of Bramha and Shiva as per vedas swami. please swami.

    Answer:

    Jai srimannaryana !

    We were clear that de:vathas are also ji:vas, who took this life as per their previous punya visesham. Consuming that, those de:vathas will again go to get some other body as per their karmic records. This is what Lord Krushna said in the concluding slokas of 8th chapter of Bhagavad Githa ‘a:bramha bhuvana:d lo:kah punar a:vartino:rjuna!’

    We need not know where those souls were in their previous life or after their post is over.

    Answer:

    Measuring the time was so great by our vedic people. You can read the 4 & 5 canto of Srimad Bhagavatham, where the creation of time was mentioned.

    Answer:

    There Are No Specific Ve:da Bha:gas That One Should Know, As Such. It Depends Upon, What One Requires. If One Wants To Perform Sandhya Vandanam, Those Manthras May Be Learnt. If One Wants Pitru Karmas To Be Performed They May Be Learnt. Some More Manthras For Some Other Purposes Viz., Pancha Su:kthas, Upanishads, Namakam, Chamakam, Arunam Etc., Anything To Learn Means “why” “howmuch” Etc., Querries Must Be Known.

    Answer:

    Vedas Are Beginning-less ( Ana:di) Only. Upanishads Also Become A Part Of Ve:da Only. The Stories We Usually Hear In Them, Will Be Repeated In Every Manvantharam And In Every Creation. The Only Difference Is
    Events May Change. People In Those Posts Would Be The Same. Vasishtta, Vya:sa, Para:sara Etc, Are Actually The Posts In Which Some Blesses Souls Take Bodies And Do Some Service To The Literature For Future Genertions To Know.

    See Original Question
    Vedas are said to be “Anadhis”. And Vedhas include the Upanishad part also. But Upanishads tells so many stories which are a real occurrences. Does it mean that only after the happening of those events upanishads are written. If yes how the Vedhas can be said as “Anadhi”

    Answer:

    Vedas Are Beginning-less ( Ana:di) Only. Upanishads Also Become A Part Of Ve:da Only. The Stories We Usually Hear In Them, Will Be Repeated In Every Manvantharam And In Every Creation. The Only Difference Is Events May Change. People In Those Posts Would Be The Same. Vasishtta, Vya:sa, Para:sara Etc, Are Actually The Posts In Which Some Blesses Souls Take Bodies And Do Some Service To The Literature For Future Genertions To Know.

    Temples, deities and regulations

    Answer:

    Temple is the powerhouse where the energy of God is absorbed and is delivered through the vigraha (the divine idol). Hence it is important to go to a temple.

    Detailed Explanation:

    Though God is everywhere, we need a temple to physically feel His presence and focus on Him. A:layam, the word for temple means a place where the energy of God is absorbed. And vigraham (idol) is the one which captures the power of God and passes it to those who visit the temple. We can compare it with Lift irrigation where water is lifted through pumps and distributed. The vigraham is purified and sanctified with vedic processes. And it purifies and sanctifies anyone who comes there. That is why we call it as “vigraham” – vise:she:na gra:hayati Temple is similar to a power house. Electricity may be present in the air but it needs a system to latch it and receive the power. The one that receives the power is a:laya and the one that delivers it is vigraha.

    Answer:

    An idol becomes worshippable, when certain vedic procedures are done. Otherwise it is just a doll. Many people don’t get a chance to do the same. Moreover, only in temple can one share the joy of experiencing God with others and where everyone feels the ownership of God.

    Detailed Explanation :

    A TV newly bought won’t play all the channels until the required procedures are done. Similarly, an idol purchased becomes a worshippable vigraha, only if its sanctified with proper procedures. Many don’t get a chance to do the same and hence a temple is important. A person also gets to share the joy of experiencing God with others (be it group chanting or singing) at a temple better than in a house. In a house, one is limited by the number of people they can share the joy with, and are constrained by neighbors who might find it disturbing. In a temple, everyone feels the God is their own. At home, our ego kicks in and it becomes “my God”. In a temple, everyone can say “our God”, “our temple” and that is how it becomes a place fit for worship by everybody. There is discrimination based on caste, religion or other criteria. So, temple is very much needed as a place of worship.

    Answer:

    God does not impose any restriction as such. In order for us to receive the grace of the all- powerful force properly, we have to follow certain things. And those include sna:nam, dhya:nam and mark on the forehead which will equip us to receive His grace properly.

    Detailed Explanation :

    God has no restrictions; no rules and He is ok with anything. However, we need to follow certain things and equip ourselves to receive the grace of the all-powerful one. Sna:nam (bath), sandhya (twilight prayer), mantra (that which protects the mind), japam (meditative chanting) and dhya:nam (meditation) – all these are samska:ras for us to make us fit for receiving His grace. A doctor gives suitable medicine after conducting many checks. Eventually, the medicine prescribed by doctor might not be very costly. But to arrive at that conclusion he must go through many screenings. He is qualified and he qualifies us also with that prescription. Similarly, if one is serious about realizing God then one must equip oneself for God with certain qualities and qualifications. Snanam (bath), Dhyanam (meditation) and mark on the forehead etc are all part of it.

    Answer:

    Any powerful area that controls the lives of many people needs to be protected and only people with proper qualification can enter the same. Sanctum sanctorum contains the almighty God. Hence it is only appropriate that qualified people are allowed there.

    Detailed Explanation

    In the cockpit area of a flight only the pilots are allowed to enter. Things seem simple from outside – a few buttons and listening to instructions with a headset. Then why are there so many restrictions? The reason is that – it is a powerful area that controls many people and one requires proper qualification to enter the area. It needs a skillful person to run and protect that area. The sanctum sanctorum is the area of all-pervasive controller of the universe! When we have restrictions entering places like the cockpit area, labs in many departments how can everyone without proper qualification enter the room of the almighty perumal?

    Answer:

    When one observes so many rules for things which are pretty mundane and relatively small, we need to be even more careful with God, the all-powerful one. It is equivalent to meddling with the high-power electricity grid.

    Detailed Explanation

    A person is appointed in a chemistry lab to take care of things there, must be a qualified person with some degree in chemistry. He needs enough qualification to work out things in the lab and understand what is present. There are multiple chemicals in the lab when not handled properly can lead to destruction and cause harm. Qualification is always needed to do anything. To be with vigraha, which is the powerhouse of God, one definitely requires qualification. When one observes so many rules for things which are pretty mundane and so small, don’t we need to be even more careful with God the all-powerful one? Its equivalent to meddling with the high power electricity grid. And hence only qualified persons handle the vigraha of perumal.

    Answer:

    Water, the life-giving source helps rejuvenate the body. One engages in spiritual activity to charge the mind and it’s important to energize the body before charging the mind.

    Detailed Explanation

    Water is the life-giving source. Life gets energized with water. One may not eat for two days. However, the tiredness is replaced with energy just taking a bath. The fresh energy in the body is due to water. Bathing oneself is to energize the body before charging the mind. One goes to temple or does pooja to energize the mind and spirit. It is important to energize the body before charging the mind. This is the reason one takes a bath when one wakes up in the morning or is physically tired after doing some work. To rejuvenate the mind or spirit one can chant manthra or some sankalpa.

    Answer:

    The deity made of stone may get some defects owing to natural reasons such as heat or inadvertent physical damage. Bathing of deity using milk, honey, yogurt helps identifying these defects even by a simple lay man. This process should be done regularly to identify defects sooner than later.

    Detailed Explanation

    Thirumanjanam is done for deities (not to be mentioned as idol). It’s the process of bathing the deity with ingredients such as milk, yogurt, honey etc. The deity is made of material like stone, metal, etc. Sometimes the material may get some defects owing to natural reasons such as heat or due to some inadvertent physical damage. These may not be visible to the naked eye. Since the priests are not experts in determining these defects, there are simple procedures prescribed to identify the same. Milk, yogurt, honey are the 3 materials that help in identifying the originality and quality of the stone and also anything unnatural. The process is done while consecrating the deity initially as well. Swami quotes an example where kshi:ra agriva:sam was done for deity (soaking the deity in milk) to be consecrated in a new temple. After 12 hours it was found that the back of the head of deity developed a big hole as it was hollow and was defective. This wasn’t detectable with the naked eye as the vigraha had been covered from outside. Thirumanjanam is a simple process that even a lay man can perform and understand to identify such defects. And it needs to be performed regularly to identify defects sooner than later. It’s not appropriate to have a deity in a temple where the stone has defects as it may yield bad results.

    Answer:

    Milk, yogurt, honey and fruits used in thirumanjanam represent knowledge, faith, love and the results of our actions. Symbolically the process implies that we offer these to the Lord and we get them back purified along with His grace i.e knowledge given by Him, love and faith towards Him and results of our action to Him.

    Detailed Explanation

    Each and every religious practice uses natural methods and have a scientific reason behind it. Apart from that, these practices also have a symbolic meaning. Milk, yogurt and honey are used in Thirumanjanam of the deities. Fruits are offered to God as part of the process. Milk is the symbol for knowledge, yogurt is the symbol for faith, honey is a symbol for love and the fruits are the symbol for the results of our action. These things, which are there in every human being, are offered to God requesting him to purify them. By offering Him milk, yogurt and honey, we imply that we offer or dedicate our knowledge, faith and love to Him and through fruits offer the results of our actions (karma phala) . When we get these back, we get them back along with His grace i.e., knowledge given by Him, faith towards Him, love towards Him. Our life becomes much smoother and we can enjoy life without tensions and sorrow. Anything offered to Him gets purified and sanctified. As a result of the purification process one does not get attached to these things.

    Answer:

    The quantity of ingredients used in Thirumanjanam is not much and is used to help detect any defects in the stone. And after thirumanjanam the same is distributed to devotees and is not wasted or trashed. Rather than thinking it as a waste it should be looked as enriching the thought process of people who consume the same later.

    Detailed Explanation

    Thirumanjanam is done for two reasons, one is scientific that is necessary to identify defects in the material that the deity is made of. The other is symbolical representation of offering our love, knowledge, faith and results of our actions to Him and get it back along with His grace. In this activity the quantity of ingredients used, is not much. It is done using only recommended quantities, unless it’s a deity that is extremely large such as Sravana Belagola. And the thirumanjanam prasadam is once more distributed to devotees and not wasted or trashed. Apart from these, temples also have many schemes such as annadhanam that distributes food for the needy. Rather than looking at this as a waste, it should be looked as enriching the thought process of people who eat the same after being offered to God.

    Food

    Answer:

    Body, mind and intellect need to be in synchronization in order for a human being to be fit. Food plays an important role in keeping them synchronized and only sa:tvic food that is not ra:jasic or ta:masic in nature, helps maintain this balance.

    Detailed Explanation:

    One eats to support body, mind and intellect. These three don’t work independently. The intellect guides the mind, mind guides the body and senses. Synchronization between the three elements is required, for a human being to be physically and mentally fit. The food one consumes plays an important role for the same. Scriptures talk about ka:ya suddhi i.e the object we eat should be pure by birth (sa:tvic or good in nature) and should not be ta:masic or ra:jasic. Ta:masic foods are the one not pure by birth like garlic, onion, radish etc. There is no instrument to measure the ta:masic quantity in food and we go by the foods classified by our elders. Ra:jasic foods are those that are polluted by any deed or intention. While cooking food, if saliva or hair gets in accidentally the food is polluted with ra:jasic quality. Ta:masic and ra:jasic foods are not good for health. Food is a key element in man’s growth and its advised to consume sa:tvic food only.

    Answer:

    To avoid foods polluted by bad elements such as hair unknowingly, we offer them to God before consuming ourselves, and request Him to take care of all impurities.

    Detailed Explanation :

    One who is really serious about eating the right food, can easily avoid ta:masic food because the list of ta:masic foods is known. But ra:jasic food is difficult to avoid. While cooking there is a possibility of sweat, hair etc that can fall unknowingly. Pollution can happen at many levels – right from the procurement of vegetables and groceries, preparing the things, cooking the things, where and how its prepared, and who prepares it. And one will not have any kind of knowledge of these things. To avoid such things affecting our nature, we offer them to God and request Him to take care of all the mistakes. It the only solace we can take.

    Answer:

    When situations force us to eat food outside, pick up whatever is good, offer it to God in your mind and eat it.

    Detailed Explanation :

    Many a time, one has to travel for work or we also go to our relatives’ house who do not share the same beliefs as us and don’t believe in God. In all these cases, whatever prasa:dam is given, take that food. Using a little water, cut it and sanctify it and offer it to God

    Answer:

    Unknowingly ra:jasic quality maybe mixed with the food taken to offer to perumal. Hence its advised to cover food while carrying in open spaces

    Detailed Explanation

    One might wonder why cover the food when taking it from temple kitchen to the sanctum in temple when both are inside temple. In one of the temples, a person was carrying the prasadam on his back without covering. A bird carrying a scorpion flew past it and the venom from the scorpion landed in the food. No one observed it. Later when the prasa:dam was distributed, everyone fell sick. Ra:jasic quality can be mixed with prasa:dam unknowingly due to various reasons. Hence its advised to cover food while carrying in open spaces.

    Sri Vaishnava

    Answer:

    A Sri Vaishnava is the one who feels the presence of Lord Vishnu in every object around and also within themselves. This happens by adopting a vedic ritual known as pancha samskara. A Sri Vaishnava is one who feels the pain of others as their own and helps.

    Detailed Explanation:

    A Sri Vaishnava is one who understands the inseparable relationship with Lord Maha Vishnu. This happens not just by thought but by adopting a Vedic ritual called Pancha Samskara. A Sri Vaishnava is one who feels the presence of Lord Vishnu in every object around and also within themselves and feels the joy and pain of others and shares it with others. If one is suffering, it is not the physical form that suffers but the inner soul who is none other than Vishnu. Hence when another person is suffering its the same Vishnu who is suffering and a Sri Vaishnava feels the pain of the other person as though it is theirs and responds by trying their best to relieve the pain of the other. As Narasimha Das sang “Vaishnava janato tene kahiye peed parayi jaane re” A Vaishnav is the one who feels the pain of others as their own and helps.

    Answer:

    If one believes in the relationship with Vishnu, one can become a Vaishnav by taking pancha samska:ra recommended by Lord Vishnu Himself in the A:ga:ma:s. They are tha:pa, pundra, manthra, ya:ga and na:ma:

    Detailed Explanation :

    One can become a Vaishnava if they strongly believe the relationship with Lord Vishnu. However, a few things are recommended if we need vedic sanctity. Lord Vishnu Himself reccommended in A:gama:s that one can become a Vaishnava by taking the pancha samska:ra. There are 5 samska:ra:s recommended by Lord Vishnu Himself in the A:gama:s namely (1) tha:pa (the imprint of the conch and disc symbol on one’s shoulders. The imprint is done after heating the symbols and hence called tha:pa) (2) pundra (the tilk on the forehead representing the divine feet of the Lord) (3) manthra (Intiated with the ashta:kshara manthra) (4) ya:ga (doing service to perumal like thiru a:radhanam) (5) naama (referring oneself as servant of Swami Ramanuja).

    Answer:

    Sri Vaishnava follows the Sri Sampradaya where one worships Maha Vishnu along with Maha Lakshmi as described in the Vedas. There are certain schools of thoughts which may not worship Lakshmi along with Vishnu and to distinguish from them we prefix Sri:.

    Detailed Explanation :

    There is not much difference between the two. Both of them believe in the strong relationship with Vishnu who is the spouse of Maha Lakshmi (also known as Sri:). We don’t have two Vishnu’s, one with Maha Lakshmi and one without. Vedas when describing Vishnu, always described Hiim as the one with Maha Lakshmi. There are a few Vaishnavite schools of thoughts which do not believe in Sri: but just believe in Maha Vishnu. They worship Vishnu but do not worship Maha Lakshmi along with Vishnu. To distinguish from those schools of thought Sri: is prefixed. Sri Vaishnava is the school of thought where one follows Sri Sampradaya and it is the Ramanuja school of thought.

    Answer:

    First step to excellence for any spiritual life is to lead a normal moral life. Common things like eat the right things, do good things, talk with humility and work modestly and be a sattvik (good) personality is fundamental for leading a spiritual life

    Detailed Explanation

    Anyone should start with leading a normal moral life. That is the foundation of a spiritual life. Common things like eat the right things, do good things, talk with humility and work modestly and be a sattvik (good) personality is fundamental for leading a spiritual life. Nowadays our habits are corrupted with all sorts of food, polluted surroundings, and improper dressing. Moderation in all of this is the first step to excellence. Forego ego and do not think I did this or this is mine. Dedicate activities and result to God. Anything to be done, do it without ego but with humility and loyalty to god. Dedicating actions to God will not affect the result. It also does not mean rejecting or ignoring the people around you. The people around you are also provided by God, so that you can share things with them, teach them or learn from them. Ultimately one needs to feel the presence of God in everything.

    Answer:

    At the mind level a Sri Vaishnava should dedicate all his actions and results to God and consider God as their boss. At the physical level one should chant the guru parampara, take sri pa:da theertham, do thiru aradhanam, offer food to the Lord first and then partake it.

    Detailed Explanation

    A Sri Vaishnava needs to observe a few things both at the physical and intellectual level. . At the physical level, a Sri Vaishnava must chant the guru parampara (lineage of our acharyas), take sri pa:da theertham (the water offered to the divine feet), do thiru aradhanam to perumal, offer the cooked food to the lord first and then partake it. At the mind level a Sri Viashnava should feel that God is their boss who takes care of both the soul and body. S/heshould dedicate all their actions or activities to God be it at the start or at the finish of the activity and also dedicate the results of the activities. This internal attitude that God takes care of everything and surrendering oneself to Him is core of Sri Vaishnavism. A Sri Vaishnava should also connect everyone around them to God. These help one to feel the presence of God everywhere including within themselves . These are the basic things a Sri Vaishnava needs to cultivate

    Answer:

    “Vaisnava janato tene: kahiye je pi:d para:ye ja:ne re:” Vaishnav is the one whose heart cries, feeling the pain of others . Vaishnavism is the sect which teaches compassion.

    Answer:

    Sri Vaishnavism is about feeling the presence of God everywhere. It talks about the jiva’s relationship with God Vishnu in all respects. Visistadwaita is about knowing the concept of the universe, the inseparable relationship between the nature and souls with God – both in subtle form and in gross form. Visistadwaita is more concept oriented whereas Vaishnavism is the practical part.

    Answer:

    Sri Vaishnavism helps anyone by giving us the knowledge that all the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Lord. Whether its joy or sorrow He’s the one who enjoys and not us.

    Answer:

    The Vedas and vedic literature talks about Vaishnavism. They are our primary source texts. We can use the commentaries of our acharyas to understand the same. Apart from this, Bhagavad Gita is best recommended.

    Answer:

    Face should represent what is felt in our heart because face is the index of one’s mind. Everyone wants to be happy always, love others, be loved and feel at peace. Thiruman represents love and peace and hence joy.

    Detailed Explanation:

    People wear a variety of things on their foreheads. Sri Vaishnavas apply a red line surrounded by white lines. SOme people apply vibhuti as horizontal lines. And nowadays there are a variety of decorations for the forehead in varying colors. Face should represent what is felt in your heart because face is the index of one’s mind. Everyone wants to be happy always, love others, be loved and feel at peace. Thiruman represents love and peace and hence joy.

    Answer:

    A base with a root is drawn with white color (representing peace) in between the palce between the eyes. From there onwards, 2 white lines proceed upwards uptil where the hair touches the forehead. A red tilak representing love starts between the eyes and goes upwards as well. Peace and love results in joy .

    Detailed Explanation:

    Everyone wants to be happy and love each other in a peaceful environment. WE want peace to be the foundation and joy to progress. Colors are also important in representing these emotions.

    In thiruman, a place is identified as the beginning of this journey . The journey begins between the eyes. The reason being eyes show the external world. It’s the beginning of knowledge. White represents peace and is also the foundation for joy. So a base is drawn in between the eyes with a strong root which will not be shaken at any point of time. From there it progresses upwards on two sides uptil where the hair touches the forehead. A red tilak is drawn in the middle representing love. It also proceeds upward from the middle of the eye and is drawn uptil the point where the hair touches the forehead. The root of the base starts from a place called na:sika mu:lam which is identified as the middle point of nose as identified by scriptures.

    Answer:

    When one believes in Maha Vishnu and surrenders to his feet to get His grace, then out of love we like to keep his feet on our head. Hence thiruman is said to represent his divine feet (thiruvadi).

    Detailed Explanation:

    When one believes in Maha Vishnu and surrenders to his feet to get His grace, then out of love we like to keep his feet on our head. Ahzvars also keep singing that “I keep your feet on my head” – “thalaiyalla:l kaima:ru ille:n’. Hence thiruman is said to represent his divine feet (thiruvadi). Its not literally putting his feet on our head but out of love we symbolically do so. The white represents the divine feet of the Lord and the red represents Mahalakshmi or Sri: Hence the red powder is known as Sri: chu:rnam. Sri: is a personification of love and hence she is also called tha:ya:r or mother.

    Answer:

    Sri: Chu:rnam represents Maha Lakshmi personification of love. And the divine feet of the Lord represents peace. When these symbols represent peace and love, it can adorn the Lord’s divine face to show us that this is the way to adorn it. It’s not literally taken as Vishnu and Lakshmi pa:dam (divine feet). It’s adorned on perumals head as a symbolic representation of peace and love.

    Answer:

    “stamping” Word Is Not Good. Samasrayanam Is Taken, Out Of Faith In Sasthras And Acharyas. It Burns The Sins And Makes The Soul Pure. Later How Do We Keep It, Depends Upon Our Own Acts.

    Answer:

    Following Strict Diet Restrictions, Based Upon The Love And Concern We Have On God. As The Quality Of The Soil Depends Upon The Food Provided In It, Thus The Ability Of The Body Grows With The Food Given To It. To Grow Satwic Qualities, Satwic Food Is Very Essential. If One Does Not Follow That, It Means He Is Not Interested In Satwic Qualities And Then He Is Need Not Be Considered As A Devotee At All. Our Actions Speak Accurate About Our Thoughts, Than Our Words And Feelings. Hence Diet Also Proves About A Real Vaishnava.

    Answer:

    Doing Puja May Not Prove Vaishnavism, But It Is An Act Comes Out Automatic, Which Makes Every Activity As Puja Of Lord Only. Not Really Feeling In The Heart And Doing Puja Does Not Make Any Sense At All.

    Please Let Me Know What Is The Most Important Characteristics Other Than Mentioned Above For Being A True Vaishnavite?
    Finally A True Vaishnavite Is He Whose Heart Bleeds For Others And Feels The Relation With God In All Respects.

    Answer:

    It Is True That Mind Is So Powerful To Disturb Us Like Any Thing.

    First Of All, You Have To Allow Your Thoughts To Flow In Their Own Way. Then There Won’t Be Any Stress On Your Mind. Then The Flow Of Thoughts Should Be Channalized In The Way You Like.
    For Example, If Your Mind Is Showing Fruits, Let It Think. Take Krishna To That Place And Show Him All The Fruits Your Mind Is Carrying With It, And Tell Krishna That All Those Fruits Are For Him. Then Your Mind Gets Purified Because Of His Presence There.

    Now, Here You Did Listen Your Mind And You Will Achieve Your Focus On Krishna ( Or Your Goal Also).

    See Original Question
    I am a follower of Sri Vaishnavism. Despite leading a life of materialism for a long while, I have been blessed with the nirhetuka kripa of Emperuman and have been devoting myself to sath vishayam for 2 years now. Although I have not had the good fortune to meet you in person to get your darshan, I have always regarded you as my acharya. You have been actively promoting our sampradayam and helping to clear the doubts of many people. I am writing to you for advice regarding a problem I am facing. Lately, I have been afflicted with a number of disturbing, unwanted thoughts whenever I pray/think of Sriman Narayana. I always make it a point to meditate on the Lord or our acharyas/alwars even when I am doing some work, so that I can always feel His presence. But my peaceful contemplation is often interrupted by many unwanted thoughts, so that it becomes difficult to even contemplate on spiritual matters. I was wondering if your holiness could help me out on this issue and give some advice. Does this happen because of some past karma or something? I certainly do not like these disturbances, but they keep coming. Maybe this is what Sri Krishna was alluding to in the Gita when he said that the mind is difficult to control. Is this something that happens to many people? I feel very distressed about this. Please suggest a way for me to carry on with my bhakti to divya dampathigal and acharyas without getting these unwanted thoughts. At your lotus feet,

    Answer:

    It Is True That Mind Is So Powerful To Disturb Us Like Any Thing.

    First Of All, You Have To Allow Your Thoughts To Flow In Their Own Way. Then There Won’t Be Any Stress On Your Mind. Then The Flow Of Thoughts Should Be Channalized In The Way You Like.
    For Example, If Your Mind Is Showing Fruits, Let It Think. Take Krishna To That Place And Show Him All The Fruits Your Mind Is Carrying With It, And Tell Krishna That All Those Fruits Are For Him. Then Your Mind Gets Purified Because Of His Presence There.

    Now, Here You Did Listen Your Mind And You Will Achieve Your Focus On Krishna ( Or Your Goal Also).

    Bhakthi - Love for Lord

    Answer:

    Again In Vedas It Is Said That ” A:nanda Rasa” Is That Soul Enjoys With God, In Thaitthari:ya Sa:kha Of Yajurveda.

    Answer:

    When someone says that they love their mother, father, child or spouse it is just not the body that they love but what is inside them. However, one does not see the soul inside. Does that mean that we do not develop love for them as we are unable to see the soul inside? We do develop the love for them seeing their body. The world around us is the body of God. It is very important for us to understand this and then we feel the love automatically.

    Answer:

    God manifests all around us in the form of beautiful mountains, rivers, flowers, fruits etc . We have given the name of nature to all of these, but they are indeed the divine form of God. His divine presence is all around us. It’s for us to realize this and feel connected to God.

    Detailed Explanation :

    God manifests all around us. The blossoming flower is the smile of god. The moving clouds across sky is the divine movement of his eyes. Through the wind we experience the divine touch of God. Hearing the sweet voice of cuckoo, one feels that God is talking to us. We can see God in a dancing peacock. We experience the presence of God in the taste of a juicy sweet mango. The divine form of God has manifested itself all around, in the form of universe. However, we have given the name nature to all of these. And are disconnected from the divine supreme power. Everything in nature around us, that helps us to survive and appreciate is nothing but the presence of God. These are all the things, through which one is connected to God

    Answer:

    Nature is His divine body and we need to get connected to His inner soul. We do not love only the body of a person, but the life along with the body. That life of nature is what is known as God.

    Detailed Explanation :

    When we love a person, we love them holistically that includes their body and life. Do we continue to love the body of a person even when there is no life? It is just a cadaver then. We love the person when there is life in the body. It’s the same with God. What we see around us is the body of God. We need to get connected to the life of His form. The life inside is known as God. There is every chance for the things around, to prevent us from attaining the connection with His inner self. The Vedas talk about how to attain the inner connection with the soul of God (paramatma) and it is important for us to make the connection.

    Answer:

    We believe in God because of elderly preaching and sampradayic lineage. Trust comes from personal experience which can either happen next moment or after a few births. One has to either believe the words of elders or wait to experience themselves.

    Detailed Explanation

    One might believe, but not trust. What does it mean? A man crosses a valley between 2 cliffs on a rope with his child on his back. He is very much appreciated and spectators tell him that they believe he can repeat the feat. However, when he offers to cross the rope with the child of a spectator none is willing to give him. Though they believe him that he can cross, they do not trust him to carry their own child across. We believe in God because of elderly preaching and sampradayic lineage and also the fact that it feels good when we do so. However, for trust, it has to be personal experience which can be a lengthy process. It may happen next moment or after a few births. So, either one has to believe the words of elders or wait to experience themselves. These are the two things which will give the confidence to trust.

    Answer:

    The common understanding is that effort on activities is 50% from God and 50% from us. But our thoughts and efforts are His and sankalpa, the resolution one takes to do something is also His. Hence one should dedicate both activities and results to God.

    Detailed Explanation

    The common understanding of people regarding their activities, is that 50% is God’s effort and 50% effort is theirs. 50% from the side of ji:va:tma should also be there. Then only it becomes purushaarttha (that one as a human being wants to achieve as goal). But the effort from us is also given by Him and the thought is also given by Him. “matthaha smrithi gya:nam apo:ham cha” – so our thoughts and efforts are His and sankalpa, the resolution one takes to do something is also His. The confusion comes when one’s ego comes in and makes them think that they are the ones doing it. We are an instrument in His hands to do things. Hence one should dedicate both activities and results to God.

    Answer:

    When one understands, I belong to Him, the things I have belong to Him And my activity is a service to Him then the question of passivity does not arise . The very purpose of a person being born here is to serve Him.

    Detailed Explanation

    God has given us knowledge and tools to use the knowledge. Buddhi is intellect and the body is the tool, both of which are given by Him. The ability of the body (shari:ra) is to work and knowledge helps to synchronise those activities with the goal to achieve something. The problem arises when our ego comes in between and thinks that it is “I” who does it. It also doesn’t mean that one has to stay passive and not do anything. This is not a free pass to give up everything and stay passive. All of this is given by Him so that we can work with it for serving Him in this earth. When one understands, I belong to Him , the things I have belong to Him And my activity is a service to Him then the question of passivity does not arise . The very purpose of a person being born here is to serve Him. We are an instrument who works for Him – Just like a computer which acts under human instruction. Arjuna during the Kuruskshetra war, thought that he was waging war with his relatives and he was going to kill them. He did not realize that he was just an instrument in God’s hand to execute God’s plan. This is what the Lord clarified in Bhagavad Gita. So the question of passivity does not arise.

    Technical Questions

    Answer:

    Upanishads are hidden secrets from the Vedas. They should be learnt by people who are real seekers.

    Answer:

    Creation is a chance given to the souls to improve themselves and that chance has been provided by God due to his compassion.

    Answer:

    The 3 fundamental entities are (1) all the living entities that have consciousness, a soul (cit) (2) All that is seen called nature and also includes the inert objects (acit) 3) And the union of nature and soul happens because of another entity called God (ishwaran) – who helps the souls to get rid of their Karma. Souls have Karma with them forever and they cannot act on their own and they need help from God.

    Answer:

    All the 3 entities cit (soul) acit (nature and inert objects) and Ishwaran are permanent but there is a difference in their consistency. The entity called God, is constant in terms of form and nature. Both are constant. For the soul, the form is constant but not the nature. And for prakruti / nature – both the form and the qualities are inconsistent.

    Answer:

    Cit means an object with ‘chetana’ or knowledge. One having knowledge of his own is called Cit or soul. It is very subtle in its form and cannot be divided any further. But the knowledge that it inherits is limitless and can expand to any distance any time without any restrictions. However, when the soul is contained in a body, the expansion of the knowledge will be conditioned only to that particular body.

    Answer:

    Cit / Ji:va / Ji:va:tma are all synonymous. Every visible form present contains ji:va:tma in them. It is functional in moving entities (human beings, animals, birds etc) and non-functional in inert objects. These inert objects are what is referred to as acit

    Answer:

    In every part of the human body there are multiple cells. This is true for body of any moving entity, be it an animal, insect, bird, etc. Each cell contains a soul of its own. It implies that they have a separate ji:va:tma. Since this is a biological body, the jivatma is able to exhibit itself. However there is only one prime cell or one prime soul which is the owner. This owner adopts many other souls in the process of its growth. All the other several billions of cells serve the master soul and are subservient to the master. And as long as the owner soul is present these will function. If the owner is not there they stop functioning. In that case these subservient cells go to their original state and need to start the process of finding a body again based on their karmic journey.

    Answer:

    Yes, inert objects also contain a soul in them. Here, the ji:va cannot exhibit itself or function. The stone is formed with a specific ji:va in it and when the formation took place other ji:vas also joined. When the stone breaks, the pieces with their souls become independent on their own. There is no relationship like master servant here, as stone is an inert object and the souls need not function. The non-functional status continues in the individual pieces as well. However the soul will be carrying with it, the karmic records of its past. Depending on the records, the particular stone maybe used in a temple or devotees house or in a graveyard or in a drainage.

    Answer:

    Parama:tma (I:shwara) is the all-pervasive controller. There are objects such as sky and air which pervade but do not control. He pervades and controls in all respects and that’s why He is called Parama:tma (“parama” from paro: ma, meaning there is no one superior than Him to control). God has the qualities and abilities to control.

    Answer:

    Visishtadwaita is qualified monism. Essentially, a seed and tree are the same. Seed is the one that contains many things. Many things come out from a seed and once again they go back into a small seed. The seed is the micro version and the tree is the expanded version or macro version. Both the micro and macro versions are one and the same and contain many things in them. That is Visistadwaita. God is like seed, the micro version. Contained within him is nature and the souls. The world that is seen is His expanded form. Both God and the world are not different but the cause and effect. Both are qualified ones. Qualified means visistam.

    Answer:

    Relationship between Cit, Acit and Ishwara is like the body (Cit, Acit) and the soul (Ishwara)

    Answer:

    The universe is of a permanent nature but constantly changes forms and shapes and thus names and purpose. It is always in a state of flux.

    Answer:

    Creation and destruction of the universe are part of the recycling process in order to purify the universe. The previous form is lost to get a new form.

    Answer:

    The effect of doing good and bad things is reducing or adding the karmic records

    Answer:

    Ko: is the supreme boss and ‘il’ is his place. God is our path finder and is our boss. So the place where God stays is ko:yil.

    Answer:

    Ko: is the supreme boss and ‘il’ is his place. God is our path finder and is our boss. So the place where God stays is koyil. Ko: also means Garuda. So ko:yil also means Garuda’s place. Garuda is the representative of Ve:das. So wherever vedas stay, is also where the ve:da ve:dya (God) stays. So that place is where God stays and is ko:yil

    But now it refers to all temples. Some people worship Vishnu, some Lord Shiva, Shakti, Ambal and some other forms for other people . But whatever form is worshipped, that is the one that leads the life of those people and becomes their boss. The place where their boss stays becomes their ko:yil. The word was fundamentally only used for Vishnu temples but now it is also used for temples for other forms such as sivan koyil. Amman koyil etc.

    Answer:

    Happy for the interest you have in knowing the facts.

    Udayavar means possessor. Lord Ranganattha bestowed this title to Ramanuja Swamy when Swamy entered Srirangam. Ramanuna Swamy is the owner of this world, called Li:la: vibhu:thi, and eternal abode of God that is Nithya Vibhu:thi. Hence, Swamy became Udayavar.

    Emberuma:na:r is the title given by his own Guru Sri Go:shttipurna Swamy, otherwise called as Thiru kkottiyur Nambi. When the sacred manthra revealed to the world by Ramanuja Swamy at the cost of His own life’s risk, his guru astonished and said that you are greater than us. Em perum a:na:r.

    Swamy’s mortal body is there in the Sannidhi, which is called Udayavar Sannidhi in Srirangam temple. It is considered that the body is not just mortal, and he is also the guru to the Lord, and then it is the command of Lord Himself, they kept the body in the temple for daily worship. It is accepted for acharyas.

    Thirumanjanam is not done to the mu:la mu:thy because they apply pachchkarpuram like stuff over the body.

    See Original Question
    Question With sata sahasra pranamams to the lotus feet of HH Paramahamsa Parivrajakaacharya Sri sri sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, Asmad Gurubhyo Namah| I am in the process of reading the great history of Paramaguru Sri Ramanuja Swamy. I read that Sri Ramanuja Swamy is given the name of “Udayavar” by Sri Ranganatha Swamy, the main deity of Sri Rangam. Besides he is also “Emberumanar”. I request Sri Swamiji to enlighten me by explaining the meanings of these two names. I may kindly be excused if had posed afoolish question. In the process of knowing the meaning of Udayavar, I came across an article stating that the mortal body of Paramaguru Sri Ramanuja Swamy is preserved in sitting posture in the temple precinct of Sri Rangam. And Udayavar Sannadhi is constructed over it. Many of the Vaishnavites do not know about it. And Tirumanjanam for the idol is not performed there for Udayavar’s deity idol. Is that true. Is that not a sin to keep a mortal body in the temple precinct. Please clarify my doubts Swamijee. Asmad Gurubhyo Namah.

    Answer:

    Happy for the interest you have in knowing the facts.

    Udayavar means possessor. Lord Ranganattha bestowed this title to Ramanuja Swamy when Swamy entered Srirangam. Ramanuna Swamy is the owner of this world, called Li:la: vibhu:thi, and eternal abode of God that is Nithya Vibhu:thi. Hence, Swamy became Udayavar.

    Emberuma:na:r is the title given by his own Guru Sri Go:shttipurna Swamy, otherwise called as Thiru kkottiyur Nambi. When the sacred manthra revealed to the world by Ramanuja Swamy at the cost of His own life’s risk, his guru astonished and said that you are greater than us. Em perum a:na:r.

    Swamy’s mortal body is there in the Sannidhi, which is called Udayavar Sannidhi in Srirangam temple. It is considered that the body is not just mortal, and he is also the guru to the Lord, and then it is the command of Lord Himself, they kept the body in the temple for daily worship. It is accepted for acharyas.

    Thirumanjanam is not done to the mu:la mu:thy because they apply pachchkarpuram like stuff over the body.

    Answer:

    Anything Chanted In Praise Of God Should Be Offered To The Lord Ultimate, Sriman Narayana Only, In Vedic Sampradayam. Because The Lord Of Goddess Lakshmi & Bhudevi, Is The Supreme Purusha, Who Is The Origin Of This Entire Universe. (He Is Sahasra Si:rsha: Purushaha And Hri:scha The: Lakshmi:scha Pathnyau) Hence,
    All The People Believe And Follow Vedas Should Say At The End “sri:man Na:ra:yana:ye:thi Samarpaya:mi”.

    We Cannot Understand The Nature Of That Na:ra:yana. That Na:ra:yana Himself Took Incarnation A Lot And Appeared On This Planet Earth To Save The Souls. Last One Among Them Was Lord Sri Krishna. During That Incarnation, In His Great Divine Song Bhagavad Githa He Said “offer Everything To Me. I See That It Reaches
    Proper Destination” ( Thath Kurushwa Madarpanam ). Offer Something, Not Only To Him, But To Anyone You Offer Anything, Through Krishna, It Safely Reaches The End, Without Any Cuts And Discounts.

    That Is The Reason Everybody Has To Dedicate Anything Saying ‘sarvam Sri:krishna:rpanam Ashtu’.

    Though Na:ra:yana & Srikrishna Are One And The Same, Yet, Na:ra:yana Is The River And Krishna Is The Decorated Shore. You Need To Enter The River Through A Shore Only, Right! By Saying These Two Sentences, You Are Recognizing That The River And The Shore Are Not Separate.

    See Original Question
    Jai srimannarayana! please accept my humble obeisances. for the past couple of years I am observing one thing . after the end of every ritual why they are saying NARAYANA SAMARPAYAMI after that the priest is saying SARVAM SREE KRISHNA RPANAM MASTU. recently I heard the same after the LOKA SANTHI YAGNAM in pittsburgh. Also once during RAMANAVAMI celebrations after reading SUNDARAKANDA, the priest said NARAYANA SAMARPAYAMI after that the priest said SARVAM SREE KRISHNA ARPANAM MASTU . Also recently when we performed satyanarayana puja I heard the same. once you said Krishna is Narayana Himself (an ncarnation of Narayana) why the priest says NARAYANA SAMARPAYAMI after that the priest is saying SARVAM SREE KRISHNAARPANAM MASTU . If “Krishna is Narayana himself ” the priest can only say NARAYANA SAMARPAYAMI . If both are same why here we are referring to two different personalities?

    Answer:

    Anything Chanted In Praise Of God Should Be Offered To The Lord Ultimate, Sriman Narayana Only, In Vedic Sampradayam. Because The Lord Of Goddess Lakshmi & Bhudevi, Is The Supreme Purusha, Who Is The Origin Of This Entire Universe. (He Is Sahasra Si:rsha: Purushaha And Hri:scha The: Lakshmi:scha Pathnyau) Hence,
    All The People Believe And Follow Vedas Should Say At The End “sri:man Na:ra:yana:ye:thi Samarpaya:mi”.

    We Cannot Understand The Nature Of That Na:ra:yana. That Na:ra:yana Himself Took Incarnation A Lot And Appeared On This Planet Earth To Save The Souls. Last One Among Them Was Lord Sri Krishna. During That Incarnation, In His Great Divine Song Bhagavad Githa He Said “offer Everything To Me. I See That It Reaches
    Proper Destination” ( Thath Kurushwa Madarpanam ). Offer Something, Not Only To Him, But To Anyone You Offer Anything, Through Krishna, It Safely Reaches The End, Without Any Cuts And Discounts.

    That Is The Reason Everybody Has To Dedicate Anything Saying ‘sarvam Sri:krishna:rpanam Ashtu’.

    Though Na:ra:yana & Srikrishna Are One And The Same, Yet, Na:ra:yana Is The River And Krishna Is The Decorated Shore. You Need To Enter The River Through A Shore Only, Right! By Saying These Two Sentences, You Are Recognizing That The River And The Shore Are Not Separate.

    Answer:

    Meaning of the word ‘adiyen’ ….  In tamil ‘adi’ is foot. ‘yen’ means ‘ I ‘. Hence, ‘I am your foot’  if we say in telugu it is like ‘mee pada dhu:li’ something like that.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!

    The Description You Have Seen, Must Be From Iscon Books. They Feel That Krishna Is The Origin To All The Incarnations. From Him Only Everything Came. We Accept It Though, For Lord Krishna Is None Else Than Lord Narayana Himself, Yet, He Is Only One Avatha:ra Among Many. That Has Been Very Clearly Described In Srimad
    Bhagavatham. The Difference Is, In Other Avatha:ras, Lord Chose Only A Few Qualities For His Activities, Whereas In Krishna Avatha:ra, He Appeared With Many Of His Divine Qualities. And Also, The Qualities Of All Avatha:ras Are Seen There. That Is Why, Krishna Avatha:ra Is Considered To Be The “paripu:rna Avatha:ra”.

    The Lord Supreme Is No Doubt Named After ‘va:sude:va’ Also. There Are Many Other Names In Thousands To The Lord Supreme. According To Vedas The Name Given To Him Is ‘sriman Narayana’ Or ‘vishnu’ Or ‘paramam Padam’

    The Name ‘va:sude:va’ Given To Krishna Because He Is The Son Of ‘vasude:va’.
    Lord Supreme, Having The Name As ‘va:sude:va’ Is Very Meaningful And Also Fixed On Him. Vas=exists, Div=shines. One Who Exists Everywhere And Effulgent, In Other Words, Omni-present With His Grace Is ‘va:sude:va’. This Name Is Also Seen With 1)the Lord In His Primery Abode, The Paramapadam, & 2)the First One Among
    The Four Planning Abodes, The Four Vyu:has.

    Paramapadam, Vyu:ham And Krishna Avatha:ra, All These 3 Are Vyaktha Ru:pas Of Va:sude:va, I.e., Forms That Are Visible. But The Name ‘va:sude:va’ The All Pervasive, Ever Effulgent Is There With The Form Of The Lord That Cannot Be Seen By Anybody ‘avyaktha’. This Form Also Was Shown To Arjuna In Him Viswa Ru:pa
    Sandarsana In 11 Th Chapter Of Bhagavad Githa. No Beginning Nor Ending To That Form.

    That Name, If At All Given To The Supreme Should Be Like ‘na:ra:yana’. That Is What Mentioned In Pura:nas And Upanishads.

    See Original Question
    Dear all, I heard vasudeva is supreme of all demi gods. Is vasudeva lord krishna?. I heard for each loka there will be three Vishnus, for all these vishnus, krishna is the origin,is it correct ? please give me detailed description. “dhanyavad” in advance.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!

    The Description You Have Seen, Must Be From Iscon Books. They Feel That Krishna Is The Origin To All The Incarnations. From Him Only Everything Came. We Accept It Though, For Lord Krishna Is None Else Than Lord Narayana Himself, Yet, He Is Only One Avatha:ra Among Many. That Has Been Very Clearly Described In Srimad
    Bhagavatham. The Difference Is, In Other Avatha:ras, Lord Chose Only A Few Qualities For His Activities, Whereas In Krishna Avatha:ra, He Appeared With Many Of His Divine Qualities. And Also, The Qualities Of All Avatha:ras Are Seen There. That Is Why, Krishna Avatha:ra Is Considered To Be The “paripu:rna Avatha:ra”.

    The Lord Supreme Is No Doubt Named After ‘va:sude:va’ Also. There Are Many Other Names In Thousands To The Lord Supreme. According To Vedas The Name Given To Him Is ‘sriman Narayana’ Or ‘vishnu’ Or ‘paramam Padam’

    The Name ‘va:sude:va’ Given To Krishna Because He Is The Son Of ‘vasude:va’.
    Lord Supreme, Having The Name As ‘va:sude:va’ Is Very Meaningful And Also Fixed On Him. Vas=exists, Div=shines. One Who Exists Everywhere And Effulgent, In Other Words, Omni-present With His Grace Is ‘va:sude:va’. This Name Is Also Seen With 1)the Lord In His Primery Abode, The Paramapadam, & 2)the First One Among
    The Four Planning Abodes, The Four Vyu:has.

    Paramapadam, Vyu:ham And Krishna Avatha:ra, All These 3 Are Vyaktha Ru:pas Of Va:sude:va, I.e., Forms That Are Visible. But The Name ‘va:sude:va’ The All Pervasive, Ever Effulgent Is There With The Form Of The Lord That Cannot Be Seen By Anybody ‘avyaktha’. This Form Also Was Shown To Arjuna In Him Viswa Ru:pa
    Sandarsana In 11 Th Chapter Of Bhagavad Githa. No Beginning Nor Ending To That Form.

    That Name, If At All Given To The Supreme Should Be Like ‘na:ra:yana’. That Is What Mentioned In Pura:nas And Upanishads.

    Answer:

    It Looks That You Have Messed Up The Things And Got Confused. The Word”ahanka:ram” Has Somany Meanings. 1. Ego, 2.manas (Mind), 3. Thinking That The Body And The Soul Are One, 4. An Element That Becomes The Origin To This
    Universe, Which Takes 3 Forms And Named After I)sa:twic Ahanka:ram, Ii)ra:jasa Ahanka:ram & Iii) Tha:masa Ahanka:ram. Among These 3, All The Sensory & Vital Organs + Manas Will Emerge From Sa:twic Ahanka:ram. All The 5 Elements With Their Qualities(Pancha Bhuthas) Will Emenate From Tha:masa Ahanka:ram. The
    Ra:jasa Ahanka:ram Will Help These Two Ahanka:ras, In Bringing Out Their Details.

    Of The 4 Ahanka:ras 1 & 3 Are Feelings. 2 & 4 Are Elements (Dravyas). You Got Confused With 1 & 4. Sri Pillai Lo:ka:charya, Revealed All These Details In His Work ‘thatwa Thrayam’. He Got The Information Not From The Divya Prabandhams. Prabandhams Give Information About Few Things Only. Pura:nams Give These Details.

    2. Who Told That Guha Offered Non-veg Food To Rama? In Valmiki Ra:ma:yanam It Is Very Clear That Guha Offered Only Vegitarian Foods Like Honey, Fruits Etc. Much Description Is Not Necessary, We Feel.

    See Original Question
    Mangala:sha:sanams to Swamiji. Does the term sa:ttvika ahanka:ram exist ? If so what exactly it means? It has it been unanimously used by our a:zhvars (in divya prabandham) and our purvacharyas. As per the Divine thought of sri pillai lo:ka:charya, bha:gavata sheshatvam(which is the height of bhagavad sheshatvam)lies in the “nama:”. sri Azhagiya Manava:la peruma:l na:yana:r also in Acharya Hrdayam(when expressing Alwar’s thiru ullam)derides ahanka:ram and mamaka:ram. So, how can sa:ttvikam(which is goodness)go with ahanka:ram (which destroys the swarupam of the a:tma)? On a different note, going by the words of the ‘unparalleled’ sri pillai lo:ka:charya, adiyEn is convinced that guhapperuma:l is a SV. guhapperumal (being a hunter,probably could not offer anythingelse)offered non-veg to perumal. The Lord says in the BG(9.26) that He accepts ‘patram pushpam phalam toyam’ the devotee offers with bhakti. Sri lo:ka:ca:rya says ‘pa:pam or punyam lies in His eyes as He is the Judge(and we don’t have any right to judge anyone)’. Because of the vatsalyam quality(just as the mother cow licks the wounds on its calf and removes all the dirt), the Lord even considers our dosham as bhogyam(our existence itself is for His pleasure only). With respect to, guha offering non-veg to perumal, how to explain this subtleness (food intake on oneside and conduct(SV) on the other side) to a person, say, who considers non-veg eaters as sinners.

    Answer:

    It Looks That You Have Messed Up The Things And Got Confused. The Word”ahanka:ram” Has Somany Meanings. 1. Ego, 2.manas (Mind), 3. Thinking That The Body And The Soul Are One, 4. An Element That Becomes The Origin To This
    Universe, Which Takes 3 Forms And Named After I)sa:twic Ahanka:ram, Ii)ra:jasa Ahanka:ram & Iii) Tha:masa Ahanka:ram. Among These 3, All The Sensory & Vital Organs + Manas Will Emerge From Sa:twic Ahanka:ram. All The 5 Elements With Their Qualities(Pancha Bhuthas) Will Emenate From Tha:masa Ahanka:ram. The
    Ra:jasa Ahanka:ram Will Help These Two Ahanka:ras, In Bringing Out Their Details.

    Of The 4 Ahanka:ras 1 & 3 Are Feelings. 2 & 4 Are Elements (Dravyas). You Got Confused With 1 & 4. Sri Pillai Lo:ka:charya, Revealed All These Details In His Work ‘thatwa Thrayam’. He Got The Information Not From The Divya Prabandhams. Prabandhams Give Information About Few Things Only. Pura:nams Give These Details.

    2. Who Told That Guha Offered Non-veg Food To Rama? In Valmiki Ra:ma:yanam It Is Very Clear That Guha Offered Only Vegitarian Foods Like Honey, Fruits Etc. Much Description Is Not Necessary, We Feel.

    Karma

    Answer:

    Karma is the record of each and every one of the activities done by the soul. Karma cannot be tampered with. It is like the black box in flight which keeps recording but does not get destroyed.

    Answer:

    The soul in acit will be getting rid of karma. Adding comes when one feels and if that doesn’t happen, karma is not added. It is the thought process that makes the karma to be added or recorded. If one is free form ego, karma is not added. So, in an inert object form, there are no feelings or ego, hence karma is not added. There is no creation of new karma in acit, but reduction of past karma happens.

    Answer:

    The living cells inside moving entities like humans cannot think for themselves. But they do experience karma and hence they joined the main body. When the owner soul does good, then good karma is added to their account and when the owner experiences bad, their bad karma is reduced.

    Answer:

    The effect of karma cannot be nullified by anyone. No one can meddle with karma or tamper with it. God has the ability to transfer the karma. When He decides to take a person to his abode, God transfers the good karma to the people who liked this person and the bad karma to the people who did not like this person. Once the soul is thus rid of all the karma, God takes the person to His abode. The person who is liberated does not have their karma disappear. Someone else has to experience. There is no question of nullification of karma.

    Answer:

    There are trillions and zillions of soul, basically countless ad such a situation will never arise.

    Answer:

    A soul lives forever means that a soul can never be destroyed. In order to destroy something, you have to be able to enter the object. A soul is so small and subtle that there is nothing that can enter it and hence it cannot be destructed. However, perumal can enter it but he enters in a different way in the form of energy. Since the soul cannot be destroyed, it lives forever.

    Answer:

    We call something as death when the current body is left behind. So, soul has no body at all. so Thus, there is no question of death to the soul.

    Answer:

    You Must Have Mistaken My Friend, In Understanding The Karma Theory. Karma, Is One’s Own Responsibility, Ordained By God, Comes By Birth. Whatever The Work Assigned, Should Be Done Without Any Trace Of Hesitation, Dedicating The Results To God. That Becomes Kainkaryam, If Executed With Love. Fishing To The Recent Tsunami Victims, Killing The Inner Bacteria To A Doctor, Offering Flowers To God By A Priest Etc.,are All Carry The Same Weight. Many Duties Are Like This. If One Is Suffering From Any Problem, Duty Of A Person
    With Heart, Is To Help. This Is Just Humanity. If One Is Charitable, Helping Without Any Expectation, Will Be The Primary Duty, Let Other May Be Anyone. This Is Charity.

    Now, You Can Imagine, The Duty Of A Religious Or A Spiritual Person, For, His Plane Is Heigher Than The Above, His Heart Mealts If Something Goes Wrong.
    Now, When You Are Attached To The Result, Then There Is No Point In Putting Your Efforts, All That You Try To Find Out Who Is Smart In Bringing You The Medal, Rank Etc., If Not Available From The Open Market. A Spiritual Man Won’t Do That. He Never Expects Nor Demands For Temporary Results.

    Fisher Men Are The Karma Yogis. They Did Not Demand For Anything. World Started Helping Them On Humanitarion Grounds, You And Me Do This With The Spiritual Mind, Dedicating To God.

    See Original Question
    Jai Sriman Narayana, Dear Swamiji, My pranams to you. I have a question about charity, please forgive me if it is in appropriate. I heard according to vedic law of karma we have to bear the results of our actions including the charity we give and hence charity must be given in the name of God to brahmanas. So when we try to help tsunami hit fishermen by providing boats to them, don’t we incur the results of their action which is killing of the fish in the sea? How should I understand this contradiction?

    Answer:

    You Must Have Mistaken My Friend, In Understanding The Karma Theory. Karma, Is One’s Own Responsibility, Ordained By God, Comes By Birth. Whatever The Work Assigned, Should Be Done Without Any Trace Of Hesitation, Dedicating The Results To God. That Becomes Kainkaryam, If Executed With Love. Fishing To The Recent Tsunami Victims, Killing The Inner Bacteria To A Doctor, Offering Flowers To God By A Priest Etc.,are All Carry The Same Weight. Many Duties Are Like This. If One Is Suffering From Any Problem, Duty Of A Person
    With Heart, Is To Help. This Is Just Humanity. If One Is Charitable, Helping Without Any Expectation, Will Be The Primary Duty, Let Other May Be Anyone. This Is Charity.

    Now, You Can Imagine, The Duty Of A Religious Or A Spiritual Person, For, His Plane Is Heigher Than The Above, His Heart Mealts If Something Goes Wrong.
    Now, When You Are Attached To The Result, Then There Is No Point In Putting Your Efforts, All That You Try To Find Out Who Is Smart In Bringing You The Medal, Rank Etc., If Not Available From The Open Market. A Spiritual Man Won’t Do That. He Never Expects Nor Demands For Temporary Results.

    Fisher Men Are The Karma Yogis. They Did Not Demand For Anything. World Started Helping Them On Humanitarion Grounds, You And Me Do This With The Spiritual Mind, Dedicating To God.

    Scriptures, Alwars, and Acharyas

    Answer:

    Bhagavad Gita is a message of God for us, to apply and to put it in action.

    Answer:

    Azhvars are chosen souls of God who dive deep into the ocean of qualities of God. They explained that experience to us, to the world in the form of verses and poems.

    Answer:

    Divya Prabhandam is the outpouring of azhvars as a result of their great experience with God

    Answer:

    Following the Acharya verdict is the only way we have to act. Bhagvad Ramananujacharya said that do service to Lord Narayana, And Narayana is all pervasive. That means the whole world is His divine Form. You always serve anyone through ones’ body only. If so, you need to serve Lord Narayana also through His Body that is the world. In that world wherever there is need that is to which you need to offer service as His Service. That is real a:ra:dhana. That is real da:sya of Narayana. That is what our acharyas did and we also do follow them. ” Talking superficial words and not knowing properly is the way of pitiable persons ”

    Discovering the path

    Answer:

    A true acharya is the one who brings knowledge and practice together. One need not go in search of the right acharya. The right acharya comes to one when there is a need and when it is the right time as per wish of the God.

    Detailed Answer :

    One need not go in search of the right Acharya or teacher. The right acharya comes to one, when there is a need and when it is the right time. Knowledge cannot be measured or seen. The recommendation given by scriptures is to observe the practices of a person and infer the knowledge a person possesses. One who brings knowledge and practice together is the true acharya and to achieve that is very difficult.

    Answer:

    Each school of thought is a parameter to understand the different facets of the ultimate reality called as God. They don’t show everything about God but focus on one specific thing. Understanding them helps us in our life and how to deal with people.

    Detailed Answer :

    The different schools of thought are present for us to understand the different facets of reality. Each school of thought is a facet of the reality. An object can be looked at from multiple ways. Take the example of an apple. Are the apple and colour of the apple the same? Are the apple-skin and apple the same? Are the apple-taste and apple the same? Looking at the formation and shape of the apple, helps in drawing the picture of the apple. Understanding the nature of the fruit helps you in developing what condition it is useful for. Each different parameter helps us in understanding the object differently. Similarly, each school of thought is a parameter in understanding about the ultimate reality that we call as God. They don’t show everything about the particular goal but they focus on one specific aspect. Knowing about these philosophies will help one in life and how to deal with people as well. So, it is for our good to understand these schools of thought.

    Answer:

    Understanding concepts to whatever extent possible in different schools of thoughts is good enough. One need not understand all philosophies in entirety. High level understanding itself will help us in our growth and our good.

    Detailed Answer :

    One need not understand everything present in every school of thought. If one understands whatever is possible that is good enough. Taking the example of the apple again, is it necessary for one to know about everything – which garden was it grown, what fertiliser was used, how many insects were killed, in what vehicle was the fruit brought to the shop, who brought the fruit to the shop etc. One needs to understand only that information, which is necessary for them. It is a good thing if one understands whatever is required. Hence understanding the concepts in the various schools of thought to whatever extent possible, will help us in our growth and our good.

    Answer:

    Our purpose on the earth is to discover the truth about ourselves and to love everything and not hate everything.

    Answer:

    We end up doing bad things because of weakness. We know that movie watching is bad to eyes but the weakness in us, makes us watch. We know that drinking coffee is bad, but we cannot stop it. Though we know many things are bad, we do it because of our weakness, thinking that they need to be enjoyed.

    Answer:

    We chant slokas to show our gratitude to God. Slokas are nothing but a prayer. The purpose of a prayer is to make ourselves strong.

    Answer:

    Sloka doesn’t help us when we recite it mechanically and are not remembering the real meaning of prayer.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!

    The World Is Such A Great Thing, Which Can Drag Any Person, No Matter Whosoever He May Be. When One Is In This World, Should Go Along With The Things Available. All That You Need To Relate Them To Your Lord,as They Are Provided By
    Him And See How Best You Can Relate Them To Him. But While Doing So, You Must Select Possibly Good Things. Then Try To Feel The Presence Of Your Lord Always Within You And Taking Care Of You Always. If You Are Not Detached Mentally With
    Him, That Is Enough For Him To Bring You Up, From Wherever You Are.
    Try And Try Again To Feel Him. Ok!

    See Original Question
    Swamiji, Namaste! myself am a devotee of lord hanuman. i have been deeply influenced by the life and sayings of sri sramakrishna , but i treat him only as my guru. i cry for my lord quite a number of times , but i am still very much influenced by the external world . i have not yet got over my tamasic nature ! what is the way for me ? will i have to stay engrossed in this world ? am i ever going to get over my lower nature and proceed unrestricted towards the lord of my heart ? please suggeest . urs with deep regards

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!

    The World Is Such A Great Thing, Which Can Drag Any Person, No Matter Whosoever He May Be. When One Is In This World, Should Go Along With The Things Available. All That You Need To Relate Them To Your Lord,as They Are Provided By
    Him And See How Best You Can Relate Them To Him. But While Doing So, You Must Select Possibly Good Things. Then Try To Feel The Presence Of Your Lord Always Within You And Taking Care Of You Always. If You Are Not Detached Mentally With
    Him, That Is Enough For Him To Bring You Up, From Wherever You Are.
    Try And Try Again To Feel Him. Ok!

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Who said vedic knowledge could not be obtained by women and non-brahmins? One whoever is interested can get the vedic essence. The restriction is only to chant vedic manthras from the beginning to end. Because they involved with
    intonation ie. Swaras. Manthra will not add any stress on the uterus of women. That is very un-scientific. As other wont perform Sandhyavandhan three time a day, they asked not to chant the manthras from ve:das. but they can always learn
    the meaning and other details of the vedas and practise them. Smruthis are valied for all the ages. But howmuch you need to take from each, that is what one needs to understand. Every Smruthy has its own relevance.

    See Original Question
    Dear Sri Ramanuja Jeeyar, Salutations to swamiji. Many people misinterpret “why women and sudras were not privileged to learn vedas”. Being a reseach student I can understand that vedic chantings would put stress on women’s uterus. What about women and sudra learning spiritual knowledge/ j~nana kAnda? Is it a must that one has to first learn purvam mimAmsa and then only uttara mimAmsa? Is it for this reason women were not allowed? What about the fourth varna/men? Are manu and yagnavalkya smrthis valid even now? I have read(don’t know how authentic the author and the contents)that yagnavalkya smrthi says “women should never be independent”. I humbly request HH to dispel my ignorance and shower his and Emperumanar’s grace on this alpa Jiva:tma.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Who said vedic knowledge could not be obtained by women and non-brahmins? One whoever is interested can get the vedic essence. The restriction is only to chant vedic manthras from the beginning to end. Because they involved with
    intonation ie. Swaras. Manthra will not add any stress on the uterus of women. That is very un-scientific. As other wont perform Sandhyavandhan three time a day, they asked not to chant the manthras from ve:das. but they can always learn
    the meaning and other details of the vedas and practise them. Smruthis are valied for all the ages. But howmuch you need to take from each, that is what one needs to understand. Every Smruthy has its own relevance.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana! Listening 24 hours to devotional songs etc., is no doubt good. But the body never permits one to do so, because it has so many other things to do. If ignored the person will be thrown out by the society. And the karma also will not allow one to do so. Do it for some time and be able to attend all other activities as service to God only.
    See Original Question
    Jai SrimanNarayana! Pujya Chinna Jeeyar, Namskarams. Why can one person not immerse in one particular activity like listening to divine music, read divine scriptures or articles, listen movies songs, etc. 24 hours a day? I ask this question because, I can listen to devotional music for a few hours, after that I get bored and I would like to listen to some movie songs…Is this right? I presume it is possible to be immersed in devotional music and reading devotional literature for some people why not everybody? Is it alright to find momentary hapiness in something like a movie song, listening to or watching sports event? Saranam.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!

    Listening 24 hours to devotional songs etc., is no doubt good. But the body never permits one to do so, because it has so many other things to do. If ignored the person will be thrown out by the society. And the karma also will not allow one to do so. Do it for some time and be able to attend all other activities as service to God only.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    God Gave You Everything You Deserve, Right! Peace, Energy Or Enjoyment Etc., Will Not Rest In The Things That Are Available Or In The Subject We Learn. It Dwells, In The Mind As And How We Receive Things Around And Within Ourselves.

    “receiving And Interpreting Them” Are Very Important Things. Even If You Go To A Village And Learn Prabandhas, Start Chanting… Even Then Also That Chanting May Become Mechanical Afte Some Time. You May See Many People Chanting Vedas And Prabandham, Like That. So Learning Subjects Is One Part. Starting Receiving
    Things In A Positive Way Is Main Part Of The Whole.

    For Example, If You Think That Job Is Yours, Then You May Feel Bored To Do That. If You Either Feel It Duty For Your Survival, Then You Do It As A Burden. If You Think That It Is A Way To Serve God, Through Your Office, Custemer, Dealer Or Boss, Instruments Like Paper & Pen & Machines Etc., Then You Love Every Movement, For You Are With God And Serving Him Only. All That We Chant Manthras, Prabandhas Or Pujas Etc., Should Allow Us To Feel This. Then Only They, We Can Say, Are Being Utilized Well. Otherwise, It Is Only Spending Energies On
    Something. You May Try This For Some Time And Get Back To Us. Ok!!

    See Original Question
    Subject: Emptiness in life… Requesting help… Dear Bhagavathas, I am working as a software engineer for the past 7 years. I am married and living, in Chennai, with my parents and wife. For the past three years or so, I feel a very high longing or emptiness (whether in india or foreign countries), as if I am missing something. My job doesn’t appeal to me any more. I am feeling like a robot who is wasting his life by doing mechanical chores. I want to leave my job, go to some calm, peaceful village and start learning divya prabhandham and work in a temple. Could you, kindly, guide me how I should go about it or where I should go for the same? Please let me know. Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan, Vijayaraghavan Rangachari

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    God Gave You Everything You Deserve, Right! Peace, Energy Or Enjoyment Etc., Will Not Rest In The Things That Are Available Or In The Subject We Learn. It Dwells, In The Mind As And How We Receive Things Around And Within Ourselves.

    “receiving And Interpreting Them” Are Very Important Things. Even If You Go To A Village And Learn Prabandhas, Start Chanting… Even Then Also That Chanting May Become Mechanical Afte Some Time. You May See Many People Chanting Vedas And Prabandham, Like That. So Learning Subjects Is One Part. Starting Receiving
    Things In A Positive Way Is Main Part Of The Whole.

    For Example, If You Think That Job Is Yours, Then You May Feel Bored To Do That. If You Either Feel It Duty For Your Survival, Then You Do It As A Burden. If You Think That It Is A Way To Serve God, Through Your Office, Custemer, Dealer Or Boss, Instruments Like Paper & Pen & Machines Etc., Then You Love Every Movement, For You Are With God And Serving Him Only. All That We Chant Manthras, Prabandhas Or Pujas Etc., Should Allow Us To Feel This. Then Only They, We Can Say, Are Being Utilized Well. Otherwise, It Is Only Spending Energies On
    Something. You May Try This For Some Time And Get Back To Us. Ok!!

    Rituals and Special Days

    Answer:

    1. All months are holier in their own way. Each has some important event, so it is not appropriate to discriminate. Yet, Chaitram is good because it is the beginning of all the months, whereas Margashirsha is better because all the crops are ready to be enjoyed. So on and so forth.

    2. Again, each of the Ekadasis has its own merit. Yet, Vaikuntha Ekadasi is better to observe, at least if not all.

    3. One needs to do the regular Sandhya and Puja, take Theerthams. Offering uncooked food like fruits, etc., is good. Or else, offer some preparation with sweet and flour using things other than rice and offer them to the Lord. Using salt is also not good on Ekadasi. Then take Prasadam as little as possible, or reduce to the extent possible on that day.

    See Original Question
    1 ) I a spiritually inclined person, I want to know which masa(Month) is the holiest. Because in each purana different months are described as holiest. 2 ) Ekadasi fasting is must, but by performing which ekadasi fast do we get the merit of fasting on all other ekadasi days (i.e best ekadasi), since it is very difficult to perform fast on all ekadasi days. Further what is the procedure of observing the fast i,e which are the foods that are permitted to be taken excepting Rice(Annam). I would be happy if the benign swamyji can answer these questions.

    Answer:

    1. All months are holier in their own way. Each has some important event, so it is not appropriate to discriminate. Yet, Chaitram is good because it is the beginning of all the months, whereas Margashirsha is better because all the crops are ready to be enjoyed. So on and so forth.

    2. Again, each of the Ekadasis has its own merit. Yet, Vaikuntha Ekadasi is better to observe, at least if not all.

    3. One needs to do the regular Sandhya and Puja, take Theerthams. Offering uncooked food like fruits, etc., is good. Or else, offer some preparation with sweet and flour using things other than rice and offer them to the Lord. Using salt is also not good on Ekadasi. Then take Prasadam as little as possible, or reduce to the extent possible on that day.

    Answer:

    Sri Rama is a Chakravarthi, a ruler. A ruler’s duty does not begin and end at a specific point in a day. His primary responsibility is to ensure every person is happy under his rule at all times. Even a single penny taken away from a hundred disqualifies it from being hundred. Therefore, he could not disregard the disapproval of even one person.

    Swasukha: nirabhila:shaha – If everyone is happy when Sitha lives separately from Rama, then it is better that they both sacrifice their happiness for the sake of everyone else. This is what Sri Rama believed in.

    However, there is a hidden and agreed reasoning behind why Sri Rama’s decision in this regard is fair.

    When Rama had to go to forests for 14 years to abide by the decision of his father, everyone in the kingdom followed him through the journey for an entire day. Rama had begun his journey early hours next day without telling all his followers because he had to make sure everyone lives their life as usual. However when Sitha Devi was let go to the forests, no-one questioned, disagreed or asked him to bring her back – including the ministers and sages. This shows that a lot of people were okay with Rama’s decision. In such a case, Rama had to sacrifice his happiness. Sri Rama and Sitha Devi are therefore considered our ultimate saviours because they think and act for the happiness of all of us than for themselves. Sitha Devi is always happy to support Rama for ensuring he succeeds as a ruler. Also, Rama left her under divine guidance and shade of a great sage, Valmiki. It is important to go through the root scripture, Valmiki Ramayana to understand the reasoning and secrets rather than depend on other sources. Let all the rulers learn the good deed of working to the benefit of everyone in their jurisdictions.

    See Original Question
    We look up to Sri Rama as an ideal human being and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Why did HE send Sitha Devi into the forests when she was pregnant, a woman who believed in HIM to take care of her for her entire life? Is it fair that he reacts so much to a mere comment from a single person in his kingdom? Is it fair that Sri Rama sent Sitha Devi away into forests?

    Answer:

    Sri Rama is a Chakravarthi, a ruler. A ruler’s duty does not begin and end at a specific point in a day. His primary responsibility is to ensure every person is happy under his rule at all times. Even a single penny taken away from a hundred disqualifies it from being hundred. Therefore, he could not disregard the disapproval of even one person.

    Swasukha: nirabhila:shaha – If everyone is happy when Sitha lives separately from Rama, then it is better that they both sacrifice their happiness for the sake of everyone else. This is what Sri Rama believed in.

    However, there is a hidden and agreed reasoning behind why Sri Rama’s decision in this regard is fair.

    When Rama had to go to forests for 14 years to abide by the decision of his father, everyone in the kingdom followed him through the journey for an entire day. Rama had begun his journey early hours next day without telling all his followers because he had to make sure everyone lives their life as usual. However when Sitha Devi was let go to the forests, no-one questioned, disagreed or asked him to bring her back – including the ministers and sages. This shows that a lot of people were okay with Rama’s decision. In such a case, Rama had to sacrifice his happiness. Sri Rama and Sitha Devi are therefore considered our ultimate saviours because they think and act for the happiness of all of us than for themselves. Sitha Devi is always happy to support Rama for ensuring he succeeds as a ruler. Also, Rama left her under divine guidance and shade of a great sage, Valmiki. It is important to go through the root scripture, Valmiki Ramayana to understand the reasoning and secrets rather than depend on other sources. Let all the rulers learn the good deed of working to the benefit of everyone in their jurisdictions.

    Answer:

    Krishnashtami or “Sri Jayanthi”, as Sri Vaishnavites call it, should be celebrated on a day when the Sun is in Simha Rasi, and when either Rohini Nakshatram or Ashtami Thithi prevails without any pollution.

    Pollution means, by the time of sunrise, if that particular star or thithi joins with the previous one. This situation is called “Viddha”.

    To celebrate the function, among both the Thithi and the Star, whichever lasts longer will be considered for the function. If it continues till morning, that is enough; it need not necessarily prevail until midnight. Such a day can be taken as a pure day for performing the function.

    This is because Krishna’s Janma Sloka says:

    “Simha Ra:sow Asithe: Pakshe: Ro:hinya:m Ashtami: Thitthow |
    Charama:rttha Prada:tha:ram Krushnam Vande: Jagad Gurum ||”

    (Swamiji is referring to the year 2006.)

    Now, on 15th or 16th of August, the Sun’s entry into Simha Rasi had not yet occurred — He was still in Karkataka Rasi. The Sun entered Simha Rasi only on 17th August, at 6:48 PM. Hence, performing Sri Jayanthi in August is not proper.

    During September, on the 15th, the Sun is in Simha Rasi. Though Rohini occurred on the previous day, Ashtami was polluted on the 14th. Therefore, that day is not suitable. Since Ashtami continues on the 15th September without any pollution, that day should be observed as “Sri Jayanthi.”

    We hope we did not confuse you much.

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana. My humble Pranamams to the holy lotus feet of HH Sri Sri Sri Jeeyar swamivaru. I would like to know about this year KrishnaAshtami dates. Usually there will be two days One is celebrated in north India and One celebrated in Vaishanva temples in AndhraPradesh. I request Swamivaru to take take few minutes and Kindly inform us l about the dates.

    Answer:

    Krishnashtami or “Sri Jayanthi”, as Sri Vaishnavites call it, should be celebrated on a day when the Sun is in Simha Rasi, and when either Rohini Nakshatram or Ashtami Thithi prevails without any pollution.

    Pollution means, by the time of sunrise, if that particular star or thithi joins with the previous one. This situation is called “Viddha”.

    To celebrate the function, among both the Thithi and the Star, whichever lasts longer will be considered for the function. If it continues till morning, that is enough; it need not necessarily prevail until midnight. Such a day can be taken as a pure day for performing the function.

    This is because Krishna’s Janma Sloka says:

    “Simha Ra:sow Asithe: Pakshe: Ro:hinya:m Ashtami: Thitthow |
    Charama:rttha Prada:tha:ram Krushnam Vande: Jagad Gurum ||”

    (Swamiji is referring to the year 2006.)

    Now, on 15th or 16th of August, the Sun’s entry into Simha Rasi had not yet occurred — He was still in Karkataka Rasi. The Sun entered Simha Rasi only on 17th August, at 6:48 PM. Hence, performing Sri Jayanthi in August is not proper.

    During September, on the 15th, the Sun is in Simha Rasi. Though Rohini occurred on the previous day, Ashtami was polluted on the 14th. Therefore, that day is not suitable. Since Ashtami continues on the 15th September without any pollution, that day should be observed as “Sri Jayanthi.”

    We hope we did not confuse you much.

    Answer:

    Doing fasting in total, taking Ārādhana Tīrtham and a very little prasadam, is really good.
    If one is not able to observe complete fasting, it is better to reduce the quantity of food as much as possible compared to the regular intake. Ok!

    See Original Question
    Ekadhasi Fasting: I heard that ekadhasi is very good day. It is the day of Vishnu. So have a question many say they r fasting ,some say they should not eat oil food, some say no onions, some say no rice but what is the right way to do fasting or okkapodhu.

    Answer:

    Doing fasting in total, taking Ārādhana Tīrtham and a very little prasadam, is really good.
    If one is not able to observe complete fasting, it is better to reduce the quantity of food as much as possible compared to the regular intake. Ok!

    Answer:

    we did not hear the story of tithis going to the lord, etc. lord rama was born on navami, and lord krishna was born on ashtami. there is a purpose behind choosing those dates by them.

    lord rama – a pūrna mānava avatāram.
    he never said that he was god. in spite of the devas saying so, he denied it. that pūrṇathwam (completeness) is shown by the tithi “9”. nine, as everybody knows, is a pūrṇa saṃkhyā — an indestructible number.
    a human being should live like that in history, practicing humane qualities like those of lord rama.

    lord krishna – the incarnation of the lord himself directly on this earth.
    he is not a man like sri rama. while looking at lord krishna, one should not think of a man at all — he is god himself.
    according to the vedas, god is revealed through a mantra that has eight syllables, called the ashtākṣari mahā mantra.
    that is why he chose to be the eighth-born to devaki devi, and to appear on the eighth tithi (ashtami) as well.

    according to jyotisha, those are not considered good days to start any new activity — and that is śāstra, which must be observed. because śāstra is also the ordinance of god himself, following it is nothing but respecting him only.

    See Original Question
    Srimathe Raamanujaya namaha, Pranaams to HH Sri Jeeyar Swamiji, I request you to kindly clarify on the same. adiyEn is pasting the question again herewith. Someone trying to answer said that those thithis went to lord and complained that they are not being recognised by people and hence to promote those thithis, Lord was born in those 2 thithis. But here too i have a doubt..Even after Lord Rama and Krishna were born in Navami and Ashtami respectively, people do not recognise those thithis. So adiyen was not convinced about that answer. adiyEn is waiting for Swamiji’s answer which i think will be the apt one.

    Answer:

    we did not hear the story of tithis going to the lord, etc. lord rama was born on navami, and lord krishna was born on ashtami. there is a purpose behind choosing those dates by them.

    lord rama – a pūrna mānava avatāram.
    he never said that he was god. in spite of the devas saying so, he denied it. that pūrṇathwam (completeness) is shown by the tithi “9”. nine, as everybody knows, is a pūrṇa saṃkhyā — an indestructible number.
    a human being should live like that in history, practicing humane qualities like those of lord rama.

    lord krishna – the incarnation of the lord himself directly on this earth.
    he is not a man like sri rama. while looking at lord krishna, one should not think of a man at all — he is god himself.
    according to the vedas, god is revealed through a mantra that has eight syllables, called the ashtākṣari mahā mantra.
    that is why he chose to be the eighth-born to devaki devi, and to appear on the eighth tithi (ashtami) as well.

    according to jyotisha, those are not considered good days to start any new activity — and that is śāstra, which must be observed. because śāstra is also the ordinance of god himself, following it is nothing but respecting him only.

    Answer:

    the birth star of your baby was pūrva bhādra only. you need not change the time or calculate the difference of time, etc., and break your head.take the pañchāngam and note the exact time for whatever you want. take the day and date of the local calculation, look into the pañchāngam, and decide the star or tithi.in that way, yours now is pūrva bhādra only.

    See Original Question
    Sri ChinnaJeeyar Swamivariki, Aaneka Namaskaramulato… My name is KrishnaJyothi and I’m in Cincinnati,OH,USA. First I’d like to share with you that we were blessed with a baby boy on March 31st 2003 and named him as Vishnu and I’d like to have your and SriManNarayana’s blessings for my son always. I’ve a doubt regarding the birth star of my son. My son has born on March 31st 2003 at 12:29PM in Cincinnati,OH,USA according to the local time. And the star on that day at that time according to Cincinnati is PoorvaBadra. But sombody told me that star need to be decided according to the time in India at that point. So the time in India at that point was 10:59PM, and the star at that time was UttaraBaadra. So, please tell me what is my son’s birth star and which method we should follow. With humble pranamams to your lotus feet..

    Answer:

    the birth star of your baby was pūrva bhādra only. you need not change the time or calculate the difference of time, etc., and break your head.take the pañchāngam and note the exact time for whatever you want. take the day and date of the local calculation, look into the pañchāngam, and decide the star or tithi.in that way, yours now is pūrva bhādra only.

    Answer:

    lion throne is simhāsanam, on which god sits. nitya utsavam is the daily ritual observed in traditional temples, performed according to āgama śāstra.
    See Original Question
    Subject: lion throne, Nityotsava What is meant here with “lion throne”? Is there any translation available of the Nityotsava?

    Answer:

    lion throne is simhāsanam, on which god sits.
    nitya utsavam is the daily ritual observed in traditional temples, performed according to āgama śāstra.

    Answer:

    we are happy for your interest. according to vaishnava sampradayam, after 13 days of the ceremony, it is performed as paramapada utsavam. if that is done, the departed soul and the children of the departed soul can go to temples and perform simple pujas without any hesitation.

    many people won’t do that utsavam; they need to observe the restriction of not going to temples or performing pujas or any functions, etc., for one year. this is called samvatsara śūthakam. we think that this rule may be observed up to at least six months in other countries by indians.
    — chinnajeeyar

    for vaishnavites, the one-year restriction does not apply for performing puja, which is a regular activity after the demise of parents. finishing the paramapada utsavam with iyal gosti on the 13th day clears the āśoucham and makes one eligible for nitya karma. puja is also one among nitya karmas, so it has to be done. even if one is in a temple, they can go for darshana and perform self-puja if they are a pujari. kalyanas and special celebrations should not be done.

    even that is only to show one’s sorrow. but for non-vaishnavites, they do not perform the parama padotsavam. one-year āśoucham will remain, so they cannot go to the temple or perform puja.

    See Original Question
    We are from Columbus,OH. We came to know that You are gracing the Hindu temple in Cincinnati and performing the Srinivasa Kalyanam. We are very much interested to participate but we dont know whether we can participate because my husband’s father expired in Nov,2005. We were told last year not to observe any festivals or perform any special poojas like Satyanarayana Vratha for a year. Does this hold good for Kalyanam too? Even if we cant perform the pooja, can we atleast watch it and accept Your Blessings? Some told us not to accept “Satari” at the temple and some told there are no such restrictions. We dont know what to follow and what not to follow. We humbly request You to kindly enlighten us. Why the restrictions till one year after one’s father died? As a vishnavite, when i can enter into temple and eligible to perform pooja ? Please forgive me if i asked an irrilevant question?

    Answer:

    we are happy for your interest. according to vaishnava sampradayam, after 13 days of the ceremony, it is performed as paramapada utsavam. if that is done, the departed soul and the children of the departed soul can go to temples and perform simple pujas without any hesitation.

    many people won’t do that utsavam; they need to observe the restriction of not going to temples or performing pujas or any functions, etc., for one year. this is called samvatsara śūthakam. we think that this rule may be observed up to at least six months in other countries by indians.
    — chinnajeeyar

    for vaishnavites, the one-year restriction does not apply for performing puja, which is a regular activity after the demise of parents. finishing the paramapada utsavam with iyal gosti on the 13th day clears the āśoucham and makes one eligible for nitya karma. puja is also one among nitya karmas, so it has to be done. even if one is in a temple, they can go for darshana and perform self-puja if they are a pujari. kalyanas and special celebrations should not be done.

    even that is only to show one’s sorrow. but for non-vaishnavites, they do not perform the parama padotsavam. one-year āśoucham will remain, so they cannot go to the temple or perform puja.

    Answer:

    when there is a birth or death in a family, the whole family gets āśoucham, which means it becomes impure or polluted. this state of impurity continues for about ten days or so, though it may vary in some cases. we do not want to go into those details.

    the impurity that occurs during the birth of a new baby is called jāta āśoucham, whereas the impurity that occurs due to death is called mruta āśoucham. both should be observed. many people think that mruta āśoucham is to be observed but not jāta āśoucham, but it is said that jāta āśoucham is even more severe than mruta āśoucham.

    how and at what level it affects is not our topic of discussion. as you know, if a telephone tower is affected, all the cell phones in that area get affected — that may be taken as an analogy.

    for your information, scripture (śāstram) never gives explanations about why something should be done. it simply instructs what to do and how to do it. giving explanations is only for our satisfaction and limited understanding — those may or may not be correct. yet, the dictum must be observed and followed. otherwise, it says, one may receive punishment in some form or another.

    See Original Question
    Please enlighten us in this contest what to do and what not do, at the time of either birth or death in a family. please let us know why these are done what they signify.

    Answer:

    when there is a birth or death in a family, the whole family gets āśoucham, which means it becomes impure or polluted. this state of impurity continues for about ten days or so, though it may vary in some cases. we do not want to go into those details.

    the impurity that occurs during the birth of a new baby is called jāta āśoucham, whereas the impurity that occurs due to death is called mruta āśoucham. both should be observed. many people think that mruta āśoucham is to be observed but not jāta āśoucham, but it is said that jāta āśoucham is even more severe than mruta āśoucham.

    how and at what level it affects is not our topic of discussion. as you know, if a telephone tower is affected, all the cell phones in that area get affected — that may be taken as an analogy.

    for your information, scripture (śāstram) never gives explanations about why something should be done. it simply instructs what to do and how to do it. giving explanations is only for our satisfaction and limited understanding — those may or may not be correct. yet, the dictum must be observed and followed. otherwise, it says, one may receive punishment in some form or another.

    Answer:

    jai srimannarayana!

    happy to know about sitaramakalyana mahotsavam in your home.

    1. perform vishwaksena puja.

    2. conduct punyaha vachanam.

    3. arrange a place for kalyanam and take sri rama and sita to that mandapam.

    4. provide āsanam to lord rama.

    5. offer madhu parkam, i.e., a mixture of yogurt and honey.

    6. decorate him with a new yajñopavītam.

    7. conduct mangala ashtakam chanting.

    8. according to the local tradition, any other offerings like gudam jeerakam mixture may be offered.

    9. perform puja to mangalasutram and offer it to sita after touching rama’s hand.

    10. akshatas may be sanctified and offered to both by each one’s hand — she offers him, and he offers to her.

    11. brahma grandhi bandhanam and vedic āśirvādam.

    12. chant vāraṇa māyiram and give hārathi.

    13. distribute prasadam, etc., to the devotees.

    these are the main activities. you may chant mantras for each of these activities at length.
    contact any pandit to get the mantras.

    See Original Question
    Jai Sreemannarayan! Pujya Swamiji, Can you please enlighten us on the process to perform Sree SeetaRama Kalyanostavam on Sree RamaNavami Day at our homes. Is it enough to read Seeta kalyana sarga from Srimadramayanam? Or is there a similar process as that of Sree Goda Ranganayaka Kalyanam (part of Dhanurmasotsvam) published under with divine blessings.

    Answer:

    jai srimannarayana!

    happy to know about sitaramakalyana mahotsavam in your home.

    1. perform vishwaksena puja.

    2. conduct punyaha vachanam.

    3. arrange a place for kalyanam and take sri rama and sita to that mandapam.

    4. provide āsanam to lord rama.

    5. offer madhu parkam, i.e., a mixture of yogurt and honey.

    6. decorate him with a new yajñopavītam.

    7. conduct mangala ashtakam chanting.

    8. according to the local tradition, any other offerings like gudam jeerakam mixture may be offered.

    9. perform puja to mangalasutram and offer it to sita after touching rama’s hand.

    10. akshatas may be sanctified and offered to both by each one’s hand — she offers him, and he offers to her.

    11. brahma grandhi bandhanam and vedic āśirvādam.

    12. chant vāraṇa māyiram and give hārathi.

    13. distribute prasadam, etc., to the devotees.

    these are the main activities. you may chant mantras for each of these activities at length.
    contact any pandit to get the mantras.

    Schools of thought

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Buddhism, though originally founded by Siddhardha for peace and non-violence, but at a later stage, people following started turning too violent, eating raw meat, even today we can see that. Anything that moves could be taken by them as food. That is one of the reasons.

    Next reason is, they did not accept Vedic tradition as authority. If one does not accept vedic tradition, then there would not be any history to the nation left behind. People of this land accepted the history of Rama & Krishna etc., as their own. But when that was denied, they did not take the Buddhism to their heart. So we are vedic people.
    Unfortunately, today this fact is in need to be understood.
    =chinnajeeyar=

    Interesting questions you have.

    Q) Did Ravana actually have 10 heads or is it an allegorical meaning ?
    A) Ravana was having 10 heads. Though they were interpreted as 10 indriyas or organs of the body like sensory and vital organs, yet he was really also was having them.

    Q) Which Treta Yuga did it take place ? I have heard it was in the 24th treta yuga.
    A) 24th trethayuga was the rama’s period. Right you are.

    Q) Are Vanaaras, Rakshashas, etc are humans with different qualities or they actually different living entities?
    A) Vanaras were having ability to have their own chosen from. Ka:maru:pa Dha:rana: sakthi. So they can take any form they want.

    See Original Question
    I bow at your feet and submit my doubts and seek for your advice. I am spiritual minded person with a belief that God is supreme, used to read books written by Chinmayananda and Adisankaracharya. While reading i have never focussed on the differences between Advaita, Dvaita, Visishtadvaita. My favorite God is Lord Ganesh. But lately came to know about sarana:gathi. I have understood sarana:gathi as a process of surrendering to Lord Vishnu or Sri man Na:ra:yana for Moksha Prapti of the one who can not follow either Bhakthi yoga, Karma Yoga or Gnana Yoga. I Want to take Sarana:gathi. I only feel that Lord Ganesh is helping me or blessing me to move ahead. Hence If I pray only Lord Vishnu, It should be perfectly alright. Is this correct or not ?. Further My understanding is also that once Sarana:gathi is taken , I become a Vaishnavaite. Which school of thought does Vaishnavism belong to ? . Also please differentiate between the school of thoughts “Dvaita, Advaita and Vishistadvaita. I bow are your feet and wait for your blessings with answer.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Buddhism, though originally founded by Siddhardha for peace and non-violence, but at a later stage, people following started turning too violent, eating raw meat, even today we can see that. Anything that moves could be taken by them as food. That is one of the reasons.

    Next reason is, they did not accept Vedic tradition as authority. If one does not accept vedic tradition, then there would not be any history to the nation left behind. People of this land accepted the history of Rama & Krishna etc., as their own. But when that was denied, they did not take the Buddhism to their heart. So we are vedic people.
    Unfortunately, today this fact is in need to be understood.
    =chinnajeeyar=

    Interesting questions you have.

    Q) Did Ravana actually have 10 heads or is it an allegorical meaning ?
    A) Ravana was having 10 heads. Though they were interpreted as 10 indriyas or organs of the body like sensory and vital organs, yet he was really also was having them.

    Q) Which Treta Yuga did it take place ? I have heard it was in the 24th treta yuga.
    A) 24th trethayuga was the rama’s period. Right you are.

    Q) Are Vanaaras, Rakshashas, etc are humans with different qualities or they actually different living entities?
    A) Vanaras were having ability to have their own chosen from. Ka:maru:pa Dha:rana: sakthi. So they can take any form they want.

    Answer:

    jai srimannarayana

    happy new year and sankranthi 2009 to you and your family!

    we appreciate your interest in doing saranagathi to lord vishnu.

    you must have heard that lord krishna showed his universal form to arjuna in the 11th chapter of the bhagavad gita. all forms of his vibhuti were shown in him to arjuna. this means that if you worship lord vishnu, all forms are worshipped. he explained this to arjuna also in his own words in the 7th chapter.

    we would like to give you an example:

    in a small body like ours, if you please the person, all parts of that person are pleased, right? if only a part is respected, that person may not be fully pleased. but if the person is happy, then the whole body is happy. in the same way, if lord vishnu is pleased, all devathas are pleased. if you take care of just any one other devatha, it does not please all other devathas. now, the ganesh you have worshipped so far is definitely pleased with you and hence showing you the path of lord narayana.

    so you can happily take saranagathi and be grateful always to lord ganeshji. all the three schools of thought that follow the vedas are called vaishnava schools. they say that the supreme is called by innumerable names, mainly narayana/vishnu, etc., and these three are called vaishnava schools.

    the difference is only in the end, how it would be.

    • advaitha, preached by sankaracharya, says that reality is only one, vishnu, and the rest is illusory. (example: an apple is one and only one)

    • dwaitha, revealed by madhwacharya, talks about dualism: god, souls, and nature never become one and remain separate. (example: the skin of an apple and the core never become one; they are separate entities only)

    • visishtadwaitha, revealed by ramanujacharya, says the nature, souls, and god are three realities, and they will remain like that forever. when souls are released from karmic bondage as a result of saranagathi, they become equal to lord vishnu and enjoy his divine service. (example: though the skin, core, and taste of an apple are different and have their own entities, all put together become one. that one is a qualified one — visishtam = qualified.)

    we follow the ramanuja school. saranagathi concept is the essence of the vedas.

    but nowadays, out of ignorance, some advaitins think that they are not vaishnavites and started thinking that sivji is supreme and worship him only. in fact, adi sankaracharya never accepted this.

    See Original Question
    I bow at your feet and submit my doubts and seek for your advice. I am spiritual minded person with a belief that God is supreme, used to read books written by Chinmayananda and Adisankaracharya. While reading i have never focussed on the differences between Advaita, Dvaita, Visishtadvaita. My favorite God is Lord Ganesh. But lately came to know about sarana:gathi. I have understood sarana:gathi as a process of surrendering to Lord Vishnu or Sri man Na:ra:yana for Moksha Prapti of the one who can not follow either Bhakthi yoga, Karma Yoga or Gnana Yoga. I Want to take Sarana:gathi. I only feel that Lord Ganesh is helping me or blessing me to move ahead. Hence If I pray only Lord Vishnu, It should be perfectly alright. Is this correct or not ?. Further My understanding is also that once Sarana:gathi is taken , I become a Vaishnavaite. Which school of thought does Vaishnavism belong to ? . Also please differentiate between the school of thoughts “Dvaita, Advaita and Vishistadvaita. I bow are your feet and wait for your blessings with answer.

    Answer:

    jai srimannarayana

    happy new year and sankranthi 2009 to you and your family!

    we appreciate your interest in doing saranagathi to lord vishnu.

    you must have heard that lord krishna showed his universal form to arjuna in the 11th chapter of the bhagavad gita. all forms of his vibhuti were shown in him to arjuna. this means that if you worship lord vishnu, all forms are worshipped. he explained this to arjuna also in his own words in the 7th chapter.

    we would like to give you an example:

    in a small body like ours, if you please the person, all parts of that person are pleased, right? if only a part is respected, that person may not be fully pleased. but if the person is happy, then the whole body is happy. in the same way, if lord vishnu is pleased, all devathas are pleased. if you take care of just any one other devatha, it does not please all other devathas. now, the ganesh you have worshipped so far is definitely pleased with you and hence showing you the path of lord narayana.

    so you can happily take saranagathi and be grateful always to lord ganeshji. all the three schools of thought that follow the vedas are called vaishnava schools. they say that the supreme is called by innumerable names, mainly narayana/vishnu, etc., and these three are called vaishnava schools.

    the difference is only in the end, how it would be.

    • advaitha, preached by sankaracharya, says that reality is only one, vishnu, and the rest is illusory. (example: an apple is one and only one)

    • dwaitha, revealed by madhwacharya, talks about dualism: god, souls, and nature never become one and remain separate. (example: the skin of an apple and the core never become one; they are separate entities only)

    • visishtadwaitha, revealed by ramanujacharya, says the nature, souls, and god are three realities, and they will remain like that forever. when souls are released from karmic bondage as a result of saranagathi, they become equal to lord vishnu and enjoy his divine service. (example: though the skin, core, and taste of an apple are different and have their own entities, all put together become one. that one is a qualified one — visishtam = qualified.)

    we follow the ramanuja school. saranagathi concept is the essence of the vedas.

    but nowadays, out of ignorance, some advaitins think that they are not vaishnavites and started thinking that sivji is supreme and worship him only. in fact, adi sankaracharya never accepted this.

    Answer:

    those particular devathas only advised their devotees to do their pujas in a particular process, which became the āgamas of those devathas. it is the same even with lord vishnu. that became the vaishnava āgama, more particularly śri pañcha rāthra āgama. for the vaikha:nasa system, the sage vikhanas ordained his four disciples — atri, bhrigu, marichi, and ka:syapa — to perform the worship of lord vishnu only. they, in turn, wrote books on how to conduct the worship of lord vishnu. people started calling these the vaikhanasa āgama.

    Practices

    Answer:

    We are happy for your interest in maintaining the Vedic practices.

    Initially, after bath and marking the head, one has to chant the Guru Parampara and the three mantras given by our Acharyas. During the course itself, Dwayam will be chanted. Otherwise, there is no time restriction for Dwayam.

    However, rules are specified for Sandhya Vandanam. The Dwayam Mantram has nothing to do with other practices. Similarly, Sandhya Vandanam with Dwayam should be performed according to the recommended rules.

    The afternoon and evening Sandhyas should be done at their own places and at the recommended times.

    See Original Question
    I want to know about “At morning, First chant dwayam Sandhyavandanam [archarya thennian sloka] and then do sandhyavanam [praathah & mhaadhyanika sandhyavandanam] OR vice-versa. Which is correct?

    Answer:

    We are happy for your interest in maintaining the Vedic practices.

    Initially, after bath and marking the head, one has to chant the Guru Parampara and the three mantras given by our Acharyas. During the course itself, Dwayam will be chanted. Otherwise, there is no time restriction for Dwayam.

    However, rules are specified for Sandhya Vandanam. The Dwayam Mantram has nothing to do with other practices. Similarly, Sandhya Vandanam with Dwayam should be performed according to the recommended rules.

    The afternoon and evening Sandhyas should be done at their own places and at the recommended times.

    Answer:

    It is only men who are recommended to perform the Salagrama Puja, not ladies. This is not a matter of Sampradaya; it is a common rule across all Sampradayas. For Salagrama, many mantras are required to be chanted, which may not be possible for everyone. If you are interested in performing puja, you can have vigrahas like Goda, Krishna, Rama, etc., and perform the puja diligently. Even if there is an unavoidable break in between, here and there, it is acceptable.

    See Original Question
    I would like to know about Bagavad Ramanuja’s philosphy on role of women in doing pooja of the saligrama. If a women in married to a family who are not srivaishnavas can she still take a saligrama from the parents family and do the pooja. Your repsonse would be highly appreciated.

    Answer:

    It is only men who are recommended to perform the Salagrama Puja, not ladies. This is not a matter of Sampradaya; it is a common rule across all Sampradayas. For Salagrama, many mantras are required to be chanted, which may not be possible for everyone. If you are interested in performing puja, you can have vigrahas like Goda, Krishna, Rama, etc., and perform the puja diligently. Even if there is an unavoidable break in between, here and there, it is acceptable.

    Answer:

    Morning Sandhya should be done facing East.

    • Noon Sandhya should also be done facing East only, from the beginning to the end. Facing North is not allowed.
    • Evening Sandhya Vandanam has some changes:
    • Up to Arghya Pradanam, it should be done facing North.
    • Starting from Arghya Pradanam, it should be done facing West.
    • However, while performing Achamanam in between, it should be done facing North only, as performing Achamanam facing West is prohibited.
    See Original Question
    I have a few questions on Madhyahnikam (Noon sandhya prayers). 1. The noon arghya pradanam is done facing north. Should the Prayaschitta arghyam also be done facing north or east? 2. Should Aikyanusandhanam at noon be done facing north or east? 3. Should the Pranava Japa (starting with Pranavasya rishi brahma) at noon be done facing north or east? Thank you.

    Answer:

    Morning Sandhya should be done facing East.

    • Noon Sandhya should also be done facing East only, from the beginning to the end. Facing North is not allowed.
    • Evening Sandhya Vandanam has some changes:
    • Up to Arghya Pradanam, it should be done facing North.
    • Starting from Arghya Pradanam, it should be done facing West.
    • However, while performing Achamanam in between, it should be done facing North only, as performing Achamanam facing West is prohibited.

    Marriage and more

    Answer:

    We received your doubt and provide a consolidated answer:

    Gothra starts by naming the main Rishi, from whom the lineage originates. In olden days, a few Rishis used to form a group and maintain relationships only among themselves, similar to the “Ashtagothries” now. This system, however, has gradually been lost.

    These groups were started with 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, or 12 Rishis. Similar names existed among the Rishis. For example, Bharadwaja is not just one Rishi, and Gauthama is not only one; many Rishis shared similar names. This often causes confusion.

    Within the same Gothra, people following different Veda Shakhas may exist. The similarity of names can be confusing, as the same Rishi name may appear within the same Veda, in different Sampradayas, different castes, or in different locations worldwide.

    Once upon a time, these people lived together. Later, events like tsunamis or other natural separations may have divided the continents, causing people to forget their origins. Even within the same country, people may have separated due to profession or other reasons.

    Gothra-based marriages within the same caste or family are restricted, as their origins might be common.

    See Original Question
    Pranams to HH SRI CHINNA JEEYAR SWAMI, Please forgive me for this mundane question. The reason why I am asking it, is that I want an answer from an Acharya rather than western historians or Bharatiyas who are not well-versed in our scriptures, etc. I would like to know how different gotras formed different endogamous sub-groups or jatis? For example the same gotra can be found among the different jatis ( Bharadwaj gotra in a Nambudiri Brahmin and a Kashmiri Pundit). Given that gotras regulate marriages and that varna is by birth according to shastras (pardon me if I am incorrect); it would mean 2 individuals belonging to the same gotra but of 2 different geographical locations would be “brothers or cousin-brothers”. The information per western historians state at times gotras are not real and some of the times are made up. Does belonging to a gotra indicate are direct descendant by heredity or adoption or guru-parampara lineage ? If it is not by heredity, than why the ban sagotra marriages?

    Answer:

    We received your doubt and provide a consolidated answer:

    Gothra starts by naming the main Rishi, from whom the lineage originates. In olden days, a few Rishis used to form a group and maintain relationships only among themselves, similar to the “Ashtagothries” now. This system, however, has gradually been lost.

    These groups were started with 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, or 12 Rishis. Similar names existed among the Rishis. For example, Bharadwaja is not just one Rishi, and Gauthama is not only one; many Rishis shared similar names. This often causes confusion.

    Within the same Gothra, people following different Veda Shakhas may exist. The similarity of names can be confusing, as the same Rishi name may appear within the same Veda, in different Sampradayas, different castes, or in different locations worldwide.

    Once upon a time, these people lived together. Later, events like tsunamis or other natural separations may have divided the continents, causing people to forget their origins. Even within the same country, people may have separated due to profession or other reasons.

    Gothra-based marriages within the same caste or family are restricted, as their origins might be common.

    Others

    Answer:

    No. It Is A Health Hazard. Not Any Godly Impact. So Taking Good Care And Using Proper Medicine, Will Take Care. No Need To Satisfy Any God Or Goddess By Unwanted Offerings Like Meat Etc.,

    See Original Question
    My another question is about the chicken pox which is called as ammavaru,pongu,atlamu in our andhra pradesh.Many people say that this will come to a person if he or she liked by durga Matha is it correct ,Is anything is mentioned about it in vedas.

    Answer:

    No. It Is A Health Hazard. Not Any Godly Impact. So Taking Good Care And Using Proper Medicine, Will Take Care. No Need To Satisfy Any God Or Goddess By Unwanted Offerings Like Meat Etc.,

    Astrology and Horoscope

    Answer:

    Your Idea Is Great. You Need Not Depend Upon Dummy Things. Be Firm On God. And Do Puja To Lord Vishnu In Kurma Form.

    See Original Question
    My mother showed my jathakam to a person who is well known in jathakams he told that The Lord Shani will affect me for two years and he told some procedures must be done to reduce the effect of Shani by doing shani japas in the temple.Since i had taken vaisnava diksha from gaudiya vaishnavism order My mind is telling to do japa of hare krishna mantra and not bother about Lord shani japas.

    Answer:

    Your Idea Is Great. You Need Not Depend Upon Dummy Things. Be Firm On God. And Do Puja To Lord Vishnu In Kurma Form.

    Mantra

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana
    We Are Happy With Your Question.
    According To Vedic Tradition, The Manthra Of Narayana Is Called As Manthra Brahmam/ Manthra Rajam Etc. In Showering Jnanam On Devotees Who Meditate Up On That, It Is Like An Ocean. Where As Other Manthras Are Like Drops In That.

    The Meaning Of Manthra ‘govinda’ Means ‘ One Who Saves Even An Innocent Being And Blesses With Ultimate Bliss ‘.

    ‘ One Who Blesses The Devotees With The Ability Of Good Speech ‘ Also.

    One Who Meditates On This Will Be Blessed With The Grace Of Lord And Good Speech.

    For The Meditator Of Narayana Manthra, Lord Blesses Everything.

    See Original Question
    Subject: about mantra My question is about the meaning and importance of the mantra: OM NAMO GOVINDAYA. Which blessings one person will obttain by doing japa on this mantra? What is the differenc betwen this mantra and OM NAMO NARAYANAYA?

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana
    We Are Happy With Your Question.
    According To Vedic Tradition, The Manthra Of Narayana Is Called As Manthra Brahmam/ Manthra Rajam Etc. In Showering Jnanam On Devotees Who Meditate Up On That, It Is Like An Ocean. Where As Other Manthras Are Like Drops In That.

    The Meaning Of Manthra ‘govinda’ Means ‘ One Who Saves Even An Innocent Being And Blesses With Ultimate Bliss ‘.

    ‘ One Who Blesses The Devotees With The Ability Of Good Speech ‘ Also.

    One Who Meditates On This Will Be Blessed With The Grace Of Lord And Good Speech.

    For The Meditator Of Narayana Manthra, Lord Blesses Everything.

    Answer:

    This Is Wonderful Question. God Is Really Closer Than Anything In This World; He Is Closer Than Your Own Self. But Are We Really Able To Identify? No, For Sure. Unless One Identifies, One Cannot Feel Him. It Is The Karmic Layer Not Allowing Us To Realize His Presence With Us. Do You Agree With This? If This Is Ok, Then, We Are Able To Recognize Manthra In Spite Of The Ka;rmic Layer, But Not God. Then Which One Is Greater? Is It God, Who Will Not Show Up At All, When There Are Obstacles, Or , Is It Manthra, Which Allows Us To Understand Herself And Her Meaning Also, Crossing The Barriers Of Obstacles? That Is Why Our Acharyas Have Considered That The Manthra Is Closer Than God Himself To The Seekers.

    See Original Question
    Mantram is closer to us than SWAMY HIMSELF.. SWAMY is present everywhere kadaa Swamiji…There is no place where SWAMY is not present…Even before we can utter the mantram..SWAMY is already there with us, around us kada..Then how can a mantram be closer to us than SWAMY…?

    Answer:

    This Is Wonderful Question. God Is Really Closer Than Anything In This World; He Is Closer Than Your Own Self. But Are We Really Able To Identify? No, For Sure. Unless One Identifies, One Cannot Feel Him. It Is The Karmic Layer Not Allowing Us To Realize His Presence With Us. Do You Agree With This? If This Is Ok, Then, We Are Able To Recognize Manthra In Spite Of The Ka;rmic Layer, But Not God. Then Which One Is Greater? Is It God, Who Will Not Show Up At All, When There Are Obstacles, Or , Is It Manthra, Which Allows Us To Understand Herself And Her Meaning Also, Crossing The Barriers Of Obstacles? That Is Why Our Acharyas Have Considered That The Manthra Is Closer Than God Himself To The Seekers.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Ma:, is a nama of goddess Lakshmi. If it is short “ma” then it refers to the soul. This is ‘jeeva’. The meaning is one who is an embodiment of knowledge or one who possesses knowledge as his nature. It is not a manthra. Usually manthra needs to have o:m at the begining, then there should be ‘namaha’ either in the middle or at the end of that name. Then only it will be called as manthra. If you want to make ‘ma’ as a manthra then it will like ” o:m ma:thre: namaha”. or “o:m namo: ma:thre:”

    Soul and Supreme

    Answer:

    Supreme Is One And Has Many Organs In It Like Our Body Has Many Limbs. We Are One Only, Yet Each Of The Parts Has Its Own Entity, Works For The One Only. So Also, In The Universe One Supreme, With All The Jivas As Him Limbs, Along With The Nature, Prakruthi. Jiva Is Separate But A Part Of The Whole. This Is What He Said In Bhagavad Githa “ Mamaiva:mso: Ji:va Lo:ke: Ji:vabhu:thas Sana :thanaha “.

    See Original Question
    SWAMY is Supreme…and there is nothing other than HIM..So, how can jivatma be separate from paramatma…..if there is nothing other than HIM..? Doesn’t this show jivatma as something other than HIM..?

    Answer:

    Supreme Is One And Has Many Organs In It Like Our Body Has Many Limbs. We Are One Only, Yet Each Of The Parts Has Its Own Entity, Works For The One Only. So Also, In The Universe One Supreme, With All The Jivas As Him Limbs, Along With The Nature, Prakruthi. Jiva Is Separate But A Part Of The Whole. This Is What He Said In Bhagavad Githa “ Mamaiva:mso: Ji:va Lo:ke: Ji:vabhu:thas Sana :thanaha “.

    Answer:

    As You Have Rightly Observed That Visishtadwaithis, Follow The Vedic Principle, Which Says That There Are 3 Realities, The Nature, God & Soul. All The 3 Are Eternal. God Did Not Create Any Of The Souls Or The Nature. Souls As They Are So Tiny In Size And Having Knowledge Of Their Own, They Are Prone To Be Caught Up By The Things Around. The Nature Attracts Like That. God, As He Is Vibhu, All Pervading, Knows Everything And Will Never Become Prey To The Ill Effects Of The Nature. And At The Same Time He Is All Compassionate. As An Abled Person Helps To The Others, So Also God Tries To Help The Needy. A Few Souls, Whom We Call As Baddhas, Caught Up In The Clutches Of The Nature, Not Able To Act On Their Own
    And Facing The Pains Of The Birth & Death. Compassionate God Comes To Rescue The Souls And Takes Many Avatharas (Incarnatons). While Helping, At Times, He Comes Down Heavily Also, After All, For The Benefit Of The Soul Only. This Is The Way He Got Control Over The Soul.

    For Those Who Accept His Guidance, He Shows All Good And Leads To A Place Where The Nature Cannot Act Upon The Soul. Those Who Do Not Believe In Him, He Cannot Help Them. They Keep On Rotating In The Nature Up & Down, Becoming Incapable Of Knowing Who And What They Are.here God’s Interference Is Not There. It Is Karma Only, Shows All Power And The Nature Controlls Everything. God Is Only An Obeserver Then. So There Is No Partiality To Him.

    See Original Question
    I am a student of physics. The otherday I attended a lecture and had some questions which were NOT answered to my satisfaction. Please read these questions and provide your insight. As I understand, one of the basic TRUTHS accepted by Vishistadvaitins is that JEEVATMA is NOT CREATED by PARAMATAMA. Both JEEVATMA and PARAMATMA coexist eternally, but THE JEEVATMA IS TOTALLY CONTROLLED BY PARAMATMA. My question is, if JEEVATMA is not created by PARAMATMA, what gives PARAMATMA the right to control JEEVATMA. What did JEEVATMA do that made him/her to be controlled by PARAMATMA. Why is one superior and the other inferior? Vishistadvaitins do say that the differnece between JEEVATMA and PARAMATMA is that, PARAMATMA has the power of creation and the power of bestowing MOKSHA to JEEVATMAs. If thats what makes the JEEVATMA to be controlled by PARAMATMA, is’t it unfair/unjust giving one the power of creation and denying it to the other, though they both coexist for eternity? —

    Answer:

    As You Have Rightly Observed That Visishtadwaithis, Follow The Vedic Principle, Which Says That There Are 3 Realities, The Nature, God & Soul. All The 3 Are Eternal. God Did Not Create Any Of The Souls Or The Nature. Souls As They Are So Tiny In Size And Having Knowledge Of Their Own, They Are Prone To Be Caught Up By The Things Around. The Nature Attracts Like That. God, As He Is Vibhu, All Pervading, Knows Everything And Will Never Become Prey To The Ill Effects Of The Nature. And At The Same Time He Is All Compassionate. As An Abled Person Helps To The Others, So Also God Tries To Help The Needy. A Few Souls, Whom We Call As Baddhas, Caught Up In The Clutches Of The Nature, Not Able To Act On Their Own
    And Facing The Pains Of The Birth & Death. Compassionate God Comes To Rescue The Souls And Takes Many Avatharas (Incarnatons). While Helping, At Times, He Comes Down Heavily Also, After All, For The Benefit Of The Soul Only. This Is The Way He Got Control Over The Soul.

    For Those Who Accept His Guidance, He Shows All Good And Leads To A Place Where The Nature Cannot Act Upon The Soul. Those Who Do Not Believe In Him, He Cannot Help Them. They Keep On Rotating In The Nature Up & Down, Becoming Incapable Of Knowing Who And What They Are.here God’s Interference Is Not There. It Is Karma Only, Shows All Power And The Nature Controlls Everything. God Is Only An Obeserver Then. So There Is No Partiality To Him.

    Answer:

    Jai srimannarayana!

    If one does not feel the joy of reading and listening the stories of Lord, that persons life on this earth is simply waste. You are really blessed to feel the joy of them.

    See Original Question
    While learning about Lord and while reading many beautiful things about him …we feel soo happy or elated thinking about him … is that being materialistic. Do we have to be neither happy nor sad when we think about lord ? or is it okay to feel happy.

    Answer:

    Jai srimannarayana!

    If one does not feel the joy of reading and listening the stories of Lord, that persons life on this earth is simply waste. You are really blessed to feel the joy of them.

    Avataras - God's appearances

    Answer:

    Varaha Incarnation Has Taken Place Many Yugas Ago. Whereas Srinivasa’s Incarnation Was In The Kaliyuga Only. Though Lord Instructed The King To Construct A Temple For Him In Kaliyuga, But Prior To That, Right From Krutha Yuga, He Was Appearing To Many People There On The Tirumala Hills. During That
    Time, He Used To Interact With Varaha Swamy Also. Though The Avatharas Are Different There Is No Problem For Him To Interact. You Must Be Knowing That Rama And Parasurama Avatharas Are Of The Same God, Yet Both Have An Interaction And Fight Too. All That Is His Play.

    Who Can Question Him For His Deeds?

    See Original Question
    I came to know that venkateshwara talked with varahaswamy during his time.My doubt is that both venkateshwara and varaha are the avataras of lord sri maha vishnu. then how is it possible for them to talk to each other. please answer my question and clarify my doubt. JAI SRIMANNARAYANA

    Answer:

    Varaha Incarnation Has Taken Place Many Yugas Ago. Whereas Srinivasa’s Incarnation Was In The Kaliyuga Only. Though Lord Instructed The King To Construct A Temple For Him In Kaliyuga, But Prior To That, Right From Krutha Yuga, He Was Appearing To Many People There On The Tirumala Hills. During That
    Time, He Used To Interact With Varaha Swamy Also. Though The Avatharas Are Different There Is No Problem For Him To Interact. You Must Be Knowing That Rama And Parasurama Avatharas Are Of The Same God, Yet Both Have An Interaction And Fight Too. All That Is His Play.

    Who Can Question Him For His Deeds?

    Answer:

    Regarding Buddha And Vishnu. When A Wall Takes Many Cracks, It Will Be Removed In Total And Then A New One Will Be Constructed. It Is The Same With ‘vedic Dharma’ Also. People Were Badly Exploiting Vedic Riturals In Those Days, And Using Veda For Their Own Benefits. People Were Rather Cheated By The So-called Vedic Practitioners. We Can See The Same Situation Now Also. As People Are Devoted, Many Practitioners Are Elluring People With Many Yantras, Manthras And Thanthras Too. They Even Started Creating New Gods Also. Lord Vishnu Himself Thought Of Rebuilding The Vedic Dharma, Forwhich He Has Taken The Buddha Avathara And Spread Ethism. But The Interesting Things Was That He Made People
    To Follow The Essence Of Veda. By His 3 Suthras He Made People To Respect Guru(Buddham Saranam Gacchami), To Practice Good (Dharmam Saranam Gacchami) And To Obey The Order Of The Society (Sangham Saranam Gacchami). Later, Once The Wrong Practices Have Gone, Like Animal Sacrifices Etc., For Mundane Benefits,
    God Made Acharyas Like Kuma:rila Bhattu, To Revitalize The Vedic Dharma.

    See Original Question
    Buddha is considered as one of the avataras of Vishnu by some. As everyone knows BUDDHA preached AGAINST Vedas. If Buddha is one of the avataras of Vishnu, why did he contradict the Vedas. In one avatara (Krishna) he recognizes Vedas as the supreme authority and in another avatara he denounces Vedas. Its quite confusing for any simple minded person. I am sure someone might have raised these questions before and someone might have answered too, but I did NOT come across any so far.

    Answer:

    Regarding Buddha And Vishnu. When A Wall Takes Many Cracks, It Will Be Removed In Total And Then A New One Will Be Constructed. It Is The Same With ‘vedic Dharma’ Also. People Were Badly Exploiting Vedic Riturals In Those Days, And Using Veda For Their Own Benefits. People Were Rather Cheated By The So-called Vedic Practitioners. We Can See The Same Situation Now Also. As People Are Devoted, Many Practitioners Are Elluring People With Many Yantras, Manthras And Thanthras Too. They Even Started Creating New Gods Also. Lord Vishnu Himself Thought Of Rebuilding The Vedic Dharma, Forwhich He Has Taken The Buddha Avathara And Spread Ethism. But The Interesting Things Was That He Made People
    To Follow The Essence Of Veda. By His 3 Suthras He Made People To Respect Guru(Buddham Saranam Gacchami), To Practice Good (Dharmam Saranam Gacchami) And To Obey The Order Of The Society (Sangham Saranam Gacchami). Later, Once The Wrong Practices Have Gone, Like Animal Sacrifices Etc., For Mundane Benefits,
    God Made Acharyas Like Kuma:rila Bhattu, To Revitalize The Vedic Dharma.

    Answer:

    When God Himself Comes Down Directly, We Call Them As ‘sa:ksha:th Avatha:ram’, Like Krushna, Rama, Vamana, Narasimha Etc. There Are Somemore Incarnation Called ‘amsa Avatharams’ ‘a:ve:sa Avatha:ram’ Etc., Take For Some Little Purposes. Balarama, Parasu Rama Etc., Are A:ve:sa Avatha:rams. God Imposes Himself On Them For Some Time And After Fulfiling Some Work, He Withdraws Him Power And They Become Ordinary Persons Only. Parasurama Avatharam For Some Horrible Purposes. Whereas Veda Vyasa Avatharam Also A A:ve:sa Avatharam, For Writing Some Puranams, Brahma Sutrams Etc., Called As ‘sakti A:ve:sa Avatharam’. Incarnations Like Matsya, Kurma Etc., Are Considered As Amsa Avatharams Of God Directly, But Not Like That Of Rama Etc, These Are Only For A Very Limited Purpose.

    Other Than These His Power Will Be There In All The Jivas Accordingly To Their Karma, His Power Is Provided. It Is The Same Even With The Jivas Like Brahma, Indra, Rudra Etc., Even Within Us Also He Dwells. But Our Karma Is Of Low Grade And Brahmas Karma Is Of High Pure Karma. This Is Like Oridinary Petrol Used For Normal Cars; And Highly Purified Petrol, Used For Aeroplanes Of High Quality.

    In One Sence, We Are Also Some Avatharas Of God Only, Right!!

    See Original Question
    If all demigods like Shiva, Brahma, Indra etc are avataras of SWAMY, then how can they be different from SWAMY..? Rama, Krishna are also avataras of SWAMY…and hence considered SWAMY HIMSELF. So if all demigods are also avataras of SWAMY, then why is there a differentiation and inequality between Shiva, Brahma, Indra etc Can you please dispel our agnaanam and guide us Swamiji..? Please correct us if we are wrong and please forgive any sins committed Swamiji…

    Answer:

    When God Himself Comes Down Directly, We Call Them As ‘sa:ksha:th Avatha:ram’, Like Krushna, Rama, Vamana, Narasimha Etc. There Are Somemore Incarnation Called ‘amsa Avatharams’ ‘a:ve:sa Avatha:ram’ Etc., Take For Some Little Purposes. Balarama, Parasu Rama Etc., Are A:ve:sa Avatha:rams. God Imposes Himself On Them For Some Time And After Fulfiling Some Work, He Withdraws Him Power And They Become Ordinary Persons Only. Parasurama Avatharam For Some Horrible Purposes. Whereas Veda Vyasa Avatharam Also A A:ve:sa Avatharam, For Writing Some Puranams, Brahma Sutrams Etc., Called As ‘sakti A:ve:sa Avatharam’. Incarnations Like Matsya, Kurma Etc., Are Considered As Amsa Avatharams Of God Directly, But Not Like That Of Rama Etc, These Are Only For A Very Limited Purpose.

    Other Than These His Power Will Be There In All The Jivas Accordingly To Their Karma, His Power Is Provided. It Is The Same Even With The Jivas Like Brahma, Indra, Rudra Etc., Even Within Us Also He Dwells. But Our Karma Is Of Low Grade And Brahmas Karma Is Of High Pure Karma. This Is Like Oridinary Petrol Used For Normal Cars; And Highly Purified Petrol, Used For Aeroplanes Of High Quality.

    In One Sence, We Are Also Some Avatharas Of God Only, Right!!

    Answer:

    It Seems Kalki Avathara Comes At The End Of Each Kaliyuga, According To The Srimath Bhagavatham. How It Comes And What It Does Is Described In Bhagavatham. This May Happen In Each Kaliyuga It Appears. Basing On That Only The Great Sage Veda Vyasa Written About The Appearance Of Kalki Avatharam. 71 Kali Yugas Will Be Repeated In Each Manvanthra. We Are In 28th Kaliyuga. So, Kalki Avathara Might Have Come 27 Times Already, According To The Puranam.

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, Based on puraanas, do we know the history of prior Kali Yugas in this Vaiwasvata Manvantara. Does Kalki Avatar happens in every Kali Yuga ?

    Answer:

    It Seems Kalki Avathara Comes At The End Of Each Kaliyuga, According To The Srimath Bhagavatham. How It Comes And What It Does Is Described In Bhagavatham. This May Happen In Each Kaliyuga It Appears. Basing On That Only The Great Sage Veda Vyasa Written About The Appearance Of Kalki Avatharam. 71 Kali Yugas Will Be Repeated In Each Manvanthra. We Are In 28th Kaliyuga. So, Kalki Avathara Might Have Come 27 Times Already, According To The Puranam.

     

    Answer:

    Yadagiri Gutta Is A 100 Km Distance Temple From Hyderabad. Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Is There In Five Forms. One Among Them Is Ganda Bherunda Narasimha Swamy. This Form Is Not Clearly Visible To The Visiting Devotees As This Is Under A Stone. Lord Here It Says, Is A Self-incarnated One. There In That Temple
    He Is Worshipped According To Sri Pancharatra Only Not In Tantric Way Of Worship.

    See Original Question
    I recently found an article(very breif) on Ashta-Mukha-Ganda-Bherunda-NRsimha. With some google search, I could get some info that there is a temple of this scary form of paramatma in Andhra at Yadagiri-gutta. I am a srivaishnava from karnataka and my knowledge of Andhra and my devotion is limited to Tirumala and its lord. Could someone in the grp kindly enlighten me on this aspect of lord? I also read that this form is more tantric in nature. Is that so? if so, can srivaishnavas learn more about him? Thanks, Jayanth Dasa

    Answer:

    Yadagiri Gutta Is A 100 Km Distance Temple From Hyderabad. Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Is There In Five Forms. One Among Them Is Ganda Bherunda Narasimha Swamy. This Form Is Not Clearly Visible To The Visiting Devotees As This Is Under A Stone. Lord Here It Says, Is A Self-incarnated One. There In That Temple
    He Is Worshipped According To Sri Pancharatra Only Not In Tantric Way Of Worship.

    Answer:

    Your Point Is Correct. Critical Boons Were Asked By Hiranya Kasipu Only Not His Brother Hiranyaksha. Yet Both The Brothers Made Lord To Appear In Two Appearances. And Both The Avatharas Are Peculiar. Bhoovaraha And Narasimha. That Is The Reason Both The Brothers Are Considered As A Single Unit. So No Matter Whether Younger Or Elder Asked The Boon. Both Made The Lord To Put A Little Of His Effort For Them. In Fact, Hiranya Kasipu Turned Voilent Only Because Of His Brothers Death Only. For Attacking Srihari Only He Asked All Those Boons, That May Be The Reason People Started Creating A Proverb As “hiranyaksha Varalu”.

    See Original Question
    Sri swamyji, Generally when one asks so many requests/demands they are referred to us as HIRANYAKSHA VARALU. WHERE AS IT APPEARS ONY HIRANYAKASUPUDU HAS ASKED IMPOSSIBLE VARALU AS HE MADE LORD VISHNU TO HAVE ANOTHER AVATARAM. Why they are called like that?

    Answer:

    Your Point Is Correct. Critical Boons Were Asked By Hiranya Kasipu Only Not His Brother Hiranyaksha. Yet Both The Brothers Made Lord To Appear In Two Appearances. And Both The Avatharas Are Peculiar. Bhoovaraha And Narasimha. That Is The Reason Both The Brothers Are Considered As A Single Unit. So No Matter Whether Younger Or Elder Asked The Boon. Both Made The Lord To Put A Little Of His Effort For Them. In Fact, Hiranya Kasipu Turned Voilent Only Because Of His Brothers Death Only. For Attacking Srihari Only He Asked All Those Boons, That May Be The Reason People Started Creating A Proverb As “hiranyaksha Varalu”.

    Caste, Food

    Answer:

    Everybody Takes Birth Equally Crying, Ie. Sudratwam. The Other Part Of The Sloka Was “ Karmana Jayathe Dwijah” By Virtue Of His Deeds One Attains Dwijatwam, Means, Gets Jnana Janma, A Birth Acquired With Knowledge, General Knowledge Itself Gives That ‘dwijatwam’. Now, Coming To Our Issue, One Who Undergoes Pancha Samskarams, Is Accepted As Attaining 3rd Janma.
    The Karma One Has To Do Is Realizing And Dedicating To The Lord And Devotees. This Does Not Mean One Has To Learn Something Special Forthat Purpose. No!
    Dedicate All The Activities To The Lord Krishna, Immediately After Finishing Them. This Is All What Needed To Be Done.
    ‘except Raddish And Onion, Garlic, Leaves Like Maruwana ( Gongura); Others Are Mostly Okeyed.
    Try To Lead A Simple Life That Is Enough. Lead A Real Life It Is Enough.

    See Original Question
    I have few misconceptions about the way of life that i am leading now. I am born in a brahmin family. I heard from my friend saying there is a quote in Bhagavatgeeta which means that “everybody is a born sudra… -Janmana jayate sudrah”. By the virtue of his habits and deeds he reaches the state of Brahmin (that is what i suppose for my limited mind). So guruji can i be enlightened with the proper deeds that a man is supposed to consider to reach that goal. and there is one more big question revolving in my mind. I never consumed non-veg(any kind of meat, flesh, etc) not because of the religious vows but also I have no intension of consuming it at all. But i would like to know what are the food habits that i am supposed to follow to achieve this path to lead a peaceful and happy life. About me- I am a student doing my Master of Science in Sweden. I have seen your commentary on the “Indian Culture and Heritage”, delivered at IIT Madras last year. I was very much impressed and feel lucky about hearing such a good commentary. kindly enlighten me. Jai srimannarayana..

    Answer:

    Everybody Takes Birth Equally Crying, Ie. Sudratwam. The Other Part Of The Sloka Was “ Karmana Jayathe Dwijah” By Virtue Of His Deeds One Attains Dwijatwam, Means, Gets Jnana Janma, A Birth Acquired With Knowledge, General Knowledge Itself Gives That ‘dwijatwam’. Now, Coming To Our Issue, One Who Undergoes Pancha Samskarams, Is Accepted As Attaining 3rd Janma.
    The Karma One Has To Do Is Realizing And Dedicating To The Lord And Devotees. This Does Not Mean One Has To Learn Something Special Forthat Purpose. No!
    Dedicate All The Activities To The Lord Krishna, Immediately After Finishing Them. This Is All What Needed To Be Done.
    ‘except Raddish And Onion, Garlic, Leaves Like Maruwana ( Gongura); Others Are Mostly Okeyed.
    Try To Lead A Simple Life That Is Enough. Lead A Real Life It Is Enough.

    Personality Development

    Answer:

    That Is Good You Have Realized That You Are In The Possession Of Those Qualities Which Are Bad. This Is Step One. Whenever You Know Some Bad Is With You, You Always Try To Eliminate It. If Not In Privacy, Atleast In The Public. Then 2nd Step Starts. If You Have Boss In The Office And You Are One Among Many Employees
    In His Office. And If One Co-worker Did Something Wrong, You Are Not Going To Fire Him Or Showing A Burning Eyes To Him. Because You Are Not The Decission Maker Over Him. You Rather Control Your Feeling And Try To Be Good With Him Too. Here Is The Solution. When You Feel That You Are The Boss, You Try To Show Anger
    On Anyone. Otherwise, You Try To Tell Them Nicely. This Step May Be Tried For Some Time And Observe The Result. There Are Many More Steps Of Course, Which Cannot Be Downloaded Free.

    See Original Question
    Sashtanga Danda Pranamalu to Swamiji, Swamiji,In general, control of anger, rage and irritation are very important for marital happiness and for good social contact. I would be highly obliged, if Swamiji may bless us withe some techniques and processes to be able to achieve to improve control over these unwanted qualities. I feel ashamed ,sometimes, that I do not have enough “satvik” to gain control over those. adiyen Ramanuja dasa

    Answer:

    That Is Good You Have Realized That You Are In The Possession Of Those Qualities Which Are Bad. This Is Step One. Whenever You Know Some Bad Is With You, You Always Try To Eliminate It. If Not In Privacy, Atleast In The Public. Then 2nd Step Starts. If You Have Boss In The Office And You Are One Among Many Employees
    In His Office. And If One Co-worker Did Something Wrong, You Are Not Going To Fire Him Or Showing A Burning Eyes To Him. Because You Are Not The Decission Maker Over Him. You Rather Control Your Feeling And Try To Be Good With Him Too. Here Is The Solution. When You Feel That You Are The Boss, You Try To Show Anger
    On Anyone. Otherwise, You Try To Tell Them Nicely. This Step May Be Tried For Some Time And Observe The Result. There Are Many More Steps Of Course, Which Cannot Be Downloaded Free.

    Festivals

    Answer:

    There Are 2 Reasons For Performing Kalyana Utsavam To Lord Sri Rama On Sri Rama Navami Day.
    A) There Is A Slo:ka In A:gama Scriptures Saying “yasya Avatha:ra Divase: Thasya Kalya:na Ma:chare:th” ‘ Kalya:na Utsavam Should Be Performed To Those Particular Incarnations On Their Birth Days Itself ‘. The Reason For This Is, That The Very
    Purpose Of Incarnation Itself, To Do Good To The World. That Good Can Be Achieved Only Through His Mercy. Goddess Is The Personification Of The Mercy (Daya:) Of God. So When He Comes Down To The Earth, Immediately Mercy, The Divine Mother, Also Should Come And Join Along With Him. Then Only He Can Start
    His Work. Though, Both Of Them Are Always Together, Yet, We Feel Satisfied When We See Them Both Joined Together. That Joining Function Only Is Called ‘kalya:no:tsavam’. In Support Of This Statement We Quote An Incident From Sriramayanam From Ayo:dhya Ka:nda. “when Sri Rama Refused To Take Sita Along
    With Him To The Forest, Then She Gave Many Arguments And At The End She Concluded Saying “gachha Ra:ma Maya: Saha” ‘ Thus O Ra:ma!, Go To The Forest Along With Me Only’. Then Lord Rama Accepts To Take Her With Him. This Is The
    Reason Why We Perform Kalya:nam And Keep Both Of Them Together, On The Day When The Avatha:ra Maho:tsavam Is Done.

    B) Especially For Srirama, Performing This On Srirama Navami, Started From “bhadrachalam” Only. For The Pra:na Prathishtta Of That Temple Was Done On Sri:ra:ma Navami Day By Sri Ra:madasji, During His Time. So Automatically Kalyanam Was Started Being Done On The Srirama Navami Day, Which Later, Became
    Practice Through Out The Country Or Around The World.

    In Almost All The Temples, Kalyanotsavas Are Performed During The Brahmotsavas Only, Linked With The Prathishtta Day Of That Particular Temple. In Other Words, Brahmo:tsavam Means, Birth Day Celebrations Of That Particular Temple Or Diety.

    Answer:

    Adhiva:sam, Is A Process Of Purifying The Stone Or Metal That Is Being Used As Vigraha Or Diety. Keeping In The Paddy Is Called “dha:nya Adhivasam”. Keeping In The Water Tank Or River Is Called “jala Adhivasam”. Some People Mix Up Milk Etc, And Call It “ksheera Adhivasam”. A Few Do It Seperately Also. Keeping On
    The Bed Arranged In A Few Layers Of Cerials Organized In A Particular Way Is Called “sayya Adhivasam”. Some Do Some Other Adhivasas Also. All This Process Is To Test The Stone Or Metal Statues To Qualify Them To Become The Diety.

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Vishwakse:na and Vina:yaka were not one and the same. Vishwakse:na appears just like Lord Na:ra:yana Himself. Colour will be ordinary not blue. Along with Sankha and Chakra he will be holding a long stick in his left hand and showing index finger with right hand, to fear all the evil powers. Several elephant headed (gaja mukhas) gana:dhipathis are in his force, to obey his instructions in removing the hurdles of Vishnu devotees. Vishwak Se:na is the whole and sole to look after the administration of the entire Universe and also the Paramapadam. Here is a verse says that

    “vande: vaikuntta se:na:nyam, de:vam su:travathi:sakham |
    yad ve:thra sikhara spande: viswam e:thath vyavasthitham ||”

    Whatever draft he prepares with regard to running the vibhuties or Universes, will be accepted by Lord Srimannarayana, without any alteration or addition, it seems. A:lawanda:r Stho:tram reveals this in its verse
    ” priye:na se:na:pathina: nyave:di thath, thattha:nuja:nantham uda:ra vi:kshanaihi”.

    This is the greatness of Sri Vishwak Se:na. As Gajamukhas are somany in the Pariva:ra of Vishwak Se:na, in some occassions if devotees worship a Gajamukha in the place of Vishwakse:na, as a representative of him, will also be accepted. Because all the pariva;ra:s pass on the result to their boss always.

    But then that Gajamukha will be having four hands with sankha and chekra and also with U;rdhwa pundram on his fore-head. There may not be rats as his chariot. These Gajamukhas are not mu:shika Va:hanas. We are sure you understood the subject.

    See Original Question
    vinayakuniki muudu naamaalu petti viswaksenuluga chupistunnaru,vishwaksenula nija roopam telupagalaru! venkatesh nyayapati (Translation: “We observed that people put three namas on Vinayaka and show it as Vishwaksena. Can you pleae tell us the real form of Sri Vishwaksena ? “)

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana!
    Vishwakse:na and Vina:yaka were not one and the same. Vishwakse:na appears just like Lord Na:ra:yana Himself. Colour will be ordinary not blue. Along with Sankha and Chakra he will be holding a long stick in his left hand and showing index finger with right hand, to fear all the evil powers. Several elephant headed (gaja mukhas) gana:dhipathis are in his force, to obey his instructions in removing the hurdles of Vishnu devotees. Vishwak Se:na is the whole and sole to look after the administration of the entire Universe and also the Paramapadam. Here is a verse says that

    “vande: vaikuntta se:na:nyam, de:vam su:travathi:sakham |
    yad ve:thra sikhara spande: viswam e:thath vyavasthitham ||”

    Whatever draft he prepares with regard to running the vibhuties or Universes, will be accepted by Lord Srimannarayana, without any alteration or addition, it seems. A:lawanda:r Stho:tram reveals this in its verse
    ” priye:na se:na:pathina: nyave:di thath, thattha:nuja:nantham uda:ra vi:kshanaihi”.

    This is the greatness of Sri Vishwak Se:na. As Gajamukhas are somany in the Pariva:ra of Vishwak Se:na, in some occassions if devotees worship a Gajamukha in the place of Vishwakse:na, as a representative of him, will also be accepted. Because all the pariva;ra:s pass on the result to their boss always.

    But then that Gajamukha will be having four hands with sankha and chekra and also with U;rdhwa pundram on his fore-head. There may not be rats as his chariot. These Gajamukhas are not mu:shika Va:hanas. We are sure you understood the subject.

    Dreams

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana

    Dreams Are The Results Of Our Previous Karmas, Created By God Only. If They Are Good, Remember That God Is Allowing Some Good Karmas To Be Consumed. If One Gets Bad Dreams, Then God Is Removing Some Bad Karmas From The Store Room. They May Lead To Some Result, On Which You Need Not Think Much And Bother You, But He Happy That God Allowed You To Reduce Some Load Of Karmas.

    In Bhagavad Githa Lord Krishna Clearly Said ‘matthas Smruthir Jna:nam Apo:hanam Cha’ Which Means From Me Alone, New Things Are Known By One, Already Known Things Are Recollected And Something Known Is Also Forgotten. All These Are Under Lord’s Control Only.

    For Some People God Shows Certain Things Just Before They Might Occur. This Is What People Call As Divine Vision. Some People Are Able To Guess The Future Exactly, Because Of The Lord’s Grace. A Few People Will Remember God Behind And Will Be Greatful To Him, But Many Forget God Behind And Pose As If They Are
    Gods. Then The Problem Starts. Divine Vision If Given By God, Be Happy And Appreciate The Grace Of God On You.

    Answer:

    Dreams Are The Creations Of God, To Consume Our Past Karmas Of Certain Category. Karmas Are Divided Into 3 Categories. Big, Mid And Small. Big Are Enjoyed In The External World, Whether They Are Good Or Bad. All Mid Will Be Sent For Store Room, For Next Birth. Small Will Be Allowed For Dreams To Bother And Consume. They Are Not Under Our Control But Under Gods Control. They Are As Real As The External World. They Will Certainly Foretell About Few Things. But Not Necessarily As We Have Seen Then. You May See Something, It Might Appear In Some Other Form In The World. Like, You See The Clouds And It Rains Later. Thus You Predict That Clouds Are The Indicators For Rain. Like That, Some Sceens You See
    During Dreams, You Experience Something, For You Have Consumed Some Portion Of The Karma. As We Are Not Creators Of The External World, So Also The Inner World. As We Can Manipulate Only Some Portion Of The External World, So Also By Doing Some Sadhana, We Also Can Manipulate Some Portions Of The Karmas And Avoid Evil Effects Of Dreams. Some Dreams Are To Be Cared And Some Have To Be Ignored.
    You Are Blessed For Seeing Lord In Your Dreams. It Shows That You Are Going To Get Something Good. Be Happy. When You Are Seen Small, It Means That You Are Unnecessarily Feeling That You Are Great, And He Wants You To Know That You Are Really Not. Apply It To The Events You Are Going To Experience. Ok!

    See Original Question
    Dreams : Swamiji why these dreams will occur when we sleep.Why the person feel the dream as real.What is the purpose of dreams created by Lord. Do dreams fortell about future? Dreams convey any useful information to us or not? One day I got the dream depicting Sri Ranganatha swami I had seen only his face and I am standing before him and I am looking very small. What this dream tell me about? Before the day I got dream I read a book about srirangam.

    Answer:

    Dreams Are The Creations Of God, To Consume Our Past Karmas Of Certain Category. Karmas Are Divided Into 3 Categories. Big, Mid And Small. Big Are Enjoyed In The External World, Whether They Are Good Or Bad. All Mid Will Be Sent For Store Room, For Next Birth. Small Will Be Allowed For Dreams To Bother And Consume. They Are Not Under Our Control But Under Gods Control. They Are As Real As The External World. They Will Certainly Foretell About Few Things. But Not Necessarily As We Have Seen Then. You May See Something, It Might Appear In Some Other Form In The World. Like, You See The Clouds And It Rains Later. Thus You Predict That Clouds Are The Indicators For Rain. Like That, Some Sceens You See
    During Dreams, You Experience Something, For You Have Consumed Some Portion Of The Karma. As We Are Not Creators Of The External World, So Also The Inner World. As We Can Manipulate Only Some Portion Of The External World, So Also By Doing Some Sadhana, We Also Can Manipulate Some Portions Of The Karmas And Avoid Evil Effects Of Dreams. Some Dreams Are To Be Cared And Some Have To Be Ignored.
    You Are Blessed For Seeing Lord In Your Dreams. It Shows That You Are Going To Get Something Good. Be Happy. When You Are Seen Small, It Means That You Are Unnecessarily Feeling That You Are Great, And He Wants You To Know That You Are Really Not. Apply It To The Events You Are Going To Experience. Ok!

    Death and Liberation

    Answer:

    Jai Srimannarayana !

    Re Birth Means Do You Think That A Soul After Leaving The Human Body, Again Takes Only Human Body? No. There Is No Such Rule That A Soul From A Human Body Should Take A Human Body Only. Depending On The Past Accumulated Karmas That Soul May Take Any Form Of Body, May Be A Divine Body, An Animal Body Or An Insect Body Or Something Else. In Fact, To Take Another Body It Takes No Time. Immediately It Happens. It Is Like Changing From One Vehicle To The Other By A Passenger.

    Getting Moksha Means Ultimate Liberation From Karmic Bondage Happens Only By The Divine Grace Of Almighty Supreme Lord Narayana ! And That Grace Falls On Us By The Recommendation Done By The Guru. Hence, Guru’s Grace Is More Important.

    Ithihasas - Ramayana and Mahabharatha

    Answer:

    1. no doubt that there are many slokas intruded in maha bharatha in recent times. as we know that the whole story ultimately declares that lord vishnu is the supreme and many like bhishma in rajasuya yaga, rishis in forest etc., revealed that lord vishnu is the ultimate god. so, any slokas contradicting this fact, should be taken for granted as included by recent pundits for their own sake.
      while lord krishna was in kailasa yatra, lord siva declares that lord krishna ( vishnu ) is only the “ka:rana tatwam” accepted sivas prayers and granted them out of compassion with his act like asking for boons from siva etc., he says that in his sloka viz., “ ka ithi bramhano: na:ma, i:soham sarva de:hina:m | a:va:m thava:nge: sambhu:thow tasma:th ke:sava na:ma va:n || myself and bramha both were come out of your own divine form thus your name became “ke:sava”
      there are many other incidents to prove that lord vishnu was worshipped by all other devathas and surrendered to him. so slokas going in tune to this will be taken as authority and others will be taken for granted that they are later additions only.

    2. accepting narayana or vishnu as supreme, is just because of vedas only. as purusha suktha is considered to be quint essence of all the vedas. there it is accepted that “the one who is the origin of this universe is the divine spouse of lakshmi etc.,” this is enough to prove the supremacy of lakshmi natha.
      to prove that vishnu and narayana are one and the same, we take the meaning of the words as no one had ever chance to witness the form in total. any question of this type related to the supreme concepts, shall be replied only through the evidence from scriptures which are commonly accepted by all. all they declare that lord vishnu and narayana are one and the same. sri vishnu sahasra namam also says the same.
      vishnu, this name is existent to many devathas & also.to indra, one of the suryas is also called as vishnus. in githa, lord was reffering to that adithya only.

    See Original Question
    1) We know that Sriman Narayana is Supreme, as per Vedas. And this means, we reject Rajasic and Tamasic Puranas as invalid. We accept the Ithihasas, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Swami, my question is about the Mahabharata. There are so many versions in existence today. Many of these versions have tales like Shiva being called Supreme. How do Vaishnavas explain these verses? Because, I believe a team of scholars compiled an edition of every existent verse (BORI’s Critical Edition). In that edition, there are things like Bhishma telling Yudhishtira to worship Shiva, and Shiva being called greater than Vishnu. So, which is the correct version (in english) for Vaishnavas to follow? And if these verses calling Shiva as supreme are authentic, then how do we explain them? Did our poorvacharyas explain these verses? 2) My second question pertains to the Veda. I am aware that Satapatha Brahmana and other verses talk about birth of Shiva, so therby, Shiva is not Supreme. But how do we identify Vishnu as Sriman Narayana? And in Gita, Krishna says, ‘Among Adityas, I am Vishnu’. We know Adityas are created by NarayaNa. Then why does Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, call Vishnu an Aditya? I’d be grateful if you could kindly answer these questions.

    Answer:

    1. no doubt that there are many slokas intruded in maha bharatha in recent times. as we know that the whole story ultimately declares that lord vishnu is the supreme and many like bhishma in rajasuya yaga, rishis in forest etc., revealed that lord vishnu is the ultimate god. so, any slokas contradicting this fact, should be taken for granted as included by recent pundits for their own sake.
      while lord krishna was in kailasa yatra, lord siva declares that lord krishna ( vishnu ) is only the “ka:rana tatwam” accepted sivas prayers and granted them out of compassion with his act like asking for boons from siva etc., he says that in his sloka viz., “ ka ithi bramhano: na:ma, i:soham sarva de:hina:m | a:va:m thava:nge: sambhu:thow tasma:th ke:sava na:ma va:n || myself and bramha both were come out of your own divine form thus your name became “ke:sava”
      there are many other incidents to prove that lord vishnu was worshipped by all other devathas and surrendered to him. so slokas going in tune to this will be taken as authority and others will be taken for granted that they are later additions only.
    2. accepting narayana or vishnu as supreme, is just because of vedas only. as purusha suktha is considered to be quint essence of all the vedas. there it is accepted that “the one who is the origin of this universe is the divine spouse of lakshmi etc.,” this is enough to prove the supremacy of lakshmi natha.
      to prove that vishnu and narayana are one and the same, we take the meaning of the words as no one had ever chance to witness the form in total. any question of this type related to the supreme concepts, shall be replied only through the evidence from scriptures which are commonly accepted by all. all they declare that lord vishnu and narayana are one and the same. sri vishnu sahasra namam also says the same.
      vishnu, this name is existent to many devathas & also.to indra, one of the suryas is also called as vishnus. in githa, lord was reffering to that adithya only.

    Answer:

    according valmiki, sabari was a hunter lady, living in the hermitage of sage mathanga. his disciples were her gurus. they were taking care of her, since her childhood. she was doing service there till their departure. they informed her that lord rama is going to visit this asramam and their guru’s greatness should be explained to him. those disciples of sage mathanga said they are were not able to prolong their life time and hence they were leaving their bodies. sabari thus instructed by her gurus waited for 13 long years for lord srirama to come to her place. ultimately he and his brother lakshmana visited that asramam. they had interaction with her and with their acceptance, she left the body in the self-created fire and acquired a divine body and reached the lotus feer of her gurus. this is the story available in sri ramayanam.

    See Original Question
    jai srimannarayana sir, what is the lifehistory of shabari(ramayana)? kunchakarra rama

    Answer:

    according valmiki, sabari was a hunter lady, living in the hermitage of sage mathanga. his disciples were her gurus. they were taking care of her, since her childhood. she was doing service there till their departure. they informed her that lord rama is going to visit this asramam and their guru’s greatness should be explained to him. those disciples of sage mathanga said they are were not able to prolong their life time and hence they were leaving their bodies. sabari thus instructed by her gurus waited for 13 long years for lord srirama to come to her place. ultimately he and his brother lakshmana visited that asramam. they had interaction with her and with their acceptance, she left the body in the self-created fire and acquired a divine body and reached the lotus feer of her gurus. this is the story available in sri ramayanam.

    Answer:

    Nature is His divine body and we need to get connected to His inner soul. We do not love only the body of a person, but the life along with the body. That life of nature is what is known as God.
    See Original Question
    Srimate-Narayanaya-namah. I always had this little query regarding the ramayana and mahabharata. as we have seen in ramayana the pattabhishekha intially was only planned for jestha kumara I.e., srirama and others were not eligible when he was there so he was sent out for vanavasa in mahabharata we see that the kaurava’s who are the sons of jestha kumara I.e., dritharastra should be actually given the throne but how were pandava’s eligible ? im really sorry if my question was totally wrong Sathuluri Ravi

    Answer:

    always eldest of the family only was eligible, if he is not otherwise handicapped. to observe that only, bharatha did not accept the throne and subserved the pa:dukas, in place of lord sri rama. when he came back, the throne was given back. because rama was not otherewise, handicapped.

    dhrutha ra:shtra was blind. hence, he lost the chance of ruling the kingdom. pandu also was suffering from ill-health. yet, because of his vision and ability, he was given the kingdom and crown. automatically, his children got the chance of becoming heirs.

    because of pandavas’ over-kindness and duryo:dhana’s high handedness, kauravas started ruling the kingdom. in fact, duryo:dhana was never considered as king at all. after pandu’s demise, dhruthara:shtra was only the king. yet, duryo:dhana, declared himself as the king, as was started making announcements as he was the king of kings. “duryo:dhana sa:rvabhouma”. he was a rowdy. having a big gand with him. his father was so much fascinated to his son. hence, no other opened their mouths. inspite of some elders say something good, they never cared those words at all.

    Answer:

    you need not get mad after him. rama was the son of a chakravarthi. he was provided with all sorts of luxaries with his father king dasarath. you need not deprive him with those things. it was only during the period of his exile, his step-mother ordered him not to enjoy anything that is luxurious. so he observed austirities like a sage in the forest.

    while he was in his kingdom during his childhood and after returning from the forest also he was having all sorts of princely wealths and facilities. so you need not yell at your friends that rama was not having any paricharikas to serve him. all that you can say that he shared his life only with sitha.

    See Original Question
    I need to have a clarification regarding the information given by my friend, even though I knew it was wrong. he said that in valmiki ramayana it was given that rama enjoyed his life very much that is in luxurious way. he also said that he used take bath between paricharikas and like that. even though I didnot believe I could not answer him. please reply him so that I can slap him and say that what u said was wrong. I request you to clarify.

    Answer:

    you need not get mad after him. rama was the son of a chakravarthi. he was provided with all sorts of luxaries with his father king dasarath. you need not deprive him with those things. it was only during the period of his exile, his step-mother ordered him not to enjoy anything that is luxurious. so he observed austirities like a sage in the forest.

    while he was in his kingdom during his childhood and after returning from the forest also he was having all sorts of princely wealths and facilities. so you need not yell at your friends that rama was not having any paricharikas to serve him. all that you can say that he shared his life only with sitha.

    Answer:

    according to sri va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, there is no mention about sri:ra:ma’s worship to lord siva. lord siva appeared before sri:ra:ma, after the death of ra:vana, along with all the other de:vathas. and then lord siva praised sri:ra:ma as the ultimate supreme lord to all the ji:vas. and there only, he suggested sri:ra:ma to go back to ayo:dhya and bless the bharatha and others for some time and come back to the divine abode, when all the de:vathas requested sri:ra:ma to come back to divine abode, because ra:vana was killed. this shows the concern that lord siva has towards the lord. that is all mentioned about him. it was tulasi das who made somany inter-polations about other dieties and also he made his own story about srira:ma in his ra:macharitha ma:nasa book. he is the one who made the story of ra:me:swaram in his book. but it is not authentic sofar as ra:ma’s history is concerned.

    we always treat sri ra:ma:yana as our ancient history and not just an epic or a pura:na. history means ‘that has to be accepted as it is without any changes or additions’. sri ra:ma:yana & srimath maha:bha:ratha are our historic books, but not pura:na:s or epics. sri tulasidas also made mistakes in this regard. this made so many people to think about srira:ma’s worship to lord siva.

    there is one place in va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, where the name ”maha:de:vaha” mentioned. people give the meaning to that word as lord siva, which is wrong there. the context is ‘ra:ma returning from lanka in the pushpaka vima:nam, along with sitha and other subjects. sri ra:ma was explaining the events and places to sitha from the areal view. while crossing the ocean, he was showing the bridge, constructed by the va:naras and said how that was built and so on. when the flight reached the other end of the sea, then he said “athra pu:rvam maha:de:vah prasadam akaro:th prabhuhu” it means “o sitha! when we wanted to cross the ocean, it was here only, maha:de:vah= the god of sea, varunade:va, appeared and blessed us with the means as and how can we build the bridge”. here the word maha:de:vah is wrongly interpreted by somany. in fact, there was no siva appeared during their sojourn to lanka.

    some people say that after killing the ra:vana, ra:ma was possessed by brahma hatya dosha (a greater sin captures by killing a brahmin) and to get rid of that sin he consecrated the siva linga at ra:me:swaram. this is again a false story created without any authority. if ra:ma is captured by the sin, by killing a demon, who did all non-sense, then no one will dare to punish wicked. by punishing a wicked person, no one will be captured by sins. and ra:ma never felt sorry for killing ra:vana and he never wanted to do any pra:yaschitta (purification act) for that act.

    you may read sri va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, whenever it is possible. you can take it granted any event, which goes in accordance with that only. if something goes against to that you need not ask anybody and think it is a story created by the writer according to his own wish.

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana, Om Asmad Gurubhyo: namaha. For the benefit of Sriman ‘Anand Srinivasan Narasimhan’ who posed the question on Lord Rama worshipping ‘Mahadeva’, I am attaching the answer, that Sri Swamiji gave about two years back. Please read it completely:

    Answer:

    according to sri va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, there is no mention about sri:ra:ma’s worship to lord siva. lord siva appeared before sri:ra:ma, after the death of ra:vana, along with all the other de:vathas. and then lord siva praised sri:ra:ma as the ultimate supreme lord to all the ji:vas. and there only, he suggested sri:ra:ma to go back to ayo:dhya and bless the bharatha and others for some time and come back to the divine abode, when all the de:vathas requested sri:ra:ma to come back to divine abode, because ra:vana was killed. this shows the concern that lord siva has towards the lord. that is all mentioned about him. it was tulasi das who made somany inter-polations about other dieties and also he made his own story about srira:ma in his ra:macharitha ma:nasa book. he is the one who made the story of ra:me:swaram in his book. but it is not authentic sofar as ra:ma’s history is concerned.

    we always treat sri ra:ma:yana as our ancient history and not just an epic or a pura:na. history means ‘that has to be accepted as it is without any changes or additions’. sri ra:ma:yana & srimath maha:bha:ratha are our historic books, but not pura:na:s or epics. sri tulasidas also made mistakes in this regard. this made so many people to think about srira:ma’s worship to lord siva.

    there is one place in va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, where the name ”maha:de:vaha” mentioned. people give the meaning to that word as lord siva, which is wrong there. the context is ‘ra:ma returning from lanka in the pushpaka vima:nam, along with sitha and other subjects. sri ra:ma was explaining the events and places to sitha from the areal view. while crossing the ocean, he was showing the bridge, constructed by the va:naras and said how that was built and so on. when the flight reached the other end of the sea, then he said “athra pu:rvam maha:de:vah prasadam akaro:th prabhuhu” it means “o sitha! when we wanted to cross the ocean, it was here only, maha:de:vah= the god of sea, varunade:va, appeared and blessed us with the means as and how can we build the bridge”. here the word maha:de:vah is wrongly interpreted by somany. in fact, there was no siva appeared during their sojourn to lanka.

    some people say that after killing the ra:vana, ra:ma was possessed by brahma hatya dosha (a greater sin captures by killing a brahmin) and to get rid of that sin he consecrated the siva linga at ra:me:swaram. this is again a false story created without any authority. if ra:ma is captured by the sin, by killing a demon, who did all non-sense, then no one will dare to punish wicked. by punishing a wicked person, no one will be captured by sins. and ra:ma never felt sorry for killing ra:vana and he never wanted to do any pra:yaschitta (purification act) for that act.

    you may read sri va:lmi:ki ra:ma:yana, whenever it is possible. you can take it granted any event, which goes in accordance with that only. if something goes against to that you need not ask anybody and think it is a story created by the writer according to his own wish.

    Answer:

    one needs to look into the story of sri ra:ma as a human being. so he needs to go to a guru and learn strictly according to the human terms and conditions. whereas one should understand that lord krishna is not a human being. he came to show as and how god would be. so he, in fact, does not need to go toany guru and learn anything. yet, he also approached garga:charya while he was young and approached sa:ndi:pani for 64 days to just understand what the 64 kalas are. it is only to say that anyone needs a guru. that is all. he never got trained in any subject from anyone.

    See Original Question
    Through a previous post on Srimad Ramayana Thatthva Deepika -Ba:laka:nda, we came to know what subject Lord SriRamachandra was taught and what he mastered. Can you please tell what training did Bhagavan Sri Krishna go through?

    Answer:

    one needs to look into the story of sri ra:ma as a human being. so he needs to go to a guru and learn strictly according to the human terms and conditions. whereas one should understand that lord krishna is not a human being. he came to show as and how god would be. so he, in fact, does not need to go toany guru and learn anything. yet, he also approached garga:charya while he was young and approached sa:ndi:pani for 64 days to just understand what the 64 kalas are. it is only to say that anyone needs a guru. that is all. he never got trained in any subject from anyone.

    Answer:

    anu-githa is just an abridged version of the whole githa. the slo:kas were also different, but the content was the same.

    Answer:

    Firstly, it was never said that Rama is the ONLY one who had followed father’s words. But he is one of the first ones who has excelled and stood as an example for the way a son should respect and obey the father. In fact, Dasaratha, Rama’s father could not order in words that Rama has to go into forests for fourteen years. But, Rama understood the situation of his father and the thoughts in his heart and followed the unsaid words. This is the greatness of Rama.

    When Bharatha approached Rama and began to plead him to come back to kingdom, Rama refused. Bharatha even said to Rama, ‘Dear brother, Father has given me the kingdom. Now that the kingdom is in my hands, I would like to give it to you. Let me go to the forests’. Rama answered, ‘Father is no longer here to change his order. We are not authorised to exchange/alter/edit his wish. Let us just follow father’s words.’

    See Original Question
    Jai Srimannarayana Swamiji, I had some confusion about Sage Vishwamitra. We hear about Sage Vishwamitra in many places: [1] Much before the Lord Rama came down to the earth. (Vishwamitra was the one who build the heaven for the ancestor of Lord Rama, Satyavrata, later called as Trishanku). [2] Then Vishwamitra went into penance with an enimity with Sage Vasista. Thats when Gayathri mantra was given to us. [3] During the penance Menaka comes down and from them is born the Bharatha dynasty king – Dushyant. So does that mean while Lord Rama’s dynasty (SuryaVamsa) were ruling in Treta Yuga, the seed for the Bharatha’s dynasty (ChandraVamsa) was sown and set to begin in Dwapara Yuga? in which Yugas did the Chandra Vamsa and Surya Vamsa dynasties gain importance? [4] During the Ramayana time which is in the Treta Yuga the sage educates Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana in their youth by taking them to the forest. [5] We also hear Sage Vishwamitra during Lord Venkateshwara’s time which is Kali Yuga (I think so, is that correct?) My confusion is what are the chronological timings of these events? Is it the same Sage Vishwamitra that is being talked about everywhere? How is it possible for Sage Vishwamitra to be alive for so long? How come no mention of him or any encounters with him during the Mahabharatha time, which is Dwapara Yuga? Please forgive me if I have made any mistake in mentioning the events. Jai Srimannarayana, Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan

    Answer:

    jai srimannarayana!

    we are happy for your interest to know about sage viswamithra. there were no many viswamitras, like other sages. only one was there, who was highly praised by sage valmiki.

    when you talk about the age, in those days they used to live long, like thousands of years. it was not a big issue in those days at all. sumanthra the minister of dasaraddha, ravana, vasishta etc., were living even in krutha yuga. so also viswamithra. now a days, we people started comparing with our own knowledge and age and experience, which is wrong.

    another lo:ka created for trisanku by the same viswamithra, who was having enimity earlier with sage vasishta. menaka met with the same sage, yes! to his own credit he made penance for thousands of years on each corner of this country. he met with different issues on each of these corners. but he was the same sage.

    rama belongs to surya vamsa. after rama, approximately 32 generations were continuing. then there may be some gap. during rushabha deva again the chandra vamsa started in ayodhya. this might have started after a few lakhs of years, when dwapara yuga was started. some people say that yugas go in some thousands. even that is wrong. they go in 4:3:2:1 ratio, which altogether come to 43,20,000 years. the size of human beings also was not as we see them today. recently, some skeleton found in north indian desert was so amazingly huge, may be between 30 to 50 feet height. there was some record also found along with it, which was not totally revealed by the govt. but says that they were interacting with brahma and siva etc. we try to put that available information for you soon.

    so people living for thousands of years was not a great thing in those days. finally, it was the same sage viswamithra, who was mentioned in all the episodes you have memtioned and he lived for many a year, before and after rama.

    he did not appear in ramayana after rama’s marriage, but he was there. we are not sure whether viswamithra’s mention was there anywhere in lord venkateswara’s history?

    Answer:

    Sri Rama is a Chakravarthi, a ruler. A ruler’s duty does not begin and end at a specific point in a day. His primary responsibility is to ensure every person is happy under his rule at all times. Even a single penny taken away from a hundred disqualifies it from being hundred. Therefore, he could not disregard the disapproval of even one person.

    Swasukha: nirabhila:shaha – If everyone is happy when Sitha lives separately from Rama, then it is better that they both sacrifice their happiness for the sake of everyone else. This is what Sri Rama believed in.

    However, there is a hidden and agreed reasoning behind why Sri Rama’s decision in this regard is fair.

    When Rama had to go to forests for 14 years to abide by the decision of his father, everyone in the kingdom followed him through the journey for an entire day. Rama had begun his journey early hours next day without telling all his followers because he had to make sure everyone lives their life as usual. However when Sitha Devi was let go to the forests, no-one questioned, disagreed or asked him to bring her back – including the ministers and sages. This shows that a lot of people were okay with Rama’s decision. In such a case, Rama had to sacrifice his happiness. Sri Rama and Sitha Devi are therefore considered our ultimate saviours because they think and act for the happiness of all of us than for themselves. Sitha Devi is always happy to support Rama for ensuring he succeeds as a ruler. Also, Rama left her under divine guidance and shade of a great sage, Valmiki. It is important to go through the root scripture, Valmiki Ramayana to understand the reasoning and secrets rather than depend on other sources. Let all the rulers learn the good deed of working to the benefit of everyone in their jurisdictions.

    See Original Question
    We look up to Sri Rama as an ideal human being and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Why did HE send Sitha Devi into the forests when she was pregnant, a woman who believed in HIM to take care of her for her entire life? Is it fair that he reacts so much to a mere comment from a single person in his kingdom? Is it fair that Sri Rama sent Sitha Devi away into forests?

    Answer:

    Sri Rama is a Chakravarthi, a ruler. A ruler’s duty does not begin and end at a specific point in a day. His primary responsibility is to ensure every person is happy under his rule at all times. Even a single penny taken away from a hundred disqualifies it from being hundred. Therefore, he could not disregard the disapproval of even one person.

    Swasukha: nirabhila:shaha – If everyone is happy when Sitha lives separately from Rama, then it is better that they both sacrifice their happiness for the sake of everyone else. This is what Sri Rama believed in.

    However, there is a hidden and agreed reasoning behind why Sri Rama’s decision in this regard is fair.

    When Rama had to go to forests for 14 years to abide by the decision of his father, everyone in the kingdom followed him through the journey for an entire day. Rama had begun his journey early hours next day without telling all his followers because he had to make sure everyone lives their life as usual. However when Sitha Devi was let go to the forests, no-one questioned, disagreed or asked him to bring her back – including the ministers and sages. This shows that a lot of people were okay with Rama’s decision. In such a case, Rama had to sacrifice his happiness. Sri Rama and Sitha Devi are therefore considered our ultimate saviours because they think and act for the happiness of all of us than for themselves. Sitha Devi is always happy to support Rama for ensuring he succeeds as a ruler. Also, Rama left her under divine guidance and shade of a great sage, Valmiki. It is important to go through the root scripture, Valmiki Ramayana to understand the reasoning and secrets rather than depend on other sources. Let all the rulers learn the good deed of working to the benefit of everyone in their jurisdictions.

    whenever lord appears, mother also takes a form to appear along with him. mostly lakshmi only comes. for varaha appearance only wife bhoodevi occupied the place, because that appearance itself was only for her sake. when lakshmi comes, others take some form to help her. there is no question on role they play, for all relationships to them are established with him only.

    See Original Question
    Secondly in Ramavataram Bhoodevi is Sitas mother where as in other avatarams Bhoodevi is vishnu murthys wife.Will the relationship be changing ineach avataram? Please clarify.

    Answer:

    whenever lord appears, mother also takes a form to appear along with him. mostly lakshmi only comes. for varaha appearance only wife bhoodevi occupied the place, because that appearance itself was only for her sake. when lakshmi comes, others take some form to help her. there is no question on role they play, for all relationships to them are established with him only.

    Answer:

    whenever lord appears, mother also takes a form to appear along with him. mostly lakshmi only comes. for varaha appearance only wife bhoodevi occupied the place, because that appearance itself was only for her sake. when lakshmi comes, others take some form to help her. there is no question on role they play, for all relationships to them are established with him only.

    See Original Question
    Secondly in Ramavataram Bhoodevi is Sitas mother where as in other avatarams Bhoodevi is vishnu murthys wife.Will the relationship be changing ineach avataram? Please clarify.

    Answer:

    whenever lord appears, mother also takes a form to appear along with him. mostly lakshmi only comes. for varaha appearance only wife bhoodevi occupied the place, because that appearance itself was only for her sake. when lakshmi comes, others take some form to help her. there is no question on role they play, for all relationships to them are established with him only.

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