Question: I have a doubt on “GAYATHRI UPPASSANA”. What exactly it is? Is there any procedure to do like the timings, fasting, place, pooja etc? Kindly clarify my doubt.
Answer: Upasana lit. means sitting near. That means to say you will be sitting near to the deity mentally. The mind is the media through which one approaches the God. This can be done by repeating the Lord’s name in this particular case the Gayatri Mantra. Timings, fasting, place, rituals etc. are of secondary details. There are books available on Gayatri in our show room at Hyderabad Math. The Swamiji there will also be able to guide you in the matter.
Question: I have recently visited your site and found it to be very knowledgeable. I had visited the site as I wanted some information for a friend of mine who is interested in joining the Math and becoming a monk.
He is presently working in a good position, has been brought up in a highly religious and spiritual background and is very interested in leading a spiritual life…
There are some questions with this regards that I need to ask. Firstly, does the authority decide who they have to admit into the math, I mean, do they have the final say in this matter..? If yes, then, on what basis do the authorities decide whether the person is fit to join the math and become a monk or not..? Do they consider the past of the person..?
He has not yet finished his graduation due to some problems and his age is 26-27 years. Kindly answer and oblige…
Answer: A person who is a graduate and of less than 28 years is eligible to join our Order provided he can renounce his home and hearth. You can ask your friend to get in touch with us.
Question: I would like to join the Ramakrishna Math as a monk.
The only problem is even though I am completely desirous of joining, I cannot immediately, on account of my being the only child, as my parents would definitely need my support and I am fully aware and ready for that. I had visited you earlier, but this idea of leaving everything and taking up the vows of celibacy is coming back to me and causing great mental anguish agony and pain.
I would certainly not like to get married. Also as a current profession of a software engineer I am not able to devote myself to social service which I would like to. As suggested by you I am reading the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and it has greatly influenced me.
I sometimes feel Karma Yoga is not the right path for me and I would definitely detach myself from the world and lead the life of purity of a monk through worship and concentrated meditation; else the Kamini Kanchan would definitely get its stranglehold on me.
Please advice me on the path to follow – probably even after becoming a monk I could pay my parents a visit sometimes. I do not know how to convince them as I have mentioned this to them sometimes though never seriously and they have also taken it lightly. At one point i had thought of running away to Benaras to experience the bliss of monastic life and austerities.
This life of money/fame etc is harrowing me and I am totally not able to synchronize with my daily work schedule.
Please do answer all my questions – I would have peace of mind. Also kindly inform me on what dates I could get myself initiated from your organization.
Answer: I am glad that you have a great desire to become a Monk. It is but natural that a person of this temperament will find it difficult to adjust to the life outside.
There are many persons who are the only child of their parents have taken to this life. When you depend on the Lord, will not the Lord take care of the persons who were depending on you? Think over this matter deeply.
You have not given any bio-data of yours. Please let us know your age, qualification etc. A graduate who is below 28 years is admitted in our order. The main qualification is desire to lead the monastic life as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda where there is a harmonious blending of four Yogas. The work which one sees as being done by the Monks is a part of their Sadhana, which transforms Karma into Karma Yoga.
From your mail it is not clear as to where you are stationed. If possible you can visit us in person and discuss the matter in detail. If you are working please do not resign take some leave & visit us before taking a final decision in the matter.
In case you are far away from Bangalore you can also get in touch with any of our centers and discuss the matter.
Question: Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna left a vivid impression in my heart and soul. After visiting your website, I am very eager to know lot about Ramakrishna Math and join them. I am eager to know about the details on “Become Monk” and if I am blessed I would like to be a Monk. Please give me your contact details.
Answer: I appreciate your idea of becoming a Monk. You are most welcome to visit us. Please come on Sunday, 18th of September 2005 between 10.00 a.m. & 11.00 a.m. Before coming please phone & come.
Note: A personal discussion will help and clarify the doubts.
Question: I was wondering if god created everything.
Answer: According to some schools of thought, God, the Supreme Spirit created everything. There should be no doubt about it. We request you to read Ramakrishna & Vivekananda – Vedanta literature where all these doubts will be cleared.
Question: People talk about Vedanta says this, Vedanta says that, what is Vedanta and who created it?
Answer: Vedanta does not refer to any book. It is the sumum bonum of the teachings enshrined in Vedas. Vedas are the truth realized by ancient Rishis. The mass of knowledge was classified by Vedavyasa into 4 Vedas Ð Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva.
You can read the book “Spiritual Heritage of India” by Swami Prabhavananda or any book on Indian Philosophy.
Question: I am a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna math. Recently I started reading holy mother’s biography. I have a doubt in it. Holy mother told,” in her childhood she used to see a girl who looks like a holy mother and she helped the mother in her activities.” Who is that twin girl? Is she a illusion or it is mystery to understand. I have read the same incident in Swamiji life also. During the period of his spiritual practices he also used to see a twin. As the same in holy mother’s Kamarpukur days she used to see 8 girls while going out at the early morning from home.
I didn’t get any explanations for these incidents in their biography. How do we regard these incidents? Can we have scientific explanations for these things?
Kindly clear the doubts.
Answer: We are happy to hear that you are sincerely studying the life of Sri Sarada Devi.
The girl who used to attend on Holy Mother was the companion of Divine Mother. It is said that Divine Mother Lakshmi has Ashta Sakis. Those Ashta Sakis use to appear and when Holy Mother required. This only confirms Sri Ramakrishna’s statement that Sri Sarada Devi is none other than incarnation of Lakshmi Herself.
These are not matters to prove scientifically. It is a matter of absolute faith. The only scientific explanation is Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi had experienced it. And there is no reason for them to lie in these matters, the devotees who have absolute faith also experiences such things.
Question: I thank you for your reply.
I have a few more doubts which I hope you will be able to clear.
1. Can we tell lies for a good reason?
2. As Sri Ramakrishna had meditate on Mother Kali and seen her is it possible for us to see him?
3. Is it true that if we meditate under an Amalaki tree our wish is fulfilled? Where do we find these trees? Why don’t everyone sit under this tree and meditate? Hoping to receive your reply.
Answer: Spirituality and telling lies do not go together. Sri Ramakrishna could not even bear a fib. Read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna carefully. Your doubts will be clarified automatically.
Question: sir, I am currently pursuing my M.B.A. (first semester) and my age is 23. Though currently stationed at Lucknow but originally a resident of Calcutta. From many monks of the order I have come to know that the maximum age for joining the math is 25, is it true?
Is it really true that anyone who wishes to be a monk can simply be inculcated in the order without any prior check of attitude and values, since monasticism demands a lot of involvement and dedication. It may also be possible that a person may join the order without finding a descent job or to avoid job frustration or to avoid duties towards family life- how do you differentiate between a genuine cause and a fake one?
In order to join do I need to have a prior knowledge of Sanskrit (I am a novice in the subject) or do I have to give a kind of written or oral examination?
At last please give me detailed list of qualities required to join and not the general ones posted on the net. I also want to know the length of the observation period before becoming a brahmachari. All my family members (including me) have taken initiation from the math.
Respected Swamiji, I would be highly obliged if you can spare some of your precious time to answer my questions. I would also like to post similar questions on the issue-I am very much interested in joining the order.
Answer: Hindu Monasticism is voluntary. The main criterion is renunciation and discrimination. If the escapists and unemployed are to take this life, within few days they themselves will walk out. Only when one’s attraction towards Spiritual Life or in other words God realization, is more than the attraction for the world a person can take up the monastic life.
Persons who are graduates can join our order up to the age of 28. It is advisable for you to complete your course before you take a decision in the matter. The novice will have to undergo through medical test. He is expected to have clear ideas about monastic life. He must be thorough with Ramakrishna-Vivekananda and Vedanta Literature.
After joining it takes at least 5 years for a person to be initiated into Brahmacharya Diksha and another 4 years for Sannayasa Diksha. Thus the person will have to undergo training for 10 years
Question: I got a doubt while listening to the exposition of Viveka Cudamani by Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj. Could you please clarify?
The consciousness in man – is it the reflection of the Brahman Consciousness or is it the Brahman Consciousness itself restricted by body – mind complex.
Answer: Pure consciousness restricted to the body is called Atman and the same consciousness beyond all limitations and all-pervading is called Brahman.
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