Question: What is the symbolic representation of emblem of Ramakrishna Math? Can you please explain the same?
Answer: The significance of the emblem of the Ramakrishna Math is as follows: The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma Yoga (Yoga, i.e., the communion with God through Action), the lotus of Bhakti Yoga (Yoga through Divine Love), and the rising-sun of Jnana Yoga (Yoga through Reasoning). The encircling serpent is indicative of Raja Yoga (Yoga through Mind Control) and awakened Kundalini Shakti (Coiled-up Energy), while the swan in the picture stands for the Paramatman (the Supreme Soul). Therefore, the idea of the picture is that by the union of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga & Raja Yoga, the vision of Paramatman is obtained.
Question: Swamiji, while praying or hearing devotional songs, why the tears are coming automatically. But, if I want to cry in my mind, it won’t. How and why this is happening? I will be grateful to u if you are giving me the answer.
Answer: Sometimes when the emotions are high that tears flows. You need not have to attach much importance to it. Continue to pray as your spiritual Guru as guided you. Be a little rational.
Question: I have visited Ramakrishna Math in Bangalore and Pune, and am very much influenced with the philosophy of karma. I am interested in learning more and to be of more service to the Mission. Please guide me in this regard. Also, if there is any provision for joining Math duties and be a part of the Ramakrishna Mission, like becoming a monk etc. Please guide me or route my request to the concerned.
Answer: We are glad to know that, you are impressed with the philosophy of Karma. If you are interested in learning more, please read Karma Yoga by Swami Vivekananda.
You have mentioned about joining the Math as a Monk. We are sure you have got a clear conception about the Monastic Life.
a) A person can join our order only if he is unmarried and has not yet completed 28 years.
b) You must have no family encumbrances.
C) Be sound in body and mind.
d) Must have read Ramakrishna, Vivekananda literature etc. thoroughly.
Since this involves question of commitment for the entire life it is advisable to discuss the matter in person. If you decide to go over here, please let us know in advance and finalize your visit after knowing our availability.
Question: There is a doubt that had been lurking in my mind since the past few days: Our entire quest is to eliminate sorrow. We are essentially dissatisfied and therefore searching for a way out of this satisfaction. We seek to improve our “concentration” in this process. But then, in deep sleep we are naturally in a state where there is no dissatisfaction. This obviously means that we need not “attain” some special capabilities to get beyond dissatisfaction, isn’t it? Since if we were to attain some capabilities, these capabilities not being in deep sleep, we should not have been able to remain without dissatisfaction.1.
Now, the difference between deep sleep and awaking state is this ego. And it appears to me that all Sadhana is ego driven. We can clearly see the ego saying: “I will ‘attain’ Moksha”. “Attainment”, “goal”, “achievement”, “success”, “failure” etc are undoubtedly languages of ego, are they not? This ego seems to be essentially confusing me by saying that, I will have to “attain” something to remain without dissatisfaction and this is an error as I am able to remain in dissatisfaction in my deep sleep without attaining any such capabilities. Is not every kind of Sadhana is misdirection by ego? Is ego driving us from post to post in the name of Sadhana? Prahalada says that God is everywhere around. I see all about me and I do not believe. Is it ego which expects some exotic experience to note the presence of God and thus misleads us from seeing God? Is it again this same ego which makes me seek all sorts of exotic experiences, while here and now I am in the embrace of God? Is this thinking a Sadhana too or is it all to be is missed a mere intellectual jargon?
Please tell me, where am I heading towards? Sadhana seems unimportant to me. Some times I sit down and cry before God, some other times; I simply look at the outside world. Some times, I am carried away by my sexual instincts, some other times I feel sexual instincts cannot even touch me – and truly so, even incidents that can provoke sexual instincts fail to touch me then.
Answer: You are right that man always wants to go beyond all sorrows. In Sushupti, we are not aware of anything; but only on waking we are able to understand that “I slept well” or “I was in joy”. It is a state where we are covered with ignorance and not aware of our true nature. Consequently when we wake up we are our own old self – with joys, sorrows, miseries, etc.
The same person after continued and long spiritual discipline attains Samadhi (super conscious state) where he is aware of his real nature in contrast to that of Sushupti. Therefore when he comes out of that super conscious state (Uttana) he becomes an enlightened person.
Therefore it has been told that if a fool enters into sushupthi he will come out as a fool only whereas the same fool when he enters into super conscious state (Samadhi) he comes out as an enlightened person.
There are various types of Sadhana depending upon once temperament and the stage in which one is there because we have to start our journey from the point where we are. This has given raise to various paths or modes of Sadhana. This is certainly confusing, particularly for the beginners since their mind is in a state of vagaries. When the mind becomes pure and concentrated one will be able to know the right thing.
However this process of purification and concentration – though concentration can be attained if the mind is not pure, it can be dangerous and will be of no use – one can take the help of an advanced or enlightened soul. Such a person we call as Guru (spiritual teacher). He will be able to give a proper guidance and the methodology to be followed. We have to have atmost faith (Shraddha) in his words and instructions and follow the same without any doubting in his instructions. When this is done for long without any break one can reach the stage where he will be beyond all sorrows by realizing once true nature which is called Atman.
The man’s desire to go beyond all sorrows is because of the innate nature of the Atman which is ever blissful (Ananda Swarupa) and where there is no misery or any such thing.
Please read the following books:
1. Jnana Yoga by Swami Vivekananda
2. Karma Yoga
3. Bhakti Yoga
4. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
You may also read Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda. This will clarify most of your doubts and guide you suitably.
Question: I have got some questions related to my experience during meditation as said by Vivekananda.
Once I was trying to concentrate on the flame of a candle in my mind closing my eyes after a few moments. I withdrew my mind from the rest of the world and then I experienced acute silence. Then after a few moments, I felt as if my head and body moving in circular motion and then I felt acute silence. During this time I wasn’t even able to feel anything even my self. This was the state of bliss I believe. But still, I am a bit surprised and afraid of doing this again. I have experienced this twice for 2-hrs. Please guide me.
Answer: The fear you are having shows you are fully identified with body and the objects of the world. What you need most is purification of mind. Purify your mind and feel that you are Supreme Spirit.
For the purification of the mind it is better to start meditating on your Ishta Devata in your heart level (not the eyebrow). You can keep in touch with our Mylapore Math and if you are not initiated it is advisable to have initiation (Mantra Diksha). But if you have already been initiated follow the instructions given by your Guru and discuss the matter with him. Read Swami VivekanandaÕs works and his bio-graphy.
Question: I could understand that there is some thing beyond the creation, which is functioning with great accuracy, like the planetary system to the minutest atom.
I also understood that priorities of persons differ and what is good for me need not be good for others, hence we choose different ways of life.
But Swami, more and more questions are cropping up in my mind as I try to understand your answer.
If the purpose of life is Self-Realization, then why should it be so difficult for human beings to understand? Why only a few realize it, and why should many suffer in this cycle of life and death? If there were a purpose, then God should have made it understandable to his children and protect them from the mundane sufferings, if he loves us.
Who is God (or the force behind this creation)? Is it possible to understand Him/Her/It and define? I agree that there is some thing behind this wonderful creation and perfectly functioning universe, but how can I realize that I have that force in me?
Does “Soul” exist in all the manifestations of this creation? All living things?
Answer: God is making us understand through innumerable scriptures. But the snare of the world is so strong that people prefer enjoyment of the world in spite of various sufferings.
The force which controls the universe is within you. If you try to realize by deep meditation you will find the answer.
The Soul exists not only in all beings but in the matter too. Only the difference is in its manifestation.
Question: For years I have been wondering what could be the purpose of my life, or what my “Real nature” is.
I am confused if all this creation has any purpose and order in it, or it is just random (or some thing beyond our imagination). I was a firm believer in God(s), in my child hood; I used to pray for well being. Later I stopped it as the reason behind my prayers was either “want” or “fear”. I found no reason why someone sitting above the sky grants my wishes as I praise him and punish my neighbor as he ignores him. I realized that “Instinct”, which exists in all the creatures tell them things which need not be taught by anyone or supported by any reason. My instinct tells me that “Good” and “bad” do exist. I decided to be “Good” and do “Good”. Not to satisfy somebody, but my self. That gave me some sense.
A person who has some sympathy for the needy and attempts to feed a hungry person at least once in his life looks honorable to me than the one who meditates all through his life, chanting mantras and prayers. I wish, instead of donating Lakhs and Crores for a temple, people give a spec of it to the people who really need it. It makes more sense to me.
Is there any “ideal” way of life, which we are supposed to follow? Does any reason exist behind this game of life and death? How can I follow the way you tell and not something else told by somebody else? Kindly clarify.
Answer: The purpose of life is Self-realization or God realization Don’t you find how the Sun, Moon, Stars etc are moving in an orderly way? Doesn’t it make you to believe that there is a creator who looks upon these things & makes them to run in an orderly way?
Neither the God punishes nor rewards. He only ordains whatever is due to everyone as per the Karma. By your prayer your heart will become broad & you will become unselfish.
Dana & Meditation both are equally efficacious. Neither is great or small. According to the inclination one chooses whichever one likes. The same thing applies to the donations for the temples also.
1. The great ideal is to live a truthful life.
2. Yes definitely there is a reason for the cycle of life & death. The logic is we have to go beyond the cycle of life & death – that is what is called as freedom. Otherwise we will be caught by the whirlpool of life & death & suffering constantly. If we can stick on to truth & constantly be of some help to others that is the best life you can lead. I tell only what the scriptures have said because scriptures are authority.
Question: Today I just went through your website, and I somehow felt relieved to know I have found out some place where I always wanted myself to be. I have been married for past 7 years and have no issue. I am 32 years. Commerce granulate, was working as accountant.
Right from my childhood, I have always wanted love, I wanted to be happy, to laugh, to see people happy, but I am never confident about myself, I have always been afraid of something I don’t know. While staying with my parents and now after marriage nothing of my life has changed. I still fear for something. When I was small, I used to get angry of seeing people, my parents fighting, or if I get upset, I used to not talk to anyone for days together, they used to think that I was arrogant or selfish, egoistic. Even now after marriage it is the same, I cant help my anger, I am always low, I cannot find happiness anywhere, everywhere it is the same, same fights, same politics , same problems, I am basically very fed up of my life. But again I was always supported by my God in all my sorrows and problems. I bow to Him for being with me always, right from my birth. Now being married, I am not interested in marital life, I don’t desire for anything, very frankly not even to have a child. Yes sometimes I feel that if I had children everything would be ok, yes sometimes I even have desires. I don’t deny that. My husband is somehow fed up of me. But he has no choice but to be married to me. According to him I am at fault every time and for everything. Well I think maybe he is right. I know I am never going to have a baby, and even if I have one it would not be out of love but only as necessity of married life. But again life will be the same.
I want to attain peace, I read Bhagavad Gita daily, but I still cannot come out of it. Reading Gita, makes me feel happy, when I am under gods protection, I feel happy, at peace. I know if I kill myself, my God will never accept me, and also I will be hurting my parents and sis/brothers a lot. I don’t want to do that.
Sir, I want your guidance, to let me know, who I am, and what I want. I have always wanted to be a part of helping children, orphans, disabled, to be of help to people, to see and sing with unhappy people, to see them happy. I want to devote my life at Gods service. Please guide me into this. According to u, aren’t ladies supposed to join ashram for life time. If they are, than how can I join the same?
Sir, I will be blessed, if you let me come under your guidance to devote my life at Gods service.
Waiting for your reply soon.
Answer: First of all the happiness is within oneself. Every one can be happy if one wishes. Only you have to develop the right attitude.
What all you say about life & anger is true. But the world has other face too. Those who understand that part are happy. First of all you should learn to love yourself & not hate. To be frank life is full of joy. If you start loving every one including yourself you will see the joyous part of the life. Take any particular name of the God & constantly repeat it. Since God is full of Love & fearlessness, automatically those qualities will influence your life also.
Since married life is give & take, you have to learn to please your husband by sincerely serving him. There is no meaning in quarrelling. It is too late to say that you have no intention in married life. You should have thought it over before the marriage. Just as he has no choice, you too have no choice. So it is better to live the happy married life, just like other married couple.
Mere reading Gita will not do. Try to understand it & live accordingly to it. Pray to the God sincerely so that he will surely show the path. I wish you should manage to get some books on Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi the Divine Consort of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna particularly The Gospel of Holy Mother.
There is no necessity to join any Ashrama. When you are not able to give the joy for your husband, relatives & for yourself, then how can you bring it to other people? First you find peace & joy for yourself & then make your husband to feel the same. Then the question of serving others will come.
Question: I am mailing this question on behalf of a few of the seekers from our Gita study group. We had a doubt while discussing on Gita Chapter 4 Slokas 18-22, as it clearly says any body does physical work without attachment, without expectations on end result, without any jealousy and competition, never accumulate any Karmaphala. If that is the case, what is the effect of actions of mentally retarded people? If they do some good or bad in their actions will they accumulate any karmaphala?
Please enlighten us on this.
Answer: According to scriptures, the mentally retarded people only exhaust their Prarabdha Karma & usually no Karma Phala is accumulated for them.
Question: Swamiji, I have been a devotee of Sri Hanuman since my childhood. I pray to him and him alone. Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings have helped me develop greater faith on Hanuman and have given me greater faith. A few years ago, I wanted to have a Mantra for meditation but could not find a guru near about. Somehow, after a sequence of events and thinking I took up: “Dasoham Sri Ramanajuneyaya ” [I am a dasa , a servant, of Sri Anjaneya],as a Mantra. Not given by anyone in particular. Right now I treat Sri Hanuman as my Guru and God and repeat this Mantra which simply means: “Anjaneya, I am You Servant”. My friends tell me that I should take-up a Guru, but some how I have got so attached to this Mantra that I do not want to give it up nor take up a Guru other than Hanuman and Sri Ramakrishna. Please tell me what is beneficial to me? Should I pray to Hanuman and treat him as Guru (I Treat Sri Ramakrishna as the same as Hanuman, but cannot pray to him generally, somehow). This has also been the reason why I did not approach Ramakrishna Mission for initiation. I just cannot think of taking up another mantra or any other Guru. Am I in a totally wrong direction? I sincerely seek your suggestion.
Answer: At the outset, do not discuss your spiritual practice with your friends. Every body will have his own path & try to drag you to that.
You are perfectly alright. Worship the Lord Hanuman & repeat the Mantra you have chosen for yourself. If you sincerely continue, Lord Hanuman himself will guide you in the right path. There is no necessity for taking any initiation for the present; so long you have firm faith in what you are doing.
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