Question: Regarding Rama Nama Japam some people say we MUST prefix ‘Sri’ before ‘Rama’ to make ‘Sri Rama’ otherwise practicing simply ‘Rama’ will not be powerful. Please answer me if you feel my question is genuine.
Answer: It can be chanted either way. It doesn’t make any difference.
Question: Ashtawakara Gita says that the entire universe is just like a dust in the total Consciousness. Whereas the chain of birth and death seems to be infinite like the vision of snake appears as real, due to illusion, in terms of qualities like example 6′ length, 1/2 inch diameter, coiled up.
I know that The Truth is ‘the entire universe is just like a dust in the total consciousness.’ Being an Advaithist, I had no doubt about it. Kindly clarify then, does the illusion of birth and death appear as infinite due to one’s mind stretching in time, space and causation out of Vasanas. (desires).
In reality, there is no world exists. Is my vision in this regard is right or wrong? If wrong, kindly correct me.
Answer: You are absolutely correct in your thought. Even the appearance as dust is again an illusion. The words are used in order to explain things. But in reality Brahman alone is real.
Question: What is the significance of Aditya Hridayam Stotram? Can it be chanted daily by everyone? Since Rama Himself is the supreme person then why did sage Agastya gave that Stotram to Sri Rama? Is planetary Sun the supreme person? Or is it in the sense that indweller of Sun being Narayana?
Answer: Aditya Hridayam as the name indicates is the prayer to Lord Sun for achieving success in all our endeavors. The Lord Sun dispels the obstacles come on the way. Sri Rama too achieved success by praying to Lord Sun. when the God incarnates as man he likes to behave like a man in order to set an example. So lord Rama worshipped the Sun.
Question: Variety is the Law of nature. So variety of Religions, castes, creeds etc., is in-evitable. So by standing in a particular variety (i.e., Religion, Caste, Creed etc.,) in which a person is born, whether one is able to realize that subtle Unity, i.e the Brahman, the Atman of Vedanta, the Self which is within, Allah of Islam, Father of Jesus Christ, and Nirvana, the un-conditioned state of Buddhism is the test, purpose and Goal of Life. So paths may be different because the variety in which a person is born has no choice over his choosing any particular variety. Hence the concept of this variety is correct, and that variety is wrong, is not applicable because God, the Unity cannot be favorable or un-favorable to any particular variety. So the common platform ,which is the Absolute in nature, the Unity where the differences among the variety get eliminated , can be reached by knowing first about that Nature of Absolute which is called Atman or Brahman of Vedanta, Allah, the in-visible in Islam, Father in Christianity, Nirvana of Buddhism, then thought about it, contemplating on it, meditating , and realizing or by sincere, un-conditional surrender with un-shakable Faith without any deviations in terms of superstitions, miracles and demi-gods. Below that common platform, all differences only will exist because nature of all variety is different.
My question is: PATHS may be different but the GATEWAY (ONENESS I AM) by penetrating that common platform which is Absolute in Nature , can be only One and the same for all varieties (i.e. for all Religions, Castes, and Creeds). That is why Truth gets manifested irrespective of any Religions, castes, and creeds etc., and I could see even to-day many Vedantic Muslims who have taken the messages of same Holy Quran, Vedantic Christians who have taken the messages of Jesus Christ properly , and Vedantic Buddhists ,by becoming Buddha. Without the common GATE WAY of Oneness IAM, the above Unity in those varieties is not possible. Without coming out from all names and forms mentally and by not destroying the names and forms physically, just like for realizing the space I don’t have to destroy the pot, reaching that ‘COMMON WAY which is Oneness IAM’ is not possible. Is my view in this regard is correct or not? Kindly guide me.
Answer: Your thinking is fine. The Supreme God is one and one only.
Sri Ramakrishna says that it is the same water – people call it variously as Water, Aqua, Pani, Jal, etc. So are the different forms & names of gods. Different religions and systems are various paths suited to persons of different temperaments. Sri Ramakrishna further adds that He is with form, formless and beyond all forms & names.
As per your question when we understand that space inside the pot and outside is the same, there is no quarrel. But we fight on name and form – Nama & Rupa.
Read Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and Jnana Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. It will clear many of your doubts.
Question: It is stated very often that a guru is required to make real progress in nama smarana along with strict Brahmacharya. As we are unable to select guru by ourselves, so if continue in this way (as you told) can’t we make progress really? Till then can we take Ramadoota Noble Monkey Hanuman as our Guru? Also what is Brahmacharya means? As a married person do we need to sleep separately? How to resist thoughts related to women? By looking at other women do we have to prostrate mentally treating them as divine Sakthi?
I am sharing with you again in the view that your sankalpa can purify us in right direction. I apologize for your valuable time and inconvenience if any.
Pranams to your feet. Long Live Sri Ramakrishna Order!
Answer: No doubt Guru is essential in Spiritual Path. As far as possible observe continence in your life and look upon your life partner as Divine Mother. Please do not treat your wife very lightly. Treat her with respect and dignity. Seek her cooperation in your spiritual progress.
Question: Do you have a separate matt for women, if so, do you have site for them. Please let me know the address of the site on the web if there is any such web site.
Answer: Please find herewith the website address of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineshwar, Kolkata-76: www.srisaradamath.org
Question: I have just found your website when searching for “use of Ramanam”. I am 19 years old and doing my B.E. in a self financing college. For the past few months I don’t know why I suddenly got interest in kamam. I need your suggestion for controlling one’s mind from these matters. I also request you to explain “how for does fate is true in one’s life?” I hope you will reply as soon as possible
Answer: My humble advice to you is
1. Take only Satvik food.
2. Offer intense prayers to make your mind pure.
3. Take some physical exercises daily like Yogasanas.
4. Keep good company.
5. Read good books which will elevate your mind, and cogitate on such good thoughts.
6. Don’t think opposite sex as an object of enjoyment, a manufacturing machine. Instead think that they are divine and they are also to be honoured, respected and worshipped. In this connection I request you to read that portion from the life of Sri Ramakrishna who worshipped his wife as the Mother of the universe. Unless until you change your outlook you cannot raise in the Moral scale. Every woman is Shakti and she has divinity in her. Pay due respects to that divinity and hate it not.
“It is people who are getting old, who talk of fate. It is the strong man, Who stands up and says, ‘I will make my fate,’ says Swami Vivekananda.
May Divine Mother of the universe give you sufficient mental strength to overcome all temptations in your life!
Question: Is there any difference between spiritual initiation and Upanayana? If any may I request you to explain the difference?
Answer: Yes there is difference between spiritual initiation and Upanayana.
In spiritual initiation you seek a competent Guru to initiate you in the spiritual path. Every Mantra has inherent power in it. When Guru initiates the disciple this power is transmitted too. That qualified Guru gives you a fully charged divine Mantra and fixes your chosen deity. It contains “Bija” or seed. Then he gives you certain instructions which will be helpful in spiritual life if followed sincerely. He is the dependable Guru for all your life who initiates you most unselfishly. He prays for the welfare of the disciple and sincerely feels for the progress of the disciple in the spiritual Path. The real Guru welcomes all seekers of Truth, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Upanayana is one of the Samskaras in the life of a person. Father performs Upanayanam Ceremony and gives Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri also can lead to the goal, provided it is practiced sincerely.
Even if you are initiated with a Mantra (what you call spiritual initiation) the chanting of Gayatri can be continued.
Try sincerely to progress in spiritual path.
Question: I am interested to become a Monk. Currently I live in USA.
In the following link “Become a Monk” http://www.ramakrishnamath.com/join.asp
It is mentioned that one has to be less than 30. Why so? According to Vedanta “Thatwa Masi” which means you are already that, which means you are already GOD. GOD has no age limit then why do you have age limit in becoming a Monk?
Is it like joining in Military where there is an age limit? Or is it about eligibility to become an IAS officer? Or eligibility for a government job?
Also it is mentioned that one should have obedience to seniors. But if the senior is mistaken then how can you be obedient to him?
Answer: To become a monk there is no age limit. But from the point of view of this organization, for its proper functioning, age limit is necessary.
A person takes to monastic life to perform spiritual practice. What can he achieve it he is old and sick? The body is the primary instrument in any endeavor. Swami Vivekananda has prescribed Karma Yoga as part of the Sadhana to realize God. The organization is the immanent aspect of “tat”.
The monks, who join the Mission at less than 30 years, work with amity and efficiency. The young monk possesses infinite capacity to work. Thus gaining experience through work they will be holding responsible posts in future. Will not the work be run much better, (which the old and aged cannot do) by young men of character – trustworthy and with executive capacity? They have thinking capacity and ability to face the challenges. Why the govt. has fixed retirement age at 58? Our age limit is much more meaningful than, military or IAS. Young men having lot of energy have much capacity to serve the country and suffering people in a better way than the old people.
Read another Vedantic Upanishad (Taittiriya Upanishad) which speaks about and believing young men. As a rule the young are optimistic, and the old are pessimistic. Young have life before them. The old complain that their day is gone. Therefore Swami Vivekananda believed in young and energetic.
You are quoting the scriptural dictum in an improper place. Organization needs such rules. Rules are framed by Swami Vivekananda.
In an organization obedience to seniors is a must. If the senior does any mistake, the junior is permitted to point out the mistake in a humble way without any bitterness.
Even Buddha has told:
Dharmam Saranam Gacchami
Sangam Saranam Gacchami
and Buddham Saranam Gacchami.
Question: Can you please send the answers to some of my questions? 1. Is it bad to be good? Everyone around me says that we must be good but only to a certain extent. Is it true?
2. In the past I have observed and many people keep telling me that I am too good and have too much faith. Is it good to be that way? It would be nice of you to send my reply.
Answer: 1. No. it is not bad to be good. The goodness that is in you, what is its quality? What is its strength? Can it change a bad man to become good? It is better to be good than to be goody-goody. A goody-goody person appears victorious and respectable. But he has no inner strength/grit or determination to remain good always. He behaves extremely well in order to please people around him. That behavior is not approved; if something wrong is going on in front of him he closes his eyes. He does not want to resist it or fight against it. Such a person is called goody-goody. He does not have the capacity to fight against injustice.
2. Swami Vivekananda used to say that If you want to learn anything from Krishna it is that is good should be equally aggressive as evil is. Please read Bhagavad Gita chapter IV, Sloka 40, in which he says, “Never my son does a doer of good come to grief.”
3.Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was good. But when mad person Harish chased Her, she was able to put him down and slap on his face, and changed his course of thinking. That is the strength of goodness.