February 8, 2009

Q: Prasad Bapatla, Study Group: Raji Edamadaka, Self Unfoldment Class:
Last year hundreds of people died in a stampede at a temple in north India. How do we explain this? Why is God punishing people who came to have his darshan. Similarly, why did innocent people get killed in Bombay attack?

Swami Shantanandaji: Now, it is not God that is not punishing them, please! People stampede and get killed in a temple because of their indiscipline. When it comes to religion, the discipline is somehow forgotten. You see, in other religions like Islam and Christianity, when people go to their mosques and churches, there will be pin drop silence. Thousands of people offering prayers and they will be very quiet, silent and totally disciplined. When it comes to temples and our festivals, we are the most undisciplined people. We cannot attribute this tragedy to Bhagawaan. It is the consequence of our own behavior. Bhagawaan sitting inside us may be warning us not to behave in such way, He may be telling, “Don’t go, Don’t stampede, Don’t rush!”. .. But we do not listen. In that case, even Bhagawaan is helpless.

Innocent people getting killed in Mumbai – Terrorism is not new in India, it was there in Ravana’s time too. Kansa too used to destroy many innocent people. Because of their cry, Bhagawaan himself came and punished the evil doers. When innocent people die, it is a sacrifice. Karma will never go unpunished. Those killers will also suffer. In the hands of nature, it will never go unpunished.

So why is it happening?. Every thing in this world happens because of thoughts. Whenever people think in a particular direction, things will happen that way. If everybody thinks of peace, peace will reign. And let us say, a large number of concentrated people think of this terrorism, then terrorism will happen. There will be victims. But then unless the thought is corrected, and people think properly, these things can not be avoided.

Q: Subramanian: Self unfoldment class, Harish Bhatt:
In a previous lecture, you mentioned that Sati Devi went to Daksha’s yagna without Lord Shiva. What can we learn from this episode, when we have to make choices in life?

Swami Shantanandaji: Now Bhagawaan gave upadesha, advice to her. But then you can only give advice. You can not insist that the advice you give should be followed. Bhagawaan understood that Sati Devi will die either way, whether she goes or not. Sometimes in your own family, you can only advise children - ”Beta, If I were you, I would not have done this.” And leave them alone. If you go after them and insist they follow you, things may become worse. I think that this is the message that Bhagawaan is giving us.

Q: Balasubramanian, Tatvabodha class: Our culture is result oriented. That is, Results = Success = Wealth = Power.
Results are important at work, at home, at school. How do you balance this results oriented life with our scriptures which teaches to focus on actions, not results?

Swami Shantanandaji: Actually, This advice is also result oriented. If you look at what is said in the scriptures, your focus should be only on action and not on the result. Every result of an action is determined by the quality of performance of your actions. If the quality of performance of your actions is high, definitely you will get high quality results. But, if the quality of performance is mediocre, you can not expect high class results.

Now, in order to perform in the best way, behind every piece of action, your mind presence should be 100%. In order to bring utmost energy behind the piece of action, it is necessary is to check the dissipation of energy.

How do we dissipate our energy? When we focus our attention on the result before performing the action, our enthusiasm and our energies get diverted. To check this diversion or the dissipation of energy, scriptures advise: focus on the action; perform the action well and the result will take care of itself.
That is why our culture was not a poor culture. It produced a wealthy civilization. Our country was very rich. That is why it attracted foreigners, foreign invasions. No body will go and invade a poor country. How many people have invaded us? Looted, plundered and taken our wealth. All other countries became rich because of our country. Now, even then, in spite of all that, we are doing very well. Please understand that our philosophy is not against wealth or Power. It is telling you how to become prosperous.

Q: Raju and Rajan Narayanswami: Can you please explain the concept of Loka in Hinduism. When one gets freedom from rebirth on earth, is he reborn into Devaloka?

Swami Shantanandaji: There are fourteen lokas according to our scriptures. Bhuh, Bhavah, Swah, Mahah, Janah. Tapah, and Satyam; Seven lokas. Seven up and seven down. The seven worlds down below are Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Rasatala, Talatala, Mahatala, and Patala. It will come in Bhagawatam later and I will then explain. Who are the residents of each loka? In Devaloka, Devas, the gods are the residents. And kinnaras, gandharvas, yakshas have a particular place too to live, and Sapta Rishis, Jeevanmukta purushas have a place to live too. Likewise there are residences for all living. Just now we saw Dhruva Loka, that is polar star, there is a particular type of residence there. And DevaLoka is considered beyond Surya, the Sun. The earth is in space in between sun, And beyond sun, is called Deva Loka. When a person dies, if he has done lot of charities, lot of punyakarma, service to the humanities, he will go to heaven. The soul will reach heaven and in heaven he will be given a celestial body, and with that celestial body he will enjoy. The soul is the one that will be taken to Deva loka or Naraka.