November 15, 2009

Q: Gopal Babu, Study Group: Self Unfoldment
In Varaha Avatara, Lord Vishnu takes the form of a boar and rescues the earth submerged under water, hidden by King Hiranyaksha? Since water is part of the earth, how is it possible to submerge the earth under water?
Swami Shantanandaji: The seven continents are being submerged under water and that can be considered as the submersion of earth under water and Bhagawan lifted it from water. If you look at pralaya (प्रलय) theory, the whole solar system disappears under water and the earth is only a small portion.

Q: Balasubramanian: Study Group: Tattva Bodha, Mana Sodhanam
Is “do not grieve” same as “do not regret”? There are major decisions we make based on certain information which may turn out to be different, leading to regrets. How do we come out of it? Specifically, did Arjuna regret his decision to fight, post-war?
A:Swami Shantanandaji: Do not regret – you take a certain decision based on certain data available at that time. As time passes, when we look at it, we may think we could have made better decisions if we had better data that was available. Scientists discover certain things based on certain data available at a given time. Twenty years later, the discovery may be disputed because of better data. Does this mean the scientist has to regret? No. In all his/her sense, what the scientist did was right at that time, even though it may be different today. 
What is necessary is that an objective view is taken while making a decision not an emotional view. Arjuna did not regret his decision. In fact Arjuna asked Sri Krishna to repeat Gita after the war. Sri Krishna said “I cannot tell you now. I was in an inspired mood at the time I spoke and now I cannot repeat it.”

Q. (No Name)
Pujya Swamiji, can you please explain the meaning of the mantra “Na karmana na prajaya na danena thyaganeke amritattvam….?” What is the significance of chanting this while welcoming a Sanyasi?
न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः ।
परेण नाकं निहितं गुहायां विभ्राजते यद्यतयो विशन्ति ॥

Swami Shantanandaji: When a Swamiji arrives at your home, you are supposed to receive him with a Poorna Kumbha (पूर्ण कुंभ), which is filled with water. Poorna means full. A Sanyasi who has realized the truth is complete. That’s why we receive him with a Poorna Kumbha.
Amrithattvam – Immortality can be attained only through thyaga (त्याग) not through rituals nor through progeny nor through money. Only thyaga will give you the state of realization. Renounce your ego which alone will give you the state of realization. When you chant the mantra you are reminding the Sanyasi the reason what he is standing for. This mantra is from Kaivalya Upanishad and our Swamiji’s commentary is available. Please check it out.

Q. (No Name)
How do I know that there is something unchanging in me?
Swami Shantanandaji: When you are a child, you used the word “I”, when you are middle-aged or old, you still the use word “I”. This “I” does not change. Everything else changes in you - your body, your emotion, your ideology all change. Even your ego changes over time, but consciousness/awareness doesn’t change. That “Aham” (अहम्)  or “I” never changes, stays the same. How do you know that? Look back in your memory, that “aham” is the same continuously present in the waking or dream state. Who is one constantly present while being awake, sleeping or dreaming? It is the paramathma - He never changes.

Q. (No Name)
You mentioned that ego, emotion and friendship are temporary and therefore cannot be real. What about blood relations, e.g., parents, children? Aren’t these permanent and hence real?
Swami Shantanandaji: We are analyzing reality from different degrees. Your mother also became a mother only in this life. Before this jeeva, you had many lives and many parents. So what is permanent? Everything is temporary from the view point of truth. Even this creation is temporary, so where do blood relations stand?

Q. Arvind Ram:
When faced with an unprecedented situation which no one in your family has faced before; How do you know what you’re doing is right or what is your dharma?
Swami Shantanandaji: We will talk about it as we go along in the Gita. We will deal with this topic in Karma Yoga. What exactly is one’s duty is discussed in detail in the Third Chapter of the Gita.