15 Nov 2024
1. Do the existing Gods reach the Unimaginable God just as human beings?
[Ms. Swarna asked:- If Parabrahman or Unimaginable God created all the existing Gods and they in turn created us, then do these existing Gods reach the Unimaginable God just the way how we try to reach them?]
Swami replied:- It is the unimaginable God or Parabrahman existing in His incarnations (created Gods) who created the creation including us. The way to reach unimaginable Parabrahman does not exist at all because He is unimaginable. When He is mediated and becomes incarnations, we can reach the incarnations through imaginable paths.
2. Is it appropriate to listen about God or recite mantras while wearing chappals?
[When we're walking on the streets or using the metro, we often wear chappals or shoes. Is it appropriate to listen the stories about God or recite mantras or read spiritual knowledge while wearing chappals?]
Swami replied:- It depends on your psychology. On the other side, there are no such rules with respect to God.
3. How can we manage mental stress through our work or regular life, especially during challenging times?
Swami replied:- You always put your heart towards God. Stress will not be experienced by you.
4. Can the priests work in the temples when someone in the family dies?
[When someone in one’s family dies, it is told that we are not supposed to visit Punya Kshetras for next one year. Does this apply to the Pujaaris or priests working in those same temples as well?]
Swami replied:- I already told you that these traditional rules are not from the side of God, but are from the side of humanity only.
5. Is it a sin if we eat veg. food in a hotel where non-veg. is also served?
Swami replied:- It is not wrong provided the supplier does not mix them with the cooking spoon.
6. What is the essence of the Divya Prabandham?
[Guru ji, it is being told that Ramanuja considered Divya Prabandham (a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns) on par with the Vedas in terms of authority and divine inspiration. Ramanuja played a key role in institutionalizing the recitation of the Divya Prabandham alongside the Vedic mantras in temple rituals as Nitya Anusandhanam. Is this true, Swami? What is the essence of Divya Prabandham, which is currently followed regularly in the lineage of Shri Vaishnavas?]
Swami replied:- The Veda means the spiritual knowledge that is expressed through some words. The mere recitation of words is not the Veda since the knowledge of those words is only the Veda. The word ‘Veda’ comes from the root word ‘Vidul’, which means knowledge (Vidul - Jnaane). Hence, if the same spiritual knowledge is expressed by some other words of even another language, how are those words not the Veda? Sage Vyaasa preached all the Vedic knowledge through secondary scriptures called the Puraanams. Hence, the Puraanams are also the Veda only. The words of any language can become the Veda provided those words carry the same spiritual knowledge present in the Vedas. Hence, what Ramanuja told is correct. The essence of the Divya Prabandham is also the Veda, which is about the devotion to God and this devotion to God is expressed in the Vedic Hymns also under the name ‘Upaasana Kaanda’.
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