Posted on: 01 Nov 2022
1. What is the time of birth to be considered for a new born baby?
[Shri Abhiram sent questions through Shri Kishore Ram: Padanamaskaram Swamiji. Swami, this is a question related to astrology and time of birth of a new born baby. The birth time of a baby is calculated when the baby is delivered out (first cry). But, in a YouTube video, one astrologer said that the time of birth of a child is to be calculated when the child is in the womb of the mother itself. Kindly clarify.]
Swami replied:- Generally, astrologers take the time of birth only. Some take when the head is out and some others take when the child is delivered. Birth time while the child is in womb is not heard of anywhere.
2. Is my thought correct that “I should not ask God since He knows my needs”?
[Swami, when I ask God for some help or desire, If I think I should not ask God since He is already aware of my needs and difficulties, is that thinking correct or wrong?]
Swami replied:- Such thinking is the most correct thing. We are asking only due to the intensity of force.
3. Is it true that some lady was possessed by Goddess or spirit?
[Swamiji, in some hindu festivals like Dussera, in villages I have seen on the day of the festival, some lady was possessed by Goddess or spirit. Is that true? If yes, then how to identify if it is as true? The reason for this question is that few people may exploit this concept due to some blind believers in the villages.]
Swami replied:- All types of possibilities are possible and we cannot stress on a single point. Deep scientific analysis alone can reveal the truth.
4. Can we use a separate oil for Diwali lights, which is not useful for cooking?
[Swamiji, I discussed with my friend about the real deepam (knowledge light) and not the materialistic light to be used in Deepavali. Moreover, the oil is wasted lighting up the diyas. But, My friend said there is a separate oil used for diwali lights (diyas) which is not useful for cooking or other purposes. Swamiji, please comment on this.]
Swami replied:- But, we are using the oil used for cooking only. Even if you use some other oil, what about pollution that is caused by the liberation of black smokes?
5. Is it a sin if a particular religious preacher criticises other religious Gods?
[Swamiji, if any religious preacher preaching about God of a particular religion but at the same time criticizes other God of other religions, is it a big sin? Will the sin also be applicable to the followers who listen to that preacher and criticize other religions’ God?]
Swami replied:- Certainly, it is a sin because one is abusing the absolutely real single God present in various forms of various religions.
6. Is the profession of killing animals in ritualistic sacrifice to the Goddess sinful?
[Swamiji, in some temples, animals are killed as part of the ritualistic sacrifice to Goddess. The person who kills the animals is killing due to the adopted profession from his ancestors. May be his intention is not to kill animals but he is forced to do this (family profession). In this case, is the sin applicable to the person killing the animals?]
Swami replied:- Family tradition cannot excuse the sin.