Q:I think 'doing good to others' is the best religion; isn't it so?
Gurudev:They say 'doctor heal thyself'.Unless you feel good yourself,how can you do good to others? First of all,you should know the correct definition of 'goodness',because one man's food is another man's poison.This is not to suggest any 'New-Age' theory, nor is it intended
to entice you with some antiquated and bizarre techniques.Only refer to the timeless philosophy of our great heritage amply explained in the Gita.everyone in this world is influenced and governed by material nature or Maya.As long as one remains infected by Mayik influence,he or she cannot really understand perfectly as to what is really good.Anything considered good in this world is of a temporary nature and of relative value.We should know what is ultimate good or absolute good.
Lord Krishna is the ultimate source of all goodness.Therefore,first of all you fully surrender to Lord Krishna and then make others Krishna Conscious.This is the actual good that you can do to others.This is the universal religion and not sectarian.
Q. Why do we become envious or jealous?.
Gurudev:It is a burning desire to become famous.'Ahankara-prathistha asha-hinsa', i.e. 'conceitedness-desiring unrivaled social reputation-envy' these are inter-related.A person having expertise in a particular discipline yearns for name and fame without challenge.When someone else becomes more popular,he or she becomes envious of that person.Such an envious seeker of false prestige does not think twice to eliminate the competitor,even by killing if necessary.There is constant competition for enjoyment which makes one envious of others.Basically , we are envious of God,Krishna,because instead of serving the Lord,we want to enjoy ourselves like him.This envy is what keeps us bound up here.
Q. Can one become fearless? How?
Gurudev:Yes.As long as one's aim of all activites is to enjoy one's physical senses.he or she will be haunted by fear at every step.If one surrenders
fully to Lord Krishna and acts only for the sake of Lord Krishna's satisfaction,he/she immediately becomes fearless.Fundamental fear is the fear of death,the loss of physical body,From this fear ,originate all the other emotions like anxiety,insecurity,obsession,attachment etc.This is what lurks behind all activities including amassing wealth,increasing properties,collecting friends and fostering relationships.If you understand the anatomy of fear,you will realise that it is due to the bodily conception of life or material consciousness.This is perishable
Therefore,Krishna consciousness is the only solution.It is eternal.
Q. Why do Hindu Swamijis always speak about the 'other world'? What is wrong in the enjoyment of this world that is also God's
creation?
Gurudev:It is because this world is full of miseries.There is no real happiness.If anyone feels happy,that is only imaginary.Fleeting and imaginary pleasures
are nothing but some relief between two periods of distresses.Hence,where is the enjoyment here? How can a sick man say, "I am enjoying myself?'' He only suffers because of illness and there is no question of enjoyment.
As long as one remains in this material world,he is subjected to four disadvantages: birth,old age,disease and death.Can anyone escape these? We are forced to take birth maybe in a healthy condition or with polio or as a deaf or dumb entity or with any such handicap.
Children are born in palatial mansions or in a slum.We don't have the option to pick up and choose.No one wants to grow old but is compelled to grow old.None can stay young forever.Becoming diseased is one thing ut who can avoid it? Even the best physicians will suffer from various diseases.Finally , have you ever heard of anyone effectively counteracting death?No,die one has to.There is nothing
as sure as death.This is stated in the Bhagvad Gita,the essence of all Hindu scriptures " Jatasya hi dhruvo mrityu" (2/27) - One who has
taken birth is sure to die."
Hence it is not merely Hindus,any intelligent person will try to ascertain the possibilty of existence of a realm superior to this atmosphere which is free from these four defects.This is impossible and inconceivable to human intelligence.But,such a realm factually exists.Hindu spiritualists call this supra-mundane atmosphere,vaikuntha.This transcendental realm is eternal,unike this material universe.
This spiritual realm is not merely meant for Hindus.One must note that this eternal world is the kingdom of God for all living beings who become
liberated from this world.
Q.How do you explain the immoral behavior of the Gopis of Vrindavan?
Gurudev:On the surface, the behaviour of the Gopis may appear inappropriate or immoral.The principle for assessing the decorum of
their actions falls outside the purview of mundane parameters of social norms and moral codes.This is because they always went beyond
the very material existence.It was not just physical love that they demonstrated but a deep spiritual and divine love is what they exhibited.
Their words may have sometimes betrayed erotic intent, but there is always a deeper and hidden meaning of a spiritual content.Their physical relationship had transcended or gone beyond material bodily intimacy.This is the real relationship of a devotee with the Supreme Lord Krishna.Their actions should not be misunderstood for behavioral misconduct based based on the standards of our physical love in this world.Only liberated persons can understand how exalted the Gopis were.While Lord Krishna loves his devotees as His very self.He loves the Gopis(His ardent devotees) more than His own self.
Q:Why are Sanyasis always respected in India?
Gurudev:Sanyasis have given up their material comforts, friends and relatives to start their search for their true selves.They have gone beyond their worldly desires to seek salvation and God realization.Anyone who has the courage to take these steps is really praiseworthy.Hence the Sanyasis or those who have renounced,always command respect in India and even when they go abroad.
Q:Is it necessary to give up the worldly life to seek God?
Gurudev:No,not necessary .in fact Lord Krishna advises Arjuna "You constantly think of me and be engaged in battle"This is because
artificial renunciation without purification of the mind is dangerous.One may externally , by force restrain one's senses from enjoyment but the mind will nevertheless continue to contemplate on the very same objects which on has outwardly rejected.Therefore gradual elevation to the platform of renunciation through carrying worldly obligation situated in Krishna Consciousness is what is recommended for most people.
This means that we can think of Lord Krishna while being involved in our normal duties.The easiest way to think of Krishna while carrying out various day-to-day activities is to regularly chant the all auspicious Mahamantra-Hare Krishna.In this way,we can continue with this world while remembering the holy name that is our way to salvation.
Q:Why are there so many religions?
Gurudev:If one studies all religions closely,it will be clear that the framework of the Vedas covers all of them.Different and diverse religions and faiths are inevitable because people have inherited different temperaments.Moreover,they have have a varying degree of capacity to perceive and understand the world and the cosmos around them. This has resulted in identifying a certain portion of the Vedic explanation in isolation instead of recognizing it as a holistic ,spiritual path
for the ultimate goal of God realization.Different people prefer and identify different portions and practice them because it suits them.Later it turns into a faith for a group of people or society that adopts it as its religion.Thus there are so many different religions.
To be continued...
Q. Can you get peace in today's "make money fast" world?
Gurudev:One surely can,provided he or she controls the senses.In today's godless society,everybody is basically lustful.Lust stimulates sense enjoying propensity.This in turn,makes a person greedy and an avaricious person is prepared to commit any sin.How can a
sinful person experience peace?We are slaves to our slaves and impulses-the cause of all hysterical activities that result in depression.All our sense organs are like venomous serpents and difficult to control.If one can control one's tongue by taking Krishna Prasadam and chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra,he or she can control the other senses and live peacefully.
Q Do you believe in reincarnation?
Gurudev:Reincarnation is a core principal of the Vedas.It highlights the importance of human birth and its opportunity for gaining freedom from bondage.The spirit soul is the actual active principal in our body and during its stopovers on this earth,it takes form in various bodies.
When a pious man suffers harsh difficulties,it may appear out of place during his current life but if the person has spiritual vision,one can understand the deeper meanings of their problems.One can understand it from a broader perspective of the unending cycle of birth and of many bodies in past births when sins were probably committed.
Then one can draw conclusions that justify the tremendous hardship and pain suffered by the person in the present life.This clear understanding can
help one to bear all reverses in life with a sense of acceptance.This is how some enlightened and mature people in India react to trying
situations in their lives and keep their balance.
Q:In the past why did the sages retire to the forest?
Gurudev:A mind free from distraction and temptation is essential for any spiritual practice.So the sages opted for secluded forests that
were free disruptive influences and conducive to spiritual practices in peace without any disturbance.
Generally ,Brahma Jnanis or impersonalists and Mystic Yogis or Ashtanga Yogis go to the forests in spiritual pursuit.Since solitude in forests can lead
one to both spiritual exaltation and moral debilatation, we come across many instances of the steep fall of jnanis and yogis from their spiritual practices.
Hence practice of Bhakti Yoga or devotion to Sri Krishna or Sri Visnu is a sure success whether in cities or forests, it does not matter.However,Gaudiya Vaishnavas prefer to stay in the forest of Vrinda or Vrindavana because it is a place of transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna.Vaishnavas , especially Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe in congregational or group practices of chanting the holy names of the Lord for quick advancement.
To be continued...
Q:I think 'doing good to others' is the best religion; isn't it so?
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