Q & A - Muralidhar Swamiji

Courtesy:Sri.Ravishankar Gopal
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Radhe Krishna All,

Namadwaar performs special prayers for the hundreds of souls that have lost their lives in the deadly earthquake that hit the coast of Japan. Our heartfelt prayers also go out to the tens of thousands stranded brothers and sisters that have lost their belongings and  near and dear. 

As a universal family, let us unite in prayers with Mahamantra, for our beloved siblings who are bearing the brunt of the devastation.  May the wrath of Mother Earth subside and
may Lord Krishna restore peace and calm in their lives

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"we see that Swami Vivekananda has glorified the Hindu
religion all over the world. No doubt Sri Ramakrishna's penance had been
the reason for this. But what Mantra did Sri Ramakrishna initiate Swami
Vivekananda into? He initiated Vivekananda into the holy 'Rama' Nama.
It is the power of that Divine Name that made him establish this
Universal Religion
of Brotherhood called Hinduism all over the world."

--- SRI SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIJI
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I feel Raja yoga is the most appropriate path for me. How do I achieve it while running a family?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

One
should learn the Yoga marga and practice it only under the direct
guidance of an accomplished Yogi. It has several restrictions of which
much
importance is given to Brahmacharya and control of the senses. If it is
not done correctly, it will lead to mental ailments. Following this
path can be likened to tasting honey from the tip of a very sharp knife.
If done very carefully, one may taste the honey. A small error would
result in a severed tongue.

For Raja Yoga, Sage Patanjali is the Guru. He has given formulae known as Patanjali Yoga
sutras which are the very basis of the Yoga marga.

In Patanjaji Yoga sutra 1-23 He says:

"Ishwara
Pranidhaanaad va" which means "The state of yoga is attained by
complete, instant, dynamic, energetic and vigilant surrender of the
ego-principle to the omnipresent ever-existent reality or God.". Thus
one attains the final purpose of yoga marga only through surrender to
God and that surrender can be achieved very easily by simply chanting
the divine names. It is safe, simple, suits all and has no restrictions.

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In
doing Nama kirtan, people need to have appropriate attitude, commitment
and trust in oneself. Do you agree and what are your thoughts?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

If
you have all those, it is well and good.
But do not even worry about all these things. Just chant the
mahamantra, even if mechanically. Slowly the Nama will take control over
you and guide you appropriately.
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We
have known and read that the curses of those with penance would affect a
person. Does the same hold good for the curse of an ordinary individual
too?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

Yes, it does have some effect, though very miminal.
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How can one protect himself from the ill-effects of such curses?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

By chanting the Mahamantra always, one can protect himself from all evil.
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As a
student, is it important to focus on studies or should one be more devoted towards God?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

There
should be an balanced mix of both. While you concentrate on your
studies and prepare yourself for your future, you also need God's grace.
The simplest way to invoke God's grace is by chanting the Mahamantra
whenever you have time. So, chant the Mahamantra regularly in the
mornings and evenings along with your regular prayers, and concentrate
well on your studies.
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In
Garuda Purana there is a description about the various hells in which
the soul suffers after death. When a human dies because of an accident,
his soul is said to suffer from unbearable pain. How can a soul suffer
from pain or unbearable suffering as soul is feelingless and
emotionless?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

Many a time, the soul is confused with the astral body. Let me explain this in a little more detail:

The
human body is only one of the five layers or sheaths of a human being.
Beyond the physical body, there is sheath of 'prana' or the life force.
The sheath of 'manas' or mind is the next layer. Then comes the sheath
of the 'buddhi' or the intellect. Beyond all these four layers is the
'kaarana sarira' or the subtle body.

These are the five sheaths covering the innermost pure Being called as the 'Atman' or 'The Self'.

The
soul is liberated only if these five layers are ripped apart. During
death, only the outer most layer (physical body or the 'sthula sarira')
falls and the other layers remain intact. In English, the body without
the physical form is called astral body. It is this body that enjoys or
suffers the happiness or sorrow in the life after death

If
one successfully sheds all the five sheaths covering the Atman,during his lifetime, he becomes a Jivan Mukta.
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I
have not been into any specific spiritual practices so far. However I
would like to have the darshan of an enlightened sage. Are there any
enlightened sages like Ramana Maharshi or Ramakrishna at present whose
darshan I can have?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

There are enlightened sages even today. However, it might not be of
much use if I name one or two of them. At the right moment, you will
find your Master. We shall pray for you so that you find your Guru soon.
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I
am not able to follow all that my Guru is asking me to do. I am able to
do some chanting, attend satsang etc. but during other
times of the day I want to enjoy life. Will my Guru hate me for being
like this? Will things change gradually or will there be some sudden
shock and change for the better. I am very confused as I am not able to
lead a normal materialistic life nor follow the Guru's prescribed path
fully. Please help.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

The
rarest of the rare is getting a Uttama Guru. When you have a Guru, you
can peacefully rest. Do not let anything that happens to you or around
you demoralize you.

Accept whatever happens as the divine grace
of the Guru. Every moment of your life should be taken as His gift. Rest
assured that every incident that happens is by His grace and happens
for your well-being.

Gurus are here to make you happy and mentally sound. So do not lose heart.
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Is "Life after Death"
true?     

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:              

'Yes' absolutely true.
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How do we believe this?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

When
we sleep at night, the physical body lays still. We dream and we even
see ourselves in the dream. Don't we? In that dream, we walk; we talk;
we see things and we think. That body is known as the astral body
(Manomaya Sharira). When the dream ends as we wake up, the astral body
unites with the physical body. Likewise, when we die, the astral body
leaves the physical body and travels to other planes depending on the
merits and sins committed. This is known s life after death.
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                            Up Coming Events
                 
March 21-27: Discourse on "Bhakta Charitram" at Narada Gana Sabha - organized by Narada Gana Sabha Trust, Chennai.

2011 Mass Prayer for Students from Chennai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK8cNBl1mDk
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8GXHPuATR0

Regards & Chant the Maha Mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Pl visit: http://www.namadwaar.org/home.php     

 

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God