worries

Courtesy; Sri.Ravishankar gopal

=========================

Radhe Krishna All,

                                                     The worries

When
one is in the death bed, he worries about all those sad faces around 
him. But the person attending on him is worried if he would receive the 
fee on time after his death.

The in-laws are worried if the person lighting the pyre would get a gold ring.

The sons are worried about the costs of funeral after his death.

The cremator is worried about getting the maximum money out of the entire episode.

The neighbours are worried if the
cremation
would be delayed.

No one worries about the person who is dying.

So instead of worrying about others, is it not best to worry about our own fate and find a way to avoid re-birth?

---- Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji 

-------------------------------------- 
I
wish to ask about the impact of human effort. What is the proportion of
human effort and God's will on overall scheme of things? In
other words, can human
effort change or impact what is destined to happen?
  
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

If you have the penance, then to some extent, you can change the fate. Otherwise, there is absolutely no free will.

-------------------------------------- 
If
a person does not have any children, who will perform his last rites? 
If someone related to him does the last rites, will his soul get 
liberated? Who will, for him, do the monthly and yearly rituals?
  
Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

If
one does not have a male child but has a female child, then getting the
holy grass ('dharbai') from the daughter, some one else can do his last
rites. His son-in-law or his brother's son can do the last rites, as 
also
someone
whom the person might have adopted during his lifetime, or someone that
the deceased considered 'abhimana putra'.

The person who does the last rites also should perform all the subsequent rituals.

However,
anyone can perform his last rites by chanting the name of Govinda 
thrice (this is called 'Govinda Kolli'). If this is done, there is no 
necessity to perform any subsequent rites or rituals. 
--------------------------------------
I
am not able to concentrate my mind when I sit for meditation or pooja. 
Some unnecessary thoughts come to my mind and disturb me. How do I get 
rid of them?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

For
a few days, chant the Mahamantra loudly in the mornings and evenings. 
That will make your mind quiet and bring 'manolaya' or calmness of your 
mind. That will help you get the required concentration to do
mediation.

--------------------------------------
In the event of a death in the family, going to the temple is prohibited. Why? 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

Generally, temples are prohibited for only 13 days, after which you can visit other temples, except for Maha Kshetras.

Generally
we offer cooked food for the Lord, while 'Pitrus' (manes) prefer only 
half-boiled food. Melodious music pleases the Lord while the dead are 
happy with the sound of wailing. We do not wear wet clothes while we 
pray to the Lord while the Pitrus should be propitiated wearing wet 
clothes. God takes only little of what is offered to Him while the 
Pitrus consume a lot. God likes flowers and 'kolam' (Rangoli) and the 
dead hate these. God likes celebrations while the Pitrus don't.

Generally after a death in the family we don't do that which is not liked by the
dead.
Hence we avoid going to temples. 

-------------------------------------- 
Is there any specific reasons for Tarpanam (rituals for the Pitrus) being performed during Amavasya /Poornima days? 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

The
gravitational force that the earth exerts is high on these days and 
hence it is believed that the Pitru Loka (Ancestral world) is closer on 
these days. That is why special rites for the Pitrus are performed on 
these days. 
--------------------------------------  
It
is rather confusing when you say that Lord Shiva was chanting the 
Divine Name of Rama. It has been stated in all the scriptures that Lord 
Shiva existed long before the birth of Lord Rama. Please explain.

Sri Sri Muralidhara
Swamiji: 

Rama is not 
merely the name of a character in our Itihasas. It is a Mantra, just 
like the 'Pranava' Mantra (Om). The great Sage Vashishta chanted this 
mantra for a very long time.

Hence he named Dasharata's first 
child with the name of his favourite mantra, knowing well that he is 
verily Lord Vishnu's incarnation.

The entire cosmos reverberates 
to the tune of Rama Nama only. In fact, the all-pervading Rama Nama 
existed even before the Universe was formed. So it is incorrect to 
believe that the Rama Nama came into existence only via Ramayana. 
--------------------------------------  
During
Upanayanam, the child is initiated into Gayatri Mantra and it is said 
that chanting the Gayatri Mantra is good. If Mahamantra is really 
powerful and can do good to anyone who chants it, why not give 
Mahamantra as the Upadesa? 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

There are two distinct Dharmas prescribed– the Vaideeka Dharma and the Bhagavata Dharma.

In
Ramayana, we see that Rama protected the 'Yagna' (austerities) of the 
rishis This is Vaideeka Dharma. We also see that Rama blessed Ahalya. 
This is Bhagavata Dharma.

The most sacred sound in Vaideeka 
Dharma is 'Om'. 'Rama' is the equivalent in Bhagavata Dharma. While 
Vaideeka Dharma talks about rituals and rites, Bhagavata Dharma talks 
about love for God. The former is for a few to follow, while the latter 
is meant for everyone.

Gayatri Mantra is a very powerful Mantra 
in the Vaideeka Dharma. Mahamantra is a very powerful Mantra in the 
Bhagavata Dharma. Thus one cannot substitute the other. They cannot be 
mixed. 
-------------------------------------- 
What is the difference between 'religious' and 'spiritual'? Can these
two words be used
interchangeably? Please explain. 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

Spirituality and religion are inseparable.

Being
religious is to lead a life in the path shown by the holy scriptures of
one's religion. By doing so, attaining that final destination that the 
religion upholds as the supreme is spirituality. 
--------------------------------------
My mind always has lewd thoughts. How do I control it?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

Whenever
you get such lewd thoughts, watch keenly as to who is getting those 
thoughts. When you keep on continuing the enquiry, you will find an 
answer to the 'I'. Concentrate on this 'I' and meditate on it 
incessantly.

During the rest of the time, chant the Divine Name 'Hari', 'Hari', 'Hari' constantly.
Your thoughts
in that direction will reduce considerably. 
--------------------------------------
Why is money ruling today's world? Why not pure love?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji: 

Pure Love and money never go together. That is the reason. 
--------------------------------------  
Below
is a link to a beautiful episode from the lecture on Sant Eknath 
Maharaj delivered by Sri Muralidhara Swamiji and telecasted on Vijay TV 
on May 20, 2011. 

The special feature of the lecture is that it 
is recorded in the same house where Sant Eknathji resided. Sri Swamiji 
takes the viewers around various places in that divine abode explaining 
their historic significance and the divine leelas
associated them. Sri Muralidhara Swamiji elucidates how Lord Vittal 
(who is none other than Lord Krishna himself) himself descended in human
form & served Sant Eknath for 12 years as a disciple! Further, He 
shows the viewers the divine places associated with those historic 
divine events. It is hoped that everyone will relish this unique 
programme.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYw__TO4a6Y&feature=player_embedded

The
lecture is in Tamil. However, non-tamil speakers would also enjoy the 
programme since they would virtually visit Sant Eknathji's Mandir and 
also get to listen to Abhangs (divine compositions) of the Saint during 
the lecture. Further, one would have darshan of Sri Muralidhara Swamiji!


The Harathi at the Mandir (at the end of
the episode) along with an Abbhang is unforgettable! 

--------------------------------------
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

Q & A - Muralidhar Swamiji

Courtesy:Sri.Ravishankar Gopal
========================

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

----------------------------------------------------------

"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
 ------------------------------------------------
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.

----------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------
Is "Life after Death"
true?     

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:              

'Yes' absolutely true.
----------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------
                   
                            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

Poondhanam & guruvayoorappan

Courtesy: Sri. Ravishankar

=====================

Radhe Krishna To All,

Good morning to all of u and have a divine blessed day ahead …..

Universal brotherhood and peace can never be brought about by power, force or scientific advancement. 

The only solution is inner transformation – a change in the tendency of every single person and the only way to achieve it is through spirituality.

----- SRI SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIJI
----------------------------------------------------------

                                                  The Lord's Answer
                                               
There was an illustrious devotee in Guruvayur by name Poondhaanam. He was so devoted to the Lord that Lord Guruvayurappan would converse with him everyday.

In the same town, there was a person who was afflicted with a grave disease. Any medicine could not cure
his disease and this made him a dejected individual. One day, he approached Poondhaanam and told him about his disease. He requested Poondhaanam to ask Sri Guruvayurappan if he would be cured of his disease.

That night, when Poondhanam spoke to Lord Guruvayurappan, he asked the Lord if the person's disease would be cured. The Lord told Poondhaanam that the disease would not be
cured.

The next day, Poondhaanam met the ailing person and told him what the Lord had said. No sooner did he hear about Lord's word that he would not be cured than he burst into tears. He cried all day that even the Lord had forsaken him.

That was when he met Kroorammai.

Kroorammai was a very humble devotee of the Lord who hailed from a very poor family. Although she did not have any status in the society, she possessed special status in Sri Guruvayurappan's heart. Lord Guruvayurappan would talk to her regularly as He did to
Poondhanam.

Kroorammai heard this person's story and assured him that she will take his case to the Lord. The next morning, with an enthusiastic mood she came down to greet the ailing person. She said, "The Lord spoke to me. When I asked Him about you, He has asked you to chant the Divine Names, 'Achyuta Anantha Govinda, continuously and your disease shall be cured!'

The ailing person's joy knew no bounds when he heard that he could be cured. He immediately caught hold of the Lord's instruction and chanted the Names incessantly. As the Lord had predicted, eventually, he was cured.

He went to the residence of Poondhaanam and told him what had happened. He said, 'You lied to me! Lord Guruvayurappan has indeed cured my disease!'

Poondhanam felt very sad on hearing this. He could not bear the allegation that he had lied. He wept to the Lord, 'Oh! Guruvayurappa! Was it not you who had told me that he would not be cured? Today, I
am being blamed of uttering falsehood. Did I really utter a lie? Is this fair?' He kept crying at the feet of the Lord.

That night, Sri Guruvayurappan spoke to Poondhanam and pacified him. He said, "It was I who told you that he will not be cured. There is no doubt about it! You had come to me and bluntly posed a question that whether that ailing person will be cured or not, as one would do to an astrologer and I replied to you appropriately.

But what did Kroorammai do? She asked me, 'Oh! Guruvayurappa! Today a devotee came and asked me if his disease would be cured. Lord! with your grace, is there anything that is impossible in this world? Pray tell me what he should do to be cured!' and I told her the way!"

Children, what do we learn from this story? God definitely hears everyone of us and answers our wishes when we pray to him sincerely. So, whenever we chant the Divine Names and say our prayers, we should be careful to ask the
right thing to the Lord.
-----------------------------------
NAMA YATRA: Gudiyatham Mass Prayer - Nov 09 - Part-1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGedbmifScc

Regards
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
--------------------------------------------------------
Source: http://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