Ravi: How to do Lord Mahavishnu upasana? Or what are the things remember while we Upasan Lord Vishnu?
Swami Ram Swarup: Sorry, I do not know about Lord Vishnu Upasana as it is not mentioned in eternal knowledge of Vedas which emanates direct from God. Vedas tell only to worship formless, God Who creates nurses and destroys the universe. He is Omnipresent, Omniscient, Almighty, beyond description, beyond imagination. He does not come within cycle of birth and death, so His Idol can’t be made. I also paste my article in this regard.
Trinity
There is only one God who is formless, creates, nurses and destroys the universe. He is Almighty and supreme, beyond description, beyond imagination and beyond calculation. He is omnipresent and omniscient. Divine qualities of Almighty God are described in eternal knowledge of Vedas. Vedas emanate direct from God. So all Hindus and others too believe in Vedas.
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are the name of one said God. God has no wives please because He is Almighty and needs no assistance etc. No one is above God please. All religions tell to worship God.
Are Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh Gods?
Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh are not God. Vedas tell that there is only one formless God who never takes birth. He creates, nurses and destroys the universe. His power is enough to create and control the whole universe. He is Almighty i.e., He has all unlimited powers and therefore He does not need any assistance to create, nurse and destroy the universe by Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh. If God needs assistance then He will not be called Almighty. So God does not need any support but we all humans as well as all living beings need His support and blessings every time. However, in Vedas, there are innumerable names of Almighty God according to His divine qualities. So Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh etc., are also the names of the formless Almighty God. Brahma means the greatest. Vishnu means omnipresent and Mahesh means the greatest.
It is the personal matter of worship or not to worship. So atheists are also there. But it is very clear that God in Vedas as clarified that He Has blessed the human being with human body to worship and realise God. Nobody can attain happy life in the absence of worship of God. One more thing is clear from Vedas in which God states –Oh man/woman you live on the earth given by God and all comforts provided by the God. And if you do not remember/worship God then it is sin and punishment is awarded by the God.
Very few persons know that present science has also come out from Vedas, especially Rigveda. The knowledge of Vedas also emanates from God. So, it is clear that scientist also enjoy science which is given by God. God is not only the matter of blind faith. It is the matter of discussion with a learned acharya of Vedas and Yoga philosophy who from Vedas, shastras and Upnishads etc., and scientifically also prove the existence of God. For example- we see the creation and can think deeply that who has created it or is it a job of man/woman, scientist etc., then automatically after long discussion we would reach on the conclusion that men/women/scientist have not created the universe and then He who has created is called Almighty God.
Vishnu is also a name of formless, Almighty God based on quality. Quality is a sunder- “Vishnu” word is made from “Vishlari” Dhatu and the sense of Vishlari” is omnipresent. So he who has the quality of being Omnipresent at all times without a second’s break, He is Vishnu and no other Vishnu exists equivalent to this God. Similarly, Brahma= “Vri Vridhau” i.e., the biggest amongst the universe. Naturally, He is Almighty God. So, the name of Almighty God is also Brahma. Similarly, according to Yajurveda mantra 16/41 shiv means he who is beneficial/causes welfare, is shiv. The most beneficial, who creates and nurses the universe is Almighty God. So, Shiv is also name of Almighty God.
H B P: Dear Guruji. I am a bit stumbled about which fact should I accept. (i)Lord Krishna is a supreme personality of God head, or (ii)He is not a God and I should not pray to him, and there is no God of this world or any Yug, Kaliyug, Dwapar or what ever. I have read Srimad Bhagwat Geeta and Shrimad Bhagwat , First Canto written by His Divine Grace Shril Prabhupad. Both these accept Lord Krishna as Supreme Personality of God Head, mean almighty. I also got attracted to Dada Bhagwan philosophy. Which states that there is no controller of this world, it is self correcting, self controlling, the universe has no beginning no end, it is just like a cyclic process, repeating forever. He also states that If you realize your true nature, you will get free from the suffering of death and birth. He has stated that I have obtained 356 degree of knowledge, and only 4 degree is missing. For this, I still have to take on more birth in Mahavideh Kshetra (He has said there are three (i) Bharat, (ii) Mahavideh and (iii) Airawat), then I will obtain salvation. He has repeatedly mentioned about the “lift marg-short cut, remove ego, think you are soul not body”. The incidences and experiences mentioned in the books written by him are tremendous and trustworthy. I strongly believe that Dada Bhagwan is 100% correct. I also believe that you also are not spreading any wrong message to the public and mankind. But what about “His Divine Grace Shril Prabhu Pad- founder of ISCON”? This question is just for my knowledge. In few places, you have mentioned that use authentic literature. But how to check the authenticity of any literature, unless God says that this one is authentic. What is the authenticity of the literature that you have used, if any? Is it possible to obtain knowledge without reading any book, just by following the path that Dada Bhagwan used. I have collected all the books written by Dada Bhagwan. Now I want to go through the authentic Vedas. Kindly suggest me. I have asked many related questions here. Kindly help me out for all the questions.
Swami Ram Swarup: Samveda mantra 679 states (Saha) The God (Kavyen) through Vedas (Vived) gives knowledge i.e., makes aspirant able to understand truth. Based on the Vedic philosophy Patanjali Rishi in his Yog Shastra Sutra 1/7 states
“PRATYAKSHANUMANAAGAMAHA PRAMANNANI”
i.e., Vedas are the self-proof to decide truth and false. In this connection, I paste my article below:-
How to determine truth/reach at a conclusion
Samveda mantra 350 states (SHUDDAN) pure (SAMNA) chanting of Samveda (SHUDDHAI UKTHAIHI) by purest ved mantras (VA VRIDHVANGSAM) Almighty (SHUDDHAM) the purest (INDRAM) God (STAVAN) worship/praise (SHUDDHAI) by the purest mantras, the God (NU) soon (ASHIRVAAN) showers blessings and (MAMATTU) becomes happy.
Meaning- The mantra states that Oh! Aspirant, chant Samveda and by its purest Ved mantras worship the purest God, so that He may bless us and soon become happy on us.
Similarly, Yajurveda mantra 40/8 states that God is (SHUDDHAM) the purest (APAAPVIDDHAM ) never faces any kind of sin, (AKAYA) formless.
The deep consideration of the said mantras reveals that God is formless and always remains the purest. The consideration of the subject “creation” would also reveal that God is the Lord of prakriti and souls. Illusion originates from Prakriti which never effects God, He being the purest.
This proves the fact that the knowledge of all four Vedas which emanates direct from God is also the purest having originated from the purest God.
Secondly, Atharvaveda mantra 4/30/3 and Yajurveda mantra 40/7 state that a Rishi/Yogi who is learned of Vedas and after practising Ashtang Yoga, has realised God then God tells that “I Myself make him Brahmin, Rishi providing him with purest divine mind.” So Rishis are those who have realised Almighty God as well as have seen the meaning and idea of the ved mantras within them in Samadhi that is why, the Rishis are called – Mantradrishta Iti Rishi. That is why, Patanjali Rishi in Yog Shastra Sutra quoted above states that Rishi is also the purest due to his said hard Tapasya. So he also never tells a lie, so the writings and views of the Rishis in the shape of holy books, like the books quoted above, are also accepted as authentic.
VEDAS ARE SELF PROOF AND THE BOOKS OF RISHIS ARE ALSO THE PROOF, AFTER VEDAS.
Therefore we must accept the above eternal facts to determine the truth. It means at present also, any view or any statement in the present book are considered true if it tallies with Vedas and the books written by Rishis, otherwise not this eternal tradition was adopted in the ancient times. As a result, the public mostly remained away from illusion.
So, what I , you or any one says have no meaning but if our views do not tally with Vedas then the same will be considered false because as also stated in Samveda mantra quoted above – God tells the truth in Vedas. Therefore, we’ve to tally our views with Vedas. Vedas never tell that soul is God and Vedas also do not tell that God takes Avtar.
Authenticity is only checked with Vedas or with a present learned acharya of Vedas, no other way, please. For example- Yajurveda mantra 32/3 says “Na Tasya Pratima Asti” that there is no shape of God, He is always formless. Rigveda mantra 6/50/14 says “Ajah Ekpaat” i.e., that God never takes birth and is ever unchangeable etc.
I always quote Ved mantras as proof, please and this is the fundamental law that knowledge is only gained when it is given by somebody. So, without listening/studying Vedic philosophy, it is quite impossible to reach at truth, as is also stated in above quoted Samveda mantra.
To study the Vedas preliminary is must. So, I would advise you to study the following books first to enter the knowledge and to understand Vedas’ philosophy.
1. Vedic satsang sangrah- I (in Hindi) worth Rs.51/-
2. Vedic Satsang Sangrah-II (in Hindi) worth Rs.12/-
3. Vedas- A Divine light-I (in English) worth Rs.80/-
4. Vedas- A Divine light-II (in English) worth Rs.121/-
(Note- III and IV are also available if you desire).
5. Brahmcharya-Ek dukh nivarak divya manni (in Hindi) worth Rs.100/-
6. Yoga- A Divine Vedas’ Philosophy (in English) worth Rs.65/-
7. Vedanta and eternal Vedas philosophy I (in English) worth Rs.31/-
Besides above, the following Vedic literature is also available which may be studied after going through the above books, if required.
However, you may select the books at your own choice. The books will be sent on receipt of your postal address, if you desire. After going through the above books you will yourself feel regarding attaining immense knowledge of Vedas. Thereafter, it will be easy to study the Vedas.
I also paste Vedic philosophy.
Vedas’ Philosophy
God has made universe and blessed us human body to do pious deeds only. He has not made any heaven or hell. All have to face the result of their deeds, good or bad here only, even by taking rebirth. (Rigveda mantra 10/135/1,2)
God has not only made universe but has also given knowledge of four Vedas where answers to your and everyone’s questions have been given. There are four Vedas:
1. Rig Veda – gives knowledge of science, matter of the universe like sun, moon, air body etc., etc.
2. Yajurveda – gives knowledge of all the deeds and duties to be performed by men or women, students, leaders, king, agriculturist etc., etc., etc.
3 Samveda – gives knowledge how to worship God who gives peace and long happy life etc. In this way, details of Yoga philosophy, qualities, supreme deeds and nature of the God are also given.
4 Atharvaveda – gives details of God, medical science and details of medicine etc.
Actually in four Vedas there is unlimited knowledge. Yajurveda mantra 40/8 says that God is everywhere, is Almighty, formless, devoid of nervous system, purest, away from sins and away to preached Vedas by mouth and all others remembered the same by mouth at that time there was no pen, pencil, paper, etc. This process of studying Vedas by mouth remained till Mahabharata time. Muni Vyas too remembered Vedas traditionally by mouth. Then Muni Vyas first time wrote the Vedas on Bhoj patra about 5300 years ago. In 16th century when printing press came into existence then the Vedas were printed. Still Vedas are not those which have been printed but Vedas are those which are preached by mouth by an Acharya/yogi and the printed Vedas are called Sanhita.
Now if somebody worships a statue etc., i.e., its their own creation please but Vedas deny. According to Vedas the best worship of the God is Yajyen (Yajna) for which all Vedas are self-proof. Yajurveda mantra 31/16 says that the learned persons worship God by Yajyen.
So many people have asked me that most of the scholars/preachers of different religion state that their religion incorporates all matters of the world including science. What about Vedas? I wrote so many Ved Mantras describing science matters therein. For example, Yajurvaveda Mantra 3/6 states “Ayam Gauhu Swaha Pitram Puraha Prayan Mataram Prishnihi Aakrameet Asadat”.
Meaning= This earth revolves around the Sun in the space and it also rotates on its own axis. Vedas are eternal like God because Vedas emanate from God. Now, according to Vedas, this present creation is about 1 Arab, 96 crores, 8 lakh and about 53,000 years old. So are the Vedas but as said in Rigveda Mantra 10/191/3 the present creation is same as was the previous one and this process of creation is eternal. So are the Vedas which emanate from eternal God. This all concludes that Vedas are the oldest in this creation also and no other book of science, maths or pertaining to spiritualism is written before Vedas.
Like the above example of rotation and revolution of earth, the significance of whole present science is mentioned in Vedas. We can see that whatever is happening in the universe, is all according to the Vedas. For example, occurrence of six seasons, actions of Sun, moon, process of death, birth, worship, yoga philosophy, atomic energy, agriculture, animal husbandry, knowledge of politics, administration, architecture, solar energy, knowledge of home appliances like mixer, grinder, business rules, about men, women, children, marriage, Brahamcharya, education, clothes etc., etc., i.e., knowledge right from a straw to Brahma is all in Vedas. God is Almighty and has unlimited powers. So through His power He is able to originate the knowledge of Vedas in the heart of four Rishis without pencil, paper, help of mouth or any other worldly assistance.
We, i.e., the whole world depends on Almighty God but God is forever independent. That is why, He is God. We are the souls who reside in human bodies. We need assistance of senses, perceptions, mind and body to do deeds but not God.
Nowadays, so many saints are writing books. What is the background to right their books? Background is clear that they have first studied or listened the preach from their Gurus, keeping aside the matter of truth or falsehood. And after studying or listening the same, they became able to write the books. So this is also fundamental law, based on which, the ancient Rishis first listened Vedas and when they became learned then only they wrote the Vedic books like Valmikee Ramayana, six shastras, Mahabharata (Bhagwad Geeta), Upanishads, etc., etc. So, first the knowledge of Vedas is initiated in the universe and afterwards other books come into existence.
Somebody may say that human beings have knowledge by their nature to create anything like books etc., but we see that the newly born baby who is nursed in a jungle, in the absence of knowledge of a learned person, he becomes incapable to do anything. Thus, he can’t be M.A, M.Sc, doctor etc. So there are two types of the words and meanings. First, eternal which are from Almighty God and second, natural made by human beings. Eternal word meanings are always from Vedas i.e., from God. After listening/studying Vedas, human-beings become learned and then too based on their own natural knowledge, they make their own words and meanings, literature etc. But it is very much clear that in the absence of knowledge of Vedas, no one can become learned. Nowadays, also people live in dense jungle and do not lead a civilized life because they are not learned as cited above. Vedas are not sects because they emanate direct from God and God is one for all human beings. God creates sun, moon, air, water, food etc., which are meant for the best use of all human-beings for their long, happy life. So are the Vedas.
So all human beings must accept Vedas as an eternal knowledge from God, for the benefit of whole creation.
