P P: Dear Swamiji, I am a Hindu and I am seeking the correct path to God almighty. Who do I pray to to know that I am praying to god himself. I never seen God nor is God born or dead, but I believe that he does exist. I go to my local temple and been a Hindu is has become so expensive to pray to God via these priests from south of India who the resident priest. Everytime we have to do a prayer if I don’t have money then the priest either to refuse you or the don’t do the prayer wholeheartedly. I will appreciate it if you can give me a simple vedic mantra and guide me to reach God.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter.
To know the real, eternal and everlasting process of worship and prayer of God, one has to learn it from a learned acharya of Vedas personally. You are away and therefore cannot come here. So, I would try to write here some tips to observe and either to seek learned acharya locally or come here in future.
(1) In the beginning of creation, knowledge of Vedas emanates directly from God, so, it is our duty to know Vedas first, so as to enter spiritualism. In this connection, I paste my articles:-
Vedas’ Philosophy
God has made universe and blessed us with human body to do pious deeds to attain salvation 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 mantras 10/135/1,2 refer)
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, 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 does not have to face any result of any karmas (deeds), knows every soul, knows what is in everyone’s mind, no body has made God, but God creates universe, has given the eternal knowledge of four Vedas and always gives the said knowledge at the beginning of every universe to know the science and deeds to all concern. Similarly four Vedas say about God that God is an omnipresent, omniscient, formless, beyond imagination and beyond calculation. Actually God has unlimited qualities. There is only one God who creates, nurses, destroys the universe and recreates. Atharvaveda mantra 4/1/1 also says that God gives the knowledge of Vedas at the beginning of the earth to four Rishis of non-sexual creation. And thereafter only public listens Vedas through Rishis Munis as yet and become learned. Rig-Veda gives knowledge of Almighty, Yajurveda gives knowledge of karmas (deeds), Samveda tells about worship-Yoga philosophy and Atharvaveda about medicines and God. Actually all Vedas commonly says about God also, so this is about Vedas in short. But the knowledge of Vedas is endless.
It is a fundamental law that knowledge is always given by somebody. Otherwise knowledge can’t be gained at any cost. If a new born baby is nursed well in a dense jungle and is not educated then he will not be able to gain any knowledge even if he becomes young or old. So we have to think about the origin of the knowledge prevalent in the world today. In this connection the Vedas themselves say that God gives this knowledge to four Rishis. As said by Rishi Patanjali in Yoga shastra sutra 1/26, God is the first Guru of the four Rishis. Yajurveda mantra 31/7 also refers. This is all in short about Vedas.
The Vedas are not a book, rather it is a knowledge originated in the heart of Rishis. At the time of beginning of the earth those Rishis preached Vedas by mouth and all others remembered the same orally. At that time there was no pen, pencil, paper, etc. This process of studying Vedas orally remained till Mahabharata time. Muni Vyas too remembered Vedas traditionally by heart. Then Muni Vyas for the 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 those which are preached by mouth by an Acharya/yogi and the printed Vedas are called Sanhita.
Now if somebody worships a statue etc., then it is their own creation please but Vedas deny. According to Vedas the best worship of the God is Yajyen 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, Yajurveda 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 53,111 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, occurance 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 write 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 Valmiki Ramayana, six shastras, Mahabharat (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.
CREATION
The creation is eternal and automatic. There is no date of creation of the following:
(A) Almighty God who is alive, immortal, formless, creates, nurses and destroys the universe. He never indulges in any maya, mahamaya, illusion and deeds (good or bad. Yajurveda Mantra 40/8 and Yog shastra Sutra 1/26 also refer)
(B) Soul: Soul is alive, the purest, away from sins etc. but illusion covers the soul due to which soul forgets his original form and hence remains in sorrows, problems etc.
C) Prakriti: Non-alive and has three qualities. i.e., Raj, tam, Satva. At a proper time, the power of God acts in prakriti and the universe is created. So the creation is eternal and automatic.
Raj, Tam and Satva are the three qualities of prakriti. When the said gunnas remain idle dormant i.e., do not work, then combination of these three gunnas(qualities) in dormant stage is called prakriti and this time is called “final destruction” of the universe. When an appropriate time comes, the creation is to be started again. Then the power of God works in the above three gunnas i.e., in the prakriti and immediately the creation starts. Rajo gunn is a sign of sensuousness etc., Tamo gunn signifies laziness and sato gunn signifies ego, pride. Our human body is also made of the said three gunnas.
Vedas tell that there are three eternal/immortal matters- first: Almighty God, second: souls, third: prakriti. Almighty God creates, nurses and destroys the universe and again creates it. The said process of creation is eternal/immortal/everlasting. Almighty God creates the universe from prakriti. When the raj, tam and satva gunnas of prakriti remain idle (dormant condition/inactive) then creation does not take place. At an appropriate time, a power of Almighty God acts in prakriti (i.e., in Raj, tam and satva gunnas). Immediately the process of creation starts and the first matter of prakriti is made which is called –Mahat i.e., mind; from Mahat- ahankar is made, from ahankar panch (5) tan matrayein, from panch (5) tanmatrayein, panch (5) mahabhoot are created. From panch mahabhoot, the entire matter of universe i.e., Sun, Moon air, water , our bodies, bodies of other living beings etc., are created. The whole creation is thus created from prakriti and remains still (in active) like a statue. This creation is called non-sexual creation. In the said creation, the young human bodies are created which are neither old nor babies. Then by the power of God, in the said bodies, breathing system (prann vaayu) starts operating. At last, God enters into the universe and immediately all the humans and other living beings become alive and start functioning. Similarly, the non-alive matters like Sun, moon, earth, air, water etc., start their respective functions.
Creation, Science, worldly matters etc., is not possible until the same is created by someone. Secondly, knowledge is attained when knowledge is imparted by someone.
Rigveda mantra 10/129/ 1-6 throw light about creation that at that time, there was nothing and no living beings did exist. So there was no learned acharya who could give the knowledge to the newly created living beings like parents who educate the children to make them able to speak language and to know about the matters like crow, animals, chapati, ghee, sun, moon i.e., all matters of the world. See, if a newly born baby is managed to live in dense jungle and nursed well but he is not given education about the worldly matters etc. i.e., mathematics, science, animals, sun, moon etc., then even at the young age of 20-25, 30 years, he will not be able to speak any language and when he will be brought out of the cave of dense jungle and will be asked about the sun, moon, animals, birds before him, then he will not be able to reply because he was not given the said knowledge.
When we see towards sun, moon, air, space, human body etc. It is clearly understood that the said creation has not been made by any human being but Almighty God, from whom the knowledge of four Vedas emanates. In Vedas, the knowledge right from straw to Brahma has been mentioned. So in the beginning of non-sexual earth, the Vedas originated in the heart of four rishis: Agni, Vaayu, Aditya and Angira, and from the rishis the knowledge of science, deeds and worship along with every matter is being given to the public by which the public became educated scientist and wrote books, etc.
In Vedas as well as in fourth chapter of Yog Shastras of Rishi Patanjali, it is mentioned that those who do not believe in God are provided more and more facilities by nature and such people get spoiled etc.
On the contrary those who worship God, they naturally try to kill their desires and accordingly under the law, nature, help them to follow the true path to realize the God.
It is also pertinent to mention here that in Vedas, there is no mention of avtarwad or any proper noun, please. Vedas do not even contain any story or past, present or future life of anyone. Vedas contain knowledge i.e., entire science, form of deeds/duties and worship of God. Actually Vedas give knowledge right from straw to Brahma (God) of entire universe.
All four Vedas tell to worship a formless, Almighty, omnipresent, omniscient God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. God was one, is one and shall ever remain one. He is unchangeable, unchallengeable and beyond description. He has unlimited qualities and thus unlimited names but is one. Because He is Almighty and needs no help of anyone to create, nurse and destroy the universe therefore no need to take avtar.
(2) Secondly, in Vedas it is clearly preached that there is only One Formless, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Almighty, unchallengeable, unchangeable God Who is Lord of universe. As you said, God is neither born nor dies, is eternal truth, which is mentioned in Rigveda mantra 6/50/14 that God is “Ajah Ek paat”. Aj means neither takes birth nor dies and “Ek Paat” means remains unchangeable i.e., He is Formless, immortal etc. So, His qualities are always unchangeable. The said God is only to be worshipped.
(3) Thirdly, after deciding the fact about the God that Who is God then question arises, how is He worshipped. According to Vedas, God has unlimited divine qualities amongst which some of His qualities are mentioned above like He is Formless etc. so, this is the God to be worshipped and way of worship in Vedas is to perform yajyen, name jaap of God- Om, chanting of Gayatri mantra and practice of Ashtang Yoga under the guidance of learned acharya of Vedas. The said process is eternal, everlasting and adopted right from beginning of earth about 1 Arab, 96 crores, 8 lakhs, 53 thousands and 113 years ago. For example – It was adopted by Rishi Manu, King Dashrath, Ashtak King, King Dashrath, Sri Krishana Maharaj, Sri Ram, their public and all Rishi-munis and upto Mahabharat war i.e., about 5,300 years ago. So, the said process of worship after Mahabharat, had
its age 1 arab, 96 crore, 8 lakh, and about 48 thousand years. If we deeply think that present sects are having only age about 2000-2500 years. Sects are made by our prophets whereas Vedic path has been made by Almighty God Himself.
Several may state that the present religions are new and Vedas are old but in this connection, I paste my article bellow:-
Hum sab ka malik who sansaar ko rachne wala parmeshwar kaho ya khuda kaho ya God kaho, ek hee tha, ek hee hai aur hamesha ek hee rahega kyunki weh janam aur maut mein nahin ata. He is immortal. Yes, uska koi partner nahin arthat duniya ke kaam chalaane ke liye uska koi sahayak/partner/agent nahin hai. Aur jo kuch bhi hai prashansa usi akeiley sab ke sachey malik ki hee hai. Yeh saari batein eternal knowledge of vedas mein parmeshwar nein kahin hain aur uski kahi baat ko hee gyani log aagey kehtey hain. Iskey ilawa bhi uski siftein, uski divine deeds, uske divine knowledge aur divine power unlimited hai arthat beant hai. Quran sharief bhi inhein baton ko kehti hai. To hamein Quran Sharief aur vedas, dono ka hee aadar karna hai. Yeh bhi satya hai ki Ishwar/Khuda saarey sansaar ka hai. Woh kisi ek mulk ya mazhab ka nahin hai. Isliye, us khuda/Ishwar nein Insaan ki ek he jaati banayee hai jiska naam insaan hai aur insaan ko insaniyat
kayam karne ka hukum diya hai. Vedon mein murti pooja, sati pratha, jaatiwad aadi vyavastha ka kathorta se khandan milta hai. Ved vidya ko zameen par aaye kareeb One Arab Ninety six crore se zyada saal ho gaye hain aur Upar likhi buraiyan to kareeb do hazaar saal ke andar hi paida huin hain aur who bhi isliye ke log apne-apne banaye marg par chal rahe hain vedon ko sunna sunana chod diya hai.
Malik aur malik ke prakashan hameisha na badalne wala (unchangeable) hota hai isliye us malik ke prakashan Quran Sharief, Bible aadi mein bhi malik ka swarup/gyan unchangeable hee hai. Who Ek tha, formless tha, sansaar ko rachne wala, sab ka data hai, ek hai, ek hee rahega aisa hee sab kuch kaha hai. Issee karann se hum sab aapas mein bhai-bhai hain. Sanatan to kehtey he avinashi (eternal, omnipresent) Ishwar ko hain. Jo ved Vidya hai weh sanatan Ishwar se niklee hai.
Ab iski aad lekar koi kya kuch karta hai, apni man-maani karke galat prachaar karta hai to Ishwar athwa vedon ko dosh (kasoorwar) nahin diya ja sakta. Yeh Insaano ki khud ki galti hogi aur weh galti bhi isliye hai ke log ab ved- vidya kum suntey hain aur weh jo zyadatar nahin suntey hain, weh ved ke barey mein jaante hi nahin. Lekin duniyan se abhi ved bilkul khatam nahin hue hain isliye hum sabhi mazhabon ka aadar karte hue aapas mein milkar aagey badein. Jaisa ved mein kaha woh malik karmon ka lekha jokha khud insaan ke chitta par dalta rehta hai aur kahaa ki ved na martey hain aur na kabhi puraaney hotey hain (Atharvaveda mantra 10/8/32 refers). Issee tarah jaisey ke Ishwar kabhi puraana nahin hota aur na he maut ko prapt hota hai.
Us malik nein vedon mein zinda he usey (parmeshwar ko) Jaanane ki agya di hai. Aur puraaney aur abhi ke Rishi-Muni aur insaano nein usey hee zinda hi rehkar, aur uski agya ko maankar pehchana hai. Isliye hum sabhi dharmon ka aadar karte hue aagey badein.
Fundamental law is that anything which is created (made) gets old with time and finally is destroyed, whereas the matter which is not made can never become old nor is destructible. Learned of Vedas, by virtue of their hard study of Vedas and hard practice of Ashtang attain Samadhi and realize God. The said experienced Rishis-Munis based on Vedic philosophy (Yajurveda mantra 31/7, Rigveda mantra 10/181/1,2) have also realized (not their own thought) that knowledge of four
Vedas emanates directly from Almighty God in the beginning of every creation and is originated in the heart of fourRishis. God being formless does not give Vedic knowledge orally or in shape of a written book. So, Vedas are not book.
So, it is one’s own choice to choose the path of worship. In case of worship, money matter should not be there. Idol/temple worship is also new being a sect, but Vedas are not sects.
I also paste my articles below-
Idol worship is not mentioned in Vedas.
If an aspirant will concentrate over mouth of idol then for sometime he will concentrate on chin, nose, head etc., but concentration on one point will not be achieved. Secondly, Vedas do not preach to concentrate outside the body. Yog shastra sutra 3/1 also states, “DESHBANDHASYA CHITTASYA DHARNA” i.e., concentrate on a point of body like agyachakra, tip of the nose or heart. So we cannot go against the ved-shastras. Yes, idol worship has been started within two thousand and five hundred years. That is why, Vedas do not tell for idol worship but if people desire, they can go ahead.
Pictures, drawings etc., may not be considered idols but it is an art and not worship of God. We must know that knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God and idol worship has been made by human beings. So now we have to decide whether we obey God or human beings. If we still follow the path made by humans then no problem, one must go ahead. On the other hand, follower of Vedas must continue his own path.
In four Vedas, the media to realize the God has been stated as –
Study of Vedas under guidance of acharya which is a real media and as mentioned in the Vedas, one has to follow the preach mentioned therein viz., performance of Yajyen, name jaap of God , regular contact with learned acharya of Vedas, ashtang Yoga Practice under his guidance etc. The said media is stated by God Himself in Vedas. Man, an artist, clay and every matter right from straw to sun, moon, air, space etc., is the creation of God. It thus concludes that we have to worship and realize the creator and we must not be attracted towards creation. Attraction is the task of senses, perceptions and mind which is destroyed but the creator is immortal. No other media is stated in Vedas except the human body through which the said worship is done by a Yogi, Rishi-muni or aspirant.
Vedas-shastras state that God is omnipresent and according to Yajurveda mantra 40/6 it is true but other mantras state that God is “Ninnaya” that is hidden in the universe and we have to locate the hidden God and not the visible, non-alive matters of the world.
T.V., radios etc., all articles are man-made and controlled by some mechanism. And examples of man-made mechanism are actually not applied on Almighty, omnipresent God. Any mechanism, for example- rocket launching , launching of satellites etc., involves the mind of a man and mind has limited power otherwise mind could have searched the hidden Almighty God also but Vedas state that mind, intellect , senses etc., have limited power and God is beyond imagination , beyond description, beyond calculation. That is why, our ancient Rishis, Rajrishis practised Vedic path that is did practice of Ashtang Yoga Philosophy, yajyen etc.
As such they exercised control over mind, intellect, senses etc. A Yogi when makes the mind dead etc., and forgets even himself (soul) then he realizes the God. This eternal Vedic path of Yoga philosophy has been very well preached by Rishi Patanjali in his Yog Shastra.
God is not a matter to be seen with eyes. So how can He be seen alone in everything with the destructive eye?
Ego is not one-sided matter. If there is ego, neither a formless God is realized nor difference between idol or formless God is established. It is ego that most of the people respect the idol worship as well as formless God’s worship mentioned in Vedas but when an aspirant follows the Vedas, his mind becomes stable, then he only accepts worship of formless God and not others. Whereas, the worshipper who worships idol, he accepts formless God also i.e., he cannot ignore Vedas and can not accept one path alone. We must deeply think over it that why is it so?
God being formless has not preached regarding any of His substitute or symbol, so the aspirant who knows Vedic philosophy accepts the God’s preach accordingly. When God in four Vedas, has not stated about His mark or representative then how the follower would accept the same? Vedas have been preaching the formless worship as quoted above eternally whereas the worship of idol has been made for the last about two thousand five hundred years ago by the human-beings. So there is difference of worship of formless God and idol.
Idol worship is the worship where the sentiments and emotions of heart are involved and all the said involvements are man-made as well as destructible. How a mind/intellect having limited power can dig out the Almighty, formless, hidden God from the creation? God is Almighty i.e., He has unlimited powers whereas soul who is being assisted by mind, intellect and senses etc., has limited power.
Yajurveda mantra 1/5 and Rigveda mantra 3/56/1 states that even God cannot transgress His rules. So how can God be transformed according to our emotions and be forced to accept our sentiments which are not according to His laws of nature.
All Vedas state that His laws of creation remain unchangeable. So there is no value of our sentiments etc., contrary to His rules and regulations. In the said Rigveda mantra, God strictly states “that all mountains, seas, rivers and even the Yogis who have realized Him (God) are incapable to change His rules and regulations and the way of worship etc.” So our self-made worship, emotions and sentiments etc., are of no use until these are according to Vedas.
As regards flag, yes it is invaluable not only for soldiers but for countrymen as well. However, the flag of each country is different. Will any other countryman sacrifice his life for our Tiranga? We, the Indians are enough to sacrifice our lives to maintain the dignity of our adorable Tiranga. So flags are different, the countries being different but God is one and only one for entire universe. So worldly example in the matter of formless, Almighty God is not applicable, please.
Also the matter of image being very clear to the devotee when it speaks to him in his own language of devotion, forces a learned man to say that the said speech between his mind and soul is worldly speech and even destructible whereas when a Yogi realizes God, he is completely unable to speak, hear, see, smell, eat, think etc. In this connection, the description of Yog shastra sutra 4/30,31, 32 pertaining to Dharmamegh Samadhi refers.
Yes, only currency notes are valuable. Similarly the Yogis –like Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj, Sri Ram, Vyas muniji, Guru Vasishth, Atri Rishi, Patanjali Rishi and the present Yogis-Rishis –Munis who have realized God, following the Vedic path are valuable. The stamp of beloved God is everywhere that is in sky, water, vegetation, in each living being etc. But as far as worship is concerned then the follower of Vedas only worships formless God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe, alone being Almighty. He is Almighty, therefore, He doesnot need any assistance from anyone.
This is never forgotten that the image has been brought from Jaipur etc., so if one can worship an image then why can’t one worship all pervading, omnipotent, omniscient, merciful God, who is the source of everything, who is eternal, unchangeable, life of life and soul of soul etc. Why do we change Him from being unchangeable to changeable idol?
Practice makes man perfect. So the beginner will get the sanskar (effect) on his chitta of idol worship and the same will never be omitted again. Secondly, according to the Vedas idol worship is not authentic. You see, there is no shape of soul. Atharvaveda mantra 10/8/25 states that size of soul is less than the tip of hair i.e., soul is the minutest matter which remains unseen. But when an aspirant tries to know about the soul, he knows based on qualities. We know about a person according to the description of his qualities- good or bad. Accordingly, we know Ravanna, King Harishchandra etc., based on their bad and good qualities respectively. So is the case of formless God. God has given His description/His divine qualities in Vedas only. After studying the Vedas, we first know the God based on Shabda Brahma i.e., ved mantras. Thereafter, when we worship Him according to Vedas, we attain Samadhi and realize Him. This fact has also been mentioned in Shantiparv of Mahabharat wherein Bheeshma tells Yudhishthir that Oh! Yudhishthir, he who gets perfection in ved mantras first, then he realises God.
When Formless, Almighty God has not stated in any ved about the idol worship then how will He be pleased by idol worship? Yajurveda mantra 32/3 states “NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI” i.e., God cannot be measured. So there cannot be any idol of God because He is immeasurable. However, if people get peace in following idol worship, they may continue. Here I am only discussing the fact of Vedas.
Touching of hand and body etc., is materialistic matter which can only please mind, intellect through skin but it can’t be quoted in respect of Formless, Almighty God.
Whole world can be considered as the body of God but in reality God does not have body because God is alive whereas world is non-alive matter. So God is separate and world is separate. God remains immortal whereas world is destructible.
The image will be destroyed one day but not God. When there is no body of God then how will we be able to offer flowers, sandal wood paste, food etc., to Him.
Yajurveda mantra 40/8 states God to be the purest and He needs not to be purified by bathing, changing clothes and applying sandal wood paste etc. It is an idol or body of human-being which requires purification again and again.
External form of worship will strengthen the idol only because we will be singing, describing the attributes of idol/creation and not to Formless God. If we in the beginning are not able to judge the true, divine qualities of formless God then our love and faith will remain unstable.
Such aspirant will only feel nearness to the idol and not formless God who is already within him and who already resides the nearest to the soul i.e., within the soul.
We will have to study the Vedas which state that idol worship is not permitted by God. Yet, if an aspirant wants to worship an idol then I am telling again and again that he can go ahead at his own. On receipt of your e-mail, I am giving answer based on Vedic philosophy only that what Vedas say about idol worship. Vedas do not speak about idol worship and avtarwad. However, people are free to go ahead on their own and do whatever they like.
When I will see any art which is liked by soul through eye, definitely it will be admired and the scene which is disliked will be ignored. So if many people admire the idol of Ganesh sitting on conch, admiration is natural. As far as Vedas-shastras and other holy ancient books written by Rishis are concerned in the worship of formless God, spirit has no concern. Neither spirit exists nor has any concern with the worship of 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.
Omnipresent means, God is everywhere. So, His worship and prayer to Him can be performed at any place either in room or forest etc., which used to perform in ancient times, by Sri Ram, Sri Krishna Maharaj and other Rishi-Munis. We should also follow ancient, eternal path which is based on Vedas.
In this connection, Yajurveda mantra 40/1 states-
EESHA VASYAMIDAM SARVAM YATKINCH JAGATYAM JAGAT.
TEIN TYAKTEIN BHUNJEETHA MA GRIDHAHA KASYA SVIDDHANAM.
Word-Meaning-
(YAT) Whatever (IDAM) here in the universe (SARVAM) all (JAGATYAM JAGAT) non-alive and alive world are there. That is, whatever is being seen in this universe consisting of non-alive and alive world [non-alive means earth, moon, sun, air etc., i.e., made of five matters and the alive souls having bodies of living beings]. All that (VASYA) has been pervaded by (EESHA) Almighty God i.e., when the non- alive world and the alive world (living beings) are created by the God then God enters therein, God’s nature being omnipresent. Therefore, Almighty God is lord of the universe, non-alive world as well as that of all living beings. He has settled us in the world by providing all
the goods for us to survive.
(TEIN) Therefore (TYAKTEIN) duly separated i.e., detaching our faculty which receives knowledge from five senses and passes the same to intellect and stores the effect of various karmas to be faced by soul in future at a proper time, from the world, (In Hindi- chitta) (BHUNJEETHAHA) experience the pleasure of utilizing the worldly matter (KIN CHA) and (KASYASVIT) who is the owner?(DHANAM) of wealth i.e., assets have never become anybody’s property permanently.
Therefore, (MA) do not (GRIDHAHA) be greedy i.e., one should not never be desirous of other person’s wealth etc.
Meaning- That is whatever is being seen in this universe consisting of non-alive and alive world [non-alive means earth, moon, sun, air etc., i.e., made of five matters and the alive souls having bodies of living beings] all that, has been pervaded by Almighty God i.e., when the non- alive world and the alive world (living beings) is created by the God then God enters therein, God’s nature being omnipresent.
Therefore, Almighty God is lord of the universe, non-alive world as well as that of all living beings. He has settled us in the world by providing all the goods for us to survive. Therefore duly separated i.e., detaching our Chitta (faculty which receives knowledge from five senses and passes the same to intellect is called Chitta and Chitta stores the effect of various karmas to be faced by soul in future at a proper time), from the world we must experience the pleasure of utilizing worldly matter. Assets have never become anybody’s property permanently. Therefore, do not be greedy i.e., one should not never be desirous of other person’s wealth, etc.
Idea-
The study of Vedas reveals that all worldly matters are made of prakriti and thus are illusion. So, the people who are indulged in worldly matters are those who are actually indulged in illusion due to
lack of knowledge of Vedas.
God is everywhere, being omnipresent. Therefore, He dwells in both non-alive matters and in living beings. So, He is the lord of all matters, assets and even bodies of living beings. So, we can never
exercise claim over any item of the world forever. However, God has blessed us with human body with all assets, worldly matters etc., to use them, to gain experience of its pleasure, duly detaching our Chitta from the world. Detachment of Chitta means we should not indulge in worldly matters because those who are indulged in worldly matters, they forget the motto of Human-life which is attaining salvation, while discharging all moral duties. However, the stage of detaching chitta from the world is achieved by those who worship God daily, according to Vedas/religious path. Our ancient Rishi munis and several raj rishis like King Harishchandra, Dashrath, Sri Ram, Sri
Krishna Maharaj and pandavas etc., got the Vedic knowledge from rishis and by following the same, they discharge all their moral duties and they did Vedic worship simultaneously. As a result they ruled the nation, experience pleasure of utilizing the materialistic article of world and also attain salvation. It is our bad luck that most of the people being totally indulged in illusion have not been following the path of our above quoted dignitaries and hence are facing the unlimited problem in daily life like sickness, diseases, corruption, tension, injustice, early death, sorrows, etc.
Everybody knows that at last he has to meet with death leaving behind all his family assets etc. So, it is a fact that the family or assets do not belong to us permanently. One day, we have to leave them. So, naturally we must not be greedy to cling to worldly matters forever. But we must note here that as quoted above in the absence of worship of God no one is able to understand the truth of facing death and leaving all assets and family here only, one day.
So, says the preach of Yajurveda mantra 40/1, but mere preach will do nothing and will never give us peace. We have oftenly seen cases of several saints etc., who study, remember the preach and give long lectures stating that the money, family are not ours, so one must not be greedy and leave the assets, money, etc.
On the contrary, they inspire the persons to donate assets, money, even boys/girls to them (those saints). They gather money from devotees in the bags and enjoy luxurious living.
So as stated in Kenopnishad shloka 4/8 mere bookish knowledge or lecture will do nothing but will be harmful if the people do not do daily yajyen, name jaap of God, hard practice of Ashtang Yoga, under the guidance of learned acharya of Vedas and yoga philosophy. The said devotee will themselves have to check daily if they are following true path or not. They will also have to check whether they are progressing in the matter of detachment and would they be able to become ascetic
one day. Otherwise, no one should do drama of spiritualism, because the mantra says- “Eesha Vasyam Idam” i.e., God resides everywhere, even within us and every time he sees/watches each of our activities and awards punishment for the sins. So we should be clear about the Omnipresent nature of Almighty God and that Almighty God is the only lord of each worldly article and not we people. So, the mantra preaches us that one should always be aware of the presence of God and
must be afraid to commit sins anywhere.
Secondly when a person would be aware of presence of Almighty God everywhere then only he would not commit sins and would always do pious deeds. Actually we listen about presence of almighty God everywhere but we do not know it and that is why, we commit sins. To realize God’s presence as was realized by ancient rishis, Raj Rishis and most of their public one will have to do daily worship of God as quoted above.
We should also know that a lazy person who is indulged in illusion and further does daily routine deeds of the service, business and house, will never think to do hard work of worshipping God daily.
Such persons always remain in trouble, problems and experience sorrows always but those who worship God by listening to Vedas /religious granths, do name jaap, meditation etc., daily (as quoted above) under guidance of an experienced spiritual master and simultaneously they
discharge their duties of earning money for family, discharging moral duties towards family, society and nation as was done by ancient raj-rishis and public, they achieve the goal of human life
experiencing daily pleasure in life, being always away from any kind of sorrows, etc.
Conclusion of mantra:-
(1)World is created, controlled and commanded by Almighty God only.
(2)So, He is the only Lord of each and every materialistic article of the world and not we people.
(3)Therefore, we must not desire worldly articles or any one’s wealth, assets etc.
(4)No doubt, the materialistic article of the world have been made by the God for us, the living beings but He has preached in the Vedas that we have only to experience the pleasure of utilizing the worldly goods by detaching our chitta from them otherwise one will be indulged in illusion and one’s cycle of death and birth will never end which is always sorrowful and painful. Detachment is obtained by a devotee who worships the God daily.
Those who adopt in their daily lives that God is everywhere and He is watching each of our actions and awards punishment if we commit sin, then they never desire nor do they misappropriate other person’s wealth/assets such persons only make their future bright and one day achieve salvation too.
Now, it is upto your discretion to choose Vedic worship or not. If you choose and as you have asked in your question to guide you simple ved mantra, so I have already guided to name jaap of God-Om and Gayatri mantra jap with its meaning. I would also advise you to read some of my Vedic books. A list of the same is appended below for you to choose, if you desire. In addition, if you know Hindi then also listen to Vedic bhajans sung by me in Cd which will give you immense knowledge. If you would follow Vedic path then I will try to send you Vcd in which pronunciation of Gayatri mantra and Om and process of its jaap is briefed.
List of books is appended below, please —–
S. No. NAMES OF BOOK COST PAGES
1. PATANJAL YOG DARSHAN PT I 131.00 332
2. PATANJAL YOG DARSHAN PT II 300.00 295
3. VEDIC PRAVACHAN SANGRAH(Reprinted) 120.00 118
4. VEDIC SATSANG SANGRAH PT II 12.00 29
5. MANAV DHARAM SHIKSHA 21.00 88
6. ATMIK UDGAR 51.00 42
7. DIL SE DIL KI BAAT 21.00 20
8 YAJ KARAM SARVSHRESHTH ISHWAR POOJA 65.00 132
9. BRAHAMCHARYA DUKH NIVARAK DIVYA MANNI 100.00 173
10. MRITYU EK KATU SATYA 20.00 63
11. BHAJAN KIRTAN 40.00 64
12. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA EK VEDIC RAHSYA (CHAP. 1-6) 400.00 739
13. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA EK VEDIC REHASYA (CHAP. 7-12) 400.00 594
14. SANDHYA MANTRA 25.00 33
15. VEDIC PRAVACHAN SANGRAH PT II 120.00 124
16. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA EK VEDIC RAHSYA (Chap. 13-15) 250.00 246
(IN HINDI 1-16)
17. VEDANTA & ETERNAL VEDAS’ PHILOSOPHY PT I 31.00 77
18. VEDANTA AND ETERNAL VEDAS’ PHILOSOPHY PT II 20.00 92
19. YOGA A DIVINE VEDAS PHILOSOPHY 65.00 123
20. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT Pt. I 80.00 190
21. PROTECT THE HOLY COW, SAY VEDAS 40.00 58
22. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. II 121.00 279
23. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. III 100.00 126
24. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. IV 100.00 154
25. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. V 140.00 104
(IN ENGLISH 17-25)
26. VEDA – DIVYA GNANA (TRANSLATED IN KANNADA)
(Originally in English as VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. I ) 120 202
LIST OF CASSETTES & CDs Sung by Swamijee
1. SANT VANNI CASSETTES (PT 1-8) 35.00 EACH
2. BHAJ GOVINDAM CASSETTE 35.00
3. VCDS VEDOIN KEE CHHAWON TALE PT1&2 50.00 EACH
4. ISHWAR KEE AWAZ SUNO (ACD) 36.00
5. SAB MEIN VYAPAK JYOTI EK (ACD) 36.00
6. SANT VANNI PT. 1-4 (ACD) 35.00 EACH
7. VALMIKI RAMAYAN (ACD) 36.00
8. ISHWAR BIN SUKH NAHIN (ACD) 36.00
9.SARVAVYAPAK ISHWAR MAHIMA SUNO(ACD) 36.00
10. SAB GOBIND HAI (ACD) 45.00
11. AMRIT VANNI VED 36.00
Whenever you happen to visit India then I would advise you to come here to gain more Vedic knowledge personally. Boarding and lodging is always free for all.
MM: Swamiji namaskar I want to work abroad and I m trying it from 3 years but I don’t have any success. I am a God fearing man and I can do every pooja and hawan from so many months. I only ask you that is there any pooja or any mantra for reciting so I can go abroad for work.
Swami Ram Swarup: Namaskarji. Your hard efforts, education, technical education and eligibility is only a way to get visa, to go abroad. In addition to overcome any obstacle, everybody requires the blessings of Almighty God for which you’re advised to do the following –
GAYATRI MANTRA
The Gayatri mantra is as follows —
OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGODEVASYA
DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT
Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on
Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.
Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three
names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which
Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar,
Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says
God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only
being explained.
VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore
Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus
Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter
makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti.
Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the
visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form.
Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed
and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible
but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction
is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.
AGNI = From dhatu, “ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its
meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., Omniscient. That is,
knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be
known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.
VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is He
in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being
omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.
HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base
of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas.
VAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vayu word is made. Its meaning is
He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name
of God is Vayu.
TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made meaning He who is self
made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take
light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken,
unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun,
moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.
ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is
whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune
and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to
mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas
God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.
ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the
one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name
is Aditya.
PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made
meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who
knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So
God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion
can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.
BHUHU = “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe,
is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.
BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow,
and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the
name of God is Bhuvaha.
SWAHA = i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is
holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.
SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.
DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.
VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme
and acceptable for worship.
BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable
English word of Sanskrit word, “SHUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)
TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.
DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because
YAHA = the God
NAHA = our,
DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds)
PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)
MEANING
“We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.
Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things —-
Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.
Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.
Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.
HOW TO DO HAVAN
Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.
Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gayatri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.
Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRITO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.
Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gayatri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gayatri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.
Procedure of Chanting
Please, start the day by chanting Gayatri mantra in the early morning sitting on suitable asan like Sukhasan, Siddhasan or Padmasan etc. concentrate on the point between two eyebrows which is called “Agyachakra”. The Gayatri mantra should be chanted along with its meaning both times. Also, please try to perform daily hawan even with Gayatri mantra. Then try to study any of my books daily and put up question if any. After 15 days chant the Gayatri mantra only thrice thereafter do the name jaap of Almighty God-“Om”. The jaap must be done daily by heart and not orally.
