HJ: Pranam Swamiji, In every religion karma yoga is described. Even Shri Krishna has given lecture on karma yoga. Idea of karma yog is so simple but how to implement it in day to day life. Some point I noticed and I have doubt for same. Please enlighten me for below.
1)How can I avoid criticizing others? I can not get rid of people around me and every one in day to day life criticizing someone directly or indirectly (even writing so is criticism I am doing for others). I can control myself not to criticize others but sometimes i also get involved. Rag, Dwesh, tamas. I analyze daily myself for same. Up to certain extent i am able to change myself a lot but still I need change.
2) Swamiji I am planning to come for Yajyen. It would not be possible for me to attend full session but at least of one week I will try to manage.Please pray for me i will get leave from office and circumstances would be fine.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
Really, this is the main problem that how the preach of holy granth, learned person, parents and elders is implemented in the daily life. As regards karma Yog, its philosophy is eternal and everlasting especially mentioned in Yajurveda. Vedas give such three types of education, which are:-
THREE EDUCATIONS
There are three educations/preach about
(i) knowledge – science etc(Gyan) in Rigveda,
At the time of every creation, knowledge of four Vedas emanates direct from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis in non-sexual creation. In the said process, first of all, the knowledge of Rigveda advents and originates in the heart of Rishi Agni. In this veda though the description of every worldly matter right from straw to God has been mentioned but it speaks especially about matters concerning science of the world. God has described qualities/nature of all materialistic articles of the universe. Therefore, the entire mankind must get the benefit of eternal knowledge of Vedas by knowing about right from straw to Brahma i.e., God. The meaning of “Ric” is that wherein the qualities and nature of all matters have been described and the meaning of veda is knowledge i.e., true knowledge. These words are used in making the pious word “Rigveda”.
(ii) In Yajurveda, the form of true, pious deeds have been preached . So, in the absence of listening of Yajurveda, we can’t know about real moral duties of students, married persons, vanprasthis and sanyasis. Even the moral and social obligations of King, parents, children etc., can’t be known.
(iii) In Samveda there is preach about eternal true worship of God like Yajyen, name jaap, practice of ashtang yoga by following which an aspirant realises God/attains salvation.
(iv) Atharvaveda authenticates the above three vedas’ preach. It also contains comprehensive knowledge of medical science.
So, Almighty God who is formless, creates, nurses, destroys and again creates universe. This process is eternal and everlasting. So, at the time of beginning of each non-sexual creation, the knowledge of above four Vedas emanates direct from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis. The knowledge is given by the God to the human-beings for their welfare/benefit because until the knowledge is given by somebody, no one can attain the knowledge. In the beginning of the creation, no preacher, guru, acharya, teacher is present there to teach. So, God gives the knowledge.
Since, the above philosophy is mentioned in Vedas, so Vedas knowledge is the only solution to your question as to how karma yog can be implemented in day to day life. In this matter, the first mantra of first chapter of Yajurveda states-
“Eeshey Tvorjey …………………….Shreshthtamaya karmanna Prarpayatu”
i.e., Oh! God my senses, organs and perceptions should perform daily Yajyen/agnihotra with Ved mantras, which are the best pious deeds of the universe.
In Shatpath Brahmin Granth, it is stated by the Rishi-
“ Yajyau Vai Shreshthatamam Karmaha’
i.e., the Yajya karma is the best pious karma (deed) in the universe. The greatness of the Yajyen/agnihotra with Ved mantras has further been stated in all Vedas, especially in Samveda, Samveda being Upasana Kand (the concept of eternal worship of God is given in it.)
Yajyen only inspires us to serve mother, father, learned atithi, learned acharya. In the absence of performance of Yajyen, nowadays, parents and elders are being mostly badly treated and their future is in darkness.
Now, anyone can put question , how a Yajyen is the best pious deed in universe whereas thousands of responsibilities like several types of worships , charities, societies, political responsibilities, administration and duties of the family are to be discharged. Answer is very simple yet very deep. Vedas tell that any type of deeds (karmas), in the absence of knowledge, always go in vain. In the absence of knowledge, the person is mostly indulged in illusion and does deeds according to his likings, keeping aside pious result or sins. The previous, ancient holy books written by Rishis and present thoughts of learned acharya tell that when a person makes contact with learned acharya and starts doing Yajyen then the learned acharya, who is called Brahma (knower of four Vedas) explains Ved mantras and even after performing Yajyen, he preaches Ved mantras wherein Ashtang Yoga philosophy, name jaap of God, explanation of Yam, Niyam, Asan, Prannayam, Pratyahaar, Dharnna, Dhyan and Samadhi are made to be known to devotee. Thereafter, devotee starts daily agnihotra, Yajyen, name jaap of God and practice of yam, Niyam etc. the devotee, makes contact with learned acharya, by which he listens to all four Vedas and gains knowledge of karmas (deed) also. Because, now he has started practice of above quoted worship which helps the devotee to control his senses, mind, intellect and thus he keeps himself away from sins etc. Result of worship automatically is implemented in life and he automatically starts doing pious deeds only which he learns from Vedas. Now, I would say, that due to indulgence in materialistic articles, pomp and show, anger, sensuality, ego and pride, most of the people have become habitual to spend their lives in the said atmosphere and they are least worried about Vedic knowledge in this stage. As a result, thought of Shri Guru Nanak Dev seems to be true that-
“Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansaar”
i.e., inspite of present worship and doing deeds at one’s own discretion, the people are experiencing sorrows.
I paste my article in this matter :-
Importance of Yajyen
Clouds cause rain and grow food grains, clouds are formed as a result of Yajyen and Yajyen is performed, under the guidance of a learned Acharya of Vedas, through pious deeds. In Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Yogeshwer Krishna preaches to men and women, to be industrious and hard working so as to perform Yajyen. As a result of this timely rains shall occur leading to growth of enough food grains. Otherwise, inadequacy or scarcity of food grains and water shell retard the growth of human beings and end their lives. At present, due to non performance of Yajyen, the growth and nutrition of human –beings is not in conformity with the required standards. Long, happy lives are also not being attained.
In Samveda mantra 594, food grain says symbolically-
“I have been created before the creation of devtas and nobody can survive without consuming me. Those who donate me in Yajyen etc., I protect them and bestow them with the result of pious deeds.[punya] ”
Samveda is acclaimed most, glorified and praised for preaching the worship of God through Yajyen and practice of Ashtang Yoga that is, Samveda states especially about worship (upasana) in detail.
Sri Krishna himself states in Geeta shloka 10/22 that – “I am Samveda among four Vedas.” The underlying meaning of this statement is that Samveda is liked the most by Yogeshwer Sri Krishna because in Samveda, most of the preach has been given on worship and worship of God is the main motto of human life.
We all need to understand the seriousness of Vedas. Most of the mantras of Samveda preach to perform Yajyen. Yajyen, besides shower in the benefit of timely rains, bestows innumerable benefits on the aspirant, which cannot be enlisted here due to shortage of time and space. However, let us restrict our discussion to few hints regarding “The Importance and Benefits of Yajyen”-
Samveda Mantra 942 states that offerings given in the pious fire of Yajyen “Vacham Janayan” generates sweet voice within offerer. Due to lack of such offerings, mostly people utter bitter, harsh and unsweet speech. This is not being digested in the families now a days.
Samveda Mantra 952 says that Yajyen generates divine merriment “Madaye Chakaanaha” and bestows eternal satisfaction on the soul. Let us all peep within ourselves to check whether we are experiencing merriment or are facing day to day problem of sorrows, sickness etc. Is not it that we are against Samveda and have left worship of God by performance of daily havan/Yajyen.
Yajyen/ havan is the order of God and non-compliance of man to such divine order is due to his indulgence in illusion.
Samveda mantras 981, 1355 state that Yajyen bestows wealth and assets on the aspirant. Now mostly the people are poor and rich are not satisfied.
Samveda mantra 948 states “Yajyen Vajihee Naha Upaagamat” i.e., Yajyen bestows all wealth, assets on the aspirant and increases the agricultural yield and food stock of the performers of Yajyen.
Samveda mantra 975 states “Saubhaga Parisrava” i.e., Yajyen showers good fortune on the aspirant.
Samveda mantra 884 explains “Ritasya Dhiyam” i.e., Yajyen generates pious “Vedic” intellect (Pure mind) within aspirant. [We see mostly the minds of both elders and children are full of bad habits]
Samveda mantra 886 states that when the offerings are given in the pious fire of Yajyen by the aspirants and learned /Rishis, then the particles offerings, in minutest form, reach the space and cause timely rains as a result, they control pollution and make the atmosphere pure.
Samveda mantra 1186 states that Som Yajyen increases the intensity of rainfall and production of food grains. Now, there is food problem.
Samveda mantra 1363 clearly states that he who loves/ adores Yajyen, he only is capable to concentrate/meditate in omnipresent God. In the absence of performance of Yajyen, mostly people do not know the real form of the God as per Vedas. As a result, they do not love God and mostly the worship is converted into formality.
Samveda mantra 1280 states that Yajyen purifies mind and intellect.
Samveda mantra 1105 states that Yajyen devastates and conquers the enemies. The place where Yajyen is performed is sacred that is “Tirath”. Whereas people have made their own Tirath against Vedas.
Samveda mantra 1060 says that Yajyen bestows 30,000 merriment or happiness immediately on the aspirant. In other Samveda mantra it is stated that when aspirant performs Yajyen, his 810 sins are burnt. So if we perform Yajyen for whole of our lives’ like Shri Ram, we can be free from sins.
Samveda mantra 881 states that Almighty God establishes Himself in Yajyen.
In Samveda mantra 873 God states that He is fond of Yajyen and He loves those who perform daily Yajyen.
Hence, misled by saints who are against Vedas , innocent public has given up performing Yajyen, as a result of which, the whole earth is facing the shortage of rains, water, long life, food stock, wealth, merriment, brotherhood, peace etc. God states in Rig-Veda mantra 9/15/2 and Samveda mantra 1266 that for performing Yajyen, one must do pious deeds accompanied by hard work otherwise Yajyen cannot be performed. These mantras prove that lazy, uninspired, non-deligent, non-listener of Vedas cannot perform Yajyen. Sri Krishna Maharaj states in Geeta shloka 3/10 that God has created eternal worship by means of Yajyen and has ordered to perform Yajyen.
(1) As I have told above that when the worship starts then the devotee becomes capable of controlling his senses, intellect and mind. Then, the stage of controlling anger, criticism, raag, dwesh, tamas vritti etc., is achieved and these vices are given up. Actually, this matter relates to the devotee. Otherwise, no one can control senses, intellect and mind. That is why, Sri Krishna Maharaj in Bhagwad Geeta shloka 12/19 states that Oh! Arjun, such devotee remains stable/unaffected in the circumstances of criticism, praise and he always remains contented in earnings which he gets easily. That is, he controls his unnecessary desires.
(2) You are always welcome here, please. It is mentioned in Samveda mantra that in forest, thirsty birds and animals automatically search the river etc., to quench their thirst, similarly aspirants seek the place, where Yajyen/Vedic preach (eternal knowledge) is delivered. I pray to God to fulfill your pious desire, my blessings are always with you.
Rohit: Swamiji: pranam- mera prashan ye hai ke maine ek show main dekha ki ek muslim philospher keh raha tha ki bhagwaan krishna ne bhi teen vivah kiye the toh hindu kaise keh sekte hai ke hum muslim agar ek se jaada shaadi karte hai toh wo galat hai.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Bhagwan Krishna had only one wife, her name was Rukmanni. However, in Puranns and other books, it is stated that Satyabhama was also his wife etc., but the authentic holy books Mahabharat, written by Vyasmuniji, states that Sri Krishna Maharaj had only one wife.
