Manish Shastriji: Pranaam Guruji. I have recieved your Sandhya Mantra book. Thanks a lot but I am unable to know how to perform havan with gayatri mantra. Could you just mail me from which page should I start & complete the havan. (procedure to perform havan) which all pages are to be read while performing havan? Please tell me page wise. I & my wife are very much excited to perform havan.
Manish Shastriji: Pranaam Guruji. I have recieved your Sandhya Mantra book. Thanks a lot but I am unable to know how to perform havan with gayatri mantra. Could you just mail me from which page should I start & complete the havan. (procedure to perform havan) which all pages are to be read while performing havan? Please tell me page wise. I & my wife are very much excited to perform havan.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to both of you for a long, happy life. The method to perform the havan is placed on this website, please. So, when you will open the site on main display are placed recent updates. Please locate there “Benefits of Yajyen and method of doing havan at Home.” In case of any doubt please send your question again.
Please start havan from page 8, chanting Gayatri mantra. Then all ved mantras must be chanted continuously uptil page 13. In the said mantras, there is a prayer, praise and worship of Almighty God. When the said mantras are completely chanted, it means we have worshipped God completely. Then please start from page 27 and you may see the method of aachman from the website as quoted above. Then do angsparsh. Now, I reconnect that you must study my second book named- Yajyen karma- Sarvashreshth Ishwar Pooja worth Rs. 65/- excluding postal charges. However, money is no problem because you are real aspirants and want to perform agnihotra. Then the said book shall prove to be more beneficial for you. Since in the book, the entire procedure has been mentioned.
However, the procedure is mentioned in the website as quoted above also which is pasted below as well. In the end, I appreciate your pious desire of performing havan which will really be a source of attaining blessing direct from Almighty God being His eternal, true worship.
Please also read articles: How to do havan, Importance of Yajyen and Benefits of Yajyen.
Hemant: Namaskar, 1)Putting tilak on forehead is mentioned in Vedas? If yes how,where & what is used for as tilak? 2) I heard if one knows himself i.e self realization than it is very easy to understand Almighty. Is it true & body is said to the temple where God resides & one should make his body a temple where Almighty resides is this true if yes how can one make his body a temple? If he starts on this way than how can he realize Almighty is this the right way ? Or from your point of view what is the right way to realize the Almighty Omnipresent God?
Swami Ram Swarup: (1) In Vedas, there is no mention of putting Tilak. However, tilak of sandalwood is beneficial especially in summers. In Vedas, one has to perform holy yajyen with ved mantras, has to do practise of Ashtang yoga and name jaap of Almighty God, while discharging all moral duties.
(2) You are advised to study my book- “Vedas- A Divine Light” worth Rs. 80/- excluding postal charges wherein all benefits of Yajyen and yoga etc., including several briefs of spiritual problems have been mentioned. If you desire, then send your postal address, please.
Yes, self-realisation is a great achievement. Listening of Vedas, following preach mentioned therein and daily practise of Ashtang yoga makes aspirant able to realise himself. In this connection, Yog shastra sutra 1/ 2& 3 states that after controlling all the chitta vrittis, a yogi realises Himself. It will also be beneficial for you, if you will study my detailed comments on each sutra of Patanjal yog Darshan, please. Human body is not made a temple by us but in fact God has made Human body as His temple. No doubt, God is omnipresent buy manifests in human body where He also resides. Due to illusion, an ordinary man is not able to realise God within him. Only a yogi who attains Dharamamegh Samadhi vide yog shastra sutra 4/29, 30 realises God. To realise God, the God has advised eternal path as mentioned above. So, the man made path to realise God will never serve the purpose.
Navin Chandra: Pujya Swamiji, Please explain BG 9.23: “Ye ‘py anya-devat bhakt, y ajante raddhay nvith te ‘pi mm eva kaunteya, yajanty avidhi-prvakam”
What was the reason for Krishna to say this. Does this mean that even during this period people had lost the knowledge of Vedas and were worshiping “other Devtas” or false Gods.
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes, during the Mahabharata period, the illusion had been spread by Duryodhan, Dushasan, Kanak Shastri and Shakuni. Therefore, the description of illusion has been mentioned by Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj in Bhagwad Geeta (Shloka 2/43, 44 also refers). I have written detailed comments on Bhagwad Geeta, chapter 1-6 which have been published. The book contains 739 pages, worth Rs. 250/- excluding postal charges. The book is completely based on eternal philosophy of ved-mantras. If you desire, the book can be sent to you, please, on receipt of your postal address.
Gisele Beaupre: I reread your email again about the Vedas not containing the knowledge that we are Brahm.vIt is possible that humankind only gets certain levels of knowledge in distinct time packages as they progress…ie the Bhagavad Gita is considered a later work is it not? I look forward to reading your books. Teachers are very very important.
Swami Ram Swarup: Rigveda mantra 3/56/1 states that the fundamental laws of eternal knowledge of Vedas are ever unchangeable. So the eternal worship mentioned in Vedas is applicable nowadays and in future too being unchangeable, please. The books have been sent to you, please and I am sure the same will be received by you within a week’s time. And Bhagwad Geeta is totally a Vedic preach because the present sects like present Vedanta did not exist at that time. Only Vedas’ preach was there. I have also written detailed comments on first six chapters of Bhagwad Geeta totally based on Vedas. The book has been published in 739 pages and can be sent to you if you so desire. The book is in Hindi please. If you have time to visit again here please also come to me. Here the boarding and lodging is always free please. Then I will explain to you about kundalini and ashtang yoga philosophy as well by which the self realization becomes possible please. My heartiest blessings to you for a long happy life.
Yes, recently I am busy as I have to do Havan daily for five times with explanation of ved mantras and other spiritual tasks is to be done afterwards. The main motto of human life is to realize God. I think you are a lucky person who devote time in spiritualism. Yes in this path the spiritual master is essential. My blessings to you for a long, happy life.
Helene: I am doing a yoga teacher training course and need to give 2 different ways of presenting om/aum to a class. Can you tell me 2 ways of doing this, besides 3 oms at the end of a class?
Swami Ram Swarup: Actually in Vedas the correct pronunciation is O3M . It is very difficult to explain about the correct pronunciation until an aspirant meets personally with spiritual master. The meaning of OM is placed on this web site. Please, see the same. If yet there remains any problem then you may write me again please.
Amit Kumar: When we all are soul and soul are purush that why do females think that they are female and male think that they are male?
Swami Ram Swarup: Soul is purush not body please. So when soul gets body of any living being then soul is defined accordingly. Soul is separate and body is separate. for example the soul in the bodies of animals is called elephant, lion, tiger, cow etc., and in the body of human beings soul is called boy, girl , man , woman etc. But infact soul is ever unchangeable so soul is not animals, birds, insects or human beings etc., please. When aspirant starts listening Vedas, doing Yajyen ,repeating holy name of God and practicing Yoga philosophy then he one day realizes himself that he is soul and lives in body otherwise due to illusion it is told that he is man or woman, etc.
Amit Kumar: What is intellect and perception? What role do both of them play in our life? Can you tell me more about suksham sharir? What does it mean? How old is our soul? Does it destroy during final destruction? How does a soul get a weak or strong body?
Swami Ram Swarup: Intellect means Buddhi i.e., mind but not Mann. Perception means sense organ i.e., eye, ear, nose, tongue and skin. Perception receive the information of whole of the world and sends the same to mind i.e., Mann and mind sends the same to the intellect i.e., Buddhi. Buddhi /intellect sends to soul. Based on the stage of the intellect i.e., pure intellect or impure intellect, the decision is taken by soul and then action is taken by organs. Please intimate what kind of information of suksham shareer is required by you.
Soul is immortal whereas body is destroyed so body can never be as old as soul after death soul comes out of the body and takes next body based on good or bad deeds.
Soul being eternal and immortal remain during and after the Final destruction of the universe. At that time soul remains without body. No question of first or second creation please, because process of creation, nursing and destruction of universe is eternal and everlasting.
Weak and Strong matter involves sanskaars i.e., effect of previous lives’ pious deeds and sins. Yet present pious deeds make every body strong, Jhansi kee rani, Mata Sita, Madalsa , Janak Acharya Gargi are the example of brave ladies.
Gisele Beaupre: I was reading something about SAKSHATKARA and it was about people wanting visions about spectacular beings etc. but…aren’t people missing the boat? Isn’t this world a spectacular vision? Wow it is amazing from atoms to microbes to skin to stars…that is the really creation, creator and creativity. And yet it is just the space of consciousness…who needs to see a fantastical this and that when the world is so splendid.
Swami Ram Swarup: No doubt, world is spectacular even the creation of human body is astonishing, yet Vedas state to watch the activities of the universe. Vedas also tell that every planet has living beings so if we see activities about the said matter we must study the same for the benefit of the human being.
Hemant Pansare: 1) Where actually according to Vedas the almighty God resides as he is omnipresent which itself specify the meaning of his presence but I think that the Almighty resides beyond the darkness meaning of beyond the darkness is the darkness which is present in the space, I had read read your aanswer to one of the query wherein u had replied that the almighty God HIRANEYA GARBH HA meaning the womb itself consist of the sun ,moon stars etc everything than my question is if almighty God HIRANEYA GARBH HA than how actually he is? He resides beyond the moon and stars to a dimension of golden red light, the original home of all souls it this true according to Vedas.
Swami Ram Swarup: Almighty God is omnipresent, please, so resides everywhere even in the minutest part of a matter. However, God manifests only in Human body when an aspirant does eternal worship of God as per Vedas etc. Hirannya Garbh is a divine word of Yajurveda mantra 13/4. The meaning of Hiraneya Garbhaha is eternal, immortal light. The said light gives light to sun, moon, etc too. Hirannya means light as quoted above and garbhaha means power. So the said light is in His power or we can say that God is a shape of light. Whenever any aspirant realizes God he first experiences wonderful light within him.
Hemant Pansare: 2) What is the reason of the presence of darkness in the universe? From where exactly this darkness comes from? Scientifically it has been proved that an object when kept between light a shadow (darkness) is created but in the space there is no such object or light which is visible or which is still been proved scientifically.
Swami Ram Swarup: God creates universe wherein he also creates light and darkness both similarly knowledge and illusion are in the universe.
Hemant Pansare: 3) Science say the destruction (parlay) of this galaxy would be by black hole which is present in this universe. What exactly Vedas tell us regarding pralay? is there any thing mentioned as such as black hole in Vedas.
Swami Ram Swarup: Vedas do not tell about any black hole please. A power on a stipulated time works in non-alive matter prakriti and process of creation starts, i.e., from prakriti first matter is made which is called mahat i.e., mind then from mahat ahankar, from ahankar five tan matra and from five tan matras five mahabhoot. Five mahabhoot, agni (fire), vaayu (air), jal (water), akaash (space) and prithvi (earth). The said process is mentioned in Rigveda mandal 10 sukta 129, Sankhya shastra 1/26 and Eteryopnishad.
From five mahabhoot sun and other matters of whole world are made. So when time of final destruction comes then you may say back gear begins i.e., all matters are converted into five mahabhoot, five mahabhoot are converted into panch tan matra (minutest unseen part of five mahabhoot) five tan matra are converted into ahankar and ahankar is converted into mahat and mahat in prakriti.
Hemant Pansare: 4) How was women created? As per Vedas four rishis they are Agni, Vayu, Aditya, and Angira where created by Almighty, then how was a woman created?
Swami Ram Swarup: Soul does not have gender i.e., why in Vedas. Soul is called Purush. When the soul comes in womb, then he attains body. Body decides male or female gender. I have written a book named- Brahamcharya- Ek dukh nivarak divya manni. If possible, the book should be studied. Prakriti is non-alive and soul is alive. Our body is made of prakriti but soul is ever separate from body and prakriti. Soul resides in body but soul is not body. Here Prakriti means non-alive matter. It has three qualities- Rajo gunn, tamo gunn and Sato gunn. Purush means almighty God. The power of Almighty God acts in prakriti, with the result universe is created. Yes, mind is made of matter i.e., prakriti. Please see the answer on Creation for additional information.
Roopal: I do gayatri mantra, various malas, listen to Shrimad bhwagwat Gita, read various spiritual things, but still do not have peace of mind. I do not have the sharnagati needed in God and the trust that me and my kids will be just fine.
Swami Ram Swarup: Please chant Gayatri mantra both times sitting on Siddhasan, Padmasan or Sukhasan, as you like. It must be chanted with its meaning, concentrating between the two eyebrows i.e., Agyachakra. You may use mala but actually mala is not needed. It will be more beneficial for you if you in addition do hawan with gayatri mantra. The knowledge of Bhagwad Geeta is based on Vedas. So, please try to listen Vedas daily or as it suits you. After listening Vedas, then Bhagwad Geeta will be easy to understand. Otherwise, the real knowledge of Bhagwad geeta will not be attained. Also, please learn prannayam and meditation. Then, you will be able to gain/understand about truth. It is a fundamental law of nature that knowledge is attained when knowledge is given by anyone. So a true acharya, who is learned of Vedas and Yoga philosophy, is needed. Otherwise, the truth cannot be realized. Please read the articles about guru and Vedas.
Amit Kumar: What is Brahmand? Is it just solar system?
Swami Ram Swarup: Brahmand is universe, please. It is created by Almighty God. Yes, Brahmand will be destroyed one day and will be created again by God. Yes, on the other planets, living beings exist.
Amit Kumar: What is the mean of culture? Sanskriti? Does our religion also belong to culture? What is the difference between our culture and western culture? I have read books on spritual there is written in that our demi gods were indulged in wine and women?
Swami Ram Swarup: There are two types of culture –God made and man –made. Four Vedas are our culture which emanates direct from God. Sri Ram, Sri Krishna Maharaj, Rishi-munis and numerous Rajrishis adopted the Vedic culture in the life. Now, the culture of every nation which is man-made is different from the other.In Vedic culture, demigods are not there. According to Vedas, we have to worship only one, formless, omnipresent, Almighty God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. There is no swarg (heaven) or indralok in the sky etc., where the Apsara dances.
Swarg and narak are on earth only based on the deeds of previous lives’ please, because the deeds of present life will be borne in the future life. Punishment is given to bear the result of past deeds only without considering that individual repents or not. If one has to repent then while experiencing enjoyment of worldly articles, he always sees the other poor, defaulters, orphans, lame, leprosy patients and moreover several deaths which cause sorrows, as the result of previous deeds. But very few repent and become ascetic. In this connection Rig-Veda mantra 10/135/2 says that God has given the human body to face the result of the past sins. And whatever sins the individual does in the present life he will face the same in the next births. But those who go to a learned Acharya and follow the true path while discharging family duties, they kill the previous sins in this life and have no sin to bear in the next life because such persons always do pious deeds under the guidance of a learned Acharya who knows Vedas.
The person is given punishment in another life because he has to face the result of the deeds of past lives’ in the present birth and thus no scope of bearing the sins in the present life of deeds (sinful) done in the present life. This is a fundamental law of Vedas which I have written so many times stating three types of karmas and would request you to please see www.vedmandir.com also in this connection. This human life is only blessed to go to a learned Acharya, to understand philosophy of good and bad deeds, sins, philosophy of worship, aim of life, duties etc., as is also said in Rig-Veda mantra 10/135/3.
The motto of our life is to control senses, perceptions and mind so that we may be able to worship God to realise Him. Mere eating, drinking and producing children is the task of animals and birds, say all true spiritual granths. So we must obey true, spiritual granths and not the false and sinful views of man.
Those who claim themselves as Krishna , they must be learned of Vedas, controller of five senses, perceptions, and mind and learned of Ashtang Yoga Philosophy because the said qualities were gained by Sri Krishan Maharaj from Sandeepan Rishi along with friend Sudama. Sri Krishna Maharaj never did Raas Leela with any Gopi. This fact can be seen by studying Mahabharat Granth written by Vyas Muniji.
To be Sri Krishna Maharaj, I quote here simple happening in the life of Sri Krishna maharaj. Once Ashwathama the son of Guru Dronn, came to Sri Krishna Maharaj asking for his sudarshan charka. Sri Krishna Maharaj readily told him to take any of his weapons. Ashwathama first tried to lift sudarshan charka with his left hand, he could not even move it, then he tried with both of his hands, but failed. In turn, Sri Krishna Maharaj told that Oh! Ashwathama, you are a son of guru Dronn, so I offered weapons to you. But my sudarshan charka (weapon) can only be taken and used by a a great brahamchari. You are not a brahamchari. This weapon can be used either by me or Arjun. So Mahabharat states that both dignitaries were brahamchari even in married life. So to be a Sri Krishna Maharaj one should be Brahamchari and able to move and use his sudarshan charka which could not even be moved by Ashawathama . I mean to say that the chap who claims to be Sri Krishna Maharaj would be more powerful than Ashwathama and would be equivalent to Arjun and Sri Krishna Maharaj which is nowadays quite impossible please, especially for those who are against the Vedas and have dreams to do Raas leela with gopis. Such people actually make spending fun with ladies and innocent people and God gives punishment to them in the shape of several diseases, tensions, etc.
Nowadays, several gurus spread sinful views against the eternal knowledge of four Vedas which emanates direct from God. Our ancient as well as present Rishis did hard Ashtang Yoga, tapasya, studied Vedas, performed daily holy Yajyen. They always spoke the truth. Nowadays several saints speak against the Vedas that Vedas are difficult to understand and Yajyen will give the benefit to stay in swarg only etc. the said statement is false and sinful since in the sky there is no swarg-narak. Secondly, Vedas are not difficult but Vedas are first to be listened and not to be read. So listening is not difficult. You, see such false saints also speak and public listens then why do they state that Vedas are difficult. When a learned acharya will chant and explain the ved mantras how it will be difficult to listen through ear even by illiterate persons. Samveda states in this connection that when a learned acharya will preach Vedas then it will not be impossible to understand by an aspirant. It can never be possible that the aspirant would not understand Vedas’ knowledge. Please also read the articles on Gurus and Vedas.
Amit Kumar: When we are all souls then why is so much illusion in this wold? How to identify lust and true love according to Vedas?
Swami Ram Swarup: God is one but souls are uncountable i.e., several. Every soul gets body of living beings based on his pious deeds and sins. So soul is bound and sometimes experiences pleasures and sometimes sorrows when the soul faces the result of his previous lives pious deeds and sorrows respectively. When any man or woman contacts with a learned acharya of Vedas and knows the motto of human life then he/she starts real worship of God while discharging all moral duties under guidance of learned acharya. Then he/she slowly and steadily becomes able to destroy bad deeds/sins of his previous life and then only leaves vices like anger, greed, pride, sensuality, chase for money, power, etc.
Otherwise he/she remains always in illusion and acts as you have said. To show to be better or that woman can’t do anything are the signs of pride which are destroyed by the worship as quoted above. True love starts when a person gets the result of his real worship and knows himself that he is soul. Then he loves like Sri Ram loved Sita and Sita loved Sri Ram. Intellect/intelligence etc., is known when a person becomes real aspirant and goes to a learned acharya of Vedas. Organs of perceptions are five senses i.e., eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. These are burnt when death occurs but the five suksham (minutest) perceptions, five suksham (minutest matters), five minutest prann, mann (mind), buddhi (intellect) – The said seventeen matters remain always with soul either when in body or after the death.
Amit Kumar: What is conscious and unconscious matter in Jeev and Prakriti?
Swami Ram Swarup: Jeev is alive i.e., conscious whereas Prakriti is non-alive. You can say prakriti made all matters of universe are non-alive. You may be knowing that unconscious means when person is not in his senses. Jeev is alive and eternal. Jeev gets body so we are not bodies, we are souls who reside in body. Body is burnt after death but not soul. Soul gets rebirth. You are advised to read my book- “Vedas- A Divine light” to get more knowledge.
Narender Sharma: Namaskar swami ji, making contact with learned acharya is not possible because I am working outside my country, and it is difficult to find any learned acharaya here, so what should I do?
Swami Ram Swarup: You see, fundamental law of Almighty God mentioned in Vedas is unchangeable, please. So, we must make at least one contact with the acharya in life then his guidance and your practice of yoga and worship and study of holy book (even one page daily) would serve the purpose. But at least one personal meeting is necessary, please to brief the spiritualism etc. you may come here any time, please. Now I would advise you to study some of my spiritual books and see spiritual VCDs to enter the eternal knowledge of Vedas/spiritualism. Please, also tell if you know Hindi because the books are available in hindi and English. But the preach in VCDs is in hindi only. When you will study books, see VCDs and make contact with me through telephone. Then I think you would gain a lot, please. My blessing to you, for a long, happy life.
Abhishek: Swamiji I have been following celibacy for a couple of years now, I wanted to know if there are any stages or signs of celibacy to know that you are going on the right path. Please enlighten me.
Swami Ram Swarup: If a person does not take any interest in opposite gender, even does not see dreams of opposite gender and maintains his power within himself always remains happy, it means he is doing well. He attains outstanding memory and extra mental and physical power.
Anil: Where is the location of Braham jyoti in human body?
Swami Ram Swarup: Heart and agya charka, please.
Megrajh Rampersad: Pranaam Swamijee! I enjoy reading your answers to questions. It is the most sensible teachings I have come across. Swamijee, our puranic prints tell the public that according to the Vedas the soul goes to heaven, a place which is not permanent as the should returns to earth. They say that according to the puranas this is not so. Does the soul reincarnate? What happens to the soul at death? And what is the difference between the Vedas and the puranas? Are the puranas religious authority?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you for a long, happy life. Mostly, the people have forgotten about the eternal knowledge of Vedas and their attention has been diverted towards so many paths. Knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God at the beginning of the earth and God originates the knowledge of Vedas in the heart of four Rishis of non-sexual creation. Vedas are self-proof and give perfect knowledge about the whole universe which includes science, form of pious deeds etc., and the eternal worship. In the said three educations, the knowledge right from straw to Almighty God exists. So it also includes knowledge, divine deeds and nature along with divine qualities of God, knowledge of eternal souls and knowledge of Prakriti by which all the matters of universe are created. So to be a complete learned person one must study Vedas as were studied by all ancient Rishis, Sri Ram, Sri Krishna Maharaj and all kings and their public.
Please read the article called ‘After Death’. As regards difference between Vedas and Purann:
Vedas have not been written by any Rishis, man woman etc. Vedas have not been written by Almighty God. It is knowledge which emanates from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis whereas Puranns have been written by someone. It has been popularized that Bhagwad Purann has been written by Vyas Muniji. But learned of Vedas do not agree.
Vyas Muniji has written only ten thousand shlokas of Mahabharat and Vedanta shastra in which the learned Rishi Vyas has described about formless, Almighty, omnipresent God. In Mahabharata he has also mentioned about the clan of Kauravas and Pandavas. He has written about Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj also in Mahabharat. But the views of Bhagwad Purann mostly are antagonistic to the views given in Mahabharata and Vedanta shastra.
Swami Dayanand has also proved that Bhagwad Purann has not been written by Vyas Muniji. All the ancient and present Rishi-munis and learned of Vedas like Vyas Muniji, Patanjali Rishi, Kapil Muni , Manu Bhagwan , Vishwamitra, Yagyavalkya etc., accept that to reach at truth, Vedas are self-proof i.e. if we have to decide truth then our views must tally with Vedas otherwise will be considered false. So the views of the Purann are required to be tallied with the Vedas which has been a typical task at present. For example- Puranns tell about Avtarwad but Vedas deny, etc.
Our eternal religious authority is four Vedas. After studying Vedas ancient Rishi-munis have written six shastras, Upnishads, Mahabharat, Valmiki Ramayan, and other Brahmin Granths. Because the said granths are totally based on Vedas therefore those are true. Still any sentence if does not tally with Vedas, that is considered unauthentic by our Rishi-munis and therefore not accepted.
Amit Dua: According to Mahabharata, Sri Krishna did Rukmini-haran. Did Sri Krishna go against the Vedas by doing this?
Swami Ram Swarup: No, please, Sri Krishna Maharaj could never go against Vedas. Sri Krishna Maharaj studied Vedas under the pious feet of his Guru i.e., Rishi Sandeepan with friend Sudama. He always adopted eternal path of Vedas. As regards his marriage, Rukmanni loved Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj but Rukmanni’s brother did not agree with the proposal. Then Rukmanni sent a secret message to Sri Krishna Maharaj to take her away from the stated particular place. So, this was not against Vedas.
Dr. Harish Arya: Can we change guru?
Swami Ram Swarup: Vedas tell several divine qualities of Guru. First of all he must be the learned of Vedas and Ashtang yoga philosophy. He must have control over his five senses, perceptions and mind. He always tells truth etc. if a guru does not have the said qualities then Vedas tell to change the guru. Please read the article ‘About Gurus’ on the website.
Dr. Harish Arya: As you are giving much importance to Brahamcharya and then you are saying that you must be grahasthi between the age of 24-48yrs, then i have been confused that what should a person do whether he should be brahamcharya throughout his life because it is beneficial for the person or should be grahasthi that is not beneficial for person himself?
Swami Ram Swarup: Strict Brahamcharya is maintained in student life and before marriage. Thereafter when a person enters the family life Vedas tell to adopt some rules. When the person follows the said rules, he is considered brahamchari in family life also. So Arjun, Sri Krishna Maharaj were also Brahamcharies in family life. I have written a book on this topic named Brahamcharya –Ek Dukh Nivarak Divya Manni (in Hindi). The book is available with M/s Vijay Kumar Govind Ram Hassanand (Nai Sadak, Delhi) and you can purchase the book from there, please only if you so desire.
Anxious: Respected Swamiji, you told in your questions that somewhere in Atharva Ved this is written that if someone will steal a little bit part of Yoga philosophy, I will crush him by feet, please tell the number of mantra where this is written. In the same way, you told that Yajur Veda says the boy and girl should not give their heart to each other before marriage, kindly mention the number of this also. (I am asking this because, I like reading translations of Vedas, I want to read the above mentioned mantras in their complete context.)
Swami Ram Swarup: Please study Yajurveda mantra 8/9 and 10 idea of which is that marriage must be arranged based on the good qualities of the boy and girl and nobody should give heart to the opposite sex before marriage. Besides of said mantra, several Ved mantras of all four Vedas state to maintain strict Brahamcharya before marriage. I have written a book named Brahamcharya –Ek Dukh Nivarak Divya Manni (in Hindi) about Brahamcharya. The book can be sent on receipt of your postal address if you so desire, please. The cost of book is Rs. 100/- excluding postal charges.
God is formless and requires no feet. In this connection, Yajurveda mantra 40/5 clarifies that God does not move because He is formless and omnipresent.
As regards stealing etc., Atharvaveda mantra 12/5/28 states that the Vedas voice eats away the progeny of those who tear Ved Vanni into pieces. Idea of the mantra is that those who destroy the pious, eternal qualities of Vedas, they face dive consequences in the shape of destruction of their families. Atharvaveda mantra 12/5/35 states that he who snatches away or steals the Ved Vanni, he is defeated badly. Atharvaveda mantras 12/5/40, 41, 42 and 43 state that he who steals the Ved Vanni, he becomes poor and Ved Vanni like a fire of pyre eats away the defaulter. I mean to say, 12th kand and sukta 5 of Atharvaveda declare the punishment to those who harm the Vedas. I have quoted very few ideas of the above quoted Ved mantras. This kand also contains the mantra wherein God states to crush the defaulter.
Jagdish Chander: Swami Ji kya Grihasti ko Langot pahnana chahiye.
swami Ram Swarup: If grihasti desires to maintain Brahmachraya forever, then he must use langot otherwise not.
Amit Dua: Respected Swamiji, in supplement to my previous question regarding Rukmini-haran, I want to ask some more questions about Subhadra-haran i.e. Why did Sri Krishna help Arjuna in kidnapping his own sister? Secondly, these types of marriages come under which category – (1) Was it a Gandharva Vivah or anything else? (2) Was it Svayamvar or a type of love marriage?
Swami Ram Swarup: I have replied about Rukmanni-haran. The case of Arjun is similar where Subhadra loved Arjun and i.e., why Sri Krishna helped her. These marriages come under “Brahma Vivah”.
Amit Kumar: Do souls have gender and who decides that what body soul will have? Are we prakriti or purush? What is sukshem sharera? What is matter? Is mind made by matter or it is just notion? Why is mind so important if we have to realize anything?
Swami Ram Swarup: No, please. Soul does not have gender i.e., why in Vedas. Soul is called Purush. When the soul comes in womb, then he attains body. Body decides male or female gender. I have written a book named- Brahamcharya- Ek dukh nivarak divya manni. If possible, the book should be studied. Prakriti is non-alive and soul is alive. Our body is made of prakriti but soul is ever separate from body and prakriti. Soul resides in body but soul is not body. Here Prakriti means non-alive matter. It has three qualities- Rajo gunn, tamo gunn and Sato gunn. Purush means almighty god. The power of Almighty God acts in prakriti, with the result universe is created. Yes, mind is made of matter i.e., prakriti.
(1)The creation is eternal and automatic. There is no date of creation of the following:
God: 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)
Soul: Soul is alive, the purest, away from sins etc. but illusion covers the soul due to which soul has forgotten his original form and hence remains in sorrows, problems etc.
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. Therefore no question that why it has been or not been created. So is the case of the soul i.e., automatically srishti is created and automatically souls come in body of living beings according to good or bad deeds.
Suppose, soul does not acquire body then it is a law that soul will remain in Sushupt avastha (like in coma). So what will be the use of man or woman who remains in coma for years together?
Vedas: At the time of non-sexual creation, Vedas emanate direct from God and are originated in the heart of four Rishis. This all is for the benefit of human beings. So Vedas are also eternal as Vedas have not been written by anybody.
So wrong being in coma like stage is that soul will be considered lazy and will be of no use for himself and for others. People when see a person in coma, they feel sad and shower mercy for him. But I may tell here strictly that these lines are based on assumption only which is dangerous klesh as per Yog shastra Sutra 1/6 and 1/9 being Vikalp Vriti, I have explained this Vritti in comments (detailed description) of Yog shastra which may be read there. In short, Vikalp Vritti is that vritti in which one being a lazy person will be thinking and creating own stories, the fact of which is never seen on the earth. For example –kapil Muni in his Sankhya Shastra sutra 5/52 states that such false knowledge is like a thought that man has horn on his head which is totally false. Secondly if someone says that the man is carrying bow made of horns of hare/rabbit. Whereas rabbit has no horns.
(1) In Vedas God has advised only that if human being wants happiness and to be away from diseases, sorrows, tensions, problems, death etc, then he should follow the Vedas and must do worship of God, otherwise he may avoid Vedas and worship. So there is no compulsion in Vedas to worship God. On the contrary, it is mentioned “Swantrata hi karta” i.e., man or woman are free to follow or not to follow the Vedas but result will be awarded by God. So the knowledge of Vedas is given by the God for the benefit of human beings and not for the benefit of God. Secondly, We all use sun, moon, air, water, earth and every matter of the universe made by God for our benefit and the use their of is already mentioned in Vedas. Then we become happy to utilize the same but still remain in diseases, problems, sorrows etc. Therefore if we obey spiritualism of the Vedas, we will really be happy. This is preached by God in Vedas. So it is upto the people. They may or may not follow the Vedas.
Yes, the God is not affected whether we praise Him or not but people are affected. Why? If we worship, we remain the happiest and if we do not worship we always remain in trouble, sorrows etc. God is our commander and even like our father. Father nurses and so does God while providing us with food etc. So there is only Almighty and omnipresent power in the shape of God who only selflessly nurses us and makes all materials available to us for our benefit. So if in return we do not thank Him then we are indulged in thanklessness which is further a great sin. A gentleman always try to thank the others for the deeds which have been done for him for his benefit. But if we do not remember God who is really more than an ocean/source of all benefits to us then what why will we not be called the most thankless.
(2) Souls are uncountable but God is one who is omnipresent. The soul who has got moksha will remain liberated in the next creation also and he even experiences the time of final destruction and the time of next creation.
(3) I think, I have not used the words mentioned by you please i.e., God can take back the power of a liberated soul also if it is not acting according to Vedas. Please send my exact words. However, soul gets moksha and not body. A yogi who has got moksha touches electric wire knowingly or unknowingly he will die. But soul residing within his body will not be affected. Or somebody gives poison to a liberated person, the effect of poison will be in his body and he will die, then too soul always remains unaffected. Question of not following the Vedic path after moksha never arises, please.
It must be clear that universal laws are always unchangeable. So it is not possible that human beings previously were monkeys and thereafter the tail vanished away etc. as stated in Rigveda mantra 10/190/3 that the process of creation in each universe remains the same for example sun, moon, air ,water,human body etc ., made in the previous universe are the same in this creation of universe as well. So men, women were never made in the shape of monkey etc.
Sthool body means the body which is being seen. sooksham shareer contains five prann, five organs, five suksham bhoot, man and buddhi(mind/intellect). This sharer remains with the soul after death also. Third is the karann sharer wherein the soul remains in the sound sleep. This shareer is form of prakriti.
Mind i.e., mann collects the data from five senses and sends it to intellect (Buddhi). The buddhi then sends it to soul to decide action etc. So mind and intellect both are necessary to observe each matter of universe, to study, the Vedas, to do worship etc., to realise God.
Kamalopama Narayani Devi Dasi Tapasyogini Saktisiva Devi: Pronam prabhu, I have been studying your answers and have these concerns because what I have read in the Vedas contradicts what you are writing. One answer you stated there was no caste system, perhaps you meant not jati-vad, because I am including quotes from the Yajur veda which delineates caste or jati-kram. the other statement you made was that there was no animal sacrifice, but I have read about the elaborate horse sacrifice in the Yajur veda, to different gods, including the sacrifice of other animals as well. I cannot resolve these contradictions, your answers with the Yajur veda. your knowledge of Sanskrit is much more vast then mine and I am just learning the devanagari script and still do not know much vocabulary and grammar. I was initiated a braani in brahma gaudiya vaishnava sampradaya. My guru maharaj was Bhaktisvarupa damodar swami, now deceased. My present acarya is tapasyogi Nandhi Kalathi Natha a siddha yogi from Tamil Nadu who swept away everything and just said, no religion, no caste, no idols. My other question is. I have studied dharma shashtra by Rishi apastamba and he delineated all types of duties for the castes. Is this a bogus text book and I cannot find the definition for arab in a Sanskrit dictionary. I want to know what is the law in dharma shastra is it true that if somebody explains one letter in theVveda then that is your acarya, teacher. thank you for your advice.
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes, please. There is no caste-system (jati-vad) in the Vedas. In this regard, I have quoted several times Yajurveda mantra 40/11 wherein the God has clearly mentioned that caste is not by birth but is determined based on the deeds of a person. Please locate the said Ved mantra and if it is not located then send this question again.
Secondly, there is no animal sacrifice given in Vedas. All four Vedas use special word “Adhwar”, the meaning of which is non-violence, i.e., perform the Yajyen where in there must be no violence.
No please, it is not true that even if someone explains one letter of Ved, then he becomes acharya/teacher. The knowledge of all four Vedas is required to be preached. You have not quoted the Ved-mantras where animal sacrifice is endorsed. Please quote. Sure the interpretation of such Ved mantras would be false. However, I have written a book in English, named- Protect the holy Cow- Say Vedas. In the book, I have quoted several Ved mantras which strictly prohibited non-vegetarian food and slaughter of animals. The price of the book is Rs.40/- excluding postal charges. The book can be sent to you on receipt of your postal address, if you desire. Please also read the article on Ashwamedh Yajyen.
Kamalopama Narayani Saktisiva Devi: Please illumine my consciousness. I don’t know my gotra, I was told it is kasyapa. I am racially mixed and born in the USA and initiated brahmani. I don´t know my family history entirely because some were taken as slaves from Africa. My character is not so bad. I do get a little passionate at times about philosophy and questions regarding morality. I forgot the verses that are causing my confusion about no caste and no animal sacrifice. Yajur veda Kanda 2, Prapathaka 8, hymn i.8.10.c 5, 7 hymn 7.6.d 1, 8 hymn i.8.3.d. Bhagavad gita, which is not really a Veda but chapter 18, verses 41-44.
Swami Ram Swarup: You have quoted- Yajurveda, kand 2, prapathak 8, hymn (i), 8.10.c etc. But Yajurveda has only chapter number and mantra number. Please quote correct reference. Geeta shloka 18/41 to 44. As I told above, that Yajurveda mantra 31/11 states that the classes of society (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) are considered based on their deeds. For example- a boy takes birth in Brahmin family but he never studies Vedas and he has not controlled his five senses, five perceptions, mind and intellect but he takes non-vegetarian, food, addiction etc. Then he is considered shudra and vice-versa. Sri Krishna Maharaj in the above Geeta shloka also states that Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishyas, Shudra have different deeds and nature. Brahmin has qualities as quoted above, the warrior who protects nation and maintains justice is called Kshatriya and who has power to travel and distribute all types of goods to the public through his business, is called vaishyas and the person who has not studied well and does not have qualities of Brahmin, Kshatriya and vaishyas, he serves all the people to live upon and is called shudra but shudra are also human-beings and are not hated etc. In the remaining shlokas, Sri Krishna Maharaj has quoted different qualities/nature of the classes (division of society).
Chittaranjan: Poojaya Swamiji, “Brahm apni praja ke karmon ke phal ka theek theek vidhan karta hai.” Accordingly, He decides the Jati, Aayu and Bhog on the basis of the actions of the Jeevatma. It stands to reason, therefore, that half the creation which is born as feminine gender, undergoes the part of the suffering as having been born as women; we may not know the specific karmas which qualify for being born as such, like any other cause and effect factors for our sufferings (bhog) but we cannot deny that Ling is also determined and decided by HIM. So, it should be correct to infer that Brahm alone decides the Ling along with the Jati, Aayu and Bhog of his Praja, as we are. It is said that the Atman has no Ling but the existence of the Ling cannot be denied. Can we deny the existence of the Stree-Jati itself? It may only be hypothetical to say that the Atman has no Ling. Your Abodh Balak.
Swami Ram Swarup: Dear vatsa ji. My blessings to you. No doubt, the gender is based on the deeds of a person and decided by God. Decided means the divine deeds, nature and knowledge of Almighty God is automatic (Natural-Swabhavik) i.e., takes place automatically. So jeevatma takes his body accordingly.
Megrajh Rampersad: Swamijee, Pranaam! Our priests in South Africa perform ceremonies after the death of a person. Food is taken out and kept outside with the explanation that the soul of the deceased comes and enjoys the aroma of the food. Is this true? What is the Vedic teachings as regards death ceremonies? I do no accept that we can do anything for the dead. We must serve the person when alive.
Swami Ram Swarup: Soul of the deceased never comes again to enjoy aroma of food etc. it should be known by everyone that God blesses us with human body. Then a baby becomes able to take milk from mouth and young man to take food from mouth and uses rest of the organs and mind etc., accordingly. When a man becomes dead, soul comes out from the body, and his body is cremated. Then the soul cannot eat, listen, taste, see etc., remains in Sushupt avastha i.e., like in coma till he takes next body. This all is mentioned in Yajurveda chapter 39, please.
As regards death ceremony, Yajurveda mantra 40/15 states- Bhasmantang Shareeram” i.e., human body must be burnt on pyre. After such cremation no deed is left to be done for the departed soul, say Vedas, please. Such cremation is called daah sanskar which is the sixteenth sanskar of human life.
Antyeshti is also a pious sanskaar. When soul goes out from the body and body thus becomes dead then cremation is called antyeshti sanskaar. This is also done while offering aahutis, in burning pyre (chita), of Ved mantras mentioned in 39th chapter of Yajurveda.
Cremation is mentioned in Yajurveda mantra 40/15 and also in Yajurveda chapter 39th. Aryans always follow the preach of Vedas being eternal and emanates direct from God. Secondly cremation kills all the germs of dead body which are harmful to the public. Soul goes out from the body then only body is declared dead. Soul is eternal and immortal and takes next birth according to deeds.
So, you are also right that services to parents, elders, relatives is to be rendered when they are alive because no one can do anything for the departed soul after death. Departed soul remains in the space for thirteen days in sushupt avastha (unconscious stage) the soul goes in womb under the control of Almighty God. The soul gets human, animal, birds or insects bodies based on his pious deeds or sins. So within the period of thirteen days, when soul remains unconscious in the space, nobody can do anything for the soul and after taking birth, when soul goes in womb, he is fed by the mother.
Manohar Lal Goel: Respected Swami ji, Pranam Recieved reply regarding re-birth of fore-fathers thanks. I have one more question regarding re-birth of humans as trees & vanspati, etc. Please explain in detail in how many shapes soul can take re-birth & for how much time?
Swami Ram Swarup: Trees, vanspati come under udbhij yoni i.e., who are born from earth and are liable to be situated permanently at a place. The birth of soul takes place in numerous shapes and time is also awarded by almighty God based on previous deeds of the animals, birds, insects etc. And as regards human beings, the age is awarded, based on previous deeds as well as present pious deeds of person which increase his age.
Jay Wisdome: I have a question, is it true that woman’s not can pronouns the word OHm and the gayaterie mantra and other mantras? Is there something written in the Vedas about this topic? What they are allowed or not?
Swami Ram Swarup: No please, it is wrong that woman can’t pronounce OM. Actually body is called woman or man but not soul. We have been given human body to experience Almighty God. So soul has to realise God and not body. Therefore all spiritual preaches are equally applicable for woman or man.
So all four Vedas state that every soul in human body is entitled to study Vedas, to do worship and to realise God, please. Otherwise there will be favourism on the part of God which is quite impossible as the God is our supreme judge.
Shaswata: I have realized myself. Is soul brahma?
Swami Ram Swarup: Your experiences stated by you that you have realised yourself is really a great achievement and you could know that you are soul. The views of present Vedant that soul is Brahma is not mentioned in Vedas, please. In this connection, I have written books named- Vedant and eternal philosophy of Vedas- Part I and II. I would advise you to read the books if you desire. If you have already received my books please confirm receipt. As far my personal experiences are concerned, as you have asked, it is a lengthy subject and nowadays, I am totally busy to perform annual Yajyen of four Vedas which will continue uptil 22nd of June, 2008. So, after 22nd June, I shall try to write something. Nowadays, I have to devote more than six hours in Yajyen daily and then in other spiritual writing works which take about five to six hours daily. I bless you heartily to continue your worship which is the main motto of your human life, please.
Amit Kumar: What is a mantra? Which mantra should be chanted?
Swami Ram Swarup: Mantra means Ved mantra please. Otherwise, it will be shlokas, sutra etc. as per Vedas, the name of Almighty God, who is formless, omnipresent and Almighty, must be chanted, done jaap. The name of God is mentioned in Vedas, please. For example- Yajurveda mantra 40/15 states “Om Krato Smar” i.e., Oh Man! The doer of pious deeds, do the jaap: Om. However, the technique of doing jaap of holy name of God must be learnt personally from an acharya. ‘Bhagwatay’ means ‘most supreme’/’glorious’ God. ‘vasu’ means who gives shelter to live i.e., God. ‘Dev’ means “who gives everything to human-being” i.e., God. “Namah” means to bow or to give respect i.e., to give respect to adorable God. According to Vedas, astrology does not play any role in our life since it is not mentioned in Vedas. Kundli also is not mentioned in Vedas. It is man-made, please. Prakriti means non-alive element. It has three qualities- i.e., Rajo gunn, Tamo gunn and Sato gunn. Purush means soul and Param purush means Almighty, formless God. Soul is everything but is not independent. Therefore, God has provided soul with mind, intellect, senses, perceptions etc., by which soul does deeds.
Kamalopama Narayani Devi Dasi: Can you refute the scriptures about the cowherd boy being Vishnu, the immortal support of the universe? Rigveda mantra 1/164 (quoted) says that.
Swami Ram Swarup: Every scripture which does not tally with eternal knowledge of Vedas, that emanate direct by God, is denied by all learned acharyas of ancient as well as present times. Yog shastra states vide sutra 1/7 that Rishis as well as four Vedas are the proof to decide truth. So the said statement as well as Vedas can’t be denied. You have stated Rigveda mantra 1/164 which is incomplete please. One means mandal one, 164 means sukta but mantra number has not been mentioned, please quote mantra number. However, there is no meaning of any mantra stating that sages would miss Vishnu on earth. However, after studying Vedas, performing holy Yajyen and doing hard practice of Ashtang yoga philosophy, when a yogi attains dharmmegh smaadhi as mentioned in Yog shastra sutra ………………., God appears in the heart of a yogi. As regards som, mentioned by you, it does not tally with any Ved mantra, please.
Virendra Jain: How to shed karmas in order to get salvation (Moksha)?
Swami Ram Swarup: In order to get moksha, we have to do the pious deeds as mentioned in four Vedas, please.. So one must listen to Vedas from an acharya, then he should follow the Vedic deeds, must perform daily havan, name jaap and practice of ashtang yoga under the guidance of an experienced yogi. If you are interested then I would advise you to read some of the books written by me. You may also visit my ashram for learning Vedas as well as yoga philosophy, if possible. Otherwise, seek suitable acharya locally.
Ajay: What is Mahamritunjay jaap? How and when to read it?
Swami Ram Swarup: Mahamritunjaya jaap is Ved mantra i.e., Yajurveda mantra 3/60. Please open www.vedmandir.com and on front page on display, you will find mahamritunjaya mantra. Please click the mantra and see details. Incase of any doubt, you are always welcome. A sinner is never left without being given punishment of his sins by God. Meaning of madbhakto means the worshipper of formless, Almighty God. Please clarify your meaning of chowpayee mentioned by you. Geeta contains eighteen chapters, please. So there is no Geeta shloka 50/2 as mentioned by you, please. Please quote correct number.
