Questions & Answers – November 07, 2011

Naveen: I have asked this question to some more people. But i was not satisfied with their answers. The question is like this… If i kill a person in my town, I will be feeling guilty, and it is also a sin. But even if I kill ten people at border while in army, I will feel proud of it. The action is same, but is it not a sin? I am talking about the sin and guilty and not about crime according to law. Many people answer this by saying that, at border it is my duty to kill. But i am not totally satisfied with this answer, because borders of a country are not god made, but man made…

Swami Ram Swarup: No doubt, that if someone kills other person, he commits a sin and he will have to face dire consequences of the same. Even to harm anyone unnecessarily is also a sin. But I would like to tell you that who is to decide that what is sin and what is not a sin. In the beginning of the earth, God originates the knowledge of the four Vedas, in the heart of four Rishis. This fact is not being known now. Hence, the problem. I mean to say, what is sin and what is not a sin is decided from the knowledge of Vedas especially of Yajurveda which is framed by Almighty God Himself, that is why, in Vedas, the God is called “Aryama” i.e., Supreme judge who gives the result of our good and bad deeds i.e., pious deeds and sins in the shape of happiness and sorrows respectively. For example- Yajurveda mantra 7/48 says that Human-beings are free to do good deeds or bad deeds but the result is awarded by the God, as quoted above. So, when God has given us the Vedic knowledge, we must listen it from the learned acharya, so as to follow it, so that we become capable to decide what are sins and pious deeds and manage to be always away from sins. Now, I again tell you that to kill a person is a sin because this has been told by the God in the Vedas i.e., this rule has been framed by God Himself in Vedas. Similarly, when enemy tries to enter the boundaries of other nation, God in Yajurveda straight away tells to kill the enemy immediately because the said act has been stated to be a pious deed. If the enemy is not killed then the enemy will disturb the peace of nation and would kill several.

In the beginning of the earth, i.e., when the creation starts, there is only one monarch who rules the entire earth. So, question of border at that time did not arise yet traitors or anti-national elements like Ravanna, Kansa, Duryodhann etc., existed and for that very purpose, Vedas tell that to protect the righteousness, the king should destroy such elements immediately and to obey the order of God in Vedas, is a pious deed and not a sin. Now, I would like to tell you that in Vedas, the matter of nations/countries has been stated. It means God knows that naturally, with the course of time, it will happen that the earth shall be divided into several independent existing nations. Why? Because two types of persons have been mentioned in Vedas- First is Arya and second is Anarya. Arya means gentlemen or women who follow the true Vedic path, do daily yajyen/havan, practice of Ashtang Yoga, discharge their duties satisfactorily, always speak truth etc. Anarya are those who are devilish (devil like) in nature i.e., they tell lies, commit thefts, robberies, murders, speak rudely, do not wield good character etc.

So, both the parties will sure have conflict with each other like Pandavas and Kauravas, Sri Ram and Ravanna etc. That is why, in Upnishad, a famous word is used- Devasur sangram i.e., war/conflict between devas and asur i.e. Arya and Anarya. I mean to say that God has therefore mentioned about securing the national interests by the king of the country.

R: My age is 22 years. I’ll turn 23 in January. Is it possible for me to increase height? If so, could you please tell me how? I’ve been doing pranayam for nearly 3 months now. Can Vedic Amrit help me increase height? If so, PLEASE TELL ME what kind of ingredients does it contain.
Swami Ram Swarup: You are advised to learn Tadasan and Pashchimauttaan asan from local Yoga Teacher. You should also get up early in the morning to do a race daily. Prannayam will do nothing in case of increasing height but prannayam is a part of yog and should be performed daily.

Dinesh: Namaste swami ji can you give me any mantra or method so I can get concentrate in my studies.
Swami Ram Swarup: Namasteji. In this regard, I paste my articles:-

Shubh Karma

Hard working, devotion, dedication, honesty, services to the parents and elders to follow eternal religion mentioned in Vedas, practice of Ashtang Yoga, discharging moral duties to get progress in education, science simultaneously with spiritualism like, daily havan, to be in contact with the learned Acharya, to get his advice, are some of the pious deeds which make the future bright and obliterate the sorrows, problems, diseases, etc.

One must wake up early in the morning for early morning walk and exercises, must sit on meditation and chant holy name of God, must be away from any addiction and non-vegetarian. Such pious actions lead to long, happy life and bright future.

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.

STUDENT LOSING CONCENTRATION

Concentration is not made on mind, but mind has to be concentrated on particular point or subject etc. It requires practice of Yam, Niyam, Asan, Pranayaam, Pratyahar, Dharnna and Dhyan then one attains Samadhi. In this path, guidance of a spiritual master who knows Vedas and Ashtang Yoga philosophy is needed. Holy name jaap of God helps a lot. I have written a book on Yoga which can be sent on receipt of your postal address. However, personal guidance as stated is essential. It is a moral duty of a student to concentrate on hard study and to look after his health. Avoid bad society always concentrate on your Brahmacharya. Awake early in the morning and after bath-brush etc., do holy name jaap of God at least for fifteen minutes. Go for morning walk and light exercises daily. Take plenty of water i.e., at least 15-20 glasses in a day. Always respect your parents, elders and teachers. Must be soft spoken, avoid TV to see bad scenes, films etc. This all will help you to concentrate in your study. Whatever, you study and learn, try to write on rough book a lot without seeing books etc. Please refer to the book- “Brahamcharya-Dukh Nivarak Divya Manni”.

Gaurav Kumar: There is kal sharf dosh is there in my horoscope please advise is it harmful for me or will it effect my progress in life?
Swami Ram Swarup: There is no kaal sarp dosh matter mentioned in Vedas-shastras and other true holy granths. So, learned never accept it. It is only our previous lives’ bad deeds which give us sorrows, problems etc. To kill the deeds, one should worship God otherwise the result of previous lives’ bad deeds will have to be faced. You are advised to do name jaap and havan.