Vivek: Will I score good marks in exams?
Swami Ram Swarup: To get good marks depends on your hard-work, concentration of mind and constant study. Since, God helps those who help themselves. So, please be brave and go ahead. I also paste one of my articles for your knowledge and adoption as a student.

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 Brahamcharya. 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., 15-20 glass 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 you 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 Mani”.

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.

B: I am having Manglik dosh.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
Remedy for Manglik Dosh
The darkness of night gets obliterated only when the sun rises. Similarly, illusion is wiped away by gaining the knowledge of Vedas because in Rigveda, it is said that knowledge of Vedas is like a sunlight which kills the illusion. Knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God. So the knowledge of Vedas is immortal, eternal like God and takes care of the aspirants just like God. This fact is mostly not known by the public due to lack of listening of Vedas from learned Acharya of Vedas. Hence, the preach delivered by most of the present saints does not tally with the knowledge of Vedas. Therefore, self-made worship and illusion has spread everywhere.

Vedas contain the knowledge of all the matters of the universe right from straw to Brahma (God). The matters mentioned in the Vedas or the truth mentioned in the Vedas is always authentic. Therefore nowadays as well as in the ancient times, the self-made path or the views against the Vedas spread by any king or any person like Ravann, Kansa, Duryodhan, Hirannyakashyap, Shroopnakha etc., has led to origination of militancy, injustice, dictatorship and great damage to the public. Because their self made views were/are totally against the Vedas. Similarly, the mangalik or mangal dosh matter has not been mentioned in Vedas. So, one should never be afraid of the same being unauthentic. So, you may go ahead, neglecting mangal dosh issue. To know the truth regarding any matter, our ancient Rishis have advised to tally the matter with Vedas. Since, in Vedas there is no mention of word manglik so you need not to worry. The people who are not manglik are also suffering from the problems suffered by normal married people. Shri Ram married Sita after breaking the bow. And nobody saw Shri Ram’s teva to tally it with that of Sita. In Mahabharat Yudhishthir married Draupadi by piercing arrow in the eye of a fish (the eye was pierced by Arjun the younger brother of Yudhishthir) and there was no matching of teva or determination of mangalik status etc. Savitri married Satyavan at her own wish without any teva matching etc. Pandu married Kunti and Madri without teva matching or determining manglik dosh. Teva means janam patri made by pandit i.e., horoscope.

According to Vedas these are not required and are self-made story. So please do not worry about Manglik etc. Future is based on pious deeds, hard working towards a right path and God helps those who help themselves.

So, we must have full faith in Vedas because the knowledge of Vedas is eternal, everlasting and emanates direct from God. How, can God give false knowledge? Please be brave and go ahead. You are always welcome.

Chanting Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri Mantra is in three Vedas please, i.e., in Rigveda, Samveda and Yajurveda. Samveda is sung when chanted, other than while performing Yajyen. So, Gayatri Mantra may also be sung.

Singing can be done anytime because God knows the pious ideas of anyone and He awards the result accordingly. Gayatri mantra can be chanted even without singing since it occurs in Rigveda and Yajurveda also, which are not sung. Secondly, Gayatri Mantra must be chanted by heart for getting more benefit. That is, it should be chanted by way of pranayaam. When we inhale and stop breathing within us then for such time, till we have stopped breathing, the Gayatri Mantra must be chanted. Then we must release the breath slowly, outside, and after releasing the full breath, we must stop the breath outside the body and during such period we must recite in heart the Gayatri Mantra by heart and the action must be repeated.

However, I would suggest that such practice must be first learnt personally from an Acharya. Secondly, when we sit on meditation on any suitable aasan then we must concentrate on Agya charka i.e., between the eyebrows and then we must repeat the Gayatri Mantra with the meaning of each word. This is the best way of meditation. I have written detailed comments on Patanjal Yog Darshan- Part I and II and have also described meditation therein, especially in sutra 3/1. I will advise you to study the book please.

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 Gaytri 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 AMRTO 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 Gaytri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gaytri 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.

K D Gupta: Please explain 1. atma 2. jeevatma and 3. parmatma.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. There are two meanings of atma. If it is used in context of Almighty God, i.e., creator, nurses, destructor of universe, one who is omnipresent etc., then atma means God and if it is used in context of soul i.e., comes in womb and takes body, faces the result of sins and pious deeds etc., then atma means jeevatma. In this connection, I paste my article on Traitwad.

Four Vedas states about Traitwad i.e.,
(i) existence of Prakriti (non-alive matter) from which God creates all worldly matters.
(ii) Second is souls which are alive.
(iii) Third is Almighty God who is alive creator and Lord of universe.

All the above said three matters are eternal, so are unchangeable and are everlasting.

G: Please tell me how is my life. I am married.
Swami Ram Swarup: Bright future is based on one’s pious deeds, hard work coupled with true worship of God. To know about the duties (pious) of wife, I recommend you to read my book- Vedas- A Divine Light Part III (in English) which elaborates about the duties of husband and wife. Further, I also paste one of my articles, following which a person makes his future bright.

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.

Anil Jain: Will my plan of short & long term investments bear fruit?
Swami Ram Swarup: May god give you success, please. Your hard working, concentration, firm decision, devotion will sure give you success. One should also do daily worship i.e., name jaap of God- Om, Gayatri jaap and havan with Gayatri mantra to achieve blessings of Almighty God.

P: When will I get married?
Swami Ram Swarup: Arranged marriage is more beneficial, please. So, your parents must try hard to seek a suitable match for you. You should also chant Gayatri mantra along with its meaning both times, name jaap of God – OM should also be chanted. Also, please try to perform daily hawan with Gayatri mantra which shall reap very good results.

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 Gaytri 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 AMRTO 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 Gaytri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gaytri 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.

Chanting Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra is in three Vedas please, i.e., in Rigveda, Samveda and Yajurveda. Samveda is sung when chanted, other than while performing Yajyen. So, Gayatri Mantra may also be sung.

Singing can be done anytime because God knows the pious ideas of anyone and He awards the result accordingly. Gayatri mantra can be chanted even without singing since it occurs in Rigveda and Yajurveda also, which are not sung. Secondly, Gayatri Mantra must be chanted by heart for getting more benefit. That is, it should be chanted by way of pranayaam. When we inhale and stop breathing within us then for such time, till we have stopped breathing, the Gayatri Mantra must be chanted. Then we must release the breath slowly, outside, and after releasing the full breath, we must stop the breath outside the body and during such period we must recite in heart the Gayatri Mantra by heart and the action must be repeated.

However, I would suggest that such practice must be first learnt personally from an Acharya. Secondly, when we sit on meditation on any suitable aasan then we must concentrate on Agya charka i.e., between the eyebrows and then we must repeat the Gayatri Mantra with the meaning of each word. This is the best way of meditation. I have written detailed comments on Patanjal Yog Darshan- Part I and II and have also described meditation therein, especially in sutra 3/1. I will advise you to study the book please.

Somya: As a student, what should be my daily routine?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. I paste one of my articles fro your knowledge please-
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 Brahamcharya. 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., 15-20 glass 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 Mani”.

As regards daily routine, I paste one of my answers to the question below-
Only 8-10 asans are sufficient devoting 1 ½ minutes for each asan. It means 15 minutes are sufficient.
Prannayam, at the young age requires 10 minutes only.
Meditation is sufficient for 45 minutes.
cycling and jogging must be given 20-20 minutes each. Because a student always requires good health which in turn depends on light exercise to be done daily.
Then, after taking rest for about 20 minutes in which you can do study etc., bath must be taken. Then hawan, prayer etc., would require about ½ an hour.
So, all the activities would be completed by about say 8 ‘O’ clock in the morning.
So, you can start study if time suits you keeping in view, the college time.
Yes, your time table upto 1p.m. is o.k. and you may take lunch accordingly.

Then take break for half an hour . In this time, you may lie on bed with close eyes but do not try to sleep. It is also o.k. to study from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Then you can study from 9.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at least and then you can go to sleep.

A S: I am looking for a job but not getting success. Will I get success in this new country?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. Generally, obstacles, due to effect of our previous lives’ deeds, come in our present life but present human life is valuable where we can destroy our obstacles. So, please try to do daily worship of God by reciting Gayatri mantra, sitting on any suitable asan with closed eyes and concentration between two eyebrows. Secondly, daily havan with Gayatri mantra must be performed and in the end one must pray to God to fulfill his pious desires. Then obstacles are over and God fulfills the desire, please.