Manwar: Swamy ji, Please correct your commentary on page no. 34 on Rigveda where in you translated Yat=Vishnu, which is wrong. Please correct it. Vishu is not nirakar at any stage. I request you to answer the following:
“Yam brahmanm viddhati purvam, yah ve vedan prahinoti tasmai; Tamh devm atm budhi prakashm, mumukshu we sarnam ahm prapade”
Thanks for your valuable contribution. Regards Manwar
Swami Ram Swarup: Please, clarify your question that from where have you mentioned page 34. Please, also send an extract of page 34.

As regards word “Vishnu” in Vedas, its meaning is “Omnipresent God” and Omnipresent God is Formless, please. I also paste my article below, you may send your query to enable me to give proper answer, please.

Are Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh Gods?

Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh are not God. Vedas tell that there is only one formless God who never takes birth. He creates, nurses and destroys the universe. His power is enough to create and control the whole universe. He is Almighty i.e., He has all unlimited powers and therefore He does not need any assistance to create, nurse and destroy the universe by Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh. If God needs assistance then He will not be called Almighty. So God does not need any support but we all humans as well as all living beings need His support and blessings every time. However, in Vedas, there are innumerable names of Almighty God according to His divine qualities. So Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh etc., are also the names of the formless Almighty God. Brahma means the greatest. Vishnu means omnipresent and Mahesh means the greatest.

It is the personal matter of worship or not to worship. So atheists are also there. But it is very clear that God in Vedas as clarified that He Has blessed the human being with human body to worship and realise God. Nobody can attain happy life in the absence of worship of God. One more thing is clear from Vedas in which God states –Oh man/woman you live on the earth given by God and all comforts provided by the God. And if you do not remember/worship God then it is sin and punishment is awarded by the God.

Very few persons know that present science has also come out from Vedas, especially Rigveda. The knowledge of Vedas also emanates from God. So, it is clear that scientist also enjoy science which is given by God. God is not only the matter of blind faith. It is the matter of discussion with a learned acharya of Vedas and Yoga philosophy who from Vedas, shastras and Upnishads etc., and scientifically also prove the existence of God. For example- we see the creation and can think deeply that who has created it or is it a job of man/woman, scientist etc., then automatically after long discussion we would reach on the conclusion that men/women/scientist have not created the universe and then He who has created is called Almighty God.

Vishnu is also a name of formless, Almighty God based on quality. Quality is a sunder- “Vishnu” word is made from “Vishlari” Dhatu and the sense of Vishlari” is omnipresent. So he who has the quality of being Omnipresent at all times without a second’s break, He is Vishnu and no other Vishnu exists equivalent to this God. Similarly, Brahma= “Vri Vridhau” i.e., the biggest amongst the universe. Naturally, He is Almighty God. So, the name of Almighty God is also Brahma. Similarly, according to Yajurveda mantra 16/41 shiv means he who is beneficial/causes welfare, is shiv. The most beneficial, who creates and nurses the universe is Almighty God. So, Shiv is also name of Almighty God.

Deepak: Swamiji charan sparsh. Swamiji I have joined swimming class. Is it ok? I mean should we do swimming or no for maintain health? Thanks!
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Yes, Swimming is a very good exercise.

J: Guruji pranam,main meri life main abhi bahut paresaan hun. main mba karke IT COURSE kiya hun. aur abhi mein usme mein job dhund rahaa hun. but i m always failure. plz mujhe rastaa dikhayiee. aur mera dusri question ye hai ki, mein brahmin hun aur mein kshyatriya ladki ko pyar kar rahaa hun. aur mein usse shaadi karnaa chahta hun. plz guide me.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Manushya ko jeevan main kabhi bhi niraash nahin hona chahiye. Aapko apne job dhoondne mein lagataar kadi mehnat karnee hogee. Job avashya milegee. Saath mein yeh bahut achcha hoga yadi aap Prabhu ka ashirwad prapt karne ke liye Gayatri mantra ka chintan, havan aur Om ka jaap karein. I paste my articles as under-

GAYATRI MANTRA

The Gayatri mantra is as follows —

OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGODEVASYA
DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT

Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on
Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.

Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three
names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which
Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar,
Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says
God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only
being explained.

VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore
Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus
Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter
makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti.
Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the
visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form.
Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed
and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible
but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction
is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.

AGNI = From dhatu, “ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its
meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., Omniscient. That is,
knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be
known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.

VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is He
in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being
omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.

HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base
of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas.
VAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vayu word is made. Its meaning is
He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name
of God is Vayu.

TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made meaning He who is self
made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take
light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken,
unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun,
moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.

ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is
whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune
and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to
mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas
God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.

ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the
one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name
is Aditya.

PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made
meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who
knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So
God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion
can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.

BHUHU = “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe,
is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.

BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow,
and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the
name of God is Bhuvaha.

SWAHA = i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is
holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.

SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.

DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.

VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme
and acceptable for worship.

BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable
English word of Sanskrit word, “SHUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)

TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.

DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because

YAHA = the God

NAHA = our,

DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds)

PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)

MEANING
“We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.

Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things —-

Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.

Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.

Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.

HOW TO DO HAVAN

Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.

Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gayatri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.

Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRITO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.

Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gayatri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gayatri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.

Procedure of Chanting

Please, start the day by chanting Gayatri mantra in the early morning sitting on suitable asan like Sukhasan, Siddhasan or Padmasan etc. concentrate on the point between two eyebrows which is called “Agyachakra”. The Gayatri mantra should be chanted along with its meaning both times. Also, please try to perform daily hawan even with Gayatri mantra. Then try to study any of my books daily and put up question if any. After 15 days chant the Gayatri mantra only thrice thereafter do the name jaap of Almighty God-“Om”. The jaap must be done daily by heart and not orally.

Agar ladki mein ghar basaane ke aur sabka aadar maan-samman karne ke gunn hain toh shadi karne mein koi harz nahin hai lekin iske liye parents ko bhi manaana avashyak hai.

Independent Muslim Thinker: Ram, Krishna were human being not GOD, why Hindus made their Idols & worship them? Its an unforgivable sin to make others equal to ALMIGHTY ALLAH – The creator of heaven & earth. If there was better Religion than Islam, I certainly have accepted that RELIGION. How can you make Idol in your own hand & worship these? HOLY Abraham asked the same question to his father & then Holy Abraham destroyed all Idols, The King & even his father was against him & put Him to huge bonfire but ALLAH cool down the fire & he came out alive. Thank You.
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes , several hindus worship Sri Ram and Sri Krishna as God but according to eternal Vedic philosophy Formless, Omnipresent, Almighty God never takes avtar (reincarnation). So, as per Vedas Almighty God is Omnipresent and also manifests within the heart of yogi. Yogi means who has full knowledge of four Vedas, has followed preach in daily life and after doing hard practice of Ashtang Yoga philosophy, realized God. Adorable Sri Ram and Sri Krishna both were yogi as per Valmiki Ramayan of Valimiki Rishi and Mahabharat epic of Vyas Muni. So, God manifested within them therefore they were equivalent to God but not God. In this connection, I also paste my article –

As per Vedas, avtar is not possible please. To determine every truth, the main proof are Vedas, which are called self proof. Vedas state that after getting the knowledge from a learned Acharya, when an aspirant performs yajyen, does pious deeds, discharges his moral duties faithfully, while doing the same he does practice of Ashtang yoga, he thus attains Asamprgyat samadhi. At this stage of Samadhi, Almighty God becomes present within him. Samveda mantra 944 states that at the stage of the Asamprgyat samadhi within the yogi, the preach of Vedas which flows from the mouth of Yogi is inspired by God Himself. So the Yogi at this stage can say, “I am Ganesh, I am Shiva, I have created universe and all must worship me etc., etc.” because at this stage the words uttered by the yogi are inspired by God Himself and the words are directed from God.

Secondly, the souls who had got salvation may come back and take birth to guide the people. And after doing his job the soul goes back at his own to realize salvation. This is as per Atharvaveda mantra 9/10/11. So within the soul of Shri Krishna Maharaj actually the words of God were uttered which are true. However, one must know that Yajurveda mantra 32/1 too says that there is only one formless God, who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. But His names are several according to His qualities.

So, no doubt, all human beings have to worship only One, Formless, Almighty, Omnipresent God Who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. So, Idol worship does not exist in Vedas.