Umesh: Guru ji ko pranam,…my question is how many Gods are there in Hinduism? What I heard was God is one according to Vedas? He has no image and he can’t be seen but many of Hindus believe that there are 33 crore Gods in Hinduism. We say Agni deva,Vayu deva…etc…please verify my doubt … I do Gow seva n protection of it…as 33 crores are present in Gow mata…is it enough for me to pray, do seva n protection of Gow mata instead of going 2 temple?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. God is one for all universe. Actually, we do not study vedas wherein the eternal and everlasting divine qualities in respect of Almighty God have been mentioned. As Result, we listen to the qualities which mostly do not apply for the Almighty God. Vedas tell that He is Formless, creates, nurses and destroys the universe. He is omnipresent, omniscient. Out of unlimited divine qualities, I have only mentioned few which do not apply to other Gods. So, we have to first listen to Vedas to know one God. Now, you see when we will be able to listen to Vedas then we will come to know that there are only five alive Devtas to be served-
Mata (mother) 2. Pita (Father) 3. Atithi (guest who know atleast one veda) 4. Acharya (learned of vedas) 5. Parmeshwar (Almighty God).
First four Devtas must be alive and not dead. Besides of these five Devtas, there are other thirty-three non-alive devtas which are not to be worshipped. Those are-
Non-alive Devtas are eight vasus (agni, vaayu, jal, aakaash, prithivi, nakshtr, chandrma and surya, eleven Rudra (10 prann + alive soul), twelve Aditya i.e., 12 months, vidyut and Prajapati (Yagya). Non-alive are not worshipable. Only one Almighty God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe, is to be worshipped.
So, only one Almighty God is to be worshipped. In this connection, I paste my relevant articles below-
Worship of one God only
God is one and no other God is even equivalent to the God who creates the universe as is also said in Yajurveda mantra 27/36. The mantra says that God is one and neither other God was born, nor will be born, equivalent to this God.
So God needs no assistant to spread His knowledge. Even God has no desire. Suppose God today desires to spread the knowledge of Vedas then it will be
originated in all human beings automatically. Why will he depute any assistant being Almighty?
Direct interaction with God is not possible in Vedas, God being above the senses, beyond calculation and beyond imagination. Interaction is only possible by mind and organs and in the realization of God the mind and body are no more functional. Death and birth etc., is also controlled by Almighty God wherein no unnatural occurring/ matters can be imposed. Nobody can change the fundamental law of nature. Vedas speak about only worshipping formless God.
Avtar
God is only one who creates the universe and no other can create the universe except God. Please think deeply is any one except God empowered for creation, etc.? The pious qualities of God are unlimited whereas qualities of soul, which resides in human body, are limited. That is why He is God. This fact is also mentioned by Rishi Patanjali in his Yog shastra sutra 1/24, “KALEASHKARAMVIPAKASHYAIHI APRAMRISHTAHA PURUSHVISHESHAHA ISHWARAHA” i.e., He who is not indulged in any sorrows/sufferings (kalesh), in any kind of deed (karma) and result thereof (vipakya), He is supreme in souls and is called Ishwar (God), whereas, soul is indulged in all the said matters according to deeds done in previous, and in the present life. So this is also a difference between God and souls and therefore soul can never be God based on the different qualities.
Amongst unlimited qualities of God, few may be enumerated-that God creates, nurses and destroys the universe. God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent and Almighty, beyond description, beyond imagination, and beyond calculation. Nobody on the earth can deny such qualities, but these qualities are to be discussed and considered deeply and he who does the same is called MUNI as per Vedas and shastras.
Let us think over one quality of God – Being Almighty. Almighty means God has all powers and thus God, to control the universe and to do any kind of deed for the same, can not be dependent on another, at any cost, being Almighty. Again shastras say, which is a true saying too, that there must be reason behind for any creation, matter etc. God is a reason to create the universe. Parents are the reason to give birth to a child. Ravana took Sita forcefully which became a reason for war between Shri Ram and Ravana etc. So as per Vedas there must be a reason of avtar and after studying eternal knowledge of Vedas and thinking deeply, there seems no reason to take avtar by Almighty God. As in Yajurveda mantra 2/26, so is in Shwetashwataropnishad shlok 6/8 wherein it is mentioned that there is no reason to form a God and thus God is also formless i.e., nobody can make God but God creates universe from non-alive prakriti. Secondly the said Upnishad says that the deeds of God of creation, nursing, and destruction of universe are eternal, natural, and automatic. So naturally God needs no avtar to destroy Kalyug, earth, or devils etc., being Almighty i.e., God has all powers and is independent. Not God but only His powers are enough to control, create, nurse, destroy the universe. That is why Upnishad says that God has no desire to create etc., but it is eternal and natural and this sort of desire is named “IKSHAN” and not desire to create etc.
Suppose God has to kill a devil and He takes avtar and God kills the devils by arrow etc. It means God is not Almighty and independent because God has taken help of Avtar (Human body) and arrow, gun, etc., which is impossible.
This all I have told based on fundamental law of eternal knowledge of four Vedas. Yet if anybody says about avtar then it is their own views and they are satisfied with their views and can not be commented because they could have been realizing at their own but so far as eternal knowledge of Vedas is concerned, Avtar is not possible.
Trinity
There is only one God who is formless, creates, nurses and destroys the universe. He is Almighty and supreme, beyond description, beyond imagination and beyond calculation. He is omnipresent and omniscient. Divine qualities of Almighty God are described in eternal knowledge of Vedas. Vedas emanate direct from God. So all Hindus and others too believe in Vedas.
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are the names of one said God. God has no wives please because He is Almighty and needs no assistance etc. No one is above God please. All religions tell to worship God.
God is formless
Being formless there is no need of statue or temple of God according to Vedas. As a matter of fact, you, I or every human being, lives in a body. Body is separate, we are called souls. Vedas say soul has no form even. Then also we know each other. For example even if you have not seen the photograph of King Akbar then, you can know Akbar by means of the study of his qualities. So is the case with the God. If an aspirant really goes to his Guru and listens Vedas like Shri Ram, and ancient kings and their public then he will be able to know hundred percent about formless God. Then comes realization for which Vedas (especially Samveda) says that he who performs Yajyen, does jaap (according to Vedas) and practises Ashtang Yoga Philosophy while remaining in family like Shri Ram etc., he sure realizes, being eternal law.
If we will meditate concentrating outside our body which is also against Vedas/Ashtang Yoga Philosophy, then our attention will always naturally remain outside i.e., attached with outer world i.e., decoration/music/dances etc. In that case subject matter of God will be over. It will be converted into spending fun, doing dances and singing attractive songs by ladies and gents, which is totally against Vedas. Thus the chapter of praising God, True Acharya, Rishi-Munis, performing Yajyen, practice of Ashtang Yoga, eternal knowledge of Vedas etc., will be over.
It is also baseless to say that study of Vedas and practice of yoga philosophy is difficult. It is self made story because Vedas are also called Shruti i.e., Vedas are to be listened first and not to be studied. So to listen to the Vedas, a learned Acharya is needed. The Acharya will explain the Ved mantras in the Yajyen in your own language i.e., in English or Urdu etc., and for an aspirant to do asan, pranayaam, meditation etc., is also not difficult. It is all difficult for those human beings, including present false prophets, (who are against the Vedas), who are lazy, can’t awake early in the morning to listen Vedas and fail to do practice of yoga philosophy. Those people are always after money, materialistic articles and pomp and show etc.
Vedas are not written or spoken by God. This knowledge is emanated from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis as stated above. God is Almighty i.e., He has all powers. So He needs no assistance to do deeds of universe. In human body alive soul resides and soul is dependent, soul requires mouth to speak, eye to see, hand to write etc., etc. but not God. From His power God originates the knowledge of Vedas in the rishis without writing, or speaking etc. Vedas’ knowledge is divine. The fundamental of the Vedas is this that it was not written or spoken. The knowledge by the power of God was originated about one Arab 96 crore, 8 lakh and 53,111 years ago. Then first time the four rishis of nonsexual creation started pronunciation of the mantras by the power of God. God wanted them to know word meanings and sense of the mantras and therefore the rishis knew all. Then first time the four rishis started pronunciation of the mantras. They taught the mantras to other ignorant people. Then more rishis were produced who knew the Vedas by heart by listening only. There was no paper, ink or pen there. The Vedas were being learnt orally and traditionally this process is yet in force. But mostly not by heart but taking help of the printed book. So printed books are not called Vedas but these are called samhita.
Samhita means the collection of Ved mantras. Therefore Present printed books cannot be considered as Vedas and will never be in future, but samhita. Kapil Muni throws light on this point in his Sankhya Shastra sutra 5/48 that when a rishi does tapsya in the shape of Yajyen, study of Vedas, practice of Ashtang Yoga then the Ved mantras still (now also) originate in heart of the Rishi and the rishi pronounces the mantras. Those mantras are called Vedas, which emanate from God. So Vedas must first be listened (study) from alive Acharya (Guru who knows Vedas). Then only Samhita (books of Vedas) can help.
So, Vedas tell that “Gauh Vishwasya Matraha” i.e., Cow is the mother of entire universe and we have to serve the cow in all respects. But it is not mentioned in Vedas that thirty three crore devtas exist.
Munish: Pranam pitaaji, here I want ask you a question that in day light I cannot study properly and want to sleep in day, without it I am not feeling well. And in night I can devote my whole night to studies, so please give me right direction. I know that it is against the rule of God, so now tell what shall I do?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my son. O.K., you may study as you want but see that daily light exercise is not discontinued.
Vivek: Ramayan me kitni chopaiya hai
Swami Ram Swarup: It is a lengthy job, so you are therefore requested to please purchase Tulsikrit Ramayan to count the number of Chowpayees, therein.
Himel: Sir, I have 2 questions: 1- What is God? 2- Astrology is true or false?
Swami Ram Swarup:
1) God is He who creates, nurses, destroys and again creates the universe. I also paste my articles-
God is formless
Being formless there is no need of statue or temple of God according to Vedas. As a matter of fact, you, I or every human being, lives in a body. Body is separate, we are called souls. Vedas say soul has no form even. Then also we know each other. For example even if you have not seen the photograph of King Akbar then, you can know Akbar by means of the study of his qualities. So is the case with the God. If an aspirant really goes to his Guru and listens Vedas like Shri Ram, and ancient kings and their public then he will be able to know hundred percent about formless God. Then comes realization for which Vedas (especially Samveda) says that he who performs Yajyen, does jaap (according to Vedas) and practises Ashtang Yoga Philosophy while remaining in family like Shri Ram etc., he sure realizes, being eternal law.
If we will meditate concentrating outside our body which is also against Vedas/Ashtang Yoga Philosophy, then our attention will always naturally remain outside i.e., attached with outer world i.e., decoration/music/dances etc. In that case subject matter of God will be over. It will be converted into spending fun, doing dances and singing attractive songs by ladies and gents, which is totally against Vedas. Thus the chapter of praising God, True Acharya, Rishi-Munis, performing Yajyen, practice of Ashtang Yoga, eternal knowledge of Vedas etc., will be over.
It is also baseless to say that study of Vedas and practice of yoga philosophy is difficult. It is self made story because Vedas are also called Shruti i.e., Vedas are to be listened first and not to be studied. So to listen to the Vedas, a learned Acharya is needed. The Acharya will explain the Ved mantras in the Yajyen in your own language i.e., in English or Urdu etc., and for an aspirant to do asan, pranayaam, meditation etc., is also not difficult. It is all difficult for those human beings, including present false prophets, (who are against the Vedas), who are lazy, can’t awake early in the morning to listen Vedas and fail to do practice of yoga philosophy. Those people are always after money, materialistic articles and pomp and show, etc.
Vedas are not written or spoken by God. This knowledge is emanated from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis as stated above. God is Almighty i.e., He has all powers. So He needs no assistance to do deeds of universe. In human body alive soul resides and soul is dependent, soul requires mouth to speak, eye to see, hand to write etc., etc. but not God. From His power God originates the knowledge of Vedas in the rishis without writing, or speaking etc. Vedas’ knowledge is divine. The fundamental of the Vedas is this that it was not written or spoken. The knowledge by the power of God was originated about one Arab 96 crore, 8 lakh and 53,111 years ago. Then first time the four rishis of nonsexual creation started pronunciation of the mantras by the power of God. God wanted them to know word meanings and sense of the mantras and therefore the rishis knew all. Then first time the four rishis started pronunciation of the mantras. They taught the mantras to other ignorant people. Then more rishis were produced who knew the Vedas by heart by listening only. There was no paper, ink or pen there. The Vedas were being learnt orally and traditionally this process is yet in force. But mostly not by heart but taking help of the printed book. So printed books are not called Vedas but these are called samhita.
Samhita means the collection of Ved mantras. Therefore Present printed books cannot be considered as Vedas and will never be in future, but samhita. Kapil Muni throws light on this point in his Sankhya Shastra sutra 5/48 that when a rishi does tapsya in the shape of Yajyen, study of Vedas, practice of Ashtang Yoga then the Ved mantras still (now also) originate in heart of the Rishi and the rishi pronounces the mantras. Those mantras are called Vedas, which emanate from God. So Vedas must first be listened (study) from alive Acharya (Guru who knows Vedas). Then only Samhita (books of Vedas) can help.
Avtar
God is only one who creates the universe and no other can create the universe except God. Please think deeply is any one except God empowered for creation, etc.? The pious qualities of God are unlimited whereas qualities of soul, which resides in human body, are limited. That is why He is God. This fact is also mentioned by Rishi Patanjali in his Yog shastra sutra 1/24, “KALEASHKARAMVIPAKASHYAIHI APRAMRISHTAHA PURUSHVISHESHAHA ISHWARAHA” i.e., He who is not indulged in any sorrows/sufferings (kalesh), in any kind of deed (karma) and result thereof (vipakya), He is supreme in souls and is called Ishwar (God), whereas, soul is indulged in all the said matters according to deeds done in previous, and in the present life. So this is also a difference between God and souls and therefore soul can never be God based on the different qualities.
Amongst unlimited qualities of God, few may be enumerated-that God creates, nurses and destroys the universe. God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent and Almighty, beyond description, beyond imagination, and beyond calculation. Nobody on the earth can deny such qualities, but these qualities are to be discussed and considered deeply and he who does the same is called MUNI as per Vedas and shastras.
Let us think over one quality of God – Being Almighty. Almighty means God has all powers and thus God, to control the universe and to do any kind of deed for the same, can not be dependent on another, at any cost, being Almighty. Again shastras say, which is a true saying too, that there must be reason behind for any creation, matter etc. God is a reason to create the universe. Parents are the reason to give birth to a child. Ravana took Sita forcefully which became a reason for war between Shri Ram and Ravana etc. So as per Vedas there must be a reason of avtar and after studying eternal knowledge of Vedas and thinking deeply, there seems no reason to take avtar by Almighty God. As in Yajurveda mantra 2/26, so is in Shwetashwataropnishad shlok 6/8 wherein it is mentioned that there is no reason to form a God and thus God is also formless i.e., nobody can make God but God creates universe from non-alive prakriti. Secondly the said Upnishad says that the deeds of God of creation, nursing, and destruction of universe are eternal, natural, and automatic. So naturally God needs no avtar to destroy Kalyug, earth, or devils etc., being Almighty i.e., God has all powers and is independent. Not God but only His powers are enough to control, create, nurse, destroy the universe. That is why Upnishad says that God has no desire to create etc., but it is eternal and natural and this sort of desire is named “IKSHAN” and not desire to create etc.
Suppose God has to kill a devil and He takes avtar and God kills the devils by arrow etc. It means God is not Almighty and independent because God has taken help of Avtar (Human body) and arrow, gun, etc., which is impossible.
This all I have told based on fundamental law of eternal knowledge of four Vedas. Yet if anybody says about avtar then it is their own views and they are satisfied with their views and can not be commented because they could have been realizing at their own but so far as eternal knowledge of Vedas is concerned, Avtar is not possible.
2) Present astrology does not exist in the eternal knowledge of Vedas. So, learneds do not accept it, being unauthentic.
Pradeep: Swami Ji Pranam, I want to join yagya. Please help me to attend this.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. You are always welcome here to attend Yajyen.
P S: Respected swami JI pranam, I am running in very bad phase in my life because of Lord Shani and Venus and because of my bad deeds in past life..so how can I remove my all the sins from my soul like, brahm dosha, amvasya dohsa, stree dohsa, matru dosha, pitra dohsa all kind of dosha appearing in my horoscope so that my soul can me and my family and my pitras can rest in peace? Can you help me for this and how can I get help for removing doshas by joining your yagya/yajna etc. Do you do mahamritunjay and Gayatri mantra Havan also to remove dosha and I want also to do brahmna bhojan minimum 100 on amvasya day. Please help me on all these questions. Regards
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. There is no effect of shani and venus i.e., nine grah in human life because such matters including Brahma dosh , Amavasya dosh, stree dosh, matri pitri dosh etc., has not been mentioned in eternal knowledge of Vedas. So, being unauthentic, learned never accept it. To get long, happy life one should do daily hawan with Gayatri mantra in the beginning.
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.
You are always welcome here to participate in daily yajyen.
So, to overcome the difficulties in life, one should do daily hawan and name jaap of God and need of Brahmin Bhoj on Amavasya is not required to be arranged because such method is not mentioned in Vedas.
Reena: Rakhi dhanesh (gray hornbill) was seating on my house every day. His sound was so loud. It is good sign or bad sign for me and my family?
Swami Ram Swarup: Good signs and bad signs i.e., happiness and sorrows to be experienced in the life are based on the result of our previous lives’ deeds and not an any kind of sound or tona totka.
So, you need not to worry please
Srinivas: Sir, I want: 1) All of the publication written in English.
2) Patanjal Yog Darshan – Part 1
3) Sandhya Mantra
Swami Ram Swarup: The books are being sent to you.
L: 1. What can be done to keep the nostrils free from congestion as it affects breathing exercises.
2. Which are the foods /liquids that increase verya in the body , that would lead to mental and physical strength . PRANAM
Swami Ram Swarup: 1) Prannayam especially Paschimauttan asan should be practiced daily to keep the nostrils free from congestion.
2.) Jau ka atta (flour of barley), mash ki dal, cow’s milk, curd and butter are useful but especially one will have to maintain brahmcharya (celibacy) otherwise no diet/medicine will be of any use.
Lalit: Swamiji please recommend one authoritative book on ayurveda, in Hindi and English. Please also recommend a bookstore / publisher. Pranam
Swami Ram Swarup: Charak Samhita and Ayurved Saar Sangrah (Baidyanath walon ki) available at any good book depot are useful.
Yogi: Ram ji aur Sita ji ka surname kya tha?
Swami Ram Swarup: Arya. They were Kshatriya.
Vishal: Namaste Guruji, As you had suggested me I can get book written by you in Delhi your disciple. I have got the Books Geeta Vedic Rahasya Part 1 & part 2 & Veda divin light, Vedic satasang sangrah. Than you for books.
Swami Ram Swarup: Namasteji. You are welcome, please.
Vishal: Namaste Guruji, I bow in your feet. What is maya. Although I think attraction towards the prakriti is Maya. But someone told me maya has two form first one Avidya Maya second one is Vidya Maya. But I think that is not correct as per Vedic philosophy because getting Vidya/knowledge of Vedic God is not maya. Please you put your comments on this subject on Maya because many foolish self proclaimed scholar without knowing Veda comments on Maya. & correct me also if I am wrong.
Swami Ram Swarup: Namasteji. My blessings to you. Yes, you are very much correct that our attraction through five organs of perceptions/senses i.e., eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin towards prakriti made all worldly matters like gold, wealth, assets, luxuries, sceneries, materialistic articles etc., indulges us in illusion. As a result, we forget ourselves. So, all prakriti made worldly matters/materialistic articles is illusion (maya). Vidya is not maya, instead after gaining vidya (knowledge) we overcome maya. So, there are three types of vidya (education)-
(1) Gyan kand i.e., knowledge i.e., science regarding all matters of universe like sun, moon, water, human-bodies etc., especially in Rigveda.
(2) Karma Kand i.e., knowledge regarding form of deeds- pious and sins especially in Yajurveda.
(3) Upasana Kand i.e., real worship of God like Yajyen, name jaap, practice of Ashtang yoga philosophy especially in Samveda. Atharvaveda states about all the matters mentioned in above three Vedas including medical science.
And there are five types of klesh (sufferings)- Avidya, Asmita, Raag, Dwesh, Abhinivesh (Yog shastra sutra 2/3 and the true concept of “Avidya” is 2/5 refers).
To consider something which is destructible as eternal, sinful acts as pious ones, impure as pure, sorrows as source of happiness, are all aspects of avidya. So, to consider non-alive intellect (buddhi) as alive soul is also an example of Avidya.
Shastra states i.e., Vidya is that which liberates us from illusion/bindings of deeds (illusion).
Jaju: Pranam acharyaji!samasya ki vedik paribhasha kya hai?ye kyon aati hai?inse kaise nipta ja sakta hai?vistar se bataneki kripa karen..
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Samasya ki vedic paribhasha ‘klesh’ hai aur yeh Isliye aati hain ki is shareer mein rehta hua jeevatma, panch ganendriyo se, prakriti se baney sansar ke sansarik padarthon ki taraf aaskarshit ho jaata hai.
In this regard, I also paste one of my answer-
Yes, you are very much correct that our attraction through five organs of perceptions/senses i.e., eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin towards prakriti made all worldly matters like gold, wealth, assets, luxuries, sceneries, materialistic articles etc., indulges us in illusion. As a result, we forget ourselves. So, all prakriti made worldly matters/materialistic articles in illusion (maya). Vidya is not maya, instead after gaining vidya (knowledge) we overcome maya. So, there are three types of vidya (education)-
(1) Gyan kand i.e., knowledge i.e., science regarding all matters of universe like sun, moon, water, human-bodies etc., especially in Rigveda.
(2) Karma Kand i.e., knowledge regarding form of deeds- pious and sins especially in Yajurveda.
(3) Upasana Kand i.e., real worship of God like Yajyen, name jaap, practice of Ashtang yoga philosophy especially in Samveda. Atharvaveda states about all the matters mentioned in above three Vedas including medical science.
And there are five types of klesh (sufferings)- Avidya, Asmita, Raag, Dwesh, Abhinivesh. (Yog shastra sutra 2/3 and the true concept of “Avidya” is 2/5 refers).
To consider something which destructible as eternal, sinful acts as pious ones, impure as pure, sorrows as source of happiness, are all aspects of avidya. So, to consider non-alive intellect (buddhi) as alive soul is also an example of Avidya.
Shastra states i.e., Vidya is that which liberates us from illusion/bindings of deeds (illusion).
Samasyaon se nibatnein ke liye kisi ved evam yog vidya ke gyata acharya ke nikat reh kar unsey ved vidya sunna, yajyen/havan karna, name jaap karna aur nitya Ashtang Yoga vidya ka abhyas karke Samadhi avastha prapt karna hai. Yeh sab shiksha/sadhna grihasth ke shubh karya karte-karte bhi poori kee jaa sakti hai.
Gurdev: Was in discussion and was informed that their are 14 or 16 ratans. What does that mean? What is a ratan?
Swami Ram Swarup: The meaning of fourteen ratans is to get fourteen types of vedic spiritual vidya (knowledge) namely- Knowledge of four Vedas- Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Itihaas Purann (Brahminn and Kalpa), Grammer of Vedas and Nirukta, vayuvigyan, Gannitvidya, Prakriti vigyan, Bhoogarbhavidya, Tarka shastra, Brahmvigyan, Indriya vigyan, Bhakti shastra, Panchbhoot gyan, Dhanurveda, Jyotish shastra, sarpavigyan, gandharvavidya\.
Dr. Mahanta: Venerated Swamiji, Charan Sparsh I would like to know what do Vedas say about about various karm kands etc. performed after death. Do the pitras really receive whatever is offered to brahmans or at different religius places like Haridwar, Gaya, Badrinath etc.etc Kindly enlighten me. Thanks , with deepest regards
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
About various karma kands to be performed after death, only dah karma sanskar ( cremation) is performed. Thereafter, next day or as the day suits , the ashes are collected and immersed in any flowing river. No other deed is required to be performed, say the Vedas.
No, pitras who have already passed away never receive whatever is offered to brahmans or at different religious places like Haridwar, Gaya etc. In this connection, my article is pasted below:-
After death
Yajurveda mantra 3/55, says, “DEVAIYAH JANAH NAH PUNAH MANAH DADATU” i.e., by blessings (preach and true education of Vedas) may learned Acharya give us next birth of human being so that we may again be able to learn the truth of Vedas and to get salvation. So one must always adopt true path by which he gets rebirth of human being to continue the real
spiritualism to get salvation etc., because Atharvaveda mantra 9/10/16 further says that human being who has done pious deeds and adopted true path they get pious human body in the next birth, otherwise soul gets the lowest/contemptible body, like animals, birds etc. Mantra is APAANG PRAANGETI SWDHAYAA GRIBHITAH AMARTYO MARTYENAA SAYONIHI. TA SHASHVANTA VISHUCHINA VIYANTA NYA NYAM CHIKYURN NI CHIKYURNYAM.
Soul according to its good or bad deeds(APANGETI) takes bodies of animals, birds, insects etc., and (PRANG) bodies of Rishis, Munis, i.e., (uuch Yoni) best bodies after leaving the present body. The soul (SWDHAYAA GRIBHITAH) duly attached with its own power of taking birth according to pious deeds and sins, enters other bodies (AMARTAYAH) though the soul is away from death, being immortal but after death of bodies, takes new bodies. These ideas of Vedas has very well been mentioned in Bhagwad Geeta shlok 2/20 wherein Yogeshwar Shri Krishna says (AJO NITYAH SHASHWATOAYAM PURAANNO NA HANYTE HANYAMANNE SHARIRE ) i.e., the soul is (AJAH NITAYAH SHASHWATOH) never takes birth and is eternal (NAHANYATE HANAYMANNE SHARIRE) in fact after death of body too soul is never dead being immortal. (TASHASHVANTA) this process of death and birth of bodies and souls is eternal.
(VISHUCHINA VYANTA) soul and bodies go far away to different directions [soul goes to Savita etc., {given below} according to Yajurveda chapter 39 and then takes birth and gets another body and five elements of body go to space and are mixed within air, fire etc., according to Yajurveda mantra 40/15] (ANYAM NICHIKYHU) many learned know about this fact (ANYAM NICHIKYHU) another who lack knowledge of Vedas, do not know the fact, i.e., we mostly know our body but not ourselves, i.e., soul. Death is sure i.e., the body will have to be cremated one day.
In Atharvaveda mantra 8/8/11 ‘Yamdut’ means = ‘YAM’ means God, and ‘dut’ means storm, cyclone, flood, earthquake, heavy rains, etc., etc., in mantra the air is Yam. So when a soul is to leave the body then by the power of God, sutratma air enters the body and takes the soul out of it then goes to Savita, etc.
In 39th chapter of Yajurveda the process of this cremation is mentioned. This process is also called as “NARMEDH YAJYEN”, “PURUSH MEDH YAJYEN” and “DAH KARAM” and “ANTEYESHATI KARAM”. Atharvaveda mantra 10/8/26 says “YEH CHAKAR SAH JAJAR” means He (God) who makes the body, He destroys the same one day. Sense of Yajurveda mantra 39/5 is that when the soul leaves the body then the soul wanders in so many places, takes another body according to its previous deeds (karmas). Yajurveda mantra 39/6 says that the soul after leaving the body, on the first day goes to Savita (sun), second day agnihi (fire), third Vaayu (normal air), fourth Aditya, fifth chandrma (moon), sixth ritu (seasons), seventh marutah, eighth brihaspati (tiniest air), ninth mitrah (breathing), tenth varunah (udan air), eleventh indrah (electricity), twelfth Vishvedevah (in all divine qualities). Then, after wandering in sky, gets body according to previous deeds. So these twelve days are completed, then after 13 days the soul takes another body. Rigveda mandal 10 sukta 135 says that normally soul after getting body faces the result of its past lives’ deeds and under influence of illusion (duly attracted towards illusion) does sins and again gets birth to face the sins. The soul is immortal and always separate from body. When an aspirant meets with a learned Acharya and gets spiritual education, then the fourth mantra says that the soul gets salvation.
QUALITIES OF SOULS (JEEVATAMA)
Soul is alive. Soul has to face the result of his deeds. Soul takes body of human beings, animals, birds, trees etc., according to deeds of past lives. Soul feels sorrow, happiness etc., through body. When soul leaves body, it feels nothing but carries all karma to be faced in next birth through his chitta’s (chitta) vritti (vritti).
Souls are innumerable but are constant in number having similar qualities like being pure, immortal, alive etc. Soul is infinitesimally small, is invisible. The bodies of all living beings contain souls.
Not God but soul has desire, hatred/malice, merriment, sufferings, attachment etc. While attracting itself towards materialistic articles made of prakriti soul forgets his original form. As a result, soul recognizes himself as body. This is the stage of soul being unwise.
“NA TAM VIDATH YA IMA JAJAANANYUDYUSHMAKAMANTARAM BABHOOVA,
NEEHAREINN PRAVRITA JALAPYA CHASUTRIP UKTHASHASCHARANTI.”
(RIGVEDA MANTRA 10/82/7)
(TAM) that God (NA) not ( VIDATH) known (YAH) who (EMA) all worlds (JAJANN) creates and (YAT) from you (ANYAT) separate from other souls(YUSHMAKAM) from you (ANTARAM) with in all (BABHOOVA) is (NIHAREINN) fog like smoke (YAT) that God (PRAVARITAHA) covered (JALAPYAHA) baseless discussion (ASUTRIPAHA) satisfied only in Prann [breathing system] (UKTHASHASAHA) only paying lip service (CHARANTI) deals or behaves.
Meaning: Like an invisible matter which is covered with fog similarly dealing in only lip service and indulging in baseless discussion and are satisfied in their breathing system, Oh! Man-woman, you do not know the God who creates the five matters/universe and the God who is separate from other souls and who is within all.
Atma means jeevatma i.e., soul. Autobiography of soul is not written, please. Yog shastra sutra 1/2 states- “Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha” i.e., when an aspirant does hard practice of ashtang yoga philosophy mentioned in vedas under the guidance of learned acharya of ashtang yoga and vedas philosophy then one day he becomes capable of destroying his previous as well as present life’s deeds. Then Yog shastra sutra 1/3 states “Tada Drashtu Swarupevasthanum” i.e., then soul gets situated in his form i.e., soul knows himself.
In the absence of the said worship, soul does not recognize himself. Soul being indulged in illusion, forgets his form. His form is that soul is pure i.e., never indulges in illusion. Actually, through five senses, mind and intellect, soul is attracted towards materialistic articles of world and hence, illusion effects him. So, soul is originally pure, immortal, alive, learned, eternal matter who neither takes birth nor meets with death. So, the said qualities can be stated as biography of soul. So, soul cannot be hurt or killed. Therefore, the question of self-defense does not arise. Defense is needed for human-body only wherein soul resides. Soul is pure (shudh) in his original form and can never be made or purified so its shuddhi is not required.
Atm- sakshi means self-realization. Soul has eternal, original, divine qualities amongst which some have been described above. So, sanskar of soul is not required. Sanskars get imprinted on chitta only.
Anna Daan/Shradh to departed soul
Vedas are eternal knowledge which emanate direct from God at the beginning of every universe. Being the knowledge direct from God, each statement of Ved mantra is also eternal truth.
Thirty-ninth chapter of Yajurveda states about death. The soul when leaves the human body remains under control of a divine air named “Sutratma vayu”. Mantras tell that after wandering unconsciously for thirteen days in the space and planets like Sun, moon, etc., soul comes again on this earth inside the vegetation. Then either the soul enters the male living being’s body according to pious deeds and sins through pores or is duly mixed within vegetation and taken by a male person. Then the soul takes rebirth through parents.
This process is an eternal truth. However, if soul is religious and has done hard tapasya then the soul gets salvation. Only soul has to face the result of previous lives’ deeds through living being’s body. Since soul is alive whereas body is non-alive matter. So body does not face the result of deeds. When soul has gone out of body then how the soul will see, hear, taste, smell or touch or will be benefited of any pious deed etc.? therefore Vedas do not tell about the present system of shradh etc.
However, the pious deeds done to remember the departed soul by means of devotion or organizing the holy Yajyen with Ved mantras, its result never goes in vain and the family is benefited.
Departed soul never meets again please. Even departed soul, when take rebirth, forgets every event of his previous life. As regards dreams Atharvaveda states that dreams of departed soul are not good so it is in your interest and welfare that you do not see dreams.
Again my blessings to you.
