Ashu: Swami Ji. Thanks for responding to my earlier question about kuldevta.
1.as you said that we should remember only one entity and thats formless God, which one will that be? Because one has to build a image while doing prayer. So is it Shiva or Vishnu or someone else?
2. Atharva veda claims to have disease curing mantras. Can anyone recite those mantras and cure him/herself or should it be recited by some one authorized . And are there any procedures to be followed to recite these and make them effective for the cause. Thanks and regards
Swami Ram Swarup: You are welcome, please. As you see the worship of Vishnu, Shiv, Brahma etc., is being done in the shape of an idol i.e., it is idol worship whereas God is formless and Yajurved mantra 32/3 very well clarifies that “Na Tasya Pratima asti” i.e., there is no shape of Almighty God.

In this connection I again paste my article below:-

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.

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 everytime. 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.

Please go through the articles concentratingly. Reciting of mantras will do nothing actually the mantras preach about the disease and its medicine, for its cure. My blessings to you.

Shishya: Pranam Guruji. Guruji due to daily havan, meditation,pranayam etc as you(Vedas) have asked ,I have noticed that my sleep has reduced from 7 hours to 5 hours with even better energy and concentration.
1. Does this happens to a student?
2. Is this is how rishis win over their sleep and would sleep for merely 2-3 hours but still full of energy?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.

(1) When the sleep is reduced by doing daily hawan and practice of Ashtang Yog philosophy and name jaap of God then it is really good achievement.

(2) Yes, the ancient as well as present rishis become able to control the sleep by doing the above worship.

Subash: Guruji me 27-09-2016 tarik ku bsnl ki exam diya hai uski result kaise hoga (madad kijie)?
Swami Ram Swarup: Subhash beta, pratyek result is baat par base karta hai ki student ne kitni mehnat kee hai aur Jeevan mein rukawatein hataane ke liye kitnee Vedic worship kee hai. Bas waise hee result aata hai. Mera ashirwad hai ki tumahara result achchha aaye.