Posted on: 26 Nov 2022
1. What is the meaning of the word Datta?
[Questions from Shri Abhiram: What is the meaning of the word Datta? Swamiji, in Your discourse, I read and I see multiple explanations for this word,
a) Atri Maharshi got a doubt whether Parabrahman is one or many (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). God appeared as God Datta.
b) Dattudu Chikkaadu (get hold of God Datta).
c) Datta means given Himself to Universe/Humanity. Request You to co-relate all the above three explanations.]
Swami replied:- a) Datta means the unimaginable God, given (Datta means given) to the world of devoted souls, mediated as God Datta, who is the first energetic incarnation. The other points about God Datta have no connection with the meaning of Datta.
b) means that it is very difficult to catch Datta because Datta tests the true love of the devotee and does not give any value to devotion based on business.
c) again is the same as point (a).
2. Swamiji, what is the significance of the tilakam (three vertical lines) on the forehead of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva (three horizontal lines)?
Swami replied:- The three lines indicate the three fundamental qualities called Sattvam, Rajas and Tamas. The three vertical lines indicate standing position related to activity or administration of the world of God Vishnu. The three horizontal lines indicate the rest and peace after the destruction of the world by God Shiva.
3. How did Lord Datta appear to Atri Maharshi, whether in energetic or human form?
[Swamiji, did Lord Datta appear to Atri maharshi in energetic or human form? I read somewhere that God Datta was born to Anasuya as three babies (Durvasa, Datta and Chandra). Are these three babies the three faces of God Datta?]
Swami replied:- God Datta appeared as energetic incarnation of Parabrahman or the unimaginable God. Later on, God Datta was born to Atri and Anasuuya as three sons in human forms and the middle son in human form was called as Dattatreya. The first and third sons merged within the second son to become God Dattatreya with three faces and six hands. The same God Dattatreya also appears with one face and two hands.
4. Is stealing honey from Bees for our food a sin?
Swami replied:- It is not at all a sin. It is only the stored honey and not the honey eaten by the bees.
5. Is killing of some plants (e.g. Onions, Potato etc.) equal to killing an animal for food consumption?
Swami replied:- Not at all. Plants do not have a nervous system to feel the pain in killing.
6. Was God Brahma born first being the creator ?
[Swamiji, in some TV serials, I have seen that God Brahma was born from the navel of God Vishnu. But, God Brahma is said to be the creator of this Universe, so as per my understanding, God Brahma should be born first and then God Vishnu. Can You please clarify?]
Swami replied:- All the three divine forms were expressed in the beginning itself even before the creation. In such expression, God Brahma appeared on the lotus born from the navel region of God Vishnu. Then, God Brahma started His work of creating this world.
7. Why did God not reveal His unimaginable nature to any soul?
[Swamiji, Why didn't God reveal His unimaginable nature to any soul? Is it impossible for God to make the soul understand His unimaginable nature?]
Swami replied:- If the unimaginable nature is revealed to any soul, it means the soul has understood the unimaginable God. If the soul is unable to understand the unimaginable God, you will say that the unimaginable God is not omnipotent in making the soul understand the nature of the unimaginable God. The unimaginable God revealed the Vedas and in the Veda, it is clearly told that the original absolute unimaginable God is not imaginable to any soul. The reason is that the unimaginable God is beyond space being the generator of space.
8. Is there any significance for the numbers 9 or 17, or any other number in particular?
[Swamiji, in some of Your astrological remedies, You suggest, "distribute til laddoo to 17 beggars for 10 Saturdays/Sundays etc. Is there any significance of the numbers 9 or 17 or any other number in specific? Has the number anything to do with devotion to God or astrology?]
Swami replied:- The number of beggars is not stipulated. The number of food items to be distributed is stipulated as per the planet to be pacified. These numbers of planets are stipulated by the sages, who are the authors of astrology. Analysis of this is not necessary. Simply follow with faith in our ancient sages.
9. Is eating mushrooms considered non-vegetarian or sinful?
Swami replied:- Mushrooms have no nervous system and come under the branch of Botany dealing with the kingdom of plants.
10. Swamiji, how should a person behave if he comes to know that his wife is having an illegitimate affair with another person?
Swami replied:- Such person should have a frank discussion with the wife and then decide the future course of action as per justice.