Swami answers the questions by Smt. Lakshmi Lavanya

1. Please explain the penance done by Yogi.

[Smt. Lakshmi Lavanya K asked: Aparoksha anubhava. In the life history of a Yogi, his Guru made him suffer a lot to burn his bad karma and preached him knowledge after that. Then the Guru sent him to do penance alone in Himalayas. Finally, he became a Mahaatma and guided many pupils. Please explain his penance.]

Swami replied:- Penance means only your burning interest on God and His spiritual knowledge. Himalayas may provide some peaceful atmosphere. For the scholar, any place can become Himalayas. Penance does not mean constant closing of the eyes and repeatedly uttering the name of God without food and water. This is the highest misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the word ‘penance’.

2. Please explain meaning of following quotes from website of Satya Sai Baba "ఆత్మ ధర్మమే స్వధర్మము, పర ధర్మము అనగా దేహ ధర్మము"

Swami replied:- Svadharma means the spiritual knowledge and Paradharma means the knowledge of Pravrutti. Food is needed for the body and spiritual knowledge is needed for the soul.