Posted on: 28 Nov 2022
1. What should be our correct attitude while serving You?
[Smt. Priyanka asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, When there is some work to be done that is assigned by You, is it egoistic to think that I don't want to displease You and do the work sincerely because as souls, we end up making mistakes anyway and nothing is truly possible without Your grace? Swami, what should be our correct attitude? At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- The ultimate goal for any divine service is only to please God and nothing else.
2. Do samskaras and psychology mean the same thing?
[Padanamaskaram Swami, Do 'samskaras' and the psychology of a person mean the same thing? Since samskaras are accumulated since many births, is it that those samskaras only form the psychology of a person during the present birth?]
Swami replied:- Yes. The samskaaras are very very strong and form the core of the psychological personality of the soul in any birth.
3. Do our present birth environment and associations with people alter our samskaras in any way?
[Does the present birth surroundings and association with people alter our samskaras in any way? Or do they simply influence our thoughts, which leads to temporary/ permanent psychological impact? At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- The samskaaraas also are thoughts only, which have become solidified crystals and decide our future actions even against our spiritual efforts. Association with good devotees is like taking medicines and approaching the Sadguru is like consulting the best and the most efficient doctor. The doctor prescribes the correct way of treatment (medicines/surgery).
4. Did other Gopikas, like Radha, visit Lord Krishna over the years?
[Padanamaskaram Swami, You mentioned that Radha used to visit Lord Krishna every couple of weeks when Krishna was in Dwaraka. I was wondering if other Gopikas visited Lord Krishna over the years in the same manner or sometimes at least. If not, what made them stay back Swami? Please pardon me Swami if this question is not appropriate. I was wondering about this for a long time and I could not hold back any longer and ultimately asked You. At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- Gopikaas were going to Dvaarakaa on some occasions. Radha was totally different because she was almost the wife of Krishna except that she was not officially married to Krishna.
5. How can a soul avoid misunderstanding God's actions?
[Smt. Priyanka asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, I am very sorry to send a vague question to You recently (this link). Thank You Swami for making me realize this and please forgive me if the rephrased question below is also vague.
My question is - How can a soul avoid misunderstanding God's actions?
The context is- In very few cases, I have a tendency to have an emotional reaction to certain replies You give (either through a typed answer/ phone/ in-person). While I believe You are the Ultimate God and Your words and actions always have many reasons behind them, why do I momentarily forget that and have an emotional reaction like feeling hurt/ sad/ angry? After some time when I calm down, I realize that You are always correct and I end up feeling very guilty for misunderstanding You. How can I avoid this initial emotional reaction of misunderstanding You? At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- The first part is your human nature and the second part is your devotional nature. When both parts exist side by side, it means that you are in the spiritual path and have not reached the goal yet. Both are inevitable in the path.
6. Is it wrong to feel concern for co-devotees?
[Padanamaskaram Swami, Is it wrong to feel affection, care, and concern towards other devotees at times? Does this imply that we don't have Ekabhati towards You? At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- During the journey in the spiritual path, you will have divided affection between God and the world. When you reach the goal, your affection gets totally concentrated on God alone, which is Ekabhakti. In such final stage, you will talk with others about God only.