Swami answers questions forwarded by Shri Anil Antony (Part-1)

Part-1   Part-2

1. I want Krishna as My husband. What should I do?

[Shri Anil Antony asked:- Padanamaskaram Swami. Some questions from the internet are given below. Please give answer to them. At Your Divine Lotus Feet-anil.

I am 31 years old. I love Lord Krishna. When I saw His picture, my eyes filled with tears. I play with His cheeks and I hug Him. I want Him as My husband. What should I do?]

Swami replied:- In love, there is no lust. Love is true and eternal, which is irrespective of age. Lust is concerned with youth. Krishna is God. When you love God, you should not have aspiration for any selfish pleasure. Love is sacrifice and lust is selfishness. Think about these points also.

2. Why do Kshatriyas wear sacred thread and authorized to eat non-vegetarian?

Swami replied:- The sacred thread consisting of three strings indicates that you have to catch the human incarnation of God containing three components, which are inert energy (Rajas), matter (Tamas) and awareness (Sattvam). This is the spiritual concept, which has no connection with food habits. Of course, non-vegetarian food is the highest sin, which is also very much emphasized in the Veda (Ahimsaa paramo dharmah). Killing a living being for selfish pleasure of food is the greatest sin. Hanuman is a strict vegetarian, but, very strong physically. Authorization to eat non-vegetarian food does not mean that the scripture is insisting every Kshatriya (Kshatriya caste is decided by the qualities and deeds of the soul and not by birth) to eat non-vegetarian food. When the situation is such that the eating of non-vegetarian food can’t be avoided by a person, the scripture allows it without interfering in the controversial point so that the non-controversial points are solved first. You should not take this behavior of the scripture as a supporting authority to consume non-vegetarian food. Just like one has to follow the running bull for some time until it is controlled, the scripture also follows the bad traditions for some time before they are condemned finally.

3. How did God decide on our age and life span?

Swami replied:- God decides everything in the creation. As per His will only everything is designed. Within the limits of the boundaries of God’s free will, some free will is given to souls. Health is within the limits of the free will of the soul, but, the life span is in the control of God.

4. Why do people say the Gopis were adults during the Rasaleela if their ages aren't mentioned in scriptures?

Swami replied:- In the case of Gopikas, age is not very important because they were ripened spiritual scholars doing penance for God for millions of past births. They can’t be compared with ordinary souls like us.

5. Is it wrong to worship Shirdi Sai and Satya Sai as they are not mentioned in the scriptures?

[Is it wrong for a Hindu to worship Shirdi Sai baba and Satya Sai baba as they are not mentioned in the holy scriptures of Sanatana Dharma?]

Swami replied:- Scripture mentioned some important incarnations of God here and there to show the concept that God comes down to earth to guide human souls. Every incarnation need not be described in the process of explaining this spiritual concept. Scripture is like the nameboard hanging before a sweet shop showing the pictures of some sweets as examples. This does not mean that the sweet shop contains only those four or five sweets and that there are no more varieties of sweets in the sweet shop.

6. What does the skull (Kapala) signify in Lord Shiva’s divine wisdom?

Swami replied:- The word ‘skull’ indicates the important brain present in the skull. Brain is the ultimate decision-maker after doing very deep and sharp analysis. Analysis is the ultimate step to arrive at the true conclusions.

7. Why does Lord Vishnu sleep for 4 months?

Swami replied:- Four months in one year indicate 1/3^rd of the total day-time, which is about 8 hours per day (24 hours = 1 day. 8 hours = 1/3^rd day, which is the time required by the body for rest through sleep). This is the complete rest time that is required by a human body. This is indicated to humanity by God.

8. Who is the wife of Satan?

Swami replied:- Satan symbolizes the unjust lust in which there is no single justified wife.

9. Why do we worship at the feet of a Goddess that kneels to a higher power?

Swami replied:- There is no difference between God and Goddess. The same God is playing in the role of Goddess also. When the role kneels to some other role in the drama, it does not mean that the actor is kneeling.

10. What is the source from where religions were created?

Swami replied:- The source of every theistic religion is God. Religion is the discipline of souls imposed by God on the ignorant soul-children. God is not only the Father, but also the Preacher to all souls. The fruit of discipline is the spiritual knowledge.

To be continued...

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