Swami answers questions of devotees

1. Can You kindly give the basics, which signify lagnas in the Jyotish shastra?

[Shri Hrushikesh asked: Can You kindly give the alphabets which signify certain lagans in the Jyoti Shya shastra or Vedic astrology? I have tried looking for information on internet on this but it is not giving the right results. Mesha, Vrushabha, Mithuna, Karkatakam, Simha, Kanya, Tula, Vruschikam, Dhanus, Makaram Kumbham and Meenam? At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Hrushikesh]

Swami replied:- When you know these names in correct sequence, why do you worry about the alphabets of LKG class?

2. How does astrology affect ordinary people and spiritual seekers?

[Shri Kishore Ram asked: Paadanamaskaram Swamiji, I have a question about how astrology affects ordinary people and spiritual seekers. For a normal person, a “good period” means they receive good results and feel happy, while a “bad period” brings difficulties and unhappiness. But for a spiritual aspirant, how does it work? During a bad period, do they remember God more and progress spiritually because of their suffering? Or during a good period, since their mind is peaceful, can they serve God better and thus progress more in their spiritual journey?

Swami replied:- In Astrology, good and bad periods indicate profit and loss in materialism and physical health for ordinary people. For spiritual people, good and bad periods are taken as favourable and unfavourable developments in spiritual progress respectively. Whether it is worldly life or spiritual life, good is good and bad is bad.

3. What is the difference between the two sentences "If the Veda is the authority" and "Since the Veda is the authority"?

[Smt. Lakshmi Lavanya K asked: Namaste Swami, in one discourse it is said as follows. Kumarila Bhattu jumped down from the top of the building, saying that if the Vedas are the authority, then I should not be hurt, but one eye was hurt. He questioned the Veda Mata Gayatri. She said that it happened like that since you said that ‘if the Vedas are the authority’, but you didn't say that ‘because the Vedas are the authority’ which is due to your difference in faith (doubting mind). What is the difference between these two sentences "If the Veda is the authority" and "Since the Veda is the authority"?]

Swami replied:- In the first statement, there is no full belief that the Veda is the authority.

4. What is the difference between the devotion of Sugriva and the devotion of Hanuman?

[Upon seeing Rama, Hanuman recognized Him as God and surrendered. Even though Sugriva was the son of the Sun and even though Hanuman explained about Rama, he tested Rama's strength (chopping seven trees with one arrow and throwing away skeleton). Sugriva lost his first fight with Vali because of that doubt on Rama.

What is the difference between the devotion of Sugriva and the devotion of Hanuman? What is the method to increase our devotion from the stage of Sugriva to stage of Hanuman? Thank You Swami.]

Swami replied:- Hanuman is the incarnation of God like Rama. Sugriva is also the son of god Sun with good spiritual knowledge, but due to long suffering, he lost the power of confidence on God.

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