Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
If opposite values are complementary, then am I good or bad or am I both?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Why do you put a labels of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ on yourself? Take it off and be natural, be at peace. When we assume a negative quality as our own, we feel guilty and when we assume a positive quality as our own, then we become proud. Both of these are signs of being mentally unhealthy.Surrender both the negative and positive qualities to the Divine.
A person who is surrendered will be good. Surrender brings focus and character in life. Without the development of these two, life is directionless.
Even a little bit of sacrifice helps an individual to blossom. Without sacrifice, the glow does not come up. Sacrifice does not lead to a long, sorrowful face. Renunciates are joyful, whereas the kami (one filled with desires) feels burdened and sad.
Unburdening the Self is surrender, is sadhana.
Q:
I am centred on the Divine, yet there is restlessness, though on the outside everything seems perfect.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In every seeker’s life there comes a time when the heart is at unease, and there is restlessness. In the West, it is known as the “dark day of the soul”. There comes a time when satvik shakti (positive energy) is less and rajogun and tamogun are high, that leads to the restlessness. There are three kinds of taap (penance) and one such taap is known as adhyatmic taap (spiritual misery). Yet it is for a short while. Therefore satsang is very important, especially when you don’t feel like doing it.Once in twelve years a lack in spirituality comes up. There will arise a doubt on the self, the path and the Guru. This is what the Scriptures say.
Therefore the Kumbh festival takes place once in twelve years and all the saints get together to clear all their sins. This tradition is very old.
A place where seekers do satsang and where Vedas are recited - kalyuga* never comes there.
Q:
What is the importance of the understanding of the effect of time when doing some work?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Astrology is called the eye of knowledge but you cannot rely on today’s astrologers. Don’t run after astrology. It is a field of knowledge, shastra (traditional science) and is true, yet the everyday forecasts are not taken seriously by anyone. Sadhana is effective and powerful. Shivji is Mahakaal (One who destroys time). Whatever is the kaal (time) just say Om Namah Shivaya, as it contains all the five elements and there is nothing outside of it. This is a very powerful mantra.When you chant, do not imagine Shiva with bhasma (ash) all over his body and a trident in his hand, that is just the imagination of a painter. Shiva is the Chaitanaya Tattva (consciousness), our soul, present all over, it is an energy field.
Do you know why we apply bhasma on the forehead? There are three kinds of mites on our forehead, unique to every individual like the thumb imprint. To keep the mites in their area, we put three lines on the forehead.
An experiment in Russia revealed that a place which was covered with gobar (cow dung) or had Agnihotra bhasm (ash from the Vedic ritual of Agnihotra), was less affected by the radiation from the Chernobly disaster.
In ancient times, sandalwood paste or ash was applied on the forehead to prevent the effect of radiation since the head is a sensitive place. The ash would also keep the mind cool.
Also, putting ash on the skin was a reminder that the skin that we see today will turn into ashes tomorrow. With this knowledge one cannot do any wrong.
The end of life is in ashes - if this is remembered then no mistakes will be made. Others are also going to turn to ashes - this realization can cleanse the system of all the negative emotions. Dispassion arises and anger, jealousy etc dissolve.
The reason for the tradition was wonderful. Today people know nothing behind bhasma, but apply it out of pride. To understand the underlying meaning is important.
Q:
I start my practises with enthusiasm but soon it dampens, something pulls me away. Why is it that even after knowing what is right one does not do it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Because of rajogun anger and desires increase. When craving increases, desires also increase. We progress two steps due to the sattva and then we fall back because of the imbalance in rajogun. So even while on the path, a person tends to wander or be distracted. Ahara Shuddho Sattva Shuddhi - In the initial stages, a sadhak (seeker) has to pay attention to the nature of food he consumes.Also, it is important to have it at the right time. For the perfected Sage, there is no need for this. His consciousness is untouched. Food tends to influence the mind, body and the behaviour. Due to increase in rajogun irritation comes up and anger follows. When we are in Satsang, sattva increases.
Q:
Women were barred from the knowledge of Yoga and Mantra in the past. Even today some institutions continue this practise. What is the reason behind this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is not clear where exactly the practise discontinued. In the ancient India from a long time women would use Janeyu. Goddesses Parvati and Gargi are shown wearing it. It is there in the scriptures as well. Somewhere the chain broke, but it will be revived. Q. Even after listening to knowledge, if attachment with a person arises and if it is not fulfilled will I have to take another birth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The grip of attachment is released with kripa(grace), kaal(time) and seva(service). Assume that you already have grace and give priority to time and service. It is not that all your attachments and desires will be fulfilled. Whatever is needed and good for you will be given. That which is unimportant, an illusion of the mind be discarded - this should be your prayer.
Q:
How to increase the seva bhav(intention to serve)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Do not intend to increase the seva bhav. We assume that we lack the attitude of service and then try to increase it, so it doesn’t happen!That is why we assume we have seva bhav in abundance . What stops you from doing seva is laziness. You can get rid of laziness by giving importance to the right diet and some exercise. Doing seva by yourself might seem difficult, so do it in a group. That is why it is said,
“Ekastapasvi, dhwiradhyayi” -when you have to do adhyayan( Study), do it in a group. When you do tapas(penance), do it by yourself. Similarly, when you do seva, do it in a group. That leads to a rise in enthusiasm and is less tiring.
Q:
It is said that there is a different Veda (scripture) prescribed for every individual. What is the connection and how does it work?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
At one time, people had divided Vedas into branches. Each group chose a different branch and learnt them by heart to continue the practice and preserve the knowledge in its pure form.‘Tripathi ‘was used as a title for someone who has mastered three Vedas. ‘Dwivedi‘was used for someone with knowledge of two Vedas and ‘Chaturvedi ‘for a master of the four Vedas. It was a title like MS and MD. One had to read at least one branch of the Vedas. There is a connection of Vedas with families but you can choose to study any.
Q:
What does the symbol of Natraja signify?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Natraja is a very beautiful symbol of the union of nature and the Divine. Natraja holds fire in one hand, representing the fire element. A damru* in his other hand depicts the space element. Many forces in the universe are represented by a shape similar to that of a damru, like a chromosome, or shapes of galaxies and so on. Time also is said to have a conical representation. ∞ is the symbol (shape of the damru) which represents infinity.Shiva’s hair is open and flying representing the air element. One foot on ground symbolizing prthvi (earth element), another in the air. One hand is the symbolic abhaya hasta offering protection and the other points to his feet symbolizing surrender. With one foot already in the air, he has already taken a step towards the devotee. He says “You are dear to me” even before beginning.
Even in the Bhagwad Geeta, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna - “You are very dear to me”. When you know that you are dear to someone, there is trust and love arises in the heart.
Shiva is dancing. Life should be like this. If both feet are stuck in the ground then you cannot dance. Even to walk you need to take one foot up.
The entire creation is full of bliss
The entire creation is dancing in bliss
The entire creation is longing for bliss
Natraja represents the Ananda Tattva ( bliss) that the whole world is longing for. Every atom in the world is filled with the potential for action yet it is at peace. Shiva, the principle of infinite peace and bliss is not inert. It is peaceful, yet dancing.
Underneath his feet, there is Apasmaar**. He is standing with his foot on top of desires. If desire eats us up then we are in trouble. Only when we rise above desires and we are dancing on it, then it is a dance of joy and bliss. This is not just imagination. This is the truth. This energy awakens within us and we rise in dance. This is true. The Divine energy pervading the entire creation is eternally dancing.
Q:
How to live without expectations?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you know that joy from expectations is lesser than unexpected joy, that is sufficient. You need not try to achieve this, it happens effortlessly.Q:
How to attain moksha (liberation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Through knowledge. If there is bondage, there is liberation. To be free from ignorance you need knowledge. The mind should turn inward. Silence takes the mind inward and helps to recognize ‘Who am I’.