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Gurudev, you have often quoted a line from the bhajans by Saint Farid which is, “Sabb sayaane ek matt” (Meaning: The wise ones agree unanimously that there is only One Divinity). But if you look back at all the saints in Indian history, such as Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira; though they were born in the same land, they advocated and followed very different approaches. Why so much difference and contradiction when everything is one? Please explain this.
See, when the destination is one, then there can be many ways to reach that place, isn’t it? So why should there be any conflict? When one does not use the intellect to understand the deeper truth, then one would think there is a conflict. ... -
Gurudev, we sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. But back home, the people there consume Bhaang (a type of Indian narcotic incorrectly thought to please Lord Shiva) while they sing praises of Lord Shiva. And then there are stories of Lord Krishna getting married to 16,000 ladies. How should one understand all this?
See, if Lord Shiva consumed Bhaang, then he also consumed the poison that came from churning the cosmic ocean. So should we also drink poison first, and then see if we stay alive to drink Bhaang? Do not misunderstand all these things. Lord S ... -
Gurudev, in Nepal, Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Pashupati Nath. What is the meaning of the word 'Pashupati'?
Pashu (Hindi word for animal) means one that is tied down by something or is stuck in bondage. Paash is something like a rope; it is that something that ties you down or restricts you. There are eight kinds of Paash and so there are ... -
Gurudev, how can we keep our faith in Gods and Goddesses if we follow the knowledge of advaita?
Advaita is knowing that everything is composed of and illumined by the same light (here referring to One Divinity or One supreme Consciousness).To worship and honor different Gods and Goddesses is similar to expressing the understandin ... -
After completing the course I am very attracted to this picture. There is a Goddess and there’s Shiva on the left and Ganesha on the right. How to understand the picture?
I also liked the picture and that’s why we have put it there. It is a picture of Kashi Vishalakshi. She has the son in one hand and the husband in the other. She also has a japa mala (rosary) and a kamandala (water pot).Kaman ... -
Dear Gurudev, we learn about yoga, breathing and other Vedic practices. What about other religions and cultures? Don’t they have anything to contribute to our spirituality?
These practices do not subscribe to only one religion as such. Hinduism is not a religion. It is only a way of life which people have been practicing for a long time. And if you go to the root of religion, definitely there will be somethin ... -
Why does Shanmukha (Karthikeya) have six heads?
So that he can recite all the Shad Darshanas (six Hindu philosophies) at once.Six faces - this has a significance. We say, 'The four directions', North, South, East and West. Brahma has four faces ... -
Gurudev, yesterday you said that everything is Shiv Tattva (fundamental element or principle). So what is your message for the devotees of Krishna? Also, I don’t pray to Shiva but only to Krishna. Is it okay?
Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva are the same. In Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, on Vibhuti Yoga, Lord Krishna himself says, 'Rudranam shankaras-chasmi vitteho yaksa-rakshasam. Vasunam pavakas chasmi meruh shikharinam aham' (10.23) Lord Krishna sa ... -
Why do we have so many gods in Hinduism?
Why don’t you ask me, ‘Why are there so many vegetables, so many flora and fauna, so many types of birds, so many types of people’.The Divinity that loves diversity can appear in diverse forms as well. Do you see what I am saying?< ... -
Gurudev, in the Iranian or Parsi tradition, Gods are called Ahura and demons Daiva, whereas in the Indian tradition, it’s exactly the opposite. Could you talk on this.
Daitya is also in the Indian tradition. The Asuras are also called Daityas, and Devtas are also called Adityas (means those born out of Aditi).Devas and Asuras share the same father, their mothers were Aditi and Di ...