954. Questions and Answers of LIFE.......3

Q: What makes a person free from sorrow?

A: An acquiescent wife and abiding means of livelihood.

               

Q: In this world about whom one should feel sorry?

A: The one, who though is prosperous, does not provide to the poor and needy.

             

Q: Who is more valiant than Shri Rama?

A: One whose mind, struck by the arrows of Cupid, does not waver.

         

Q: What should one think of day and night?

A: The lotus feet of the Lord, not mundane things.

Q: Who are blind in spite of having eyes?

A: An Atheist or those who ridicule the Vedas.

  

Q: Who is said to be lame?

A: One who undertakes a pilgrimage in old age.  

Q: Which is the most important holy water body?

A: That which washes away the accumulated dirt in the mind.

Q: What should a person remember always?

A: Sri Hari.

Q: What is unutterable by one who is wise?

A: Faults of others and untruth.

                

Q: What should be earned by men?

A: Knowledge, strength, fame and meritorious deeds.

Q: Which is the destroyer of all good qualities?

A: Greed

       

Q: Who is the enemy?

A: Lust and Desire.

               

Q: Which assembly should be avoided?

A: One which is devoid of an experienced people.

Q: Where should a person be careful in this world?

A: In the service of the King. 

Q: What is dearer than life?

A: The Dharma followed by the forebears and company of saintly persons.

Q: Who deserve to be protected?

A: Fame, chaste woman and one’s own intellect.

Q: Which is the wish-yielding creeper in this world?

A: Knowledge imparted to a deserving disciple.

Q: Which is the eternal banyan tree?

A: A gift to a fit recipient given in accordance with scriptural injunctions.

Q: Which is the weapon for everybody?

A: Stratagem.  

  

Q: Who is the mother of all?

A: The holy cow.

Q: What is strength?

A: Courage, adamantine heart.

Q: Which is death?

A: Carelessness.

Q: Where is poison?

A: In a bad person.

Q: What is it which gives fearlessness?

A: Non-attachment to worldly things.

Q: What is fear?

A: For everyone wealth is the source of fear.

Q: What is difficult to acquire for men?

A: Devotion to Sri Hari.

Q: What is sin?

A: Causing physical or mental injury to living beings.

Q: Who is dear to God?

A: One who does not cause mental agitation to others and himself does not get mentally agitated.

Q: What is the source of achievement?

A: Penance.

Q: Where is intellect?

A: In the Brahmin.

Q: How does one get a sharp intellect?

A: From the service of the aged.

Q: Who are aged?

A: Those who know the essence of Dharma.

Q: What is worse than death for a person?

A: Humiliation is worse than death. 

Q: Who is comfortable in this world?

A: A wealthy person

Q: What is wealth?

A: That by which one can get what he likes.

Q: What is the seed of all comforts?

A: The fruit of meritorious deeds.

      

Q: From where is sorrow?

A: The fruit of sins.

Q: Who has affluence and exerts control over others?

A: One who worships Maharudradeva with devotion.

Q: Who achieves progress?

A: One who is full of humility.

       

Q: Who goes down?

 A: One who is abortive and arrogant.

 Q: Who cannot be trusted?

A: One who always tells lies.

Q: When is uttering a lie not a sin?

A: When it is uttered to protect Dharma.

Q: What is Dharma?

A: Such conduct and values as have been accepted as the right ones by the noble souls who practice Dharma.

953. Questions and answers of LIFE.......2

Q:  Whose Atma (mind) cannot be brought to the righteous path even when he is on his death bed?

A:   The Atma of a fool, of an incorrigible doubter, of one steeped in sorrow or of one who is ungrateful

Q: Who is a Sadhu?

A:  One whose conduct and character are good.

Q:  Who is considered the worst kind of person?

A:  One whose conduct and character are bad.

Q: By who is this world conquered?

A: By one who is established in truth and forbearance (ability to endure).

Q: To whom the celestial (Devas) offer their salutations?

A: To the one whose chief virtue is kindness.

Q: What causes fear in the mind?

A: The forest of Samsaara creates fear.

Q: In whose control are living beings?

A: One whose words are true and soothing and whose virtue is humility.

Q: Where should one stay?

A: On the righteous path which yields good.

Q: Who is blind?

A: One whose actions are bad.

   

Q: Who is deaf?

A: One who does not listen to advice of wise.    

Q: Who is dumb?

A: One who cannot utter kind and sweet words at the appropriate time. 

  

Q: What is giving?

A: That which is given without being asked for.

Q:  Who is a friend?

A:  One who prevents from committing sinful actions.

Q:  What is adornment?

A:   Good conduct.

Q:  What adorns speech?

 A:  Truth.

  

Q: Which is as transient as lightning?

A: The company of bad people and flirting women.

Q: Who, even in this age of Kali, do not deviate from the right conduct followed by their forebears?

A: Good persons.

Q: Which is rare as the Chintamani which turns iron into gold?   

A: Chaturbadram (four auspicious things).

    

Q: Which are those four auspicious things according to enlightened souls?

A: A gift accompanied by soothing pleasant words, knowledge devoid of arrogance, valour tempered by forgiveness, Wealth accompanied by philanthropy (altruism or generosity) these are the chaturbhadram, which are very rare indeed.

Q: What is to be lamented?

A: Stinginess. (who neither enjoys his wealth nor uses it for the  benefit of the needy).

Q: What is to be praised when one has the means for luxurious living?

A: Generosity (magnanimity). 

Q: Who deserves respect from the learned and the wise?

A: One, who by his very nature, is full of humility.

Q: Who is the Sun for the lotus which is one’s dynasty (kulakamala)?   

A: One who, in spite of possessing all good qualities, is meek (humble, full of humility).

Q: In whose control is this world?

A: One whose speech is pleasing and beneficial and who always walks the righteous path.

Q:  What captivates the heart of the learned and the wise?

A:  Good poetry and the man of knowledge.

Q: Who does misfortune not touch?

A: One who listens to the advice of elders and is humble.

Q: Whom does Goddess Lakshmi like?

A: One whose mind is not lazy and whose conduct and character are righteous.

Q: Whom does Goddess Lakshmi forsake instantly?

A: One who talks ill of Brahmin, Guru, and Divinity and is lazy.

Q: Where should one reside?

A: In the proximity of good people or in Kashi (Varanasi)

Q: Which place should be avoided?

A:  A place inhabited by mean people and ruled by a greedy and stingy king. 

952. Question & Answers for LIFE....1

Prasnottara Ratna Malika of Sri Sri Sankara comprises of Questions and Answers pertaining to both Spiritual and Mundane living.

Q:  What is to be accepted without hesitation?

A:  The words of a Guru.

Q:  Who is Guru?

A:  One who has realized the Truth and is always wishing good of the disciple from his heart.

Q:  What is to be given up?

A:  Action which is against Dharma.

Q: What should a wise man do with the utmost urgency?

A:  Breaking the cycle of births and deaths.

Q: Which is the seed of Moksha?

A:  True knowledge which is put to practice.

Q: Which is the greatest deed?

A: Following Dharma.

Q: Who is clean in this world?

A:  He who has a clear mind.

Q: Who is wise?

A:  He who has discrimination, who can discriminate between Good and Bad, Dharma and Adharma, Eternal and the Ephemeral etc.

Q: What is poison?

A:  Disrespecting the views of wise and elders.

Q: What is the essence of this Samsaara (cycle of births and deaths)

A:  It is the frequent contemplation on the question ‘What is this Samsaara?’

Q: What should a man ask for?

A: Take birth in this world for the benefit of oneself and others.

Q: Which is as intoxicating as liquor?

A:  Love.

Q: Who are thieves?

A:  Five senses seeking Pleasures.

Q: Which is the Samsaara creeper?

A:  Desire.

Q: Who is the greatest enemy?

A: Lethargy.

Q: What is fear?

A:  Anxiety of death.

Q: Who is worse than a blind person?

A:  One who is in the grip of lust.

Q: Who is valiant?

A: One who is not lured by the eye-arrows (gaze) of beautiful women.

Q: What is fit to drink like nectar?

A: Advice of good (saintly) people.

Q: What is the root of dignity?

A:  By not asking for anything.

Q: Which is deep?

A:  Character of women.

Q: Who is clever?

A: One who is not fooled by the enticement of a woman.

Q: What is sorrow?

A:  Discontentment.

Q: What makes one become a laughing stock in the view of others?

A: Begging from a mean person.

Q: What is life as it should be?

A: That which is unblemished.

Q: What is stupidity?

A:  Not practicing what one has learned.

Q: Who is awake?

A: He who knows knowing is doing.  

Q: Who is asleep?

A:  The one who thinks Ignorance is bliss.

Q: Which is volatile like a drop of water on a lotus leaf?

A: Youth, wealth and life span of a person.

Q: Who are those who, like the rays of the moon, make people happy?

A: Good person.

Q: Which is Hell?

A:  Being under the control of another.

Q: What is Happiness?

A: Giving up all attachments.

Q: What is to be achieved?

A: Doing good to all living beings.

Q: What is dear to all beings?

A: One’s own life.

Q: What will result in misfortune?
A: Narcissism.

Q: What will provide Happiness?

A: Friendship with the good.

Q: Who is good at wiping out all sorrows?

A: One who has learnt to let go.

Q: What is Death?

A:  Stupidity.

Q: What is invaluable?

A: That which is given at the appropriate moment when it is most needed by the recipient.

Q: What will be a thorn in the flesh until one’s death?

A:  A sin committed clandestinely.

Q:  Where should one direct one’s efforts?

A: In the acquisition of knowledge, health, and in being generous with the needy.

Q: What should one pay no attention to?

A: Bad character, other man’s wife and wealth. 

Q: What one should think of day and night?

A: How to evanescence this world (samsaara) not about beautiful women.

Q:  What should be the object of one’s love?

A:   Kindness towards the miserable and friendship with the good.

951. The Six School of Thoughts.....!

Satya, the Truth in Vedas is so elusive that it is difficult to comprehend at one go.  Hence for a systematic process of understanding it our Rishis formulated Darshana Shastras (Art of Knowing) expounding the six schools of Vedic Philosophy in the forms of Sutras which were called “Shadarshana.” 

Each of these schools differs from one another in terms of its perceptions, phenomena, decrees and principles. Each philosophy has developed, systematized and correlated the various parts of the Vedas in its own way. Each school has its own Sutrakarta (Author) who devoted his entire life to study and propagate that particular Vedic philosophy.

The common feature of all the six philosophies were to understand the Prapancha (External World) and its connection with Jeevatma (Individual), relationship between Paramarthika Satya (Eternal Truth), Vyavaharika Satya (Empirical Truth) and Pratibasika Satya (Illusory Truth) and finally to describe the goal of life and the means to achieve that goal.

Nyaya Darshana of Maharshi Gautama.

Maharshi Gautama establishes the fact that Paramarthika Satya which is Divinity is eternal while the Vyavaharika and Partibasika Satya are encompassed by “Maya” the illusory power and are momentary and is an aid for the creation.

Vaishesika Darshana of Maharshi Kanada.

Maharshi Kanada talked about Paramanu (Atom), he says that “Maya” is ineffectual and there is no creation or annihilation but rather an orderly and morally systematized composition and decomposition of matter. The Primordial Atom is eternal.

Sankya Darshana of Kapila Muni.

Purusha (Consciousness) and Prakriti (Matter) cause the creation. Purusha inspire Prakriti to manifest herself. Divinity is beyond Maya and it can be attained as it is the only source of Bliss.

Yoga Darshana of Patanjala Maharshi.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yug, which means “TO UNITE”. This school gives various methods to merge the Jeevatma (Individual Consciousness) with Paramatma (Absolute Consciousness). 

Mimamsa Darshana of Jaimini Muni.

Mimamsa is to analyze and understand thoroughly. This darshana provides a practical methodology for the utilization of the Dharma (righteousness)   for the satisfaction of the urges for Artha (Wealth) and fulfil the Kama (Desires). It is based more on Rituals.

Vedanta Darshana of Vedavyasa Deva.

This is Veda + Antha (Epilogue of Veda) revealing the secret that God is Absolute Divinity and Absolute Bliss. He is Gracious and by just remembering Him a seeker experience His Absolute Blissfulness forever. 

These six philosophies are paired in groups of two based on their close related thoughts. Naya and Vaisheshika make one pair, Sankya and Yoga are related and finally Mimamsa and Vedanta are allied to each other. Since the Sutrakartas of the six Darshanas placed their argument from the same source, the Vedas, all the six philosophies share many basic principles.

Like for example:

Jeevatma (Individual) is spiritual being with the nature of Paramanada (Eternal Bliss).

Jeevatma (Individual) acquires Stula Deha (Gross Body) according to the Law of Karma.

Jeevatma (Individual) experiences the duality of good and bad because of the contact with matter which is worldly.

Jeevatma (Individual) following any one of the six Darshanas, begets the same escalation as the one following the other five. Since the sadhana is all about basic practices of purification and self-control.

Ultimate goal of each philosophy is to end of suffering and experience the Eternal Bliss.

950. The Abode of Anathapadmanabha.

Sanatana Dharma reiterates that Satya (Truth) is a Tattva (Principle). Hence it also guides a seeker to transcend from Sagunopasana (Ritualistic worship) to Nirgunopasana (Mental worship). Sagunopasana is the stepping stone for Nirgunopasana and Nirgunopasana is the ability to experience the Oneness. Even Vedas which advocates the Karma Khanda and Jnana Khanda prefers that the seeker excel to Nirgunopasana.

Nevertheless Nirgunopsana never stops the seeker to adore a personal Deity. The personal Deity differs from seeker to seeker, depending on dispositions and tendencies towards a particular emotion. This made it necessary to the advent of Agamas. Agamas are set of rules in the Sagunopasana. This was to bring in discipline in the minds of the seeker.

Agamas Shastra laid down the guidelines for the construction of temples and the rituals to sanctify them. The flow chart for the daily rituals from the dawn and dusk is neatly mentioned too. The guidelines in the Agama Shastras have made it possible for us to have a glimpse of temples which are as old as a millennium.
Of the three principal Deities, Maharudradeva and Maha Vishnu have the maximum number of temples. These temples are called Punya Kshetras (Holy Place).

There are 108 temples dedicated to Maha Vishnu which the Alwars, the flowers of Vaishnavism praised and sange about them. These 108 temples which are called “Divya Desam” (Sacred Land) have their origin to ancient times and are referred to in Puranas.

Out of the 108 temples 106 is on this earth plane. 84 in Tamil Nadu, 11 in Kerala, 4 in Uttar Pradesh, 3 in Uttaranchal, 2 in Andhra Pradesh and one each in Gujarat and Nepal. The remaining two is in spiritual realm, one is Ksherasagara (Milky Ocean) and the other is Vaikunta (Point of No return).  

Going on Tirtha Yatra (Centres of Sacredness) has been an integral part of Hinduism and are considered quite important by the ritualistic followers of Sanatana Dharma. Those sacred places are held at high esteem by the ardent devotees who dream to travel and have the glimpse of the presiding Deity there. The pinnacle act of worship is to stand before the Deity and to see and be seen by the Deity to experience the ecstasy.

Most importantly it is not and I repeat again it is NOT the decision of the seeker to visit any one of these Divya Desam to have the glimpse of the Deity there. The Deity has to bestow the grace for the seekers’ eye (both the physical and mental) to get soaked in enchantment of having the Darshana of the Deity.    

Sri Anatha Padmanabha Swamy, the presiding Deity of Thiruvanathapuram has been kind enough to grant me that moment for which I had been longing for so long. I am eager to have the Darshana of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy...... Pranam.

Om Namo Anatha Padmanabhaya Namah!