The Mother Divine
Change Font Size 
 Home
THE MOTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE QUARTER

Questions by readers- Answers by The Mother! These answers are in no way definitive; nor do they make any claims to authenticity. These are supposed to answer the seeking. The insights contained in these answers issue from patrons of The Mother, among who are saints, holy men, scholars and advanced seekers. To submit a question, send email to editor.themother@gmail.com. Do not feel disappointed if The Mother does not publish the answer to your questions. The Editorial Board will choose questions to be published in The Mother depending upon its significance and service to the spiritual seekers at large. However, we will strive to answer most queries and personally communicate the answers to those who put forth genuine queries. Editor.


ANSWERS BY KINKAR VITTHAL RAMANUJA

Q.

When you look at the present times, do you think there’s a sharp decline of religious sentiment in the general mass of people? Or has it increased?

Ans.

After the advent of Sri Ramakrishna, and host of other holy men including Yugapurusha Sri Sri Thakur, there is certainly an increase in religious sentiment. If that were not the case, tens of thousands of people wouldn’t take to the Tarak Brahma Mantra/ Mahamantra – “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare”. In fact if there was no growth in religious sentiment, not an iota from the mass would walk the path of shastras as they do.

Q.

What is the significance of attending Kumbh?

Ans.

There are several saints absorbed in meditation for hundreds of years. They don’t leave their seat of sadhana, never travel anywhere. During Kumbh Mela, however, they step out, to visit the Kumbha river for a holy dip, and leave some of their, shakti in the holy place for the welfare of mankind. All those who take the holy dip with faith are definitely benefited by that shakti.

Q.

Is kumbh-snana indeed meritorious particularly when our rivers have changed their earlier paths & are also now not as clean as they used to be?

Ans:

It all depends on your belief. A Sanskrit shloka reveals that siddhi from a mantra, tirth, brahman, vigraha, medicine & Guru depends on one’s bhavana i.e. belief/ sentiment. If one has a belief that taking a dip in the holy river Kshipra in Ujjain during Sinhasth Kumbh Mahaparva grants salvation, he will get it for sure. If one feels that it is just an ordinary water, he will get no merit out of the kumbh-snana.

Q.

Crores of rupees are spent during Sinhasth Kumbh Mahaparva. What is the source of this money? How are the expenses met?

Ans:

Devotees, to best of their abilities, donate with bhakti-bhava in order to maximise their spiritual riches. The government also spends lakhs of rupees for better infrastructure viz. roads, electricity, water, ghats etc. Saints and mahatmas arrange big tents, provide anna-chatra (eateries) and other amenities for their disciples and devotees. This way they ensure that devotees stay connected and don’t deviate from the path (to God).