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.

Does everything depend on faith?

Ans.

Of course. If you are a believer, you have a golden future. You have God power which is unlimited. If you become God-centred, then you have the power which God possesses. Those who don’t believe in God have a separate way.

Q.

What about non-believers?

Ans.

Being an atheist or agnostic is also a stage of the soul and it may last a few lifetimes. In the course of life of such a person, fortunate spiritual experiences and satsang bring about transformation, the soul then starts believing. The chances to evolve greatly increase when one comes in contact with a great saint. Great saints are like touchstones or parasmani. In fact a Guru is even greater than a touchstone. A touchstone can turn iron into gold but cannot create another touchstone; but a great saint can make another saint by his Grace.

Q.

Sri Sri Thakur has said that my devotees will never perish. We see in all quarters’ widespread uproar, decadence, violence, but despite that more or less one finds that human beings still believe in God and visit the temples. Does it mean, these are not bhaktas (devotees)? Why are these people in such darkness?

Ans:

First of all, you will have to understand what bhakti is. The most exemplary person in the realm of bhakti is undoubtedly Narada. He says ‘Saa tasmin param premrupaa’– That devotion is of the nature of supreme love for God. It is niratishay (unsurpassed) love! Now what is the meaning of niratishay? It’s not just extreme love, it’s also the kind of love that is tinged with a newness in each moment. It is renewed and novel in every grain.

‘Bhakti amrit svarupaa cha.’

There is a radical difference between this amrit tatva in bhakti and the amrit that the Gods partook of in order to become immortal. During the samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) the Gods had partaken of amrita. Did that amrit quell their affliction and anguish? Well, no! But those who partake of the amrit of bhakti gain an immortality that does not diminish even for ages.

Q.

What are the qualities of a bhakta?

Ans:

There is yet another characteristic of a bhakta – ‘Tasmin ananyata tad avirodhishu udasinata’. A bhakta has exclusive devotion towards God and indifference towards worldly things (which oppose this devotion). There is no lure of other objects for a bhakta. For him, it’s only God. How can anyone savour the objects of senses and then amrit? After being fulfilled, no bhakta ever hankers for the latter. Bhakti is not meant to satisfy one’s desires, its goal transcends mundane things.
Sri Sri Thakur in his classic Sudha Dhara has said this about the bhaktas:
“Without thy asking, fame and wealth will roll
At thy feet. Forget no more this treasure— Name!”