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.

Tell us something about Ramanujacharya?

Ans.

Shankaracharya said Brahma satya jagat mithya. Brahma or the Absolute alone is true; the world is an illusory falsehood. That is advaita. Whereas Sri Ramanujacharya vishishtadvaita philosophy says Brahma Satya, Jagat Satya. Both the Absolute and the world are true. According to Sri Ramanuja Brahma, is ultimate and He has numerous attributes. It is incorrect to say that Brahma is nirguna (without attributes).

According to Sri Ramanuja, while Brahma, the ultimate truth, is different from individual self, it is also in every entity of this universe, which is His creation. Brahma is Paramatma (Supreme Soul) and individual self is Jeevatma (individual soul). They could be compared to an ocean and drop of water simultaneously.

So, if I can see this world, why will I say it is false? I see Gangaji, how can I say Gangaji is false?

One day a learned advaitin was giving a discourse in a village. He said, ‘Brahma is everywhere, the world is an illusion.’ A poor farmer who had been listening to the discourse raised his hand carrying a Krishna idol and asked: ‘Sir, if you say Brahma is everywhere, I am assuming, He is in this Krishna idol as well!’

Prarthana:

Q.

What is importance of yathakaal upasana (timely worship)?

Ans.

Nectar and the moon have direct relation. Yogis get divine nectar from the moon and it flows through the palate, the roof of the mouth. This state can be achieved through yathakaal upasana.

Q.

Doesn’t praarthanaa (prayer) mean Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya-(O Lord) Keep me not in the Unreality (of the bondage of the Phenomenal World), but lead me from Unreality towards the Reality (of the Eternal Self), Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya -(O Lord) lead me from Darkness (of Ignorance) towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge, Mrityor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya-(O Lord) Keep me not in the (Fear of) Death (due to the bondage of the Mortal World), but lead me towards the Immortality (gained by the Knowledge of the Immortal Self beyond Death).… isn’t it?

Ans:

Yes, that’s indeed the prayer! Even if you sit in front of Thakur’s picture and with all your heart, just repeat this one line, ‘Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya - Take me from Asat to Sat’, you will gain sharanaagati (surrender). Nevertheless, you should recite the entire praarthanaa at least once a day according to your convenience.

Q.

Though I don’t formally pray daily, prayer indeed has kept me going. But for that, my one-track mind could have led to the bursting of cells in the mind, but I’m leaving it to God and that’s helping. Is that fine?

Ans:

Surrender to God—that’s what gives man sanity! Let me sing you song on surrender if it’s not too late.
(Luckily, there was an excellent quality harmonium at home, the lady of the house promptly arranged it.) Gurudeva sang:

Sadanandamayi Ma Karunamaya Guru,
Shunya jeevan mero,
Karunadhara se bharo

सदानन्दमयीमाँकरुणामयगुरू
शून्यजीवनमेरो
करुणाधारसेभरो
You say this in the traikaalik praarthanaa त्रैकालिकप्रर्थना (prayer prescribed to be recited three-times a day):
Yat kritam yat karishyaami
tat sarvam na mayaa kritam
Tvayaa kritantu phal bhaak
Tvameva Madhusudana
यत्कृतंयत्करिष्यमितत्वंनसरमयाकृतं।
त्वयाकृतन्तफलभुक्त्वमेवमधुसूदन॥
But do we practice it in our life? Everything must really be offered to Madhusudan.
It should be the real service, not just a lip service.