A Conversation with Swami Sivananda

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Namaskar Mitra,

 

'May I Answer that? by Swami Sivananda - is a conversation in an FAQ format

between the respected Swami Sivananda and his disciples. The piece contains

approximately 100 questions for eg When the grance of Guru & God is there, why

is the mind still not controlled, how can character of a nation shine forth in

its pristine glory, what is music? has it got any power to soothe the aching

mind, what are the advantages of Mouna or the vow of silence? Some question

answers are below -

http://esamskriti.com/html/new_inside.asp?cat_name=qanda&sid=163&count1=0&cid=996

Q3. What is Brahmamuhurta? Why is it eulogized by the Rishis? 4 a.m. in the

morning is termed as Brahmamuhurta. Because it is favorable for meditation on

God or Brahman, it is called Brahmamuhurta. At this particular hour, the mind

is very calm and serene. It is free from worldly thoughts, worries and

anxieties. The mind is like a blank sheet of paper and comparatively free from

worldly Samskaras. It can be very easily molded at this time before worldly

distractions enter the mind. Further, the atmosphere also is charged with more

Sattva at this particular time. There is no bustle and noise outside.

Q12. How to make the mind subtle and pure? Do Japa. Do selfless services. Pray

to God from the bottom of your heart (Antarika). Have Satsang. Meditate. Read

the Gita and the Upanishads. Live alone. Live in seclusion for six months. Take

Sattvic food. Give up meat, fish, eggs, liquors, chillies, oil, black sugar,

onions and garlic.

Q36. Who is a righteous man? A righteous man is he who is pure in thought, word

and deed and who OBSERVES Yama & Niyama to the very letter. He sticks to Dharma

even in the face of a problem. He never moves astray for the sake of paltry

gains and selfish ends. He is ever pious, God-fearing, Self-centered and

selfless. He has cosmic vision and a broad outlook. He is equanimous and

tolerant towards all. He is a mine of all virtues like charity, nobility,

sincerity, humility, renunciation, serenity, simplicity and so on. No egoism,

no lust, no greed, no crooked-mindedness, no vanity can find a place in him.

The righteous man is ever the object of adoration to all. There will be no

enemies to him at all, for he loves all friends and does equally.

Q37. How can a person perpetuate the period of youth? The Yogic method excels

all other methods. It is the best and the cheapest of all prevalent systems of

treatment. Take to intense Pranayam and Asanas. Both these help a lot

preserving Veerya (semen) and converting the vital energy into Ojas. Practice

Sirshasan, Sarvangasan, Matsyasan, Halasan, Paschimottanasan, Padahastasan and

Yoga Mudra coupled with Bhastrik Pranayam. Practice Pranayam till the stage of

Kevala Kumbhak is reached. When there is no necessity either to breathe in or

to breathe out, Veerya becomes steady; that is, there will be no discharge or

emission in any form. The Ayurvedic preparation “Chyavanaprash” is a wonderful

one in enabling the regular user to preserve youth for a very long time.

Q43. Would you kindly suggest some effective methods for conversion and

sublimation of the sexual energy into spiritual energy or Ojas? Observe strict

continence in thought, word and deed. Give up thinking useless and vain

thoughts. Keep balance of mind in all conditions and circumstances,

contemplating the Divine. Practice Sirshasan, Sarvangasan and Oordhva Padmasan,

besides Viparitakarani Mudra. Preserve the energy by constantly repeating the

Name of the Lord, doing intense Japa and meditation, and study of the Gita, the

Bhagavata, the Ramayana and the like. Develop Viveka, Vairagya and Vichara. As

dispassion increases, so is the vital energy not allowed to leak out. The

greater the Vairagya (non-attachment to worldly objects) the more secure will

be the semen. The more the preservation of semen, the greater will be the

transmutation into Ojas, which means abundant physical, mental, moral and

spiritual strength and quick evolution. Pranayam helps a lot in gaining control

over the physical machinery and the mind. To have control over the mind means to

have control over the Prana Sakti and prevent Veerya from being let out. To have

control over this masculine power means to have abundant Ojas which enables the

aspirant to glow spiritually. Intense Sadhana, with the desires reduced to the

barest minimum, will sublimate the sexual energy into spiritual energy. For

further information, go through my book Practice of Brahmacharya. It gives

exhaustive details regarding the subject in question.

Q97. What is the difference between Jivatman and Paramatman? Jivatman is the

individual soul, a reflection of Brahman in Avidya or the mind. Paramatman is

the Supreme Soul, Brahman or the Atman. From the empirical viewpoint, the

Jivatman is a finite and conditioned being, while the Paramatman is the

infinite, eternal, Sat-chit-ananda Brahman. In essence, the Jivatman is

identical with Paramatman when Avidya is destroyed.

Q156. How to develop Bhakti? By Satsang, by repeating the Lord’s Name, doing

Kritan, hearing Kathas, reading the Ramayana, Bhagavata and the lives of

Bhaktas-Bhakta Vijayam and Bhakta Lilamrita-Vishnu Sahasranama, Narada Bhakti

Sutras and Sandilya Sutras. You must develop Vairagya. This is important Live

amidst Bhaktas. Live in Ayodhya. Respect Rama Nama. You will develop Rama

Bhakti. Live in Brindavan. Study Bhagavata. Do Japa of the Dvadasakshara

Mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. You will develop Krishna Bhakti.

Q253. What are the advantages of Mouna or the vow of silence? Should I also

observe? Observe Mouna for a couple of hours daily at any time that suits you.

Try to speak little at other times. Avoid obscene language. Talk sweetly and

gently. You must have perfect control over speech. Control over speech means

control of mind. The organ of speech, Vak Indriya, is a great distractor of the

mind. Mouna gives you peace. It removes anxieties and quarrels. It develops your

will power. It conserves energy. It reduces the force of Sankalpa or the

thought-current.

Share the Wealth, cheers om

sanjeev

 

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