Inquiries into the Absolute, Digest 6

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Digest 6, May 24, 2001. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami

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Hinduism and Vaishnavism

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Q 6.1)

I would like to know why there are many Hindus biased in accepting Sri

Krishna as the Supreme Lord. Why are there clearly so many Hindu gods

stated in the Vedas. Why are there so many points of view regarding the

Vedas?

 

Ans:

Vedas are very vast; although all of the Vedic scriptures unanimously

concur in their conclusions, they also prescribe instructions by which a

person from the lowest platform of consciousness can be gradually elevated

to the highest stage. Being so vast and varied, the actual conclusions of

the Vedas can be understood only in disciplic succession, from pure

devotees. Brahmans and philosophers (sages) were meant for the purpose of

learning these conclusions and disseminating it to the masses according to

their level of spiritual advancement, guiding them gradually through those

various stages progressively.

 

However, in due course of time, the disciplic chain has broken, the

brahmans have become unqualified, and Vedic knowledge has become a subject

matter for speculation and interpretation. Thus, the varied conceptions

and misconceptions about what is Vedic conclusion and what is religion

that is prevailing.

 

Bhagavad-gita is practically universally accepted as an authoritative

source of Vedic wisdom, and it clearly states that Krishna is the Supreme

Lord.

 

Q 6.2)

Do you believe that all the Hindu gods are the same?

 

Ans:

The Vaishnava understanding, based on Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic

literatures, is that there is one Supreme Personality of Godhead,

Bhagavan, who is the source of everything else. There are representatives

of the Lord called demigods or devas, who are like directors and officers

in the government of the Supreme Lord. They are in charge of

administration of universal affairs. Although very, very powerful and

exalted in their position, it would be very wrong to consider these

demigods to be on an equal level with the Supreme Lord, as much as

mistaking a minister or ambassador of state to be the king.

 

Q 6.3)

How old was Brahma when he was born. How old is he now?

 

Ans:

The answer to that question should be very obvious. The soul of Brahma, of

course, is eternal. But when any living entity is first born, their

calculation of age begins from birth. Therefore, at the very beginning of

Lord Brahma's life, he is not even yet one year old.

 

As far as calculating the present age of Lord Brahma, we can calculate in

this way. During this present day of Lord Brahma, we are now in the

seventh Manu, namely Vaivasvata Manu. In each Manu's reign there are 71

yuga cycles which complete their cycle, and we are now in the 28th of

those 71. Therefore, in this day of Brahma, it is something just before

midday.

 

Q 6.4)

There are no temples for Brahma as far as I know of. Why is it so?

 

Ans:

This is because of some curse received by Lord Brahma that he would not

worshiped. However there is a famous temple of Lord Brahma in Puskar.

 

 

Q 6.5) Is the caste system authorized by the scriptures?

 

Answer

The caste system, or more appropriately know in its original and god-given

form as the varnasrama system, has been given by the Supreme Lord Himself

for the smooth functioning of social order, where all members of all

different tendencies are given the opportunity and training to advance

spiritually, from their respective positions and occupations. Abuse or

misuse of the system, as with any system, is bound to create anomalies.

 

Regulative principles

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Q 6.6)

Is drinking alcohol and having sex with one’s spouse is bad? Please

explain.

 

Ans:

Human life is a life of responsibility as opposed to animal life; animals

need not follow any law except those of their natural instinct for eating,

mating, sleeping and defending. However, in human form of life, we have to

regulate these activities in accordance with scriptures, and utilize the

higher facilities that we have for self-realization.

 

Activities forbidden in the scripture are principally the following four:

meat eating, intoxication, illicit sex and gambling. Such activities are

called sinful and are forbidden because they bring down our consciousness

rather than elevating it, and thus push us down to animalistic existence.

 

Sex life in accordance with religious principles, i.e. strictly for the

sake of begetting good progeny, is accepted as religious. However, sex

life based on sense gratification, even with one’s spouse, is considered

sinful because it degrades one’s consciousness. So does drinking alcohol.

 

 

Q 6.7)

What is the significance of wearing Tulasi and tilok? Why should one fast

in Caturmasya? Why do men wear shikas? Why should one offer food before

eating it?

[Editor’s Note: Caturmasya is the four months of rain, from July to

October]

 

Ans:

Tulasi and Tilok: The way we dress ourselves has an influence on our

consciousness. This is one of the reasons for wearing tulasi beads and

tilok. For example, the meditation in wearing tilok is that one is marking

one’s body as the temple of God. So the devotee considers their body and

the body of all others beings as a temple where God resides. We try to

maintain that conception in all our activities. The tilok and tulasi neck

beads remind of that fact, and those who see the devotee marked in this

way are also reminded similarly.

 

Caturmasya and Shika: It is a standard vaishnava practice, to observe

simple austerities during these months, because they are auspicious times,

and we receive spiritual benefit by observing these little austerities.

 

Vaishnava men are indicated by the shika. This quickly identifies us a

worshipers of Lord Krishna or Vishnu, as opposed to Buddhists who keep

shaven heads with no shika.

 

Offering food: The food that we eat is given by God, Who is the actual

proprietor of everything. When one does not acknowledge this, but cooks

for his own self, he is considered a thief. Therefore the food that he

eats is considered to be sinful and binds one to sinful reaction. However,

one who realizes God as the real proprietor and is in love with the Lord,

would offer the food to Him in love and then partake of it. Krishna

recommends that one does everything as a sacrifice to Him and that would

purify one from any reaction.

 

Q 6. 8)

What should not one miss a day with respect to chanting or reading

scriptures or association with devotees?

 

Ans:

Your question seems to center on the absolute minimum that one must

observe in a given day. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instructions to Sarvabhauma

Bhattacharya was that the most important of all devotional activities is

the chanting of the Holy Name. Your minimum chanting should be maintained

each day, as your number one priority. The other items may fluctuate from

individual to individual, namely the reading of scripture daily or the

associating with devotees daily. Reading of course is most essential, and

generally this falls within the category of essential daily activities.

One may be able to maintain one's Krishna consciousness through regular

reading even if association is just physically not possible. However, each

of us finds a particular inspiration that maintains our enthusiasm in

Krishna consciousness. You may find that daily association with the

devotees is of utmost importance. Scripturally speaking, hearing and

chanting take the priority.

 

Knowledge of God

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Q 6.9)

I have a question about nescience. I understand what the word means but I

do not understand it in the context that it is used in His Divine Graces

books. If you think I might understand could you give me the mercy of some

explanation.

 

Ans:

Perfect knowledge is to know Krishna. When one knows Krishna, who is the

ultimate source of all things, one comes to the position where one can

know everything. So any conception that eclipses the proper understanding

of Krishna as the Supreme enjoyer, the Cause of all causes, and any

knowledge which fails to acknowledge the spirit soul as His eternal

servant, is said to be nescience, or ignorance. Prabhupada also uses the

word nescience sometimes in the sense of ‘maya’ (which is also just an

energy of the Lord that covers our knowledge of Him).

 

Q 6.10)

My main concern is that I am being disrespectful by having knowledge of

the correct way to live and not following it. I do what I can, but at

present I do not have the skills to follow perfectly. Please advise.

 

Ans:

Prabhupada writes in Bhagavad-gita (Bg 3.31 purport) that if one has firm

faith in the injunctions of the Lord and doesn’t resent them, even if he

is unable to execute all the injunctions in the beginning, he will be

promoted to the stage of pure Krishna consciousness. We certainly have to

work sincerely and seek out the means by which we can execute these

principles better. Part of that sincere effort is to seek the help of

those who are able to execute them properly. Under the guidance of

realized devotees, gradually that position can be achieved.

 

Q 6.11)

Why is there God and why are we created? I mean why it is wrong to

conclude that there is no God and no life, but only zero?

 

Ans

The fact is that we exist and are conscious of our existence. And it is

easy to understand the existence of God also. The reason why we exist is

to exchange the pleasure of loving relationship with God. This is

substantiated in the Vedic literatures. The philosophy of voidism arises

out of frustration in instances such as when we are unfortunately out of

alignment in our relationship with God and thus do not experience the

pleasure of loving exchanges with Him, for which our very being and

existence is meant!

 

 

Past lives

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Q 6.12)

Why Lord Krishna has not given us remembering power of our past lives. If

we had that power, it would have been a full meaning about the "second

chance". [Editor’s Note: The reference here is to a Bhaktivedanta Book

Trust publication entitled “Second Chance”, which discusses the

transmigration of the soul from one body to the next.]

 

Answer

The arrangements of the Supreme Lord are perfect, because they are in our

best interest, even if we are unable to see how. For instance, the trauma

of transmigration, death, and birth are so painful, that if one were to

remember them, one could possibly not bear them and remain balanced in

mind. Therefore, fortunately the Lord has given us forgetfulness. But

there are some rare cases where He does give this remembrance.

 

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May 31 2001, Thursday Appearance Srimati Gangamata Gosvamini

Disappearance Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana

Ganga Puja

Jun 01 2001, Friday Ekadasi Pandava Nirjala (Break fast USA EST

04:44-09:39)

(** Total fast, even from water, if you have broken Ekadasi

**)

 

 

 

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