Lesson I - Assignment - apologies for mix-up

November 2, 2001

Respected Sanjay ji,

Namaste,

I had submitted my response to Lesson 1 assignment today morning - due to a mix-up by me, an earlier mail got appended to the response.

My sincere apologies,

I submit my response once again

With sincere regards.Shailesh

Question. Try to define the role of God in your life ?Answer: To me, God is the source, the cause and the goal of life.

I sincerely believe the lessons tought to me as a child brought-up a 'practicing' Arya Samaji family that the God is Sat-Chita-Anand-swaroop, all powerful and all-pervasive, just and pure.

In my belief, God is 'facilitator' - he has given me an opportunity to do good by giving me this body, gave me birth in an enlightened family, benevolent parents, great education and career, a loving and supportive wife and children to be proud of.

God provided me with support and resources whenever and whatever I needed - maybe after some suffering, some struggle, some frustration - but whatever I needed always came through in one form or the other.

And when I became interested in acquiring deeper knowledge of Jyotish, I got admitted to this list.

To that God, I owe everything and my goal of the life is to get closer to him to attain the ulimate 'VILAY' in to Him.

Question: What have you done in the past year to come closer to God ?Answer: I am trying to become a better person - as a human being I have my failings and shortcomongs. I am trying to identify them and overcome them.

In order to do that, I have to 'know' myself - Jyotish knowledge will give me that insight.

I am trying to live-up to these words of Yajurveda - 'Om vishvaani deva, savitur-duritaani paraasuva yata bhadram tanna aa suva' and 'Agne naya supathaa raaye asmaana.....'

Question: Which is more relevant a) God is All or b) All is God ?Answer: To me, there is no difference in the two statements - all beings are 'Atma' and God is 'Paramaatma'. There is a part of the God in All, therefore All is God.

Quesiton: How is jyotish different from a priest ?

Answer: If I may put it crudely, a jyotish is a doctor whereas a priest is a teacher.

A jyotish has to identify the problem and its solution for the persons approaching him, whereas the priest provides general guidance and performs specific rituals.