Nitin and all: Swami's response: understanding and communicating

December 24, 2007

Namaste Nitin and all family: here is Swami's response in the upper

section of the post. Nitin's question is below that.

SWAMI'S REPLY

Namaste Nitin,

I believe the story illustrates that even if you remember the name of

God by chance, you may still be forgiven for your faulty karma.

But there is always an assumption that your karma was pure in the

past, which allowed the present experience.

I don't believe that you can throw out the entire scripture because

you can't understand the meaning of one passage or story. Rather, I

would suggest that you start by implementing the teachings you do

understand, and then search for the inner meanings of the rest.

>

> NITIN " S QUESTION

>

> Evidently this resembles that I am so confused that I am not even

able to interpret my query in a clear manner, but I think I shall not

give up so early for understanding one of my fundamental doubt towards

path of spirituality, hence I shall again try to reiterate my

concern/query. I hope the group members will bear with me and the long

paras below.

>

> I came across a couple of texts in Hindu Mythology/ Scriptures,

namely, Devi Puran, Srimad Bhagwatam where it mentions ( or seek to

interpret) that reciting the name of God ( the cocerned deity

according to that scripture) even " by chance " opens the doors of

fortunes, end of miseries and salvation. Specifically, in Srimad

Bhagwatam ( one of the most Prominent and sacred for Hindus): Sixth

Canto/ Chapter 6, It gives example of a person ( Brahmin) named Ajamil

who was engaged in all kinds of illegal/immoral activities. However,

he has a son named " Narayan " . So while in course of his life he used

to recite his name ( child's name) but without any intention of

remembering God ( i.e by Chance). At the time of death, while he was

taken away by Yamdutas ( messengers of god of death), they ( yamdutas)

were intervened by the Vishnu Dutas for taking them. Reason being, he

( Ajamil) being Devotee of Vishnu. Their Logic was that he kept

reciting the name of " Narayan " which made him being considered the same.

>

> Now, my understanding and belief is that Bhakti requires devotion

and piousness ( at least in a long run to be considered as a devotee)

which is very hard and difficult to attain and maintain. So, how come

the person who is not even intended to remember God, kept doing

immoral acts throughout life can be considered devotee of Vishnu ( the

supreme power). Here, where is the law of Karma's implementation ?

Why shall he not suffer for the mischiefs conducted by him in his

lifetime. The sins can be forgiven ( logically) if somebody engages

himself in Bhakti and also discontinuing the bad practices. Then how /

why shall a person not even intending to remember God can be be

considered a devotee.

>

> Now, one can question, that if I understand this, then what is my

question and doubt? My question is that if I consider these stories

False/illogical then why shall I not consider the whole scripture's

contents/concepts illogical. If I consider this as True then it gives

the doubts ( as raised above). I am not able to adopt it as 100% Truth

without beleving it 100%

>

> I hope I was better this time :-)

JAI MAA JAI SWAMI

VISHWESHWAR

>

, Nitin Gupta <ntngpt wrote:

>

> Namaste Sri Vishweswar,