Gurudev, why did Lord Krishna slay Shishupala (an evil king in Mahabharata and a distant cousin of Lord Krishna) when he spoke ill and abused Lord Krishna? Lord Krishna could have chosen to punish him in some other way also. Why did He resort to killing him instead?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, Lord Krishna did many things during His lifetime. Now, how do I say why He did what He did at that time? How would I know this?
Every avatar (incarnation of the Divine) has done something or the other during their lifetime. You should just learn and take whatever lesson or incident you like from their life.
Every avatar (incarnation of the Divine) has done something or the other during their lifetime. You should just learn and take whatever lesson or incident you like from their life.
might want to ask, 'Why did Lord Krishna hide the clothes of the village maids who were bathing in the river Yamuna? Can I also do the same?”
If you think this way, then you will be in trouble! (Laughter)
Or you may think, “Why does Lord Krishna appear to stand on one foot only?”
I would say, that is how He is, and He does as He chooses to! (Laughter)
You know, once when He was standing near a river, Lord Krishna also took a vow, saying that, “If I have never spoken a lie in my entire life, then may this flowing river come to a standstill”. The moment He said so, the river stopped flowing and stood still. So there are many such stories from Lord Krishna’s life. His life and times are indeed very unique and wonderful to hear about.
So I do not know why did Lord Krishna killed Shishupala. I am not His lawyer and cannot speak for His actions. I am my own lawyer.
If you think this way, then you will be in trouble! (Laughter)
Or you may think, “Why does Lord Krishna appear to stand on one foot only?”
I would say, that is how He is, and He does as He chooses to! (Laughter)
You know, once when He was standing near a river, Lord Krishna also took a vow, saying that, “If I have never spoken a lie in my entire life, then may this flowing river come to a standstill”. The moment He said so, the river stopped flowing and stood still. So there are many such stories from Lord Krishna’s life. His life and times are indeed very unique and wonderful to hear about.
So I do not know why did Lord Krishna killed Shishupala. I am not His lawyer and cannot speak for His actions. I am my own lawyer.
This is why I say, “No explanations, and no complaints”. What is the sign of being in Brahmagyana (self-knowledge or the knowledge of the absolute)? When you neither ask for, nor give any explanations, and when you do not complain about anything, then that is a sign of being in knowledge. That is why Lord Krishna would never explain or justify the reasons behind His actions, nor would He ever have any complaints about anything.
What is the difference between free will and destiny?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just know that life is not entirely free will or destiny alone. It is a combination of the two. For example, your height is your destiny and your weight is your free will.
Gurudev, isn't valor a sign of arrogance, and a display of ego?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There can be valor even when you are simple and free from arrogance, but not cowardice. There is ego and misery in cowardice. When you are natural and free from arrogance, then there is only joy and valor.
Valor is merely a display or projection of one’s strength. Do you get what I’m saying? You may call it as sattvik ego, but you cannot call it as durahamkara (arrogance or ego that brings one’s downfall).
Ego is present in everyone. To exist means to have ego (here meaning as a layer of one’s existence or being). “I am” – this is ego. “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am
Ego is present in everyone. To exist means to have ego (here meaning as a layer of one’s existence or being). “I am” – this is ego. “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am
Gurudev, when we are asked to surrender, how do we know it is not procrastination or escapism?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Who told you to surrender? I tell you, don’t surrender. Hold on to whatever it is. Do not listen to somebody and surrender. Why do you bother about that? Got it? Still confused?
Yes, it is my job to confuse you! (Laughter) Forget about what everybody tells you. What is it that you want?
Yes, it is my job to confuse you! (Laughter) Forget about what everybody tells you. What is it that you want?
Devotee: I want solutions to my problems.
Just look back in your life. You had problems in the past and you also got solutions to those problems, right? So it will come. You are in the right place and are doing the right thing. Leave your problems behind here in the Ashram and go back happily.
When there are problems in life, then one is not able to grasp the knowledge. Problems act like a veil over the mind. This is why there is a need to surrender; this is why you need a Guru, or anyone else you love. Then you have this deep faith that no matter what happens in life, they are with me and will support me through everything that happens. When you have this strong faith from within, then problems no longer appear as problems.
When you know that there is someone who will cook food in the house, you never bother to think about your meals. You simply go and sit for having food when it is time. But imagine if there is no one else in the house except you. Then you sit and think, “Oh! There is no one at home. I will have to cook food for myself. What do I do? What vegetables do I buy and from where? Are there enough vegetables at home?” You start thinking about so many things. Who would think about so many things? A person who thinks like this is not aware that there is someone who is taking care of cooking the food and feeding everyone in the house.
When you know that there is someone who will cook food in the house, you never bother to think about your meals. You simply go and sit for having food when it is time. But imagine if there is no one else in the house except you. Then you sit and think, “Oh! There is no one at home. I will have to cook food for myself. What do I do? What vegetables do I buy and from where? Are there enough vegetables at home?” You start thinking about so many things. Who would think about so many things? A person who thinks like this is not aware that there is someone who is taking care of cooking the food and feeding everyone in the house.
Gurudev, I want to know the significance of Déjà vu, as I seem to be experiencing a lot of it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, our consciousness is ancient and new – both at the same time. So it can tap into the happenings of the past as well as that of the future.
When you walk on the road, you can only see so much. But if you are flying above the road, you can see the whole stretch of the road. It is like that.
You should read about the scientist’s understanding of mind and consciousness. They say that whatever you see now has already happened on one level of consciousness. So they say that you are only replaying what has already been shot.
When you walk on the road, you can only see so much. But if you are flying above the road, you can see the whole stretch of the road. It is like that.
You should read about the scientist’s understanding of mind and consciousness. They say that whatever you see now has already happened on one level of consciousness. So they say that you are only replaying what has already been shot.
Gurudev, what is Ayush Homa?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ayush Homa is a special pooja done to pray for a long and healthy life, and to pray that our body and all its organs remain in good health.
In Ayush Homa, we also ask for blessings so that our mind and intellect are healthy and in a positive state. The very meaning of the Gayatri Mantra is this: May everyone’s intellect be illumined and inspired by the Divine. So it is done with this deep feeling that the Divine which is eternal resides within you, and you reside in the Divine. All yajnas are done with this feeling only.
In Ayush Homa, we also ask for blessings so that our mind and intellect are healthy and in a positive state. The very meaning of the Gayatri Mantra is this: May everyone’s intellect be illumined and inspired by the Divine. So it is done with this deep feeling that the Divine which is eternal resides within you, and you reside in the Divine. All yajnas are done with this feeling only.
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