~~OM~~

Devi Gita

1. Why should the sadhak chant the Devi Gita?

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Lalita Trishati

2. In the Purva Bhaga, Lalita Trishati, Verse 27, only the knowledge of the names will be imparted, and not the effects. Why not the effects?

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Mahabharata

3. Bhishma, who rules fear, is commander of the forces of darkness. How did that happen?

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Mahayagakrama

4. Can anyone help me to know more about Mahayagakrama?

   Mahayagakrama means atma puja or puja to the sri chakra. It means the system or order of worship for the Great Yajna, which has many meanings, two of which have been mentioned. There are many other meanings. In fact, as many sadhus as we ask, so many meanings will we receive for Great Yajna.

Mandukya Upanishad

5. Why is the Mandukya Upanishad called so? Neither Karika nor Sankara touches this aspect. I think the Upanishad is attributed to Varuna, who taught it in the form of a mandooka (toad) or the Sage Mandukha.

   I like to take it from the root MANDU, joyous, pleasing, agreeable. The discussion of the various aspects of the Self is so pleasing, it makes the listener joyous.

Ramayan

6. From Your vast experience have You found that all traditions of the Ramayan have Ba as the first "letter" and Ma and the last?

   There are too many editions for me to certify, but Balakanda is the beginning of them all.

7. I have had a question though regarding the Ramayana. I don't understand why Ram does not take Sita back after she has been rescued and then even after proving her fidelity to Ram.

   Ram never doubted Sita even for a moment. It was some of the citizens of Ayodhya who doubted her. And it was not Ram's idea for her to leave. It was Sita who said that a king is pledged to the welfare of his citizens, and that in order that no shadow of doubt be allowed to fall upon the king or upon the throne, she would leave to prove that Ram was greatest king of history; he would even sacrifice the welfare of his wife and children, his own happiness, and his every attachment in order to fulfill the will of the people. Greatness lies in sacrifice, and that is why we remember Ram and Sita today.

8. Sita is Pure Nature. What is Pure Nature?

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9. Sita represents nature. How can Nature be kept in captivity (by Ravana)?

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10. My Mother always recites Sundar Kand during her morning puja. But recently a palmist said that Sundar Kand should be recited after sunset for it to be effective. Is there some truth to that? Can Swamiji please comment?

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11. Recently we did the Bhagavad Gita and now the Sundar Kand both of which are parts of the Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Both these epics deal with highest ideals of human existence and in both of them though the higher purpose is achieved in the end at a personal level there is a sense of tremendous sadness. Sita hands her sons to Rama and leaves the world. Pandavas see all their sons die. Krishna sees the Yadavas destroyed in a civil war and leaves the world alone. How do you explain this?

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