Questions

1. If chanting the name of the Lord is the best way why then did Sri Sathguru Swamigal give importance to music and establish such a tradition?

2. It is said that the tradition of the Hindu widows shaving off their heads was born at a later stage at the time of the muslim invasion as a means to save themselves. Is this true?

3. Is 'Unchavruthi' (begging for food) a high Dharma?

4. According to my friend we go to temples only to have darshan (see) of the devotees of God who come there. Is this right?

Question:

If chanting the name of theLord is the best way why then did Sri Sathguru Swamigal give importance to music and establish such a tradition?

Swamigal:

Music attracts even the innocent baby. That is the reason that a lullaby is sung to put babies to sleep. Even the most poisonous snake is attracted by music. In Srimad Ramayana, Valmiki says that even Sri Rama was adept in music. It is only because even God is charmed by music that the veda worships Him as Saamaganapriya. In Srimad Bagavatha the Gopis praise God through songs - Gopika geetham, Yugala geetham, Brahmara geetham, Venu geetham.

So, only as God can easily be tied down with music that saints like Sri Thyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Purandarasar, praised Him through songs. This is the reason that Sathguru Swamigal gave importance to music and created such a tradition.
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Question:

It is said that the tradition of the Hindu widows shaving off their heads was born at a later stage at the time of the muslim invasion as a means to save themselves. Is this true?

Swamigal:

This is not true. In the ancient times a chaste wife would give up her life by jumping into her husband's funeral pyre. This was called Sati. The tradition was that only those who desired to do it voluntarily were permitted to do so. And it was not forced on anyone. However, at a time when it was forced on the widows by some miscreants, social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought such cruelty.

When Ashwathama tried to destroy the foetus in Uthara's womb Sri Krishna saved it through His Chakra. Sri Krishna also vowed to destroy Aswathama. However, Draupadi forbid Sri Krishna from killing Aswatham as he was their Guru's son and also a Brahmin. In order to fulfil his vow and also adhere to Draupati's desire Sri Krishna removed the hair from Aswathama's head, as removing the hair totally amounted to taking away one's life.

Hence, Hindu widows pray to Lord Venkateswara of Tirupathi and remove their hair instead of committing Sati. This is the reason for the Hindu widows removing their hair.
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Question:

Is 'Unchavruthi'(begging for food) a high Dharma?

Swamigal:

Yes, certainly. This can be explained through an anecdote. There was once a Brahmin by name Padmanabhan. He went to a Mahatma and prayed for a way to attain liberation. The Mahatma said that sanyasa dharma (ascetic life) was the only way. Padmanabhan, however, asked, "Can one attain liberation even while leading a householder's life? What is the way for that?" The Mahatma directed him to Dakshakan (serpent) who would help him attain liberation even while in family life. This Brahmin then set out on a search of Dakshakan.

Dakshakan had at the time gone as the reins of Surya's(Sun God) chariot. Dakshakan's wife offered food to this Brahmin who had come as a guest. The Brahmin, however, said that he would await Dakshakan's return and went without food. As soon as Dakshakan arrived, the Brahmin asked him, "Is there a way to attain liberation even while leading a householder's life?" He further enquired, "You have been to Suryamandala (the land of Lord Surya) Is there any news from there?"

Dakshakan replied, "This time when I went to Suryamandala I saw a light brighter than even Surya pass by him. On enquiry Surya explained that a Brahmin who had lived by Unchavruthi, having attained the highest state, was passing by.

When a dharma is advocated to a person, without being sought for by him, and he does not adhere to it then the one who advocated the dharma has no right whatsoever to punish this person. But if it had been sought for and given, then, the advocate of the dharma has the right to punish him. So, Dakshakan to test the Brahmin invited him for a meal at his home. That is, this Brahmin who had sought out Dakshakan to learn about the 'Unchavruthi'dharma should henceforth live only through this means. If he were to accept the invitation it would be in contradiction to the dharma taught, and Dhashakan, the advocate, in his right to punish him could bite him. But the Brahmin turned down the invitation and left for 'Unchavruthi'.

'Unchavruthi' is an easy and yet a high path to attain liberation even while leading a householder's life.
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Question:

According to my friend we go to temples only to have darshan (see) of the devotees of God who come there. Is this right?

Swamigal:

It is not so. God lives in temples. The purpose of our going there is only to have His Darshan.
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