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There are innumerable books that detail how to do Vedanta Vichãra (Self-enquiry), and Dhyana. Many a book also gives the Mantra for the Japa. While these are so easily available why do we need the guidance of a Guru to perform these?

Sri Swamigal:

A well posed question, indeed! You are very right. Today such informations are available in varied details in books. Anyone who is interested in achieving his goal should be able to perform his sadhana just by adhering to any of the paths shown in such books. We can also follow the same. As a result of intense practice such persons may attain siddhis (special faculties) and may thus become powerful. However, their Ego will be intact and not destroyed. Maya would not have left them. They will be attracted by name and fame! Therefore, they may declare themselves to be God - an incarnation of God. Many would believe and accept them as such! Since they would possess wonderful siddhis the world would be astounded by them. But, they will never attain Jnãna (True knowledge).

There lived in the past the great Kãvyakanta Ganapati Muni. He was an adept in Sanskrit, Poetics, Astrology, Vedas, Vedanta and Shastra. Moreover, he possessed great siddhis. He used to meditate for long hours without any awareness of his own body. He performed intense tapas. He has written many a wonderful Grantãs. He had a large following. But, such a great man sought Sri Ramana Bhagavan to attain Jnãna! This is because he had realized that all the qualities that he possessed were no sign of Jnãna!

Therefore, only if we perform sadhana with the help of a Guru can we attain Jnãna. If we take a look into our Epics we find that even asurãs like Hiranyakashipu and Padmãsura had performed intense tapas. This shows that anyone who has a strong mind can do tapas. But, Jnãna can be attained only with the help of a Guru.

The Shastras widely speak of seeking someone with Shastric knowledge as the Guru! What do you have to say about this?

Sri Swamigal:

This does not point to thorough(theoritical) knowledge of the Shastras but actually means that he should be one who has attained Jnãna that is the essence of the Shastras.

The Shastras opine that through mere dãna (charity) one can attain liberation. But I do not possess any wealth. How then can I do charity?

Sri Swamigal:

Charity does not pertain to money alone. Dãna is of various types like Jnãna dãna (Charity of Knowledge), vishaya dãna (information), vidya dãna (education), shramadãna (labouring physically for others). We can do anyone of these!

If God appears before us and asks, “What boon do you seek?” what boon should be sought?

Sri Swamigal:

‘Not to seek anything’ should be the boon to be sought!

It is said that mere Will of God can bestow Knowledge even on an undeserving person in no time. Is this possible?

Sri Swamigal:

This is possible. How can you doubt this? By the mere Will of God even the lowliest of the low can, in a matter of a second, receive the Grace and become a Jnãni. This has happened in many a life of a Bhakta.

You desire to propagate the Name of the Lord irrespective of caste and religion. Has any Mahapurusha done so in the past?

Sri Swamigal:

Mahapurushãs like Ramanuja, Kabirdãs, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu have all propagated the Name of the Lord in this manner. Here I must mention the name of the founder of ISKCON (that propagates Krishna Bhakti) Sri Prabhupãda, who has done so in recent times. Some Mahatmas are satisfied with finding a path to liberate themselves. Some are happy with having helped a few thousands to get liberated. But, only very few Mahatamas have come down this way to offer Jnãna to the whole world.

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