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“What is the reason for giving a ‘danda’ (stick) in the hands of a brahmachari (the unmarried) during ‘upanayana’ (thread ceremony)?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Today, it has become the practice to give ‘danda’ only during upanayana. But, a brahmachari should always hold a ‘danda’. A brahmin brahmachari should hold ‘palasa’ (a kind of tree) danda. This enhances his Jnana. A vysya brahmachari should hold ‘Athi’ (a kind of tree) danda. This blesses him with food aplenty. A kshatriya brahmachari should hold ‘Aswat’ (a kind of tree) danda that bestows valour."

“Recently, ‘Akanda Nãma Sankirtan’ (non-stop chanting of Nãma) was performed in Your Ashram for the sake of rains. When I informed this to a friend of mine he opined that such prayers would not bring forth rains. There is something called ‘Kãriirishti’. Only this will bring rains. What do you have to say with regard to this?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Those who pursue ‘Vaidika’ marga follow whatever it prescribes for the fulfillment of a prayer. So, they perform ‘Kãriirishti’, Varuna japa and the like. Bhãgavatas perform ‘Akanda Nãma Sankirtan’. There are others who undertake rigorous vratas (vows) for the fulfillment of their prayers. In villages it is usual to find people follow the various practices set by their elders. Some perform special ‘abhishekas’ in temples. Everyone tries ways and means known to them for the fulfillment of their prayers.”

“What are the other names for the Vedas?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Sruti, Ãmnãya, Nigama are the other names for the Vedas. Trayee is yet another name given to it.”

“What does the word Veda mean?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Veda means Jnãna.”

“It is said that Atharvana Veda consists of Mantras that are chanted for harming others. Can the Veda that says, ‘Mãhimsih’ (do not harm others) offer such mantras that can harm others?”

Sri Swamiji:

“It is only because of misconception on many a subject matter that this question itself has arisen. In the Gita that offers Jnãna, Bhagavãn says,
“Paritrãnãya Sadhunãm vinãshãya cha dushkritãm
Dharma samstãpanãrtãya smabhavãmi yuge yuge”
----I incarnate in every Yuga (Age) to protect the Sadhus, destroy the wicked and establish Dharma (Righteousness).

That is, “I come down whenever Dharma is jeopardized”, says Bhagavãn. Why does Bhagavãn not stop with saying ‘I protect the Sadhus’ but adds ‘I destroy the wicked’? This is because only if the wicked are destroyed can the Sadhus be protected and Dharma established. Did not Viswamitra, a Maharishi, take Rama and Lakshmana to destroy the asuras who were creating blocks to his yagas? It was then that Rama killed Tãtaka. Did not Rama kill innumerable asuras in Dandakãranya, at the behest of the Maharishis? Dharma can be established only with the destruction of the wicked who are a block to it. Even gods hold weapons in their hands! This does not pertain to violence.

It is only the fittest who survives in this world. This is but natural. When we throw away the leaves after meals, a pack of dogs come rushing to it. The strongest amongst these chases away the others and eats the leftover on the leaves. The weakest moves away. In the forest, on seeing a lion or a tiger the leopard runs away leaving behind the hunted food. Amongst all species it is only the fittest that survives.

The strength of the Kshatriyas lies in their arms. Tapas is the strength of the Brahmins. Tapas means chanting the Mantras as per prescribed rules and regulations. They chant the Mantras and pray to the gods for the welfare of the world. While doing so they have to take care of all the problems that they have to face. How is this done? It is only through the Mantras that this can be done. Innumerable such mantras are found in the Vedas, particularly in Atharvana Veda.

You may ask, “Won’t the Brahmins use these mantras to harm the good?” In today’s world we find the armed force men holding weapons in their hands. Similarly, the police hold many modern destructive weapons in their hands. Don’t they? But, they do not use these on the innocent. They use them only against those who break law and order. It is the same in the case of the mantras held by the Brahmins.

You may again question, “If the armed force or the police personnel make wrong use of their weapons they are punished by the higher authority, whereas, who will punish these Brahmins who misuse these mantras?” The armed force and the police personnel are governed only by Social law whereas, the Tapasvis are governed by the Eternal law! It is only because they do not desire to use them even on the wicked that Atharvana Veda and these mantras are not in vogue today. It is only through ‘himsa’ (violence) that ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) can be established.”

“You who advocate one pointed devotion to Sri Krishna also advocate ‘parihãra’ (worship of some god for the removal of a particular problem)? Why?”

Sri Swamiji:

“A bhakta should be intensely devoted to his ‘upãsana murti’ (the God whom he worships) in spite of any amount of trouble. But, those who are not as deeply devoted seek ‘parihãra’ when faced with some problem. Worship of many gods weakens the intensity of devotion to one’s favourite God.”

“A Swamiji known to me, now and then, announces his stand on the various issues of the country. Why cannot he take a neutral stand?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Not to involve oneself in anything does not mean holding a neutral stand. It is this way that a wrong notion has been created in today’s world for the term ‘neutral’. Holding a ‘neutral stand’ actually means to speak out without bias and boldly without fear of anyone or anything and its consequences. To remain aloof only means being cowardice.”

“What does ‘Purãna Pramãna’ mean?”

Sri Swamiji:

“To obtain fulfillment of one’s prayers through Veda mantras and rituals as ordained by the Vedas is known as Vaidika pramãna. Similarly, those who desire a child can perform ‘Payo Vrata’. The ‘pramãna’ (basis/proof) for this is Srimad Bhãgavatam that is one of the eighteen Purãnas (Epics). Likewise, those girls who desire marriage may chant the sloka,
“Kãthyãyani mahãmãye mahãyoginyateeshwari
Nandagopasutam devi patim me kuru te namah:”

It is Srimad Bhãgavatam that is ‘pramãna’ for this, too.

To carry out a work as ordained by the Purãnas is called ‘Purãna pramãna’.”

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