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"How can I know that my mind has come to a control?"

Sri Swamiji:

“When your ‘talking’ becomes less then you can understand that your mind has come to rest. When your interaction with others becomes less then your mind comes to rest.”

"You say that one should show deep reverence to and honour Vedic Scholars. But one finds a lot of shortcomings in them, too. How then can one show reverence to them?"

Sri Swamiji:

“Are they not also human? They may have shortcomings. But Veda Mantras are very powerful. The Veda Pãrãyana (Chanting) that they do becomes atonement for their shortcomings. There is no doubt that they are always to be treated with respect.”

“Do you also have desires?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Yes, of course! Just as a householder desires to get his daughter married, secure a college seat and a good job for his son, I, too, have desires!”

“What are your desires?”

Sri Swamiji:

“To spread the Maha Mantra ‘Hare Rama...’ in every lane of Tamizh Nadu (State in S.India).

I desire to

1. teach the easy spiritual path of Nãma Sankirtan not only to the educated and those in the higher level of the society but also to the illerate and simple folks.

2. renovate the uncared for Divya Desas (ancient Vaishnava temples) in Tamizh Nadu.

3. establish many ‘Vaishnava ãgama patasalas’ to produce the next generation of Bhattachãryãs (priests).

4. introduce ‘Rig Veda’ classes in the Veda patasala being run in our Ashram; take in more students; improve the conditions of the Patasala.

5. numerous Bhãgavatas should visit our Ashram and perform Divya Nãma Kirtan on a single day, in different places here.

And many more such desires do I cherish!”

"Everything happens only as per Bhagavãn’s Will! Is that not so?"

Sri Swamiji:

“Very true! So what? Does this mean that I should not cherish such desires? You asked me about my desires and I have listed them!”

"Some families face various problems because of Sadhus. How does this happen?"

Sri Swamiji:

“There are various levels amongst Sadhus. With some you can only converse. You can visit some Sadhus quite frequently. Some Sadhus can be invited home for food. ‘Atma Samarpana’ (total surrender) should be done only to that Sadhu who is at the highest state. Since people are not able to gauge the standard of the Sadhus they suffer loss and insults. Moreover, ‘sangam’ (company) is not good for those who perform dhyana, yoga or Vedanta vichãra (Self-enquiry). ‘Sangam’ is a must for those in the path of Bhakti. But we should be very careful while choosing our ‘sangam’. A wrong ‘sangam’ will lead to disaster.”

"Today we find innumerable Bhãgavatas performing Nama Sankirtan. Can this not be called resurgence?"

Sri Swamiji:

“All Bhãgavatas sing well, due to God’s Grace. There is no second opinion in this matter. But all those who sing well are not Bhãgavatas. If that were to be so, all the great musicians giving musical concerts should be called Bhãgavatas. But, it is not so. Bhãgavatas are those who lead their lives as per Bhãgavata dharma and possess all the atma gunãs.”

“You say that Mahans posssess ‘sama drishti’ (treat all alike/feel the same affection for all). But You seem to give importance to some. I feel that You seem to be more affectionate towards some.”

Sri Swamiji:

“Mahans look at all with ‘sama drishti’ only. They see everyone and everything only with ‘sama drishti’. The fact that they behave only with ‘sama drishti’ towards all pertains to ‘sarvãtma bhãva’ or in ‘sarvãtma stiti’ (the state of all being Atmaswaroopa). In the worldly plane- in the physical plane (‘vyavahãra’)- there will be differences in treatment. In ‘vyavahãra’ if such difference were not exercised it will only end in utter confusion. A good head of a family shows the same kind of affection to all - his wife, mother, father and children. But he should not move with everybody alike. If he does so it will only end up in repercussions. Many came to see of Bhagavan Ramakrishna. But from amongst these he picked up only a few for leading a totally spiritual life. And from amongst these he classified a few as belonging to a very high state. He showed God only to Narendra (Vivekananda). It was to him that Ramakrishna was very loving. Based on this can one accuse Ramakrishna of not possessing ‘sama drishti’?

Kanchi Maha Periyava appointed Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal as his heir. Can one question why only Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal was chosen? Can everyone be chosen to be the heir? Many a time Maha Periyava has waited and given special darshan to high Government officials. Can then one accuse him of not possessing ‘sama drishti’? Everyone is aware of the fact that Ramana Maharishi showed special love for Muruganar and Kavya kanta ganapati muni. But this does not mean that he did not love others. In the day-to-day affair (‘vyavahãra’) there will be differences but the affection felt is the same for all.

I am involved in many activities and for this I need money and the services of many. I do give importance to those who render their assistance to me in these. But I am not using these to meet my personal needs. They are being utilized for the services of Divya Desa (Vaishnava Holy Places), Vedapatasala, daily worship of Perumal, Nama Prachãra, etc. I will be an ungrateful person if I forget those who help me, i.e. in the work that I take up.

The work of each Divya Desa involves lakhs of rupees. About 50 students of the Patasala have to be regularly provided with food, clothing and medical facility. Several other services are being rendered. One should be aware of all these. It is only one’s own selfishness that makes one misunderstand the term ‘sama drishti’. There is no answer to the question that arises on the basis of selfishness. No clarification will suffice for such wasteful arguments.

Do people help me only in cash? No. A person has given me the first floor of his house for staying and conducting Satsang. Not only this but he also, always, takes care of my needs just as a mother would. Another person had purchased the land where the Ashram stands today. Innumerable youths have sacrificed their worldly life and have come to me totally, to serve. I doubt if even I possess such dispassion. Many with me are those who practise sadhana through such deep dispassion. A person has helped in the construction of the compound wall, dining hall and the well in the Ashram. A couple have given me a vehicle for touring other places comfortably as also a big sum in cash to run the Veda Patasala. A lady daily brings ‘kanji’ for me to drink. Endless is the list. But, never will I forget the one who has helped me in any way.

I wish to forget the words of those who come and tell me, “Because of your Grace such and such a good thing happened to me”. Innumerable people come to me with worldly desires and expectations. When their desires are not fulfilled and expectations are not met with they may feel angry with me and entertain dislike, hatred, enmity towards me. This is normal/usual in public life. It is only those who are not involved in any activity who are free from such problems. Those who take up activities have to face problems depending on the magnitude of their work. Did not Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi give up their lives for the sake of this Country? One cannot satisfy all. It will suffice if one can lead his that is acceptable to God.”

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