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“What are the village devatas (demi-gods) that are to be found around a village? Why have these devatas been installed in each village?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Generally, devatas like Pidãri, Iyyanãr, Kãli, Mãriamman are installed at the village boundary and worshipped. Pidãri devata is installed to remove the effects of the evil spirits that cause trouble (‘peedai’) to the village, Mariamman for good rains, Iyynãr to protect the cattle that is the wealth of a village and Badrakãli to transform even bad times to one of auspiciousness.

There are other village devatas who are named and worshipped as Kãthãyi, Chellãyi, Pechhãyi. Goddess Pãrvati whom we worship as the protector is named and worshipped by the villagers as Kãthãyi; Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, is worshipped as Chellãyi and Saraswati, Goddess of learning is worshipped as Pechhãyi.”

“What is the proof (‘pramãna’) that the Presence (‘sãnidhya’) of Bhagavãn is found only in the Sanctum Sanctorum (‘garbagraha’) of a temple?”

Sri Swamiji:

“In several other parts of a big temple we find other forms (‘roopa’) of the Deity (Murti) found in the Sanctum sanctorum. These deities are found to be in similar style (‘amaippu’). In some temples these are found to be more beautiful and at times bigger than the Main Deity. But, people do not feel devotion and faith (bhakti-shraddha) on seeing these deities. This is because these deities do not possess the ‘sãnidhya’.”

“Is it true that incessant chanting of the Vedas, reading Holy Texts like Bhãgavatam, Ramayanam, ‘abhishekha’, Nãma Sankirtan increases the sãnidhya in a temple?”

Sri Swamiji:

“It is indeed true that the ‘sãnidhya’ in a temple is acquired through all these. But, we should possess faith, which forms the basis for all these, in the Main Deity. Faith alone will suffice. No puja is then required. There is no use of doing puja without faith. In Srimad Bhãgavatam, we find that when Hiranyakashippu challenges Prahlad (pointing to a pillar), “Does Bhagavãn exists in this pillar?” Prahlad in full faith says, “Yes, of course, Bhagavãn exists herein!” and immediately Bhagavãn is to be found in the pillar! Prahlad did not do any puja, ‘prãna pratishta’ (installation of the Presence), Lakshãrchanai (lakh archanai) to acquire the presence of Nrisimha swami there. It was only Prahlad’s unstinted faith that was the reason for Bhagavãn to appear there.”

“Generally, Mahatmãs do not speak much. They do not mix much with all. Even though they remain quiet why do they appear to be very serious?”

“What would the mental status of the parents of a seriously ill child be? They will be unable to concentrate on any other matter. They will not be able to participate in any light conversation. They feel irritated if someone picks up some ordinary talk with them. Their talk will only reflect their worry over the child’s health. Likewise, since Mahatmas pray with one pointed mind to Bhagavãn for liberation from this ‘samsãra sãgara’ (ocean of life), their mental status will also be in like manner. If a person calls himself a Mahan but does not possess the seriousness (‘ekãgraha’), he is verily an ordinary man (‘manda adhikãri’).”

“Many wealthy people visit You. You also visit and stay in their homes. Is this right?”

“Should a man be disliked for the one reason that he is wealthy? There are devoted people amongst the wealthy and atheists/wicked amongst the poor.”

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