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“I can chant the whole of Bhagavad Gita without the help of the Text!”

Sri Swamiji:

“It is good if you know the Gita by heart. But, you should not stop with this. What ‘phala’ (fruit/effect) can you get just by knowing it by heart? You can probably win a prize in Bhagavad Gita (chanting) competition. That’s all! You should understand what the Gita imparts and gradually bring them into practice.”

“ ‘Visrujya lajjãm yodiite Mannãmãni nirantaram’ - this sloka is chanted by Bhãgavatas. Is this not a ‘purãna sloka’ (ancient sloka)? This ‘purãna sloka’ says that one should perform Nãmasankirtan without shyness or embarrassment. Does this mean that even in ancient days there were people who hesitated (due to shyness) to perform Nãmasankirtan?”

“Nobody has said, ‘Do dhyana without any embarrassment, perform dharma ‘anushtãnãs’ without any embarrassment, do yoga without any embarrassment, do Vedanta vichãra without any embarrassment.’ Why then say, ‘Do Nãmasankirtan without any embarrassment?’ Why such an advice for performance of Nãmasankirtan alone? There is no doubt that those who have become ‘patiita’ and ‘brashta’(those who have spent a wayward life) are not ‘adhikãriis’ (deserving candidates) for the other mãrgas. However, they are ‘adhikãriis’ for Bhagavan Nãmakirtan! If they are told, ‘You also have a way out (‘gati’). You can cross this ocean of samsãra through Bhagavan Nãmakirtan. Bhagavan Nãma will purify you,’ they would hesitate on the ground, ‘Can we, who have committed innumerable sins utter the ‘pavitra’ (pure) Bhagavan Nãma?’ The ‘bhãvãrta’ (the true import) of this sloka is, ‘You need not hesitate or feel shy on this ground. Shirk this shyness and perform Kirtan boldly and joyfully!’”

“What are the important features for Jnãna mãrga?”

“Listening to ‘Ãtma tattva’ through Shastras is known as ‘sravana’. To reflect on what was listened to is known as ‘manana’. To put one’s mind in it steadfastly (‘drida nishta’) is ‘nitidhyãsana’. ‘Sravana’, ‘manana’ and ‘nitidhyãsana’ are the important features of Jnãna mãrga. Yãgjnavalkyar is the Guru of Jnãna mãrga.”

“My friend belongs to the Brahmin caste. He does not wear the holy thread. When I asked him the reason for this, he explained, “I drink (liquor) a lot. I also have many other vices. It would be shameful to do all these wearing the holy thread. I have, therefore, removed it.” Since many Brahmins lead such vice filled life it is better to encourage mixed marriages and totally route out the Brahmin caste. I feel it is better that this caste (Brahmin) is wiped out than have those belonging to it committing wrongs.”

Sri Swamiji:

“Well! Let us take up your view. What would happen if such an attitude were held? Let us assume that the castes system is wiped out totally. You will feel saddened when you find Tamilians (people of Tamizh Nadu State) committing wrongs and would feel ‘Tamizh inam’ (people belonging to and speaking Tamizh) should be wiped out. This would extend to the country and you would say India should not exist. You would then go on to say that there is no need for the existence of mankind! Where is the end to this? Only ‘Time’ can answer.”

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