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“I learn that there is a book on ‘Kãma Shãstra’. Is there a need for a Shastra on ‘Kãma’?”

Sri Swamiji:

“As far as other religions are concerned, bathing is only an act of purifying the body. But, for the Hindus, it is a holy ritual. Uttering the Name of the Lord while bathing, not only cleanses the body but also purifies the mind. This is the purpose behind our religion stressing the need to bathe early in the morning, bathe in Holy rivers, bathe when a child is born in the family and bathe when someone in the family dies.

Eating food is just to appease hunger as far as people of other faiths are concerned. But, for us it is not just appeasing hunger. It is only because the food we eat plays an important role in cleansing the mind, that fasting is advocated on Ekãdasi; it is for the very same reason that regulations regarding when and what type of food should be eaten have been laid down. It is on similar lines that a Shastra has been written down for ‘Kãma’ also. A man who leads his life as prescribed in this is considered an ascetic, though in the family.”

“In most temples, clicking photograph of the Deity inside the Sanctum Sanctorum is not permitted! Why?”

Sri Swamiji:

“If Lord Shiva is worshipped with ‘Tulasi’ (basil leaves), it leads to dire consequences (‘viparitha phala’). Similarly, one has to face dire consequences if he worships Lord Krishna with ‘Bilva’. The photograph of the Deity carries the Deity’s ‘sãnidhya’ (power). If anyone performs ‘puja’ to this photograph with ‘dur mantrãs’ (evil mantra) the ‘sãnidhya’ of the Deity is reduced. This is the reason that clicking photographs of the Main Deity is forbidden.”

“In Temples, at the time of puja bells and conch are sounded and auspicious instruments played. What is the reason for this?”

Sri Swamiji:

“Whatever is likened by Gods is disliked by evil spirits. Hence, creating auspicious sounds in Temples at the time of puja makes the evil spirits in the Temple, in the village as also in the town run away in fear. It is also good to sound bells, play good music and auspicious instruments such as the veena, Nãdaswaram frequently at home.”

“Why is it that evil spirits catch hold of people only in villages and not in towns”

Sri Swamiji:

“Evil spirits do catch hold of people in towns. They are called by different names such as depression, hysteria, psychic problem etc. That is the difference.”

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