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In our religion, all the Shãstras that are laid down have some scientific reason behind it. That being the case, why has it been said that we would incur sin and end up in hell if we fail to follow them? For instance, Sanyãsa Dharma dictates that a Sanyãsi cannot stay in a village for more than three nights. The reason behind this is that he would develop attachment to the villagers if he stays longer. While that is the case why should it be said that he would incur sin if he does not adhere to the said rule?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Rules and regulations have been laid down to protect our interest. If the real reason is explained many may tend to feel that he would be able to live in the same village for a long period of time without getting emotionally entangled with anyone. However, it is impossible for most of us. One who is in high spiritual status may derive some connotative reason for the Shastras laying down the particular rule. Almost all the time the Shãstras have been designed keeping in mind only the common man's way of life.

Why is it that even after listening and reading so much our mind refuses to accept that the whole world is unreal?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Well! There is a man who is the personification of all virtues. Treading the path of Dharma, never has he uttered a single lie in his life. When such a person happens to utter a lie the world would certainly believe him. The world would not doubt his words at all. Likewise, the Ãtma (the Self) is 'The Truth'- on which the world stands! It is the Ãtma that forms the basis of and reflects the world perceived. That which is reflected from the 'Truth' would naturally seem equally true!

Some people build temples but do not bother to maintain it and arrange for the daily conduct of puja. Why does this happen?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

This is because people think that one can earn merits ('punya') just by building temples and that temples are built only to earn merits.

How does a Jnãni remain unaffected by joy or sorrow?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

The joy and sorrow experienced by us is due to our attachment to people/things. When we do not experience any attachment to a person/thing joy/sorrow does not affect us. when we get rid of the attachment to our body [due to the realization that we are not the body but the Ãtma] the joy and sorrow related to it does not create any impression on us. A Jnani who is 'Self-Realized' does not have even an iota of attachment to the body. How then will he be affected by joy or sorrow?

Why is it difficult to believe that our true nature is Brahma Swaroopa?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Generally, we find that one who possesses a piece of land aspires to own more land. Emperors like Alexander aspired to conquer the whole world. Also one desires to live long. Likewise, we all desire to know everything. The Brahma swaroopa [which is our real nature] is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Only as our real nature is Brahma swaroopa that the desire for power, eternal living and possession of complete knowledge is inherent in us.

Bhagawãn Sri Ramana, Ãdi Sankara and other such great Sages have attained "Self Realization" even without learning Vedãnta Shãstras. Does this not imply that learning Vedãnta Shãstras is not really mandatory for attaining Jnãna?

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Bhagawãn Sri Ramana and Ãdi Sankara have "Realized the Self" (realizing one's true identity) and given them to us as Vedãnta. Only by reading their words do commoners like us attain Vedãnta based knowledge. It does not come about automatically. Hence, 'vedãnta sravana' (listening to Vedãnta) is certainly mandatory.

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