Spiritual FAQs

Q. After we are born in this world with certain predetermined benefits (like being rich, wise etc), one has to lead an ongoing good life. At this juncture what is the role of God? Is He going to change my fate in my present life, or does He have no control at all, once fate is determined by my past actions? Why I should pray to God?

A. Please refer to the last few answers. Depending on our action, we get appropriate rewards (or punishments), but we must always remember that there is a Supreme Person Who awards the results. And that person is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is independent and is not bound to give us the results. He can relieve us altogether of the reactions to our past deeds. He is not bound by any laws because He is the lawmaker. He can choose to give a different result  or He can absolve us of all past reactions completely. Therefore, we are dependent on His mercy.

Q. What is fate? Why is a person is born in a particular place to a particular parents, some rich, some poor, some beautiful, some wise etc.? Is this because of past karma?

A. Yes. As the saying goes, ‘As we sow, so shall we reap.’

Q. I have always been a pious man, given in charity and donated to the temple. Then why am I made to suffer?

A. Our present suffering is due to past sinful reactions from this or previous lives.Ultimately, our suffering will continue as long as we continue in this cycle of repeated birth and death. Therefore, it is very important for each of us  in addition to performing our charity work and donating to the temple, to carefully cultivate our dormant spirit of unalloyed devotion for Krishna. The most effective means for this is to daily and regularly chant the Holy Name of the Lord. When we attain the stage of chanting without offenses, we will no longer experience any suffering in this world  because we will be mercifully transferred to the abode of Lord Krishna!

Are you regularly chanting yet? If not, please begin today!

Q. I am very unclear and confused. Bhagavan Shri Krishna says that all that is happening is predestined and nothing moves without His sanction. Then He says in BG 2.47 ‘Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata and a predominant rise of irreligion-at that time I descend Myself.’

A. Our present material position has been determined by our past activities. This does not mean that we are like programmed robots without any free will. Within our present circumstances, we have some freedom – just as a tethered cow can move in a small circle. Depending on how we choose to act now, in accordance with the Supreme Lord’s laws or against His laws, we can get greater facilities or we can bind ourselves further  or we can get totally liberated by fully surrendering to Him.

Q. I would appreciate if you can elaborate on why we should not consume or eat either onion or garlic. Is it stated in any Sastra? Please help me this question will be helpful for my preaching purpose.

A. In Bhagavad Gita (17.9) Krishna states that ‘Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.’ Onion and garlic fall in this category. They excite the baser instincts and make it difficult for one to control the senses. The prohibition on onion, garlic etc. is implicit, by virtue of their characteristics.

Q. Can you explain me the significance of the mahamantra? Is it more effective than devotional songs and Vedas?

A. The sixteen syllable Hare Krishna mahamantra is a plea to the internal potency (Hare) of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krishna, Rama) – namely to Srimati Radharani, to be engaged in the service of Krishna. The Upanisads mention this mahamantra as the means of perfection especially in this age of Kali.

Singing devotional songs or chanting Vedic hymns are also forms of devotional service. However, the mahamantra has been empowered by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is non-different from Sri Krishna and is the yuga avatar and is therefore considered to be most potent.

Q.  Stories abound on the origin of the Ekadasi day. Even more stories are told on the benefits and warnings given for breaking this fast. My question is why we break fast on the Dwadasi at a particular time and what might be the ‘result’ of breaking ones fast after the allotted time has passed, say if you are traveling or something like that or have just simply forgotten to break fast at the appropriate time.

A. In the stage of regulative sadhana bhakti, several do’s and do not’s are prescribed. One such set of rules applies to the Ekadasi vrata and it is said that to get the full benefit of observing the fast, the fast has to broken within the prescribed time; if not, the benefit of fasting would be minimized. While it is certainly important for us to follow these rules as meticulously as possible, we have to keep in mind that the rules are not the be-all and end-all. The higher prerogative is the mood of devotion in pleasing the Supreme Lord. We endeavor to follow the rules meticulously to please the Lord. All rules are servants of this one rule.

Q. Could you explain the significance of Tulasi worship?

A. Tulasi devi is a very dear and intimate associate of Sri Krishna. She has the benediction of being able to impart Krishna-bhakti to one who prays to her sincerely. Vaishnavas pray to Tulasi devi to engage them in the loving service of Radha-Krishna.

Q.It is said that spirit is very tiny, invisible to the gross material eye! but for any person willing to do bhakti, he should first understand distinction between body and spirit! For a neophyte how is it possible to know about something(spirit) which is not visible to gross material senses! For the gross materialists won’t this be an easy argument for atheism?

A.The spirit soul can be detected by inference, since there is no change in the material composition of a body at the time of death. So one may inquire from the gross materialist as to what is the cause of consciousness?

However this debate can and will go on forever. Our senses are far from perfect and even with all the material advancements we cannot even solve the mysteries of the material world – trying to reach or even understand Krishna, or even the spirit soul, with our imperfect senses is impossible. The basis of spiritual advancement is to have faith in the scriptures. The ultimate proof of the existence of the soul is that Krishna affirms it in the Bhagavad Gita.

Q. Please help me solve one of the mysteries that panic me often. I do wish to be in the service of the Supreme Lord. But I am often disturbed by the sufferings like poverty that exists in the world. Should we just leave all this saying that it is the result of karma? And how do you preach a person, who is not getting even a meal a day  about Krishna ?

A. A devotee is compassionate by nature.However equipped with the higher truth, he tries to provide ultimate relief – relief from material existence. If one is disturbed to see people starving, then he should try and feed them Krishna prasada. The food will alleviate their material distress and the fact that is sanctified food will also provide them with spiritual relief. Similarly hospitals, orphanage, schools can be operate that take care of the material and spiritual needs.