Q. Why do people bow down to the Divine?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : There is a tradition in this country – people bow down to show humility. However there is no point in just bowing down from the body, if your mind bows down then it is useful.
Q. People try and hamper my faith by saying that we become what we think of. So, if we worship Krishna, we will become a thief and worshipping Ganesha would make us like an elephant. How do I respond to them?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Giving knowledge to an ignorant person is a skill.
There are many forms for one Divine. Really, any Divine form is light. Form is a symbol. Lord Krishna is the blissful consciousness. According to this argument, those who worship Jesus would have to die at the cross! This is all kutarka, wrong logic - better not indulge in this.
Q. What is the meaning of the shloka- akhanda mandal akaram, vyaptam yena characharam, tad padam darshitam yena tasmai shri guruve namah?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Guru who gives us the experience of the eternally present consciousness – we bow down to that Guru.
Q. How do I become one with the Divine?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Leave the uniting in love, there is only one love- Cosmic love.
Q. Why are there bad people in this world?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Why don’t you ask a movie maker to make a movie only with the hero in it? Life is a struggle of both good and evil but only good will prevail.
Q. People say that we should worship only one God like Krishna or Ganesha so that we know who to call for when we are in trouble. If God is one then why are there so many names and forms?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These are different names for the one Divinity. Like you wear a different dress every day. Today you are wearing black, tomorrow you will wear something else.
Even when you change your dress tomorrow, you will remain the same, right? Same way whatever names and forms, it is the same Divine.
Q. What does the mantra Bhadram Karne-bhi-h Shrnuyam Deva... mean?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is the first mantra to be recited before any pooja. It means, let my ears hear good things, let my eyes see good things, let us speak only good words, let our life be on the Divine path.
Q. I am so full of doubt. What should I do?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don’t you doubt your doubting? Doubt your doubt! When there is too much confusion, then find solace in surrender. Surrender to your Guru, the Divine or your mother. You are not alone. Your life will be successful.
* refer to Sri Sri’s discourse on the Ashtavakra Geeta)
(From the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar)
© The Art of Living Foundation
