Q&A with Swami Aparajitananda (04/03/2025)

Online Q&A Session with Swami Aparajitananda - April 3rd, 2025

Q1. If we are to accept everything as God's prasada, how much effort should we put in whatever we do?

We should never be complacent. We should use all options to maximize our effort and bring out the best in ourselves. To put in more than 100% - This is in our hands. Results are not in our hands. So this is where we have to surrender. Regarding efforts, we should ask - Have I done my absolute best ? This is the question we should be asking. Do we have the satisfaction in our own efforts. Prasada Buddhi does not apply when doing work. Do the best and leave the rest.

Q2. Brahman is only manifest in every form, unmanifest & beyond. And beings get enlivened. So why dead bodies do not animate when we are dead ?

Brahman (pure consciousness) is there everywhere.  The presence & absence of the subtle body determines the consciousness to reflect. To give an example: There is a room, which is locked & closed from all sides. There is no scope for sunlight to enter the room, in spite of it being so bright outside. There is however no brightness inside the room. But if there is a small inlet and we keep a mirror to reflect light into the room, there will be light. Mirror is the reflected consciousness (subtle body), room is the physical body. Subtle body is needed for the Sthula Sharira to express. When the body is dead, the mind exits the body, hence there is no mirror. Sun is there everywhere, but inside the room, there is no scope for it to enter or enliven it.

Q3. Prince Arjuna received the knowledge from Bhagwaan Krishna in the form of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Was he enlightened at the end of the teaching ?

Prince Arjuna receives temporary clarity. He gets a good intellectual understanding. In Chapter 11, Prince Arjuna says, "I cannot handle this form of yours, O Lord !" Lord Krishna gives him the Jnana Chakshu to see the Lord's true form. He is terrified because he cannot handle it. This is what happens when one receives knowledge when one isn't completely ready. After Lord Krishna's exit in Srimad Bhagavatham, Prince Arjuna is very sad. This itself says that Arjuna was not a Jnani. He is incapable of defending himself when some hunters attack him on his way back from Dwaraka.

 Q4. How to handle others' expectations of one's own self. How to be free of guilt, criticism or displeasure of others.

We should not be worried about others' expectations. If it's a greedy person, no matter what we do will not satisfy them. It's always better to free ourselves of guilt. Ask Bhagwaan what to do in prayers and He will answer.

Q5. Is identification with the body a natural function of the mind or is it a vasana ?

Identification is a Vasana. It is a cultivated habit. Mahatmas have shown us that we can disidentify with this identification. A rich man acts in a drama as a beggar. He cries, etc. We say, Disidentify with the role as a beggar and assume your true role.

Q6. What is a good/ideal Morning and Night routine to adopt for spiritual growth?

Remembrance of God is the best routine. It's up to us. Always good to start with 30-60 mins of prayer & meditation. Spiritual thoughts charge us and make us peaceful. A peaceful mind is a strong mind. Again in the evening, we should recharge. Listen to bhajan, satsang, etc. It is poisonous & dangerous to listen to news and lie down. We eat more when we are exposed to junk news. Head is filled with junk, mind is filled with junk and stomach is filled with junk.

Always better, for the last 2 hrs, make everything satvik. Sattvik sleep, Sattvik mind, & thus we wake up Sattvik. It compounds itself.

Q7. If my children do not speak an Indian language, will it be difficult to connect to our scriptures.

Scriptures are great NOT because they are written in Sanskrit or are in India. Those values are important. They are eternal (Sanatan). All times, all places - it is applicable. Whatever solution we find in the scriptures, they are given to people everywhere. Important thing is Values. Emphasize on the values. Language is the medium only. Language by itself is not divine. Language will not protect our kids. Values will protect kids.

One more mistake we make is, we narrate the stories, but not relate it to the modern times.

Q8. We feel attached to people around us. How to monitor and not be entangled in those emotions and attachments.

There are 3 levels of handling attachments.

Tamasic: Unhealthy detachment. You don't care about the person. We misunderstand this to be what is said in Gita. This is not what is said in scriptures.

Rajasic: Unhealthy attachment. We can't see anything other than that person. I can't live without you.

Sattvik: Healthy Detachment or Healthy Attachment. Remain detached but always be attached to the Reality. This too shall pass. The ONLY thing permanent is My relation with Bhagwaan. Everything else is temporary. All love & teachings are coming from Bhagwaan. Don't be stuck with the person. They are instruments in the hands of God. I should always see the hidden hands of God. We get stuck with the physical, visible hands. We forget the subtle, divine hands.

 Q9. How can we detach from our profession in a healthy way ?

We get some benefits from the work/profession. Bhagwaan is giving us the opportunity to utilize our talents. Everything is given by Bhagwaan. Our boss is also chosen by Bhagwaan.

Q10. When Dharma is surrounded by Adharma, how should someone act.

A Dharmic person will be forced to do an Adharmic act, for example: Hastinapura being divided for the Pandavas.

Bhagwaan is running this world. We feel that Adharmic people are running the world and they are ruling the Dharmic people. We are in a Adharmic state so that we can strengthen our spiritual muscles. For developing our physical muscles, we have to work against gravity. Similarly, the forces that pull us back, they help us move ahead. Champions, Mahatmas, Freedom fighters all fight against unfavorable situations. For example: Abhimanyu.

We all are put in various situations deliberately, for us to develop our spiritual muscles. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Bhagwaan has put us in these situations for our own purposes. When God holds us, we become empowered. We become instruments of God to improve the situation. Our relation with God improves further. We become role models for others.

Q11. In waking state, the Upadhi is Body & mind. In dream, Upadhi is just the mind. What happens in an enlightened person.

Jnani has understood that the mind is an illusion. Example: Blueness of the sky. Ignorant and Knowledgeable person see the blue sky. The Jnani knows that the sky is not blue. Subjective mind is not there for a Jnani. Only objective mind is there. As long as Prarabdha is there, there will be objective mind.

With Vasanas, Subjective mind will be there which causes likes & dislikes.

Q13. If we do any bad karma, can it be eliminated by Prayaschitha or will I have to pay the fruits

When the child does something wrong, the mother forgives it. What to talk about Bhagwaan. Prayaschitha is also a Karma. If we feel it with our heart and tears in our eyes, all our bad karmas can be eliminated. God's grace has to be there. We have to invoke it. Truly saying Sorry will convey the repentance.

Here is the LINK to this Q&A Recording.