Quest the Vedic Answer

Man is a selfish creature by nature, wherever he sees gain, he acts accordingly. On the other hand, God is perfect and complete, so he wants to provide help to all living-beings. Man is the best creature, He is knowledgeable, thinkable, imaginable, and workable, and he knows what is good and bad according to his knowledge. He wants improvements, developments, so he has to obey, he has to believe who is more knowledgeable and intellect to him. (Who is He? He is God--No one else).

In this world there are more pleasure than pain. Man tries only pleasure and wants to get rid of all kinds of pain. Worldly pleasure in the end results in pain, because pain is hidden in the pleasure. Bliss is a natural attribute of God. (Bliss is deferent from pleasure. Refer Quest #129)

Those who are near to Him acquiring His attribute (bliss, of course!) and become like Him i.e. he becomes blissful. (The soul never dissolves in God otherwise how can he enjoy His Bliss.) As you all know that fire gives heat and ice gives cold to one who is very near to them. That means one gets the attributes of the thing that is very near to him. If man wants the bliss of God (the inner happiness) he has to renounce the matter i.e. worldly imperishable, dead, inert, insensate objects. God is full of virtuous nature, attributes and characteristics, hence to acquire His Bless and Bliss, one has to come nearer to Him, worship Him, communion with Him.

Now one has to decide him self what does he want? Does he want to believe in God or no? If man wants to get rid of all pains and sorrows of the world and wants to free himself from the bondage of birth and death, he ahs to take shelter of the Al-mighty GOD. He has to practice Yoga--the act of communion with God.

Decide what does man want---bandages of birth and death or emancipation?

Quest # 125: What is "Satya Narayana"? Should one perform rituals (fasting or penance i.e. Vrat) for "Satya Narayana"?

Answer: All men should follow the "Satya Narayana" and perform "Satya Narayana Pooja" and that is "Dharma" of human being. "Satya Narayana Pooja" means Righteousness i.e. the moral code of human being. "Dharma" is the essential and compulsory duty of mankind.

One ought to know first that what is "Satya Narayana"? Satya means truth and Narayana means God who is all pervading i.e. who is pervading within the soul. The meaning of Satya Narayana will be that "God is truth" and "Truth is God". To exercise truth in daily life is the real meaning of "Worship of Satya Narayana."

"Vrat" is an another term for taking firm decision; to take oath from deep heart, but the meaning of 'Vrat' (in common) known in the Hindi language is "fasting" or "penance" i.e. not to take any food for a particular period of time.

Now the correct and real essence meaning of the full term "Satya Narayana's Vrat" is "God is Truth and Omnipresent, He knows everything what you do mentally, verbally and in actions, hence one should exercise and practice truth and only truth." God resides where truth exists because God is truth and truth is God.

There should be no difference in one's action, words and thoughts. God is Narayana because he resides in the heart of the human soul, so one should be very careful and conscious while doing any act.

GOD, the matter and infinitesimal number of souls are truth (Satya). One should have the knowledge of this trinity; otherwise his knowledge always remains incomplete. For true knowledge one should have the knowledge of the Trinity.

"Those who neither possess knowledge nor perform penences, who do not cultivate habits of charity and self-realisation, and who have neither politeness nor capability nor a sense of duty, are only a burden of this earth and roam over it like beast in the shape of men." (Neeti-Shatak # 13)

"All persons should be ever ready to accept truth and renounce untruth. Actions should be according to the laws of nature. All acts ought to be performed in conformity to "Dharma" i.e. after due consideration of right and wrong. Self-examination, Virtuous deeds and all ought to be treated with love, justice, righteousness and due regards to their merits. This is worship of "Satya Narayana."

Quest # 126: What is it called "Jaagaran" i.e. "Awakening”?

Answer: To sleep and to awake these are called "Verbs" in the grammar and the terms "sleep and/or awakening" are called their "Nouns". One who acts (does any action) is called "the doer".

Materialistic meaning of "Awakening" is that when fleshy eyes of a living person are open, this is called "Jagrit Avastha" or the state of awareness or awakening position of that person.

In spiritual point of view when the soul awakes* from sleep of ignorance, it is called "Spiritual awakening" or "Jaagaran"

[* The soul is a conscious entity. to sleep and to awake (these actions) are related to the body. Only to explain the meaning of "Awakening" properly to our interested inquisitive readers, it is written like awakening of the soul. The soul is always awakening, never sleeps, because he is conscious entity. "Knowledge is awakening" and "Ignorance is sleep" for the soul.]

In philosophical language the words Illiteracy, ignorance, darkness have the same meaning and likewise education, knowledge, light are the same meaning terms. Illiteracy creates ignorance hence darkness in life is experienced. In the same way true education creates true knowledge that leads to a delightful life which results in happiness, pleasure, peace and bless and the bliss of God in life.

"Knowledge is the greatest beauty of a man and his most hidden treasure. It is the giver of all enjoyments, fame and happiness. It is the teacher and serves the function of a relative in an unfamiliar foreign country. It is the greatest God. It is knowledge that is honored by the kings, not riches. A man without knowledge is like a beast. (Neeti-Shatak # 20)

In the Vedic scripture, God is known as illuminated personified eloquently. It is wrong to take meaning that God is full of light (like that of our sun &c.), but the real meaning is that GOD is full of knowledge, that is why He is called "Omniscient", "All-knowing". It should be borne in mind that light is the other name for knowledge.

Who needs awakening? This is a very important Quest! On the one hand God is All- knowing, Omniscient, and on the other hand the Prakriti is a dead inert matter, insensate object, hence there is no need of light (knowledge for awakening) to the Prakriti also. Only left entity is the soul, who because of ignorance his actions are faulty hence always feels pain and sorrows in life. He (the soul) needs light of knowledge, which cannot be derived from the insensate Prakriti. Now the real source of true light left for the soul is nothing but "GOD". "Knowledge-like-light for awakening of the soul is obtained only from God, Who is the All-knowledgeable and source of all true knowledge. When the soul gets the true knowledge of God, he is awakening. This is called "Jaagaran" or "the awakening of the soul". Spiritual meaning of "Awakening:

Answer: It is a wrong concept that one gets wealth, pleasure and peace by awakening at night and worshipping in front of picture or idol of so called "Vaishno Maataa". To acquire wealth, pleasure, peace or anything else depends upon many causes. (We have already clarified such Quests in previous answers.)

According to the Vedic theory, God is our Mother, Father, Friend, Teacher &c.,

“Twam Hi Nah Pitaa Vaso Twam Maataa Shatkrato Babhuvitha, Adhaate Sumnameemahe ”. (Atharvaveda 20-109-2)

Means---"God is our Mother, Father and Creator of all things in the creation and sustainer of all the universe. God is everything to us; He is the greatest Lord of all. No one is equal or greater than Him."

The meaning of term "Vishnu" is All-pervading i.e. God; and "Maataa" means mother, who loves her children. "Devi" means “Deity” who gives or one that is attributed with divine powers. Hence the meaning of "Vaishno Maataa or Vaishno Devi" is "Omnipresent-All-pervading-Divine powered mother" who is none but God.

Mother is the symbol of love, example of patience, deity of mercy, ocean of service, statue of beauty and mine of virtuousness. One feels pleased and peace when in her lap. She is a really living God to her children. Mother bears all pain that come in way of her children, but she never expresses. She sometime gives punishments to her children for the betterment and improvement of their life; in that also her mercy is hidden.

There are four personified of "Vaishno Maataa" i.e. "Mother of all living beings":

1) Birth-giving Mother: Mother, who gives birth to her child, is the first living Goddess to be worshipped by her sons and daughters. (She bears pain and cares for her child through nine months and ten days). She even sleeps on wet but make her child to sleep on clean and dry bed. She makes her children sleep at night by patting them, singing songs etc. No one can equalise or do better service than their mother. Mother is the first teacher of man in the world. Her breast milk is like 'Amrit' (nectar). Those are very lucky who has seen their living mother and father in this world. This is perceptive vision of GOD. One, who obeys and respect to their parents, really lives in heaven in this life. Salute to mother.

2) Mother Earth: She provides shelter, clothing and food to all her children. (We get all kinds of materials to make houses, all type of metals, petroleum and essential matters for the developments, all kinds of food, fruits, vegetables, eatables, herbs and medicines &c., from the womb of mother-earth, but still she never expects anything from their children). Giving the entire essential for all living beings never tires her. She fulfils our all needs and even she never demands. Mother Earth is our "Divine deity" whose infinite favors cannot be returned. All ought to be grateful to mother-earth. Many salute to mother-earth.

3) Mother-Veda: Veda-Maataa provides the true knowledge for the betterment for mankind. Its only the Veda-Maataa that makes the arrangements for their children to meet their "Eternal Father" i.e. GOD. Man does not get pleasure and peace until he is not contacted Hid "Eternal Father”; and only then his long time thirst for eternal bliss is satisfied. Veda-Maataa makes the two world (this world and the world abode) happy by giving true knowledge. He who obeys the teaching of The Vedas, experiences the bliss of God and is freed from the infinite bondage of birth and death for the Pranta-kaal i.e. the time of emancipation for the emancipated soul. The emancipated soul lives in God in pleasure and peace: --

“Stutaa Mayaa Varadaa Vedamaataa Prachodayantaam Paavamaanidwijaanaam, Aayuh Praanam Prajaam Pashum Kirtim Dravinam Brahamavarchasam; Mahiyam Dattwa Vrajata Brahamalokam”. (Atharva Veda 19.71.1)

It means, "He who obey commandments of the Veda, full fills his life, his life is purified. It is the blessing of the Veda-Maataa---He gets long life, energetic vital forces, obedient children, all worldly pleasures including cattle &c., fame in the world, wealth of all kind, and in the end Bliss of God. When a man lives his life according to the Vedic teachings; he becomes happy and if he renounces everything and surrenders him self to the will of God, he'll receive the blessings and the bliss of God and emancipation that is the main object of man's life.

[Appraised by me and purifier of the well-reads, the Mother-Veda may inspire me, O God! go to Brahmaloka after bestowing me with the long life, offsprings, animals, riches and the valour accruing the Vedic knowledge.]

In short only true knowledge from the Vedas helps a man to get rid of all types of pains and gets freed from bondage of birth and death. That is Veda-Maataa's blessings.

4) The greatest of all--Mother of all--is Vaishno Maataa. She is Self-existence, All-conscious, All-blissful, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Formless, Infinite, Who is nothing but Lord of all Lords, Supreme Soul---GOD. She is mother of all living beings. She is our mother, father, brother and friend.

“Sa Paryyaagaachchhukramkaayamavranamasnaavira Shuddhamapaapaviddham, Kavirmaneeshee Paribhuhu Swayambhuryaathaatathyato-Arthaanvyadadhaachchhaashvateebhyah Samaabhyah”. (Yajur Veda 40.8)

Means: Attributes of Maataa (God)---"That Supreme Being overspreads all. He is entirely spirit, All-energy, All-powerful, Pure, Perfect, Omniscient, Inward Controller of all, Ruler of all, Eternal and self-existence. He has from all eternity been teaching uncreated immortal human souls, the true knowledge of things through the revelation of the Veda--His eternal knowledge."

GOD is full of all virtuous attributes (Rigveda 1-170-5) that is why He is called "Bharantaa”; "Vrijana" means One in which there is no any pain i.e. He is painless (Rigveda 1-102-11); God is Lord of all and formless (Rigveda 1-87-1) means He never be seen. He is "Hridi-anta (Rigveda 4-58-11) means He resides within the heart; He is called "Mandra" (Rigveda 4-9-3) i.e. He is All-blissful. He is "Ganapati" (Rigveda 2-23-1) 'Gana' means group, and ‘Pati’ means Lord, hence God is Lord of all groups. There are infinite names of the Supreme Soul (Vaishno Maataa) because of His infinite nature, attributes and characteristics. Call Him Vaishno Maataa, there is no any object because She is formless, Omniscient, All pervading, Conscious and all blissful.

Now intelligent and learned people decide and judge themselves that are there all these above said attributes in the stone idol of what is known as "Vaishno Maataa"?

The statue made of stone (mud, stones, plaster of Paris &c.) is, of course, the imagination of an artist. He (the artist, or sculptor) gives shape to a stone and make an idol / statue to whom he paints with colors and makes the same so beautiful that people (out of ignorance and blind-faith) dress it up with glittering clothes of their own choice--the statue is made more attractive by adorning it with jewelry, garlands of flowers, light etc., they sing 'Bhajans' "Bhetas of Maataa" (religious songs) in front of the idol , even they dance on music for their own satisfaction --they keep the awake whole night --they take break-fast, sweets, tea, cold-drinks etc., at midnight --disturb the sleep of neighbors --then sleep the whole day –(no work in day-time). Can you imagine! Is this the correct way of worshipping God or is this only a false expression of worship? Why this fraud in the place of righteousness?

"Mother God "Vaishno Maataa" is Omnipresent, Omniscient; She exists in every particle (Yajur Veda 40-1). How can one make Her form? How can Her face be created and seen? Has man become so intelligent and learned that he can give shape and figure to formless and figure less entity? Never!

GOD is Formless--Rigveda 4.1.1; 8.72.3; 6.69.11; 6.18.12, and Yajur Veda 32.3; 40.8 and 32.2. "Na Tasya Pratima Asti" means "The formless Supreme Spirit that pervades the whole Universe can have no material representation, likeness or image." How can Maataa possess a materialistic form that is all pervading? This is an insult to God i.e. to Vaishno Maataa, Vaishno Devi.

Those who make or arrange these kinds of programs of "Maataa-Ka-Jaagaran" or “Jagaraataa” (Awakening of Maataa) should think again and try to accept the truth. [May God give them wisdom and courage to accept the truth.]

To those peoples who make and arrange the programs of 'Jaagran' at night , the following questions need to be answered:

(1) Why do they keep awake and worship at night instead of day time?

(2) Mother is always elder than her children in age, isn’t it? But in picture, why does it not seem like this?

(3) Does "Maataa" have the temptation for these kinds of jewelry?

(4) How is this mother who awakens her children at night? No mother wants her children to keep awake at night but she always wants that her children should sleep at night. Isn’t it?

(5) Does "Maataa" enjoys and pleased with loud music at night? Is she fond of Bhajans in filmy tuned songs, dances and music of their children at night?

(6) Does "Maataa" needs light for her? Then how can she guide others to show the path?

(7) Does "Maataa" needs loud speakers at night inside the four walls of a hall? Does our Mother-God listen so high? Then how can she hear the inner-voice of her devotees who meditate within their minds? God resides in the heart of His children. God’s relationship with the soul is pervader to pervaded. God is All-pervading. He knows the feelings of the soul. He witnesses and lives within the soul.

(8) Th devotees of "Mother Vaishno Devi" become more jealous and envy whilst seeing jewelry of Maataa who is full of diamonds, gold, pears and precious stones &c. Maataa (idol) is so rich and wealthy then why her children always demand for this thing or that thing. Or these devotees have developed an instinct habit / nature to beg, whenever they are if front of idol of what they think as "Mother Vaishno Devi"? Does "Maataa" needs all these garlands and jewelry or her devotees perform false worship by exposing their wealth for the public? What happens to the jewelry of "Maataa" (idol)? Are that always remains with the idol or with the Pujari (sinner)?

(9) If “Vaishno Maataa" is pleased to be worshipped at nights (only on weekend i.e. on Saturday night), then one (her devotees) should always keep up at night and perform "Jaagaran". How are these devotees of so called "Maataa" who do not want to please their mother? It seems that they are selfish and awake only once in a week. Does "Maataa" (idol) know all these things?

(10) In the name of "Jaagaran" devotees of Maataa are dressed up in lavish fashionable clothes with jewelry &c. at night. Don’t know why so much fashion? Whilst prayer or worship one should be simple and cleanly dressed, so that he /she should meditate on, not to show their fashion to the public. If they are so rich, why they beg more from the idol of so called "Maataa"?

(11) Mother-God that is "Vaishno Maataa" is Formless, devoid of any form, cannot be seen with fleshy eyes because She is All-pervading, exists in all place. To worship an idol in place of real "Maataa-Vaishnavi” is it not the insult of our "Vaishno-Maataa"? Can one act such things in his practical life with his mother? And see the results! [Obey your mother. Give her full respect. Act according to her wish. Give her all the comforts you can. Talk to her respectfully with polite. Share your thought. Get her blessings every morning and night. One cannot equalise her obligations, what she done for us. That is real worship of mother.]

(12) "Maataa Vaishnavi" (God) is one. Then why her name and form are changed, form place to place? Why? Is there any Answer with these devotees of so called "Maataa"?

For example: --Sheran-wali, Vaishno Devi, Jyotan-wali, Durgaa, Santoshi, Laxmi, Saraswati, Naina, Kaila, Jwaalaa, Tiru, Chamundi, Chandi, Kalika, Kalka, Amba, Ambika, Ambalika, Mumba, Jogeshwari, Gyaneshwari, Gauri, Gauran, Uma, Paarvati, Girija, Sreedevi, Annapurnaa, Mariyam, Mary --Nowadays there are many Maataas in every state, city, village, road, society and moreover her shape and face, clothes &c., are also changed according to devotees' imagination. How many Maataas are there? One or many? Is it possible that many mother for a child? Or many faces and figures of the same mother? The Maataa whose face and figure exist must be finite. One who is embodied must be finite. Idol is limited in size, so it is finite, and it can never be our "Maataa Vaishno".

(13) Can one mother have so many children? Is it possible to have infinite children to a finite figured mother?

Mark! And always remember that "Maataa Vaishno" is nothing but All-pervading, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent. God is All-blissful All-conscious entity whereas Idol itself is an insensate, inert, dead matter. There is no sense in worshipping inert-dead matter. Then why to waste precious time of this precious life for getting nothing out of it!

GOD is visualised by inner-self with pure mind. Human body (Manushya Deha) is the result of infinite lives' cumulative selfless-actions and past impressions or residential tendencies (Sanskaaras) of the soul, so it is foolishness to waste the precious time of life. Try to acquire true knowledge, then act accordingly and get rid of the bondage of birth and death. Indeed "That is the wish of our Maataa".

What does a mother want for her children? Pleasure and peace! Grace of God indeed! Pleasure and peace are acquired by performing righteous actions. To embrace what is true and reject what is false. This alone is the highest duty of a human being. It is only such learned men as readily embrace good qualities that reap the four fold fruits of this life, viz., the practice of righteousness, acquisition of wealth, realisation of legitimate desires, and attainment of salvation.

Vedic personified "Vaishno Maataa" is formless, devoid of any form or figure, Unseen, All-pervading. She creates all things from within. There exists no picture, no face. She (God) is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent. She never embodied and incarnated. What has form is the Prakriti that is 'Jada' i.e. dead, inert, insensate object. 'Atma' (the soul) and Paramatma (Super Soul Vaishno Maataa) both are invisible. They can be experienced by the pure mind in the soul itself. What we see is inert dead matter that is the changed form (Vikaras) of the Prakriti. [The soul is possessed of consciousness, while the idol is dead and inert. No one wants that the soul should also lose its consciousness and become lifeless like idol. Idol worship is a fraud. No form of idol worship is permissible, but the worship of the five living Gods is our duty.]

Glory of God! Salute to "Vaishno Maataa i.e. our God-Mother"

Quest # 128: Who are the five living Gods in this world? How to worship them?

Answer: No form of idol worship is permissible, but the worship of the five Gods is our duty. The worship of five living gods is sanctioned by the Vedas. This may be termed worship of gods that are truly worthy of reverence.

· "The first object of worship is the mother. It is the duty of her sons and daughters to serve this Goddess with all their heart and all their soul, and keep her happy. Let her never be treated harshly."

· “The second object of worship is the father. This God should also be served like the mother."

· "The third object of worship is the teacher (Guru) who bestows knowledge upon his pupils. This God should served with utmost devotion."

· "The fourth object of worship is the altruistic teacher of humanity who is learned, deeply religious, up-right, well-wisher of all and goes from place to place preaching the truth and thereby making the people happy,"

· “The fifth object of worship is the husband for the wife and the wife for the husband." These are the five living Gods who bring a man into being and bring him up, and it is through them that he gains true knowledge, sound culture and is instructed into the righteous principles of conduct. It is the worship of these that leads one to GOD. Whoever does not worship them and worship idols instead is a transgressor of Vedic principles.

· "This is also called "Panch Yajna or the worship of the five gods."

Quest # 129: Why God has made day and night? Is it appropriate to keep awake at night?

Answer: There are many mantras in the Vedas that proves that day and night are meant for the benefit of living beings. Day is for the work and night is meant for the rest or sleep for all beings. (Refer Atharva Veda--Volume 19, Section 47, 48, 49, 50, and Mantra # 1 to 7.)

To sleep in daytime and to awake in the night is against the laws of nature. This habit ought to be rectified.

“Prataa Ratnam Prataritvaa Dadhati” (Rigveda 10-127-5) means all humans, animals, birds’ etc. rest at night.

“Vishvwaa Adhi Shriyodhita” (Rigveda 10-127-1) which means there exists all wealth at night i.e. to sleep at night is the best for the health, because health is wealth after all.

“Prataa Ratnam Prataritvaa Dadhati” (Rigveda 1-125-1) means those who wake up early in the morning obtain gems.

· The Rigveda 1-125-2 says that those who wake up early in the morning live a long life.

Ignorance-like darkness is removed by knowledge-like light. Awakening of the soul is called when the curtains of nescience are removed from the soul. By awakening at night, eating at mid-night, dance, singing &c., in front of stone idol or a picture is not what is called "Jaagaran". On the contrary one should respect their elders, obey them, and get their blessings, which increase power, fame, long life and knowledge. One should not sleep in the daytime and awake at night. These are bad habits, to be rectified.

Quest # 130: What is the difference between “Pleasure and Bliss” (Anand)?

Answer: What is enjoyed by the Soul through senses is called the pleasure and what is experienced by the soul in communion with God is called the bliss or "Anand” (Ananda).

Feeling of the senses that produce pleasure is the defect of the intellect. Really speaking the pleasure is bodily satisfaction that lasts for a short period of time. In this short-lived wordily pleasure there exists pain hidden deep within it. Hence to obtain pure pleasure of life, One should have proper control over his senses.

"Anand" is the feeling that is away from the inert materialistic object and is created in the pure mind in contact (communion) with the Supreme Being. The soul experiences this bliss which cannot be expressed in words. That peace-giving essence, love, sweetness, holiness that is unexpressed is called "the bliss of God" or "Anand".

If explained in an ordinary terms, definition of pleasure is said --the enjoyment felt by you after eating tasty food is 'Pleasure' and the happiness experienced by you whilst feeding someone hungry is 'Ananda or Bliss'. Excess of pleasure results in pain, but Ananda always remains uniform and uninterrupted till you are in contact with the Supreme Soul i.e. God.

Quest # 131: What is it called "Miracle"? Do they take place?

Answer: Miracle is nothing but the defect of one’s owns eyes or the skill of one's hands. The action that is done so quick and fast that in the blinking of eyes, it is done. Or the work done is not explainable or believed by one's intellect, or the happening, which is against the laws of nature, is called 'Miracle'.

Do miracles exist or take place? Answer is never! Because the laws of nature are eternal that is why they are called "Ritta" or you can call them "Right" i.e. they never be changed or altered and are true, as these "Rittas” are made by Omniscient God.

Impossible things can never become possible and like-wise possible things can never become impossible, because impossible is always remain impossible, even God Himself cannot make them possible. {God is Omniscient. He never changes or alters laws of nature made by Him. He can do anything, but does not do what we think or imagine. God is Omnipotent hence He does all His work without the help of anyone. He is perfect so how can He make impossible things possible? Can God tell lie? Can GOD create another GOD who is more powerful to Him? Can He make a big stone, which He cannot, pick-up? God is formless. Can He incarnate Himself? He is infinite, Can He take birth and embodied Himself in the womb of a woman? His laws are eternal, final and perfect, so why will He change the laws once made! }

If impossible things happen, then science is considered to be nescience. Science will be useless and no one will believe the science. Knowledge is science and science is knowledge. Knowledge is truth and if truth is subject to change everyday, no one, then believe God! It will impossible for the living beings to live in this world. God will be responsible for all the burdens experienced by the animate beings. God will be defective! Is this possible? No! Never!

Those are nihilists (Nastik), atheists, fools, fraud, weak-minded, unemployed &c., who believe these kinds of impossibilities to be right. Those people who have no faith in God (an atheist), no faith in themselves. Do they fall themselves but also make others fall, in the deep dark khud of ignorance.

Of course! There are infinite laws of the nature. What are experimented in the laboratories and are right (Ritta) and are believed to be true by the scientists, are called "Science". Practical knowledge of the law of nature is called "science". The Vedas are the scriptures of all true knowledge and the ancient property of whole of mankind.

This can be said that what is not known to a man (because of his illiteracy or ignorance), he assumes it as a "Miracle". The laws of nature always exist in the universe, but for an ordinary man who does not know them, can be miracles or magic. But the same thing for a learned person is nothing but science or natural laws. [Science is the practical form of natural laws (rules and regulations) known to man.] [Natural laws are infinite and to know them fully is out of man’s reach, but whatever he knows with his knowledge is known to us is called the Science.]

Some hundred years back, there was no electricity, fans, motor-cars, television, radio, telephone, &c., but in modern times "Science" has changed the whole world by providing all modern amenities and facilities to man. Now we have everything for our requirement. What is this? Is this Miracle or science? Of course this is science. Light was there but we didn’t know how to use it. Today's improvement is the blessing of the science ("because of gratefulness of our ancient scientists, who are not today, but their work will be remembered for ever, thanks to those departed souls. May they be in heaven in communion with God!)? Thanks to those scientists who have discovered the laws of nature and invented Fan, color-television, Telephone, VCR, Camera, washing-machine, Motor-car, Train, ship, plane &c. The latest discovery of the modern science is the wonder machine called "Computer". It is really a wonder machine of human intelligence and miracle for many people around the world.

From electricity, man has developed industries. The creator of "Wheel" has changed the world. Everything is rotating because of this wheel, and now man himself is rotating around the world. He has shown his caliber to be on the moon and tries to reach other planets also. This is his intelligence not miracle. He cannot do what is not possible. Hence miracle does not exists. (God had given this human body and in this body the knowledge of whole universe exists. If a man try to go inside (inner world, instead of outside), he can acquire much more knowledge than what he wants to know from the outside world. On one side the Scientists try to understand the laws of nature, whilst on the other side Rishis (Holy men i.e. researchers of the inner world) try to search God, the creator of the universe. Both are on the right paths in their own ways--One is the student of the nature (Aparaa-Vidyaa) and the second is the student of God (Paraa-Vidyaa). Both* knowledge (Vidyaas) are essential for the soul to get rid of all pain and attainment of the emancipation. [The real miracle is to get the Bliss of God, because man is enlightened with the vision (bliss) of God.] [* Refer Q. and A. # 99 for Paraa and Aparaa Vidya.]

Now we study and listen carefully what these frauds, atheism’s and nihilists' people think and say about miracle and what they believe: --

[The author does not have any intent to condemn / criticize / insult or hurt anyone’s feelings directly or indirectly, but what is truth always remains the truth. One is, of course, free to accept truth or for the matter of that even refuse to do so after it has been published; compulsion being impossible in such matters.]

One can have child, when 'Guru' looks at her! [These kinds of news we often read in newspapers. How they cheat so called these Gurus, you know better!]

With the grace of 'Guru' departed souls go to heaven! [Only you have to feed your 'so called Guru' and fulfill his all desires. By saying anything what makes difference to that Cunning 'Gurus'. Beware of these frauds 'Gurus']

One can see his desired Gods and Goddesses in the sky by repetition of God’s name, in just five days. On eleventh day, one can visualise God! [Of course! One can see sun, moon and stars in the sky, but to believe that desired Gods and Goddesses will be seen in the sky, Or God will be seen, it is the defect of one's intellect. He must consult some psychiatrist]

If one has full faith and true love, he can see "Elephant GOD, Lord Shiva, Mother Paarvati, &c., They come to your home and give their blessings! [These are all filmy talks, filmy stories and they (Indian Gods) can be seen only on screen. There is no truth these gossips.]

Lord like Krishna come to your home with his Gopis (girl friends) and dance if you faith in him. [Do you have enough places in your house to accommodate the Lord Krishna and his devotees Gopis to dance? Lord Krishna's soul must be in Emancipation since more than 5000 years. And no one knows where about those Gopis. Lord Krishna's wife “Rukmani'. He never had affairs with his girl friends. These fraud people merely to hide their own bad habits, defects and impurities, try to attack Holy personality like Shri Krishna.]

["The life sketch of Krishna given in the Mahabharata is very good. His nature attributes, characters, and life history are all like that of an "Aapta". Nothing is written therein that would go to show that he committed any sinful act during his whole life, but the author of the Bhaagvat has attributed to him as many vices and sinful practices as he could. He has charged him falsely with the theft of milk, curd, and butter, etc., adultery with the female servant called 'Kubrja', flirting with other people's wives in the 'Raas mandal' and many other vices like these. After reading this account of 'Krishna's life, the followers of other religions speak ill of him. Had there been no 'Bhaagvat', great men like Krishna would not have been wrongly lowered in the estimation of the world." (Light of Truth: Chapter XI)]

Idols eat sweet foods and drink liquid like milk, curd, butter etc. Elephant Lord Ganapati drinks milk and eats Ladoos (Sweets). [There is no limit to foolishness. If these really eat and drink, one day you have to die of hunger and thirst.]

· In worshipping picture or idols substances like ashes (substances like 'Bhabhooti' 'Sindoor' etc.,) springs out of these pictures and idol! [Nothing like this happens like these in front intellectual persons. This is all fraud and sinful actions of selfish people.]

· There is miracle in Ujjain (a Holy city of Madhya Pradesh, in Central India) that Lord Shiva of Kaal-Bhairav temple takes liquor, and Goddess Kaali of Kaali-temple in Calcutta (India's biggest city in the state of West Bengal) is fond of animal's flesh and blood. [Idol does not eat or drink and it has no consciousness because idol is dead inert matter. Man is of selfish nature. To acquire all these thing and to satisfy his bad habits of taste, he insults the Holy souls of deities like Kaali-Maataa, Durgaa- Maataa etc., In the name of God, How much deep man falls, readers can imagine.]

· Dear friends! Miracle is just an excuse for these frauds, selfish persons. Ordinary people, who are already simpletons and ignorant, live their life in tension and pain. They become more ignorant and poor by believing all these types of miracles and frauds. They have been looted and cheated since long time. Now, Beware of these Frauds!

Impossible never becomes possible. Miracles never happen. Impossible always remains impossible. Have faith in God. Have belief in God. Have trust in God. Have love in God. Chant "OM” that will lead you to the right path. Man is the creator of his destiny.

Quest # 132: What is relation between "Science and Religion"?

Answer: Science is the knowledge of nature and religion is the science of God.

Relation between science and religion cannot be divided. Where there is religion, there exists science. The eternal laws of the nature are called "Rittas" or "Science" and actions done according to the science that are welfare of the human society is called 'Duties or Dharma'. The name of truth is 'science' and truthful behavior is called 'Dharma' or 'Religion'.

[The word Dharma has a very wide scope than the word religion, which is generally taken as its synonym. Dharma means which sustains or which makes sustenance possible.]

Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati believes that science is in the root form in The Vedas. And Maharishi Manu's well-known quotation "Vedo Akhilo Dharma Moolam" says that the root of all Dharma lies in the Vedas. The well known German philosopher and Professor Max Mullar says that "The Vedas are eternal hence are perfect and without any mistake". It is said in the Mahabharata (Shanti-Parva) that "Nahi Satyat Paro Dharmah" means there is no better than Dharma. Truth is Dharma and Dharma is truth.

It has been accepted indisputably that the Vedas are the oldest books in the library of man, and hence only Vedas are the true knowledge bestowed by God.

Quest # 133: What is "Heaven and Hell" and where are they?

Answer: 'Heaven is where there is pleasure. Special pleasure is called 'Heaven' and opposite of it where there is misery & pain is called 'Hell'.

There are different concepts about 'hell and heaven', in different beliefs of human beings. Some of them believe that heaven a special place on third sky, some believe that it is on fifth sky, and some believe the heaven is in 'Vainkutha' i.e. the abode of God.

Here one thing should be consided that after all --how many skies are there in space? If there is more than one sky, that means there are many kinds of heavens!

Some believe ---In heaven there are beautiful gardens, waterfalls, pleasant seasons, everything is available without any effort. All kinds of food and drinks are free for all. There are rivers of wine and beautiful fairies that make drinks for you and do anything for men's enjoyments that you wouldn’t get in this world of pain. The emancipated soul enjoys whatever they desire.

Many people, many religions, many beliefs, so exist many heavens and hells for them. What is truth, what is wrong, no one is ready even to listen because of their narrowed limited beliefs. Man is misquoted, misguided and misunderstood the term 'Heaven and Hell'. Do good and get good, otherwise there is no end to imagination about heaven and hell.

Vedic heaven is not on third, fourth, fifth or on seventh sky. It is also not imagination or story as some of the religions imagine, but it is real. "Heaven: It is a state in which the 'Jiva' experiences unique happiness since in heaven means of happiness are supple unto the 'Jiva'. Hell: It is a state in which the 'Jiva' is unusually tormented through instruments of torture."

In the state when one gets love, response, regards, respect, he should understand that heaven exists there. The home, sweet home is the heaven where one gets love, affection, faith trust, and all members of the family love each other. Heaven is there where all family members perform virtuous deeds, ritual and act according to righteousness (Dharma) Heaven is here right here in your home, in your society, in your state, city, country where all above-said ancients, attributes exist, otherwise the situation is reversed and different i.e. hell.

Heaven is where 'Dharma' exists and where there is 'Adharma' it should be understood without any doubt that there must exist hell.

"Swargo Ke Loko Naakah"(Taitreya S. 5.3.3.5)

Every animate beings want the pleasure, so they search, wander here and there to seek the same in this world. The worldly pleasure results in pain at last. It shows that worldly pleasures are not eternal, they are temporary, and vanishes when time comes. This does not mean that one should not effort to get senses pleasures! They are also essential but one should experience them with renounce. "Tena Tyakten Bhunjithaa". The Veda says: "Experience all pleasures of the world but with proper renunciation i.e. one should not have attachment in these worldly things, so that one should not entangled in them and forget the purpose of human life." This is correct that a man remembers God in the time of difficulties, or when he is in trouble or so. Whilst experiencing pain, he gains wisdom and detachment and then only he remembers God to get rid of all pains and to acquire His bliss. If a man only gets pleasure and no pain, then why should he remember God? No man is satisfied (in this world) with his wealth, if he is devoid of health. It is said that man should always take care of his health, then wealth, but it should be born in mind that all these things are of no use if he has no good characters in his life. It is a saying in English that "Wealth is gone, nothing is gone; health is gone, something is gone; but if character is gone, everything is gone.” "Cheerfulness is the very flower of health.

'Heaven and Hell' are not anywhere else out of this world, but they exist here only.

[The state of 'Extreme pleasure and peace i.e. Bliss of God is called Liberation or Salvation or Emancipation and that is Moksha.]

Quest # 134: What are the main causes of pain? And how many kinds of pains are there in this world?

Answer: The main cause of the pain is man himself, who experiences the fruits of his actions. God does not give pain to anyone without any cause and nature does not do anything because it is dead-inert matter. It is clear that only thing remaining is the soul itself. Hence it is clear that man causes himself pain and pleasure. There are many causes (that will be discussed later on) for pain and pleasure . The kinds of pain to be understood first.

The main cause of pain is the contact with the Prakriti because the Prakriti is full of Sattva-Rajas-Tamas. And because of these three attributes we get pleasure and pain. When we renounce Prakriti (renounce the wordily desires) and contact with the Supreme Soul (God) we experience peace and the Bliss of God.

There are mainly three kinds of pains: Firstly those which are invited by man himself due to his ignorance. These pains, such as bodily diseases or mentally tensions, in philosophical language are called "Aadhyatmik-Dukha".

Secondly that come to us due to mistake or purposely from other animate beings, such as dog bite, snake-bite &c., or received from other human being unjustly. These pains are known as "Aadhibhoutik-Dukha".

Thirdly pains which are received because of natural (divine) calamities viz. excess of rain, earthquake, tornado, cyclone, floods, extreme cold, extreme heat etc., because of them all animate beings suffer or have to experience pains. These are called "Aadhidaivik-Dukha".

If we think deeply on these three kinds of pains, it will be obvious that to some extent, man is responsible for these pains. No action is done without any reason, i.e. "Karanabhavatkaryabhavah" means, "An effect presupposes a cause"(Vaisheshika: 4.1.3)

In Yoga Darshana Mahrishi Patanjali says "Drashtridrishyoho sanyogo heya hetuh" (Yoga Shastra: Sadhna Pada: Aphorism # 17) "The conjunction of the knower and the knowable is the cause of the avoidable pain". The conjunction therewith is the cause; by giving that up is secured the complete remedy of pain, inasmuch as that is found to be the cause of the removal of the real thing, the cause of pain. For example you see a thorn on the ground and you know the remedy not to put your feet on it. The soles of the feet possess the capacity of being pierced, and the thorns possess the power of piercing. The remedy consists in not to putting the foot on the thorn, or putting it with a shoe on.

GOD is eternal mother and father of all animate beings. When we (the soul) are near our parents we feel secured, fearless and enjoy all happiness. And when we are away from our parents we do not feel good. The same goes with our God (father) that when a man worships Him, he experiences pleasure and peace. And when the same man is busy in life (i.e. he is near the materialistic world), he is always in tensions and worries. Pain and pleasure (mixed with pains) lies in the matter and bliss (only inner pleasure and peace, can never be expressed in words) lies with the Supreme Soul i.e. God, because God is the unlimited treasure of bliss. One, who is near to Him, gets His attributes and one who is away from Him is always in pain. [God as All-pervading, but when the soul is entangled in the tri-attributed Prakriti, he experiences pain and (pain-mixed) pleasures, until he acquires wisdom and true knowledge. When man (the human soul) is aware that he is different from the body and is in this world to get rid of all pain &c. then and then only he realises God and attains salvation.

Other causes of pain are the actions of ours. The actions are seeds and fruits of these actions are good or bad according to their size and qualities. God is Just and full of mercy. He only gives the fruits of one's actions. Doer has to experience the consequences of his actions. That means man is the maker of his destiny, his luck, and his future.

The premier and the most philosophical cause of all the pain of the soul is "Birth"

"Duhkha Janma Pravriti Dosha Mithyajyanam,

Uttarottarapaye Tadanantarapayadapavarga." (Nyaaya Darshana: 1.2)

Means that the main cause of man's birth is his previous residential tendencies and unripe actions i.e. Sanskaras that are stored because of impurities of the mind. And Ignorance is the cause of all these impurities, hence ignorance is the prime cause of all these chain of impurities . when ignorance is removed all kinds of impurities, Sanskaaras and births are avoided. If there is no birth, how and when pain will follow? No birth, no pain. Birth means physical body, physical body means pain and bondage to everything.

One should avoid birth, to avoid birth he has to acquire true knowledge, to acquire true knowledge, he has study the Vedas from a true Guru, to get Satguru one has to go in the company of truthful men. They only meet in the ''Light of truth''.

Quest # 135: What should one do to obtain peace and pleasure in life? How peace and pleasure are obtained in this life?

Quest # 136: GOD does not fulfill all demands of everyone. Why? Then what is the use of prayers?

Answer: On the contrary God fulfills everyone’s demand, if you are on the right track i.e. if you obey His Commandments given in the Holy Vedas.

God says if you want good things to happen to you, then do good for others and if you do bad for others then God will not respond to your prayers, on the contrary he will punish you for the action. He hears all your prayers. He knows the feelings that go behind the prayers. He knows better because He is Omniscient. So whatever your demands, he fulfills! It is wrong to think that God does not fulfill all our demands, but on the contrary He fulfills everyone’s demands and prayers. Prayers are answered if one is pure and his feelings are also pure.

A devotee should be clean from within and then alone he will find his prayers answered. The fruits of a prayer do not fall from above; prayers are seedlings, which grow from within. Whilst you have prayed, you have sown a seed in fact. It will grow, but it needs constant nourishment and care. A prayer is meant to make you dynamic and not static. Always remember that God fulfils your prayer through you and very seldom through others. It is, in fact, that He knows best how He would be granting you your prayers. He prepares you to solve your problems, which is much better than your problems being solved by Him or by somebody else. Prayers thus go on to increase your potential to handle situations.

Prayers should not be based on malice and hatred towards others. Prayers are not mean to give you success whilst you propose to go out to exploit others. Even when you are collectively engaged in a war against your deadliest adversary and pray for success, you should pray for the success of a just cause, and surrender yourself and your adversary to His judgement. Ultimately, it is Truth that succeeds.

"A wise man, when about to act, should carefully meditate beforehand on the results of that action be it good or bad. The fruits of action done without pre-meditation burns the heart till death and gives pain like a thorn. (Neeti-Shatak # 100)

Quest # 137: Why are religious (virtuous) people unhappy and poor and the non-religious (bad) people happy and prosperous in the life?

Answer: GOD is just and gives fruits of one's action accordingly without any partiality or under anyone’s influence.

"Since God is Almighty and Omniscient, nobody can conceal his acts, planning or thinking of sins from Him and thus cannot escape from punishment. Although man attempts to commit sin secretly, yet the administration of God’s justice is so consummate that no court or pleaders nor witnesses are required as the essential requisites, as they are only the means for the human judges with only limited power and knowledge. All-intelligent God knows everything so nobody can avoid His judgement. [Commentary on the ten principles of the Arya Samaj: By Shri Vijay Behari Lal Mathur, Jaipur] (Yajurveda: 36.9) (Rigveda: 8.43.24)

God’s laws of nature are eternal. When the seeds of actions are not flourished or ripened, they are not ready for the experience for the doer. When the seeds are ripened (it take time to ripen according to quality and quantity of the seeds) they spring out as fruits for the doer. This 'Karma-Phal' philosophy is unchangeable and is same for everyone.

Bad and non-religious people whatever bad action they do in the present and seem to be very happy and prosperous in life, but that is not the correct point of view of our thinking. Usually we give importance to wealth. Most people think that money is everything and those who have lots of money are happy in their lives. This is only an illusion. Just ask them how much they are in tensions and pain.

" All that glitters is not gold." Wealth earned from wrong, illegal, injustice, and unrighteous ways with or without efforts (black money) can give materialistic pleasure but not real pleasure and peace of mind. On the other hand wealth earned from right, correct, righteous ways with true virtuous efforts (white money) give you real happiness and peace of mind. Wrong men who we feel are happy, in reality they are not. On the contrary those people who earn less in righteous ways are happier than those who seems to be happy. Actually they are very much deserted inside.

It is obvious that rich people look happy from outside, the story is different on the inside. To have plenty of money is not bad, it is good, but excess of money results in pain and diseases of all kinds. Whatever wealth is essential for a good and peaceful life should be earned with righteousness and excess money should be donated for the welfare of the poor and needy. It is said that whatever is given (donated in right ways) away always remains even more with the donor. God is the giver of everything. Our real wealth is education that grows with the donor when donated (given away). Donation of knowledge is the best donation.

No one can ever attain or buy God with his entire wealth. Of course! Worldly pains follow the rich people of ill-gotten money. Rich people (of black money) do not even eat, drink, and sleep properly. They have lots of problems, no peace of mind; fear of income tax, theft, murder etc. Is this a happy life? No Never!

To live in simplicity, to be a vegetarian, simple eating, high thinking, do good to others, remembrance of God, trust in God, belief in God, that is life! Simple life! Proper life! A happy life! Decide who is happy? Virtuous religious man or bad non-religious man! May God bless all!