Quest - The Vedic Answers

Answer: Again the same Quest! All physical bodies, which are created, will perish one day. One, who is born, will have to die sooner or later. Everyone will die, that is certain, but when, where and how, no one knows the Answer to that Quest, [Even God] i.e. the exact time of one's death. Assume that if God knows the time-place and circumstances of someone’s death, then that free agent must have to be present at that particular place and time, to die. That particular free agent will be not called a free agent anymore, because his freedom will be controlled by the Superior One. God does not interfere in the freedom of any agent, He is Just. God always lives in the present and will be present in future too. His knowledge is always uniform and uninterrupted.

The soul is a free agent. When the body (in which it resides) dies, only then God, who always exists within the soul as viewer (“Antardevo Vidathaa Mrityeshu" Rigveda 6-11-2), comes to know of that incident. In this way His knowledge remains uniform hence not increased or decreased or interrupted.

God is All-pervading i.e. He is Omnipresent, exists in man's heart. He is the viewer and witness to each and every action of the soul. Being Omniscient the Supreme Soul certainly knows the capability of the soul and impressions of its infinite past lives. God knows, as soon as the soul acts.

According to the Vedic theory, the age of man is 100 years, if he lives his life according to the laws of nature, by keeping to the righteous path; by offering proper prayers, etc. to the Lord, by practicing Yogic exercises regularly, engaging in studies, and working righteously. All creatures including man, comes into the circle of death, once they take birth or in other words, everyone who is born has to cross the gates of death. No living being can live forever in this world. Once born, he cannot escape death, the soul has to leave the material body and get a new body according to its present deeds and past impressions of infinite lives.

Death is essential and certain, but no one knows its exact time-cause-circumstances etc.

Quest # 32: God has created all of us, then does He know our future?

Answer: You are mistaken again. God has not created all of us. We are eternal souls, so it is wrong to believe that God has created us. We are unborn and beginning-less hence we (the souls) will never die or perish. God knows that because He is Omniscient. He is the creator, sustainer and dissolver of the Universe. Indeed! God has given us this physical body for actions because without this body we cannot do anything. The physical body, created by God, is our instrument to work on hence one must take proper care of the body.

Quest # 33: It is true that God gives the body to us, then does He know about the death of the body?

Answer: Yes! By the grace of God, we have been given this physical body, which is the instrument for performing all actions. God gives this materialistic body on account of our own previous lives' unripe actions and impressions of infinite lives, which results in the Specie - Age - Passion (i.e. Jati, Aayu, and Bhoga). And there are always changes, which take place in the body. It is an eternal, natural law that what is created will perish. Every moment there is a change in everything that results in dissolution in their subtle elements.

Care for the physical body is in ones own hands. How to use this priceless instrument also depends upon ones own intellect.

Of course! God knows with His Omnipotence [Infinite Intellect] that any created thing will have to dissolve in its subtle form, hence the materialistic body of an embodied soul will perish and dissolve in its cause when the appropriate time comes. God knows that the soul has to leave the body one-day.

Quest # 34: That means God does not know of any incident that will take place in future?

Answer: No! As far as our incidents or actions are concerned; God does not know anything; but He knows everything if we have planned anything about the future. We (Humans soul) are free agents, but as soon as one does anything, he is under the law of Divine power i.e. one has to surrender his deeds to God to get the fruits of his actions. For every action, one has to face its consequences, he cannot escape from them. God does not interfere or obstruct in any action done by the soul because He is Just (Nyaayakaari).

[*The free agent is one, who is free at his will, to do - not to do - or to do in reverse manner, any of his actions (deeds). All depends upon one's intellect. One gets the fruits of his/her actions, good or bad, according to one's actions, which is obvious.]

[*The soul is a free agent to do deeds, but is subsequent to God for reaping the fruits thereof. Likewise, God is free to do His good works.]

[*He is called a free agent, who has the body, the vital forces, the senses and the mind subordinate to his will. The soul is free to act according to its capacity, but once it has committed a sinful act, it becomes subject to the operation of the law of God, and thereby reaps the consequences of its sins. In other words, the soul is a free agent so far as the performance of deeds is concerned but it has to submit to the Divine Laws in the matter of suffering pain and misery for its sins. This is the proof that God does not know about our future incidents. If He is to be believed as being cognizant of the three periods of time, then, He is supposed to be the obstructer, which is not possible, as God is Just and away from any kind of sinful act.]

Quest # 35: Does God know the exact time, place and circumstances of our death?

Answer: God’s knowledge is Uniform, Uninterrupted and hence He always lives in the present.

God does not know about the death of a man until the soul has left the body, because God is within him [God is All-pervading entity]. He is within the soul too, so as soon as the soul leaves the body, He is there as a viewer, and hence these doubts are meaningless.

Quest # 36: Is God cognisant of the past, the present, and the future OR is He knower of the three periods of time?

Answer: For this Quest, Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati has given extraordinary and wonderful answers in his eternal Hindi scripture "Satyarth Prakash” (Chapter viii) [This book is also available in English version named “Light of Truth”] which says: --

"It is foolishness to speak of God as being cognisant of the three periods of time, because what ceases to exist is called the Past, and what does not exist now but will come into existence is called the Future. Now is there any kind of knowledge that ceases to exist with God or that He does not possess in the present but will possess in the future? Hence God’s knowledge is always uniform and uninterrupted. He always lives in the present. The past and the future relate to the human soul only. It is true, though, that the knowledge of three periods of time can be said to exist in God when it is spoken of in relation to the actions of the soul, but not absolutely. As the soul acts by virtue of its free will, so does God know, what it does, by virtue of His Omniscient, and as God knows, so the soul acts. In other words, God possesses the knowledge of the past, the present, and the future and gives souls their deserts; whilst the soul is a free agent in whatever it does and in possessing a limited knowledge of the present. Just as God’s knowledge of actions of human souls is beginnings, so is His knowledge of awarding just punishment. Both kinds of knowledge of in Him are true. Can it ever be possible that the knowledge of actions be true that of doing justice be false? Hence your objection does not hold God."

Quest # 37: According to the statement of Maharishi in "Satyarth Prakash” (Light of Truth); it seems that God knows everything about the future?

Answer: No! You have not understood Maharishi's quotation; please mark and read these lines properly and carefully ----

“As the soul acts by virtue of its free will, so does God know, what it does, by virtue of His Omniscient, and as God knows, so the soul acts. In other words, God possesses the knowledge of the past, the present, and the future and gives souls their deserts; whilst the soul is a free agent in whatever it does and in possessing a limited knowledge of the present.”

As God’s knowledge of awarding just punishment is infinite, so the soul acts by virtue of its free will and God knows. You can also quote it like this----The knowledge of three periods of time can exist in God when it is spoken of in relation to the action of the soul, but not absolutely.

God is, indeed, Knows everything about Prakriti, Srishti and the laws of nature created by Him.

Space or Time factors do not imply with God; because He is all pervading hence the past or the future do not limit His knowledge. Suppose, if we believe ignorantly for the time being that God knows everything about our future actions, then the soul has to do all those things which it does not want to do willingly, then how and why would God give the fruits of those particular actions. And if the soul does not perform those actions, then God’s knowledge will be limited. Hence the Vedic Theory is right, that God’s knowledge is always in the present, uniform and uninterrupted. So God knows when the Jivatma performs the actions, not otherwise.

The soul is supplied with an important internal organ of thinking i.e. the mind, which functions like a computer. The software (program) is made by the soul itself i.e. our own past impressions (Sanskaras) which are registered there. When a man performs any action either compelled by his Sanskaras or at free will of the present, the outcome of that action is also registered in the memory of the mind at that moment only. The actions are subjected to the divine laws, so GOD also registers the fruits of those actions there. Once the soul has performed an action, it cannot escape or change the consequences and has to face the fruits of its actions / deeds results in---good or bad, ---pleasure or pain-- happiness or sorrow.

It is obvious and no one can deny that we are the makers of our ---future, ---fortune, ---luck, ---destiny etc. By seeing the present deeds, any ordinary man can also predict the consequences of the future. Teachers or parents can also at times give the future verdict or make predictions about their children by seeing the child's behavior, but sometimes their judgement goes completely wrong, with the change of circumstances in future. (Man has limited knowledge but God is Omniscient). God makes all arrangements for the fruits of the actions done by the doer i.e. the soul, but again the Quest remains an unsolved mystery.

Quest # 38: So, is there any clarification or solution of this Question?

Answer: Of course! God has all the Answers because He is Omniscient and His knowledge is Uniform, Uninterrupted and always remains in the present. We do not know about the future and forget the past, but God knows the nature-actions-attributes of all souls from infinite period of time. In future if any actions are planned by the soul, then indeed God knows them all without any doubts. It should always be remembered and borne in mind that "God always lives in the present." In this way no one can cheat you in you in the name of God.

Quest # 39: Does God know about the future or no?

Answer: As written earlier in a simple language that God’s knowledge is always uniform and uninterrupted and always remains in the present. Man makes the time-boundary for his use. God was present in the past and will also be present in the future.

What ceases to exist is called the Past, and what does not exist now but will come into existence is called the Future. God is untouched by these conditions and always lives in the present.

Quest # 40: If God stays in the present, that means He does not stay in the past and future?

Answer: You have not understood the meaning----

“Yo Bhutam Cha Bhavyam Cha Sarvam Yashchaadhitishtati, Swaryasya Cha Kevalam Tasmai Jyeshtaaya Brahmane Namah”. (Atharvaveda 10-8-1)

The meaning of this mantra is clear that “we respectfully bow and salute to GOD, who is the Supreme Being, All blissful personified and who always remains present in the past and future”.

In this mantra, it is told that the time which is gone and which will come is called the past and future, because man only understands this language. God’s existence is always there, whether it is the past or future. GOD is called "Swaaha" i.e. He is Self-Illuminated, All blissful and Super-Conscious Personified. His Knowledge is All-True and Blissful. One who communions himself with Him becomes like Him. He is the Supreme Being who is All pervading in the Universe.

The speed of time is so fast that it is absolutely unimaginable. With the blinking of an eye, the future becomes the past. The present is so minute that we can't even think of it. Time cannot be caught or obstructed by anyone hence the saying that "time is the most powerful". Time can never be stopped because its existence is due to the incidents which takes place every moment in the Universe. Second--Minute--Hour--Day--Night--Week--Month--Year--Era etc. these names are given by man himself. The future becomes the past in no time. GOD lives in the present hence we (the soul) cannot see or understand Him. God is timeless.

God cannot be cognisant of the three periods of time. He alone is Omniscient, Timeless, Uniform and Uninterrupted.

All Quests about the future are baseless. What will happen after 100 years? Will we be living by then or no? The science of astrology that is based on the eternal laws of the nature is true. Our time is very precious, once gone it cannot be brought back so it is useless to discuss about the future. The past will never be the future, hence it is an important duty of everyone of us to make our present useful.

Human life is the present for man and every moment is priceless. One should try to make proper use of time and make his / her life worthy of living in every possible way.

"God is always present in the past and the future " this is the Vedic philosophy. Tomorrow will come and what will happen tomorrow will be known only tomorrow. Tomorrow never exists as yesterday, but it exists as today. To remember the past one is to fall backward and in the same way, by thinking about tomorrow, he will fall on his face, hence it is advisable to live in the present and leave tomorrow to God. May God give intellect to all our readers and make our present useful.

Quest # 41: When was the human race born?

Answer: It is a very profound Quest. We being humans, away from religion, beliefs, cast, creeds, divisions etc.; should have faith in God’s theology i.e. the Vedas, which are self-proved scriptures as the Vedas are the true knowledge of God alone.

According to the Vedic theory----there are four Yugas i.e. periods of time, e.g. Sat, Dwaper, Treta and Kali Yuga (Yajurveda 30/18) and in the Atharvaveda 10-7-9, the full time for creation of the Universe is quoted as 4,32,00,00,000 i.e. 432 million years. The current time is 1,96,08,53,099 years from the start of the Universe and this is the time of man's existence on earth.

Quest # 42: What is (can be) the life span of human beings?

Answer: The life span of a man, animal or living being is not fixed as per The Vedas. If a man lives according to natural laws, he can live till the age of 100 years or more. However it can vary due to his attitudes / behavior etc. towards life. Good deeds, pattern of eating-drinking-sleeping etc. also effects the life and age.

According to the laws of nature, all living beings have their own life span. A snake lives for 120 years and likewise, in natural circumstances a pigeon lives a life of 8 years, tortoise live for 150 years, a dog lives for 14 years, horse lives for 20 years, man and elephant live for 100 years. Their life can be shortened due to an accident or some other reason, hence the life span is not fixed, but it is confirmed that one who is born will die one day.

Everyone wants to live a long life “Madema Shathimaah Suveeraah” (Rigveda 6-4-8) means “O God! Give us long life so that we live to see our children and grand children with great enjoyment and in bliss”. The Vedas give inspiration to men to live for a period of 100 years or even more because the average limit of man's life is 100 years.

· “Shataminnu Shardo Anti Devaaha” (Rigveda 1-89-9) i.e. O God! Make the life span of man to be a 100 years or more.

· “Prana aayunshi Taarishat” (Rigveda 4-39-6) means "Oh God! Give us long life.” This shows that life is not fixed, but it is sure that life has an end.

· “Pashyema Sharadah Shatam Jeevema Sharadah Shatam” that is Oh God! May we live and see 100 years of life (with your blessings). So life of mankind is not fixed at all.

Quest # 43: Who was born first in the Universe –human being or animal?

Answer: It is a natural law that eatables come first followed by the eater. Jungles, herbs, fruits, flowers, food etc. are created first, then come water creatures, birds, animals and lastly man appears on earth in this Universe. This is not a new concept, there are many proofs in the Vedas.

“Tasmadyagyatarvahutah Sambhritam Prishadajjyam, Pashu(G)stan(G)shchakre Vayavyanaranya Gramyashcha ye” (Yajurveda 31/6)

Because herbs--medicines, birds and animals etc. are very useful to men, all these had been created before the creation of man on Earth.

Quest # 44: Why do human beings take birth?

Answer: See an appropriate answer for this Quest in the Nyaaya Darshana, Chapter # 1 and Sutra # 2.

“Duhkh Janma pravriti dosha mithyagyanam,

Uttarottarapaye tadanantarapayadapavarg”. (Nyaaya Darshana 1-2)

I.e.--the main cause of man's birth is his previous Sanskaras i.e. his past lives’ impressions or residential tendencies and cumulative unripe actions. Passions are created from ignorance and passions are the cause of Sanskaras, these Sanskaras are the main cause of man's birth, which results in all pain and sorrow. The wheel of birth and death rotates continuously until and unless ignorance is removed. Once ignorance is removed, the soul is freed from the bondage of birth and death. The emancipated soul enjoys/experiences extreme pleasure. The bliss of Emancipation extends over the period of Creations and Dissolution for thirty-six thousand times. This duration of Emancipation is called "Pranta-kaal".

No man takes birth by himself. Man's own Sanskaras force him to take birth, where--when--how, hence it is not in man's control. God knows the best because He is just and omniscient.

No one can escape the laws of nature, i.e. one has to face the consequences of his deeds. If one examines his deeds, attitudes, behaviors etc. in the present life; he can improve his future life to come. God helps those who help themselves. One should try to remove his/her ignorance by practicing Octapartite Yoga(eight parts or stages) and acquire God’s grace. Then only knots (that bind the soul from further improvement because of his/her own Sanskaras) are untied. After that the soul will be free from all bondage of birth and death and enjoy the bliss of God for the Pranta-kaal i.e. the time = 31,10,40,00,00,00,000 years = 36,000 times of Creations and Dissolution of the Universe.

Quest # 45: How can one say that Human race is the best?

Answer: It is cognizable and we can see that only man is the kind of creature who improves his wisdom with his intellect, collects the means of pleasure etc. in this world. He can travel by road, sea and air. By virtue of his intellect, he has control over other creatures.

Only man is a free agent compared to all other creatures. One can see the improvements he has made with his intellect.

The most important thing that God gives, is His everlasting Knowledge to men only, because man is the best creature in the world, so this also proves that God’s special grace** is on mankind.

[**----God is just, merciful and omniscient, and His grace is equally distributed in all creatures and souls without any partiality, because all souls are His eternal children. You can see that all souls seem to be happy in different races without any complaints.]

There is only one difference between human beings and animals i.e. the difference of "Dharma" or "Virtue" or "Duty". Man is called a man only when he performs his duty i.e. virtuous deeds, otherwise there is no difference between a man and a beast.

All creatures other than humans, are under Divine obedience hence animals (all creatures other than humans) are said to be in the "Bhoga Yoni"*, whereas men have a special chance to communion with God hence he is said to be in the "Yoga Yoni*** along with "Bhog yoni”**.

[**Bhog means to have all the things required by that particular race.]

[***Yoga means to be in communion with the Supreme Soul i.e. God.]

In short humans have God's knowledge i.e. The Vedas, Wisdom, Dharma, and are at free will to perform actions according to their capabilities and meet the Supreme soul by which all pain and sorrow are removed. The emancipated soul which is free from bondage of birth and death, experiences God’s bliss in salvation for "Pranta-kaal", hence human race is the best compared to all other races. "Ashrafful Makhlooquat"(Quran Sharif)

Quest # 46: What is subtle body? Does it exist besides the materials body or is it just an imagination?

Answer: What is seen with the eyes, and can be touched and felt is called the gross physical body. The second body, which is not visible to the eye but certainly exists, is called the subtle body. The subtle body is true and not imaginary. You must have heard these words e.g. mind, intellect, ego, consciousness, happiness, pain, sorrow, hunger etc. etc. they actually exist but cannot be seen. The subtle body is so fine that no man made instrument can visualize it.

(* Sometimes also called Spiritual or Astral body.)

There are four kinds of bodies. 1 --The gross physical or materialistic body, 2 --The subtle body, 3 --The casual body, and 4 --The Ttureeya body.

1) The gross physical body is also called the material body because it made from the five elements i.e. earth, water, fire, air and ether.

2) The subtle body comprises of seventeen principles.

3) The casual body consists of the elementary matter --- Prakriti i.e. the material cause of the Universe.

4) The Tureeya body is that through which the soul is absorbed in the contemplation of the All-blissful Supreme Spirit in the state of Samaadhi (superior condition) developed with the practice of Yoga and perfect concentration. The energy born of this pure body---the product of the pure influence of the superior condition---is of great service to the soul in Emancipation.

Quest # 47: Kindly give explanation in detail about the four bodies and the substances that they are made of?

Answer: The gross physical or material body is made from the five great elements i.e. earth, water, fire, air and ether. The body, in which the soul enters into the state, called sound and dreamless sleep, is called casual body, which is all pervading like ether and whose globe is common to all souls. The subtle body comprises of 17 principles which are as follows: -- 5 nervauric or vital principles (five Pranas) + 5 principles of sensation (five Gyanendriyas) + 5 physical principles in subtle form (five Sukshma Bhootas i.e. Tanmatras) + the principle of voliation i.e. a mind (Manas) + the principle of discernment i.e. an intellect (Budhi) = these 17 principles combined are called the subtle body. The subtle body accompanies the soul in all its births and deaths till salvation and are separated when the soul is emancipated. At the time of death, physical body is perished but the subtle body goes with the soul.

· “Yasmin vrikshe supalashe, devai sampibate yamah” (Rigveda 10-135-1) which means: -- The soul enjoys with the organs in this tree-like physical body.

In subtle body there are five nervauric forces (Pranas) ---Praana, Apaana, Vyaana, Samaana and Udaana, + five principles of sensation (Gyanendriyas) ---Nose, Tongue, Eyes, Skin and Ears, + Five subtle elements (Tanmatras) ---Smell, Taste, Vision, Touch and Speech, + One Mind, + An Intellect = these 17 principles combined are called the subtle body.

There is also a fourth body in which the soul experiences the bliss of God, and the blissful condition stays in Samaadhi i.e. the state of realization of God. This body is called the Tureeya body.

Quest # 48: Is it true that there exist eight Chakras and nine Dwaaras in this body? Kindly explain?

Answer: The Atharva Veda says:

“Ashtachakra Navadwara devanam purodhdhya, Tasyam hiranyayah koshah swargo jyotishavritah” (Atharvaveda 10-2-31)

“Tasmin hiranyaye kosho traye tripratishthate, Tasmin yad yakshmatmanvat tad vai brahmavido viduh” (Atharvaveda 10-2-32)

Yes! It is true that there are eight Chakras* i.e. the gangleons [according to Hath-Yoga], and nine Dwaaras i.e. doors or openings in the body. The eight gangleons are 1) Mooladhaar, 2) Swadhishthaan 3) Manipoorak, 4) Surya, 5) Anaahad, 6) Vishuddhi, 7) Aajya, and 8) Sahasraar.

This body is called “Ayodhya” –the city that cannot be conquered. It is a city of Devas i.e. deities which contain the nine Dwaaras or openings in the human bodies are --two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, mouth, and two genitals organs. [Some pundits and scholars say that according to the Vedic theory these Chakras are the stages in which one can improve to attain emancipation.] “Ashtachakra Navadwara” as quoted in the Vedas is true. Where are they? It is the subject of research for the Vedic scholars. Information about their locations received is as under:

Mooladhaar is located between the two genitals. Swadhishthaan’s place is above and at the root of the genital. Manipoorak is located at the navel whereas Surya is located above Aajya Chakra. Anaahad is near the heart that covers Pranayama Kosha including heart and lungs. Vishuddhi is located near Thyroid gland in neck whereas the Aajya Chakra pertains to Manomaya Kosha and covers Pituitary gland and the Thalamus family of which Hypothalamus is the most important part. Lastly the Sahasraar Chakra is called the Lotus of thousand petals and is located at the top of the head where the soul experiences the bliss of God. This is the meeting point of God and the soul.

Quest # 49: What is birth and death and to whom does it come?

Answer: According to the laws of nature, the separation of the soul from the body is called "death", whilst its union with the body is called "birth" of the body; in other words when the soul acquires a body is called birth and leaves the body is called death. The thing that is created and dissolved is called birth and death of that thing.

"Birth is a state in which Jiva is able to act when he is endowed with a body, and death is a state in which Jiva and body are separated, the whose union had previously been the cause of birth and activity."

When the soul leaves the body, it lives in atmosphere (Yama*). Thereafter the Great Judge --- God embodies the soul according to the nature of its deeds done in the previous life. Guided by God it enters the body of some living creature with air, water, food, and drink or through any one of the openings of the body.

Balance of the Creation exists because of birth and death. If there is only birth and no death, then the system of nature will be disturbed, hence birth and death are essential and this natural law is beginning-less and endless.

The physical body, which is made from five gross elements, is actually dead and inert matter, but it looks live because of the existence of the soul within it. The moment the soul leaves the body, the body becomes dead inert matter. The soul is unborn and infinite, because it is eternal.

The death is the greatest unsolved mystery of the world which man tries to unravel. The discovery is on to solve the mystery of death. Even science is unable to understand or conquer death, because death is not a materialistic thing. The soul is eternal, hence death comes only to the material /physical body.

The relationship between birth and death is a vicious circle, when there is birth, death is bound to follow and when death occurs, birth follows. (The wheel of birth and death has been rotating from time-infinite and will keep on rotating forever without any interruption; because there exists the Divine Power of Creation and Destruction.)

Science teaches us that nothing can be created or destroyed, it only changes its form. When the body dies and is cremated it seems like it has vanished in the fire but on the contrary the body is dissolved in its subtle elements i.e. its cause. (The body---made from five gross elements, dissolves in its five subtle elements respectively.) It should be understood that where there is change, it must contain the attributes of the Matter i.e. Prakriti.

There are three eternal entities --- God, the Matter and numerous numbers of Souls. God and the souls are conscious entities whereas the Prakriti is a dead inert matter. By the influence of God there is a continuous change in the Prakriti 's effort i.e. the Srishti or the Creation.

“Yasyachchhayamritam yasya mrityuh”(Yajurveda 25-13) means---births and deaths are under God’s control. He who obeys God’s commandments enjoys God’s shadow of eternity and one who is disobedient, fails to get His grace and gets entangled in the vicious circle of birth and death.

It is an eternal laws that "what is given away is what remains". God is an endless sea of bliss, so the one who is in communion with God gets His bliss and gets away from worldly pain and pleasure. God is just and merciful, so whatever He does, is for the betterment of the soul. One should not fear death. Life is a continuously rotating wheel of birth and death. Every soul that is embodied has to pass through the gates of birth and death sooner or later, until it can escape from the worldly ties and acquires Emancipation which lasts for Pranta-kaal i.e. 31,10,40,00,00,00,000 years, and the emancipated soul experiences God’s bliss.