Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says, “Bow to Me, come take my refuge”. Will this not anger or offend the other gods and goddesses?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, there is nothing like that. It is all one, they are all the same One Divinity. God is addressed in three different ways – that is, in the first person, second person and third person (here meaning by way of language and grammar). When Lord Krishna says “Me”, it is not the individual or the physical body. Here it refers to the One Consciousness, the Divine Light present within. Everything in Creation is pervaded by the light of the Divine.
Gurudev, in the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says, “Sarva-sankalpa parityagi”. What does it mean?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you are about to go to sleep, and if you keep thinking “I have to do this, I have to do that”, then will you be able to get restful sleep? What do you do when you sleep? You keep everything aside. Only then will you are able to get sleep. There is a deeper meaning in this verse. Yoga will not happen until the mind is stuck in feverish thoughts like 'I want this' or 'I have to do this' or 'I need to do that'.
How can you find deep rest when your mind is running behind acquiring 20 different things? Can you get any comfort in such a state? So for some time, you need to set everything aside. This is what is meant by the term “Sarva-sankalpa Sanyasi”.
'Yada hi nendriyartheshu na karmasv-anusajjate. Sarva-sankalpa-sanyasi yogarudastadochyate' (Bhagavad Gita, 6.4)
When one reaches a stage where he desires nothing for himself, then he becomes a Yogi, a Sanyasi. Such a wise and selfless person becomes useful to everyone around him. Whom do you really call a saint, a prophet, or an apostle? One who does not desire anything for himself, and one who only prays and works for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone else. Often one desires fame, or money, etc. It is desire that destroys a person and makes his vision and perspective in life very narrow and limited. So Lord Krishna says that until and unless a person drops all this (feverishness of desire) and becomes hollow and empty, he does not find peace. Once the mind becomes hollow and empty, one experiences such deep rest, and at the same time such deep joy arises from within. In such a state, one realizes the light of the Divine within and all around. This is what is meant here.
Gurudev, why did Lord Krishna not come to Abhimanyu’s rescue in the fierce battle the way He had rescued and helped Draupadi? What is the secret here?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Lord Krishna came to rescue Draupadi when she called Him for help. Abhimanyu (Arjuna’s son) was a warrior. He had decided to sacrifice himself in the war for the noble cause. But he did not learn the intricacies of war completely. He only half-understood them and went off to the battlefield. In a fit of zeal and enthusiasm of a warrior, he drove into battle in the Chakravyuha (an intricate and specific type of battle formation) and got stuck inside.
Now, if Lord Krishna wanted, He could have helped avert the entire battle altogether, not just the unfortunate killing of Abhimanyu alone. Such questions can always be asked. Lord Krishna was wise and capable in every way, so He could have easily stopped the battle from taking place. Then why did He not do so? See, Lord Krishna went thrice as an ambassador of peace to strike an agreement between the Pandavas and Kauravas to avert the battle. But every time He had to return empty handed.
There is a beautiful story related to this, which I have narrated earlier also. One day Lord Krishna was dressing Himself up in the finest garments, etc., while his charioteer waited outside. The charioteer waited for a long time for his Lord to come out, because Lord Krishna had instructed him to keep the chariot ready. Lord Krishna took time to dress Himself, adjust his crown and ornaments. Now just like a driver sometimes comes in and asks you, “Sir, are we going to go out, or is the programme cancelled?”, Lord Krishna’s charioteer entered His chamber and asked Him, “O Lord! Where are we going today? You seem to be preparing quite elaborately for some meeting”.
To this Lord Krishna replied, “I am planning to go meet Duryodhana today”.
The charioteer was struck with disbelief and said, “O Lord! Why do You have to go meet Duryodhana? You simply have to snap your fingers and he will come running and fall at your feet. Why do You have to take the trouble of going to him?”
A driver too has a sense of belongingness and certain right to ask the master, which is why often we see a driver say, “Sir, please do not take this route. Let us drive through the other route today, since there is heavy traffic on the other route”.
Lord Krishna’s charioteer too put his concerns forward on hearing His travel plans. Lord Krishna replied, “My dear! Darkness does not come to the Light. It is Light that has to go to the Darkness”.
Then Lord Krishna also said, “See, Duryodhana does not recognize Me and who I really am. He only recognizes outward appearances and outward display. Duryodhana will only see what I am wearing, what kind of chariot I have come by, and what kind of clothes and ornaments I am wearing.” Lord Krishna was very intelligent in every way. Now there is a question asked, as to how Lord Krishna ended up having 16,000 wives. Do you know how the modern city of Baghdad (Iraq’s capital city) got its name? How many of you here know the story behind Baghdad’s name? In ancient times, there was a wicked king by the name of Narakasura. He had a son called Baghadutta. From his name Baghadutta came ‘Baghdad’.
The king Narakasura ruled over that region which is now Iraq. He had 16000 wives or consorts. He would marry any woman he liked. He caused a lot of pain and trouble to the people of the kingdom.
When I had gone on a visit to Iraq recently, people there told me, “Gurudev, there are about 100 villages here where there is not even a single male person. Saddam Husain had every man in these 100 villages killed at his command, so that there are only women present now. Narakasura had done a similar thing in the past, some 5000 years ago. It is surprising to see how history has somewhat repeated, and what kind of impressions are carried by that place even till today. So Lord Krishna went there and killed Narakasura. Now after the king’s death, the 16000 ladies decided that they will commit suicide (as they had lost their husband), because they will not be accepted back into their father’s home as they were married.
The land had been freed from Narakasura’s wicked rule and was called as Pragjyotishpur. Do you know what Ahiganasthana means? It means a place which has many different species of snakes. The root ‘Ahi’ has two meanings here. One meaning is a snake, and the other refers to naturally occurring minerals.
After Narakasura’s slaying, Lord Krishna installed Baghadutta on the throne of Pragjyotishpur and since then the name of the place got changed to Baghdad. There is a place called Tikri where Lord Krishna stopped to rest for a while, using a Tikaav (a bedrest or seat support). All these 16000 wives came to meet Lord Krishna there and expressed their desire to commit suicide, since their own families would not accept them back as they were Narakasura’s wives, and would insult or admonish them for being consorts of such a wicked king. They did not wish to live the rest of their lives with such a stain or blemish on their character and modesty. Then Lord Krishna stopped them, and said that, “I will pass on my surname to you. You can then say that you are my wives”.
In order to uplift the sense of dignity and self-respect of those women and save them from committing suicide, Lord Krishna in this way married all the 16000 women in one day. In a way, Lord Krishna gave those women Jeevan-daana or the gift of a new life. Otherwise no man was ready to accept and marry any of the women. So when these ladies returned as the lawful wives of Lord Krishna, they were received with great respect and honour in the society.
Dearest Gurudev, some young people I know use Marijuana and say that it is their spirituality which helps them connect to different realms. Please speak on the long term effects of Marijuana use.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Marijuana use is the most horrible thing one can do. You know it can give you a temporary effect of an elevated consciousness but it destroys the body. It destroys your nervous system. It is very bad for your physiology.
Though I have never tasted, but people say they got some elevation after having it. But this elevation doesn’t show up on their face. They still look so dull.
If you have experienced bliss like we do in meditation, then you will glow. Look at everybody’s face here, they are glowing. There is joy radiating, there is love oozing out of people’s body when they experience meditation or a higher state of consciousness. But we don’t find this in people using marijuana. Instead you see that they shrink, they look so sad, depressed and sick. It is a crime you are committing against your own body.
You know, it’s the same whether you commit a crime against someone else or your own body. Marijuana is an assault on one’s own body. It is not the right thing. It may momentarily give you some high, but my dear, why do you want to go for that? You do meditation, go for higher energy. In meditation you get higher states of experiences, which makes your body strong, your mind sharp, and your heart compassionate. It makes you very healthy and happy. Why not go into this rather than marijuana? Substance abuse is a crime against one’s self.
Dear Gurudev, I have come here because I have heard your call and also because I know that deep inside I need to change in order to be free. What should I do for it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You are in the right place. Pick up any Seva project and work sincerely for it, you will find that inertia disappears. Do more Pranayama and meditation. If you feel it is difficult to do it alone, then ask two to four people to join you and do pranayama together.
Usually we may find it a bit boring when we are doing Yogasanas and Pranayama all by ourselves, but when few others also join us then it becomes more enjoyable and interesting. Then it does not feel like boredom or a compulsion.
Our ancient sages have said, “Ekas tapasvi dwir-adhyayi”. Whenever you need to practice something, then always see that two to three people join together to practice it. Then it becomes good. For example, during exams, people often find it difficult to study alone. Isn’t it? What do studious children usually do during examinations? They form study groups of three to four people and study collectively. But then they also chat a lot during the studies as well! They lose track of time when they get into chatting and conversation, and then suddenly remember that the exam is near. So they leave the chatting and get back to their books. I know all this. Many students here must be thinking “Oh, how does Gurudev know all this?” Isn’t that what you all are thinking? This is what is going on in your mind, isn’t it? I am monitoring everything.
So we must do all these practices with a group. Then you will see there won’t be any inertia.
See, three things can help you get rid of inertia:
1. Fear
2. Greed. If someone tempts you by saying, “I will give you One Lakh rupees if you do this practice for 40 days”, you will do it so sincerely, taking care that you do not miss out on even one out of the 40 days promised. In fact you end up doing it for 42 days! Two more days just to be sure you have not missed the practice target.
3. Love. When you fall deeply in love with some work or something; when your interest becomes so focused and total towards something, then you do that so whole-heartedly and sincerely. All our Yuvacharyas (youth leaders) are doing such excellent work in Maharashtra. During drought and troubled times in many villages in Maharashtra, so many youth leaders joined hands and went from village to village to work and support the people. They began many river rejuvenation projects and also cleaned up many rivers there. They have done so much wonderful work in such a short span of time.
Our volunteers have managed to revive 25 rivers all by their own initiative and dedication. They took very little help and support from the Foundation, the rest of the infrastructure and resources were wholly contributed by them. So when you find passion for something in life, then also the inertia simply vanishes.
You know, life needs passion and dispassion – both. And in between life also needs compassion. You must extend compassion to yourself and also towards others. Sometimes in the name of discipline we trouble others and also ourselves. This is not right. Sometimes we get so engrossed in what we are passionate about that it disturbs others around us, and we also get troubled by it. This is why compassion is equally necessary.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, that’s very good. You are wise. And you do have the love for me, I know. You recognize me when you do not bring all this. When people bring flowers to me it means to say, “Gurudev, you have yet to blossom more”.
When people bring sweets, they are giving me a message, “Gurudev, you have to be sweeter”. I think I am already sweet enough (laughter), so I do not need sweets, and I am blossomed and happy so I do not need flowers.
Gurudev, you have almost fulfilled each and everyone’s wishes. Is there any wish of yours that is left to be fulfilled?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If that is the case then I would not be sitting here. No one can sit here (in Satsang) with unfulfilled wants and desires. When desires quieten down, then bliss and happiness springs forth from within.
My answer for this question is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. I want everyone to be happy, I want a smile on everyone’s face, I want progress for the nation, I want poverty to be eliminated, I want all countries to come together as one, I want all conflicts to be resolved – all this is what I wish for. But I do not want anything for myself. I am content, happy and completely at peace. That is why I am here.
Is there a “right” way, or, is it all an illusion? Is there something that needs to be DONE here, or is just BEING here good enough? How to know what one should do next? Should we stick to what is safe, or should we try the unknown? If we genuinely have no idea about what to do, then what should we do? How to get rid of this confusion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I don’t want to add to your confusion, my dear. My job is to create confusion. Actually, I am not here to convince you. You know, confusion is like the fire in which you bake very well.
What does Confusion mean? It means one set of concepts has broken down, and so you are in a vacuum. It is a sign of good growth, if it lasts for a short time. So, just be with it. You are in the right place.
What is happening right now? Do you have any questions now? See, we should understand this about questions. When do more questions arise in our mind? When the prana level is low, then you have too many questions in your mind. When our Prana level is high, then the question turns into an exclamation (a sense of wonderment). You say “Wow!” and that becomes the preface for Yoga. So just be with the question and turn it around into a wonder. This is what Lord Buddha also taught, “Anuttaro bhava”, it means “Be answerless!” (Meaning to go into a sense of wonder).
I am a doctor, what can I do for the world, and whom can I help?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is a lot you can do. You can do research. A doctor’s words carry a lot of importance for people, like the gospel truth. You should tell people, “Come on, sit and meditate for some time”.
You can encourage people towards a stress-free state of mind and a stress-free life. You can give them talks on how to prevent diseases. I want neurologists to talk more about meditation and also give tips to people on what type of food they should eat and how they can maintain the nervous system better so as to not get into neurological illnesses.
I want liver specialists to tell people how to keep the liver healthy. We would like doctors to hold camps in rural areas. You can write some simple books or make simple handy pamphlets or leaflets describing how one can maintain healthy function of the kidney, heart and the liver. All these are very vital internal organs but people do not know how to maintain them, and how to detoxify them. People do not know what to eat, how to eat and when to eat.
Doctors should raise their voice against unethical practices in Medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. So many malpractices are happening in the pharmaceutical industry today. You must raise your voice against them.
Till about June last year (2015), the World was made to believe that butter is very bad for heart patients. Two years ago, a Vaidya from Mumbai (a doctor proficient in Ayurveda and other holistic healing therapies) had come to meet me in the Ashram. He was an elderly saint from Rishikesh and was having heart problems. The doctors he had consulted told him to not take butter or any fats in his diet at all. Allopathy had prescribed him not to take any fats. But when he consulted an Ayurvedic doctor, they told him, “Dear Sir, you should have butter and Ghee (clarified butter)”.
The allopathic doctor on the other hand would have a sarcastic smile on hearing this, thinking to himself, “This man does not know anything”.
Last year they discovered that butter has Vitamin-K and it does not do any harm to heart patients. Then this discovery also appeared on the cover page of the TIME magazine, that Butter is actually good for you. Research today has shown a completely different picture about Cholesterol. There has been so much hype and drama about Cholesterol. Today the doctors say that Cholesterol is actually good and there is nothing wrong with it. There is a whole different theory that has come up around this.
So, we should not think that Medical Science is the final and ultimate truth. It is a continually evolving and growing science. No doubt, you need to respect and follow it, but this is why today, Holistic Medicine is gaining importance and has found a strong voice everywhere.
Here, Dr. Nisha from our Ashram knew so many people diagnosed with Cancer to whom many hospitals had said that they cannot treat them and there was no way. They came here and underwent many processed, and many people have become healthier. With the regular practice of pranayama, meditation, Yoga, proper food and mind-set, and through Ayurveda, they have got very good results. We have to take towards holistic medicine.
So as doctors you can all do so many good things. You can recommend holistic medicine to people and also educate them about it. If you see, food habits, especially in North India is very bad. In the North, people mostly consume potato, tomato and brinjal very often. The nutritional value in the food consumed there is almost zero. The endurance power of the body amongst our youth is so low. It is only about 20% endurance. There is no energy among our youth; which is why we are so backward in sports.
At a time when China can win 50 medals, we become happy and jubilant if we even get one medal in any sporting event. Getting a bronze medal in the Olympics too is a big thing for us. Why is this so? We have not taken proper care of the health of our youth.
Just inspect and see how much starch do you eat? When you consume rice, potato, etc., it is all starch. Other nutritional vegetables are not being promoted very well. As doctors you should educate people about this. Tell them to have more of okra, green beans, and more of green leafy vegetables.
Where was tomato used in our ancient and traditional cooking? Today in every house you see people using tomato, potato, brinjals and onions in cooking. That’s it. There is very little nutritional value in these four vegetables. Yet we find that predominantly people eat more of these instead of other vegetables. And for these vegetables also, people usually boil them and then eat them after throwing away the water used for boiling these vegetables. By throwing away the water, they also throw away all the nutrients and minerals extracted in the water. As doctors you will really need to inform and educate people about all this. Tell them what they should eat and drink and how they should do so. This is why we suggested establishing a Meditating Doctors Association.
Many times we partnered with AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in New Delhi to organize such informative programs and sessions. Last time, 600 research papers on Sudarshan Kriya were presented in the last conference. It was one of the most widely written about topics.
Dear Gurudev, I am an allopathic doctor. When I learnt about Ayurveda, I feel my science is not complete. Yet I also cannot invest time to learn five years of Ayurveda. How can I make my medical practice more holistic with Ayurveda? How can I integrate Ayurveda?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know, Ayurveda doctors ask the same question about Allopathy (laughter). I know that many queries and requests of this kind have come up and we shall discuss it with the Ministry of AYUSH, and see if it is possible to design a short course in phases for addressing this – whether by correspondence or in residential mode, and spanning between six months to a year in duration. We will have to think about a proper format for it, since you do know about anatomy already, and you know about diseases.
Here you need to know and learn more about Nadi Pariksha or Pulse Diagnosis. We will do a Pulse Diagnosis course for you. It can be an additional source of knowledge for you about Ayurveda. But to learn more about Ayurveda we will think about it and ask the Ministry of AYUSH about it.