Sivananda Yoga FAQ
Q 1: Are there fulfilled prophecies in the Hindu scriptures?
A: The Lord has given His ever-standing promise that He would appear on earth whenever there is a danger to Dharma, whenever Adharma tries to vanquish Dharma. To fulfill that promise He has appeared many times in the form of saints and sages who have protected Dharma from decay and from the onslaughts of foreign oppression. They have instilled new elements of vigour and perspective in Hinduism. Therefore, Hinduism continues to flourish. Whenever there is a necessity, saints and sages will emerge, not from the heavens, but from among the people themselves. Hinduism does not believe exclusively in one prophet. The prophecies given in the Puranas about the state of affairs to come have also proved true.
Q 2: If the Soul is immortal, why does Swamiji celebrate his birthday which belongs to the body?
A: I do not celebrate my birthday. It is the devotees who do it. Celebration of such birthdays is equal to worship of Para Brahman. Worship of the Guru is worship of Para Brahman. The devotees take delight in celebrating the birthday, and they are benefited, uplifted. A spiritual wave is created year after year when the birthday is celebrated, and more and more people get a chance of knowing the existence of the Divine Life Society and my teachings. The celebrations of the birthday is an annual reminder to the aspirants of the purpose of their life. It is a fillip to their Sadhana. The pious, receptive attitude prevalent on such an occasion draws forth the grace of the Guru and God upon the devotees. The thoughts of peace, love, devotion, etc., sent out by the innumerable devotees that assemble together to celebrate the birthday go a long way to promote peace, harmony and spiritual well-being in the land. It is not without purpose that the Hindus celebrate the birthdays of religious leaders, saints and sages, such as Buddha Jayanti, Sankara Jayanti, Mahavira Jayanti, etc. The Hindu calendar is spotted with many such Jayantis and other holy days, so that the observance of these Jayantis and holy days may give the needed spiritual impetus to people and they may strive with increased zeal for the attainment of the purpose of life, viz., God-realization. The more we have of such special, holy days, the more we have the chance of being inspired to intensify our spiritual progress.
Q 3: I am convinced that praying to saints and worshipping them is absolutely wrong. They prayed to God and found salvation for themselves, and in like manner, we also can take care of our salvation without depending on any saint.
A: No. It is not so. Saints and sages are worthy of our adoration and prayers, because they have shown us the ways to God-realization. The apprentice, who has just entered service in any field, is expected to have an attitude of submission and receptivity to his senior who trains him on the job, although the latter may be a man like himself. The same is applicable in the field of spirituality. By respecting saints and following their teachings, you grow in spirituality, you learn to love, and know God more adequately. May God bless you!
Saturate your mind with divine thoughts. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
| APRIL 2015
04 Full Moon MAY 2015 04 Full Moon |
Glossary
PARASURAMA AVATARA – Rama with the axe, the destroyer of the tyranny of the warrior-caste, the Kshatriya race. The object of Parasurama Avatara was to deliver the country from the oppression of the Kshatriya rulers. Parasurama destroyed the Kshatriya race twenty-one times. Parasurama (Axe-wielding Rama), is the Sixth avatara of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. He is also the first Sovereign Emperor known to man. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills.
As the story goes, King Kaartaveerya-arjuna (Sahasrarjuna) and his army visited Jamadagni, Parasurama’s father and a brahmin sage. Jamagagni fed his guest and the whole army with his divine cow, Subarea. The king demanded to have the magical cow but Jamadagni refused because he needed the cow for his religious ceremonies. Later, King Kaartaveerya-arjuna (Sahastrarjuna) sent his soldiers to take the cow. Parasurama stepped in and killed the entire army and the king with his axe. In return, the prince beheaded Jamadagni.
The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered to relieve the earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources and neglected their duties as kings.
However, unlike all other avatars, Parasurama still lives on earth even today. Secondly, he is an Avesha Avatara, a secondary type of Avatara. In such an Avatara, Vishnu does not directly descend such as that of Rama but instead enters the soul of a man with His form. Accordingly, unlike Rama and Krishna, Parasurama is not worshipped. But in South India, there exists one major temple commemorating Parasurama.
Other notes about Parasurama, the story goes on that Parasurama was struck by remorse at the King’s wanton killings, and offered penance on a mountain top. The sea god Varuna responded, and offered Parasurama land equal to the distance he could throw his axe. Parasurama threw his axe from Gokarnam and it fell at Kanyakumari. As promised the sea gave way to land, thus giving rise to Kerala.
According to one legend, Parasurama also went to visit Siva once but the way was blocked by Ganesha. Parasurama threw the axe at him and Ganesha, knowing it had been given to him by Shiva, allowed it cut off one of his tusks.
Love knows no reward. Love knows no fear. – Sri Swami Sivananda