May I Answer That?

“May I Answer That?” by Swami Sivananda is a conversation in a FAQ format between the respected Swami Sivananda and his disciples.

The piece contains approximately 100 questions, for example, when the grace of Guru and God is there, why is the mind still not controlled? How can character of a nation shine forth in its pristine glory? What is music? Has it got any power to soothe the aching mind? What are the advantages of Mouna or the vow of silence? Some question answers are below —

Q3. What is Brahmamuhurta? Why is it eulogised by the Rishis? 4 am in the morning is termed as Brahmamuhurta. Because it is favourable for meditation on God or Brahman, it is called Brahmamuhurta. At this particular hour, the mind is very calm and serene. It is free from worldly thoughts, worries and anxieties. The mind is like a blank sheet of paper and comparatively free from worldly Samskaras. It can be very easily molded at this time before worldly distractions enter the mind. Further, the atmosphere also is charged with more Sattva at this particular time. There is no bustle and noise outside.

Q12. How to make the mind subtle and pure? Do Japa. Do selfless services. Pray to God from the bottom of your heart (Antarika). Have Satsang. Meditate. Read the Gita and the Upanishads. Live alone. Live in seclusion for six months. Take Sattvic food. Give up meat, fish, eggs, liquors, chillies, oil, black sugar, onions and garlic.

Q36. Who is a righteous man? A righteous man is he who is pure in thought, word and deed and who observes Yama and Niyama to the very letter. He sticks to Dharma even in the face of a problem. He never moves astray for the sake of paltry gains and selfish ends. He is ever pious, God-fearing, self-centered and selfless. He has cosmic vision and a broad outlook. He is equanimous and tolerant towards all. He is a mine of all virtues like charity, nobility, sincerity, humility, renunciation, serenity, simplicity and so on. No egoism, no lust, no greed, no crooked-mindedness, no vanity can find a place in him. The righteous man is ever the object of adoration to all. There will be no enemies to him at all, for he loves all friends and does equally.

Q37. How can a person perpetuate the period of youth? The Yogic method excels all other methods. It is the best and the cheapest of all prevalent systems of treatment. Take to intense Pranayam and Asanas. Both these help a lot preserving Veerya (semen) and converting the vital energy into Ojas. Practice Sirshasan, Sarvangasan, Matsyasan, Halasan, Paschimottanasan, Padahastasan and Yoga Mudra coupled with Bhastrik Pranayam. Practice Pranayam till the stage of Kevala Kumbhak is reached. When there is no necessity either to breathe in or to breathe out, Veerya becomes steady; that is, there will be no discharge or emission in any form. The Ayurvedic preparation “Chyavanaprash” is a wonderful one in enabling the regular user to preserve youth for a very long time.

Q43. Would you kindly suggest some effective methods for conversion and sublimation of the sexual energy into spiritual energy or Ojas? Observe strict continence in thought, word and deed. Give up thinking useless and vain thoughts. Keep balance of mind in all conditions and circumstances, contemplating the Divine. Practice Sirshasan, Sarvangasan and Oordhva Padmasan, besides Viparitakarani Mudra. Preserve the energy by constantly repeating the name of the Lord, doing intense Japa and meditation, and study of the Gita, the Bhagavata, the Ramayana and the like.

Develop Viveka, Vairagya and Vichara. As dispassion increases, so is the vital energy not allowed to leak out. The greater the Vairagya (non-attachment to worldly objects) the more secure will be the semen. The more the preservation of semen, the greater will be the transmutation into Ojas, which means abundant physical, mental, moral and spiritual strength and quick evolution. Pranayam helps a lot in gaining control over the physical machinery and the mind. To have control over the mind means to have control over the Prana Sakti and prevent Veerya from being let out. To have control over this masculine power means to have abundant Ojas which enables the aspirant to glow spiritually. Intense Sadhana, with the desires reduced to the barest minimum, will sublimate the sexual energy into spiritual energy. For further information, go through my book Practice of Brahmacharya. It gives exhaustive details regarding the subject in question.

Q97. What is the difference between Jivatman and Paramatman? Jivatman is the individual soul, a reflection of Brahman in Avidya or the mind. Paramatman is the Supreme Soul, Brahman or the Atman. From the empirical viewpoint, the Jivatman is a finite and conditioned being, while the Paramatman is the infinite, eternal, Sat-chit-ananda Brahman. In essence, the Jivatman is identical with Paramatman when Avidya is destroyed.

Q156. How to develop Bhakti? By Satsang, by repeating the Lord’s name, doing Kritan, hearing Kathas, reading the Ramayana, Bhagavata and the lives of Bhaktas-Bhakta Vijayam and Bhakta Lilamrita-Vishnu Sahasranama, Narada Bhakti Sutras and Sandilya Sutras. You must develop Vairagya. This is important. Live amidst Bhaktas. Live in Ayodhya. Respect Rama Nama. You will develop Rama Bhakti. Live in Brindavan. Study Bhagavata. Do Japa of the Dvadasakshara Mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.” You will develop Krishna Bhakti.

Q253. What are the advantages of Mouna or the vow of silence? Should I also observe? Observe Mouna for a couple of hours daily at any time that suits you. Try to speak little at other times. Avoid obscene language. Talk sweetly and gently. You must have perfect control over speech. Control over speech means control of mind. The organ of speech, Vak Indriya, is a great distractor of the mind. Mouna gives you peace. It removes anxieties and quarrels. It develops your will power. It conserves energy. It reduces the force of Sankalpa or the thought-current.