If we do not waste time and energy in propagating spiritual ideas, Gita studies and
Sankirtan, but devote that energy to the above end, then we shall get economic betterment
earlier, after which those who wish can pursue philosophy and religion.
We should develop our material and physical powers and get to the same peak of
progress, power and comfort as the Western nations before we can dabble in philosophy
and the like.
Two types of workers, social and religious, are necessary in this world. Social
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As you would see the material objects with the help of a material instrument in the form
of the eye, the Yogi would see subtler objects through the help of subtler instruments. Except in
the plane of intuition, in all other lower planes, there exists a subject-object relationship as far as
cognition is concerned. The only thing is: the instrument used in perceiving the object should be
of the same material of which the object of perception is made.
For further grasping of the exact vision of the Yog
I shall be obliged if you could explain to me what happens to the soul after death and what merits
we could do for the peace of the departed soul and whether he could see or hear us,
mortals. Is there any truth in what the spiritualists say that we could commune with the
dead through a thing called ‘medium’ and is it really the dead person who answers?
Do not allow yourself to be fascinated by spiritualism, mediumship, crystal crazing, etc.
They will lead you astray. Communication with the dead and
Yes. All spirits do not possess the power of materialization. Only advanced spirits that
are endowed with psychic power are able to materialize. They take human form, sit in the chair
in the seance and shake hands with those who sit in the seance. They talk also. The touch is as
tangible and warm as that of a living human body. In a short time, the hand of the spirit melts
away. Photographs of the spirits also have been taken.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Information
His bewailings rent the clouds when Lakshmana fell down
on the ground in an unconscious state, being struck by the arrow of Indrajit. Why did
Rama, the Supreme Being, forget his real divine nature? He was sunk in the ocean of
sorrow at the ordeal of Sita. If Rama always knew his true Self, why did he grieve for the
loss of Sita?
The answer to this question is that verily Rama was the Supreme Self. He never moved
or did anything. He was never subject to joy or sorrow, birth or death, pleasure or pain.
What was the age of Lord Krishna at that time? Was He not a boy of seven? Can there
be a tinge of passion in Him? Who can understand the secret of Rasa Lila and Madhurya Bhav,
the culmination of the highest Bhakti, Atmanivedan or total surrender to the Lord? It is only
Narada, Suka Deva, Chaitanya, Mira, Hafiz, Ramananda and the Sakhis or Gopis that can
understand the secret of Rasa Lila. The Sakhis only are qualified for this. Did He not play
miracles when he was a boy? Did He not show that He was
Even a Sannyasin should work in the political field. There is no necessity for a life of seclusion or
the order of Sannyas or Nivritti Marga. We want workers only.
This is a sad mistake. The Census Report is false. Beggars are included in the list of
Sannyasins and Sadhus. Real Sannyasins are rare. They can be counted on the finger-tips. A
real Sannyasin is the only mighty potentate of this earth. He never takes anything. He always
gives. It was Sannyasins only who did glorious sublime work in the p
The astral body is the subtle body which is within this physical body like the bladder of a
football. It is an exact counterpart of the physical body. It is made up of the five organs of
action, the five organs of knowledge, the five Pranas, mind, intellect, Chitta or the subconscious
mind, and Ahankar or egoism. Some call it “the double”. It is this astral body that comes out of
the physical body after death and moves to heaven. Death of this astral body through the
knowledge of the Eternal frees o
One can accomplish the Absolute in gross material life
The Sense enjoyment is not alike slow poison but having excessive desire and involvement on them may cause of death and could be considered as a slow poison. All senses have got their own importance and they mean for their purposes. The death is a truth which comes to everyone but very few one get the immortality in life. People generally think on about sexual sense only while talking about senses but it apply in all together ten senses (touc
So long as Prana pulls up and Apana pulls down the life-forces, there is continuity of life.
But, the moment either of these becomes weaker, there is an exit of the life-force. If the Apana
gives way, then the Jiva will pass out of the body through either the head or the nose or the ear or
the mouth. If the Prana gives way, then it will pass out of the body through the anus.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life
We should keep up the progeny of the line. If all people become Sannyasins and go to forests, what will
become of this world?
These beautiful women and wealth are the instruments of Maya to delude you and entrap
you into the nets. If you wish to remain always as a worldly man with low thoughts, debasing
desires, you can by all means do so. You are at perfect liberty. You can marry three hundred and
fifty wives and procreate as many children. Nobody can check you. But you will soon find that
this worl
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-chitananda
Brahman. In essence, the Jivatman is identical with Paramatman when Avidya is
destroyed.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photogr
clear and there comes some difficulty in doing Pranayam. What shall I do to make the breath flow freely?
Insert the end of a thread into the nostril. You will begin to sneeze. This will clear the
passage. Or lie down for five minutes on the left side if the right nostril is clogged. This also
will relieve. Do four rounds of Bhastrika Pranayam. You will be all right.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society,
My wife too is a pious lady. Suppose
I take Sannyasa, can I live with her and do spiritual Sadhana?
Now you are not fit for Sannyasa, though you might have a minute trace of Vairagya due
to the death of your child. After Sannyasa, you should not live with your wife. You should not
remain even in your own place, as Moha will be lurking in a corner of your mind. Old worldly
Samskaras will be ever waiting to dupe you. Maya is powerful. You will have to spend all your
energy in waging a guerilla war agai
The practice of Sirshasan for a long time will doubtless help you a lot in destroying your
passion. Your thoughts also should be pure. You should not entertain any lustful thought. Have
Satsang. Take Sattvic food. Do not look at ladies. Develop Vairagya. Control the Indriyas. All
these instructions should be followed if you want sure success. If you happen to entertain lustful
thoughts, if you live in the company of lustful persons, and if you do not take Sattvic food, how
can you destroy your passi
For a new student of Sannyasa, strict seclusion for six years with intense Sadhana is
essential. It depends upon the condition of your mind. In Parivrajaka life, you cannot have
regular and systematic Sadhana. There is distraction everywhere. For some years you should be
away from the sensual objects. Strict seclusion will bring immense benefit. Once in a year, for a
few days, you can go to a place for change of climate. If you find that you are entering into
Tamas, you should combine active service
There was some meaning in the Lord’s choosing the battlefield for the Gita teaching.
Yes. He wanted to point out to us that wisdom should not recline on the armchair. If his wisdom
did not accompany a man to the field of battle, it was no wisdom at all! Any man could talk
philosophy “after dinner”; any man could discourse upon the most intricate points in the Yoga
Shastras sitting comfortably near the fireplace. But that is no wisdom at all; it is mere lip-service
to the supreme science of Knowledge
Yogic practices¾whatever be their variety¾can be resorted to by males and females
alike. In the case of those practices that concern the body, like the Hatha or the Kundalini, the
woman should observe certain limitations owing to the natural sensitivity of her physical frame.
There is absolutely no harm if a woman takes to the practice of Pranayam.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photographs of Swa
Yes. You must read the instructions several times and understand the technique
thoroughly. If you have doubts, consult some experienced men and then begin the practice.
Have regular and systematic practice. If you want quick progress, you must follow my
instructions given in the first two chapters of my book “Science of Pranayama”. You can
gradually increase the period of Kumbhak to two minutes. In the advanced stages of practice, it
will be better to have the help of a Guru.
From "May I answer that"
In smaller towns and villages, people are often underweight due to poverty or lack of proper dietetic knowledge.
Persons below average weight run the risk of increased mortality and are especially liable to tuberculosis and other acute infectious diseases. A starving person has slow pulse, low blood pressure, marked emaciation, lose of hair and inelastic skin.
Large sums of money are wasted in every country on tonics and vitamins for increasing weight.
Yogic and dietary Recommendations.
1. A high-c
