Is it necessary to visit temples if one has direct connection with the Guru? Art of Living’s Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji, explaining the deeper meaning in visiting temples in his own words…. Visiting temples is more of a cultural and sociological phenomenon. Of course there is a spiritual flavour to it also. But that is […]
Spiritual Quotes
Main Mantra for Happy Life
What is the Main Mantra for Happy Life? what is the main mantra or key to happiness in life? The key to happiness in life is to not stay stuck in ‘I…Me…Mine’ (meaning one’s own personal desires or material gains). Dedicate your life to some larger goal, or to the service of others around you. Then […]
Count to 10 before you speak, says Gautama Buddha
If you react immediately to criticism then you’ll often react in a knee-jerk manner. And the words that come out may be overemotional, vicious and unnecessary. Count to at least 10 after someone has criticized you. Then respond. This simple way of calming yourself down and regaining some perspective can save you a lot of […]
Importance of Mundan Sanskar
What is the importance of Mundan Sanskar (referring to the Indian tradition of Shaving a babies’ head after a year of birth)? Our ancestors have told that we have to shave off the first hair of a child. Then the new hair will come. It is the same as how the first teeth fall on their own […]
What is Brahma Gyaan?
This is Brahma Gyaan (Supreme Knowledge). All this that we are talking about is Brahma Gyaan. Whatever you say has no existence, meaning it does not exist forever. Truth is that which transcends time – past, present, future. What is not truth? That which was yesterday, but is not there today, is not truth. What […]
Was Gautam Buddha an Atheist?
Was Gautam Buddha an atheist? As Buddha attained enlightenment he must have experienced what other masters experienced, yet he never spoke about God. Because of this some people even say that he was an atheist. On this question, Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji of Art of living giving his views… Well, in Buddha’s time there were […]
Why do we ring bell in Temple, Importance of Ghantanaad in Mandir
Why do we ring the bell in temple? What is the importance of Ghantanaad & Shankhanaad in Mandir? Here is a detailed reply for this question raised at Satsang of Art of Living. Let’s read in the words of Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji…. Because there are so many thoughts wandering in your mind, with the sound […]
Does Guru choose devotee or does devotee choose Guru
Does the Guru choose the devotee or does the devotee choose the Guru.. It doesn’t matter! As long as they choose each other! (Laughter) In Sanskrit, it is said that there are 2 ways for this: Whether the Divine chooses you or you choose the Divine. They say it is like the monkey and the […]
Why do you need a guru, Which knowledge you want to acquire
People generally go to guru, “Sir, I have got some pain. Give me some ashirvad so that my pain may be cured.” “But why you have come here for curing your pain? You can go to some doctor, or you can take some tablet. Is it the purpose of coming to guru?” But generally they […]
Is having a Guru mandatory to experience the state of enlightenment?
Is it necessary for you to ask this question and for me to answer? You have asked the question, now if I answer, then we are caught! Got it? If you ask a question and you think I know the answer, then I am already a Guru and you are already a student. Some people […]
Sri Shankaracharya depicted Forms of Ganesha
Yes, Shankaracharya has depicted the forms of Lord Ganesha very beautifully. If you read the Ganesha Atharvashisha (Upanishad), you will know of many forms of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is present in all directions, in every possible form – the Earth, Air, Sun, Moon, in every form of nature. You are Brahma, Indra, Shiva, Rudra etc., […]
Why are the words, ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’ chanted only after a person dies?
Why are the words ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’ (the name of ‘Rama’ alone is the eternal truth) chanted only after a person dies? What is the reason behind it? The above one was a doubt raised by a devotee in the satsang of Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living. Guruji explaining it in his […]
What do you do when people criticize your Guru, religious book or your belief?
What do you do when people criticize your Guru, religious book or your belief? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living, explained it very well during a Satsang with his disciples. Just give a big smile. Tell them you smile at their ignorance. That one comment does more work than getting angry […]
Which Approach is preferable, Vairagya (dispassion) or Josh (Zeal, Passion)?
On the path of spirituality which approach is preferable between Vairagya (dispassion) and Josh (zeal/passion)? To this question raised at the Satsang of Sri Sri Ravishankar, Founder of Art of Living, he explained as said below.. Both are necessary. That is why Lord Krishna first aroused zeal in Arjun by saying, ‘Look, what will people […]
Is Sanskrit spoken on all Planets in the Universe, or only on Earth?
Well, I don’t know in which planets they are speaking, but certainly not on this planet. All the languages, even though they have come from Sanskrit, it is not spoken anywhere. Even in India, it has almost disappeared; 99.9% disappeared. Somewhere, 0.01% people know just a little bit. Sanskrit needs to be revived and it […]
Whom to worship first God or Guru?
Who should one honour or worship first – God, or the Guru? We just now sang a bhajan about this which says – “Do not see any difference between God and the Guru”. You should not see any difference between God, Guru and your soul. Despite knowing this, in our country, whenever we start any […]
Important Teachings of Guru Raghavendra Swamy
Guru Raghavendra is a holy saint of Mantralayam, and he showers his abundant grace on his devotees. Similar to other saints, Guru Raghavendra had also given nice teachings to us, which would help us to cross the ocean of life. He had given lot of advices through his teachings, and it acts as a spiritual […]
If everything created by God, then who has created God?
If everything has been created by God, then who has created him (God)? To this dobt, Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji of Art of Living giving explanation in his own words.. Who told you that everything was created by God? Why are stuck with the concepts of creation and destruction? What is there is there. There […]
Why should we preserve our Culture?
The fact that the Vedic revelations have survived the tides of time so long testifies to some divine phenomenon catering to the material and spiritual aspirations of the people. Institutions engaged in the analytical study of these divine statements have been fascinated by the wealth of information, touching all aspects of society as well as […]
What is Hatha Yoga, Is it different from Normal Yoga
What is Hatha Yoga? Is it different from Normal Yoga? To this question from a disciple, Sri Sri Ravishankar (Founder of Art of Living) answers like… No, Hatha yoga is one in which force or effort is used, like asanas, different kinds of difficult postures – these are all part of Hatha yoga. A little […]