Searching Questions And Fulfilling Answers

A child is like a sapling. In the

beginning, as he establishes a

foothold in this world of adults

he spreads his branches out

wide in all directions. He

questions about and everything.

‘Why this?’

‘How does that work?’, ‘What is

over there?’. He does so hoping

to reach the sky which of course,

is the answer to everything.

In his innocence he doesn’t

realise that the sky is still well

beyond his reach. If his questions

are not answered with love and

patience, we make break his

tiny, fragile branches, and his

eagerness to learn about life and

understand ‘Why?’.

With a broken spirit the

child grows up to be a man with

little eagerness in life. He has no

branches, thus disabling him

from reaching out to others, and

most important, he has no shade

to protect the next generation of

saplings from the scorching sun

which is the bad in our society.

Swamishri always has time for

children. Not just to play with

them, but also to guide them

and teach them. His answers

reflect patience and concern.

He takes them seriously

because he takes thefuture

seriously. And so, through his

answers we can see him -

‘Sowing the seeds of our future...’

Los Angeles Balaks : Swami! Where do you come from?

Swamishri : Actually, we come from India, but ‘Vayam amrutasya putraha...’ We are all children of God. Young and old, from any country, any caste, all are God’s children. But when we come into this world we forget that. Thus we fight against each other. But if we could realise that we are all children of the same God, then there would be no difference in religion, no difference in caste, no difference in countries. No one is small, no one is big. We are part of God’s family. God sends us so we can do His bhakti and help others. So we should do this according to our ability.
When great Sadhus bring God’s message to earth, they also bring with them God’s power with which they work to spread God’s message. Great Sadhus such as Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj who all came to do God’s work. We come here and forget, great Sadhus never forget.

But everyone else says you come from Akshardham.

Swamishri : Do you think so? Who says so?

Swamishri : Do you trust him?

Swamishri : Then believe it! When a great Saint comes he does so to spread God’s message. He comes to teach everyone spiritual knowledge.

If you were the richest man in the world would you still have become a sadhu? If so, why?

Swamishri : We have to live however God keeps us. If we are rich, then we will have more luxuries and comforts. But if we are poor, we will be able to worship God more. That’s why it’s good that God keeps us in a simple condition.
Basically if we have good attributes, God showers His grace on us; then the whole world will seem worthless. Then even if we are wealthy, we will renounce our wealth. Mirabai was a queen. Kushalkunvarba was a queen. They both let go of the world. When we realise God’s bliss, our minds become dissatisfied with the world. Then we can worship God even as a householder as our mind will be withdrawn from society.
If one becomes a sadhu he is able to do bhajan and inspire thousands of others to do bhajan too.

We have been given niyams but we find them too difficult. How can we follow them?

Swamishri : A student is always afraid when he starts off in a new school. But then he realises that he will benefit greatly if he studies. The same is of niyams. If we have discipline in following our niyams we will progress more. They are important. So we should be insistent in following them. In the beginning, niyams may seem hard but with time, they become easier to follow.

Swami, we want to please you...

Swamishri : [interrupts] We want to please you too! You have come here to please and we have come here to please you.

Then Swami, will you take us to Akshardham?

Swamishri : That’s why we tell you to follow niyams, do bhakti and do Satsang. Shall I tell you a story? About Lord Ramchandra? [Swamishri narrated the story of the monkeys in Vaikunth...] So first we have to be disciplined here and follow our niyams. Then God will take us to Akshardham. But if we still have faults, He’ll send us back! If we improve our faults, then we’ll experience Akshardham right here!

(21 July 1994, Los Angeles)