 |
|
|
(21)
Why don’t we eat onions and
garlic?
Answer: Tamo-guna means a state of darkness,
ignorance, anger and laziness. For example, when a person
gets angry or is in deep sleep, they are not in complete
control of themselves. Foods that increase or incite tamo-guna
are known as tamsic. Onions and garlic are tamsic foods.
They make people angry, hateful and lazy. They have a harmful
effect on our spiritual progress, which is why they should
not be taken.
|
| |
(22)
Why should we read Swamini
Vato daily?
Answer: The Vachanamrut of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is
the greatest shastra for moksha. It contains the essence of
all spiritual wisdom given in all the Sanatan Dharma’s
shastras. Since it may be difficult to understand by young
children until they grow older, selected Swamini Vato can
be read and understood by them, at any age.
Reading Swamini Vato daily helps us in 11 important ways:
(1) helps us understand Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s
greatness and glory.
(2) helps us understand that, “I am atma and
not the body.”
(3) helps us understand the need of a spiritual
guru in life, like Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
(4) helps us clearly understand that only Gunatitanand
Swami was Aksharbrahma, Shriji
Maharaj’s ideal sevak and divine abode called Akshardham.
Because of this, his talks are
the most effective and give us the best practical guidance
for atyantik kalyan (final moksha).
(5) helps us understand the need to do satsang at home
and at the mandir.
(6) helps us develop respect and mahima (glory) of
satsangis (bhaktas of Bhagwan).
(7) helps us understand that worldly pleasures, or
maya, are only temporary and full of misery.
(8) helps us understand that true peace (shanti)
and happiness (sukh) lie with God and
the God-realised Sadhu only.
(9) provides answers to nagging little problems
in our life at home and school, especially
peer pressure.
(10) provides atmabal (atmic strength) to strictly
observe our niyams.
(11) gives us a clear understanding of our final goal
in life, about becoming Akshar-rup and
pleasing Shriji Maharaj. |
| |
(23)
What
is Chaturmas and what is its importance?
Answer: Chaturmas is
the four month period of the monsoon in India. The period
begins on Ashadh sud 11, known as Devpodhi Ekadashi, when
Bhagwan Vishnu goes for rest (yog-nidra) in Patal (underworld)
at the doorstep of Bali Raja. The period ends after four months
on Kartik sud 11, known as Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi –
awakening of Parmatma. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
)
)
