Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Hand me your fears and leave them with me. When I am here to receive it, why don’t you give it away? Why don’t you take my words to your heart? If you did, then you would have already handed me your fear and negativity.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Hand me your fears and leave them with me. When I am here to receive it, why don’t you give it away? Why don’t you take my words to your heart? If you did, then you would have already handed me your fear and negativity.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

‘Dyatha’ is also Narayana, and the one who is meditating is also Narayana. It is all Narayana - inside, outside and everywhere. This is seen in all the mantras of the Gods. For example, in Ganapati mantra ‘Artharvashirsha’ - it says, 'Lord Ganapati is present everywhere - behind me, in front of me, besides me, above me, below me, inside me and outside of me'. Similarly, Narayana is present everywhere, before, behind and in front. This was a way to meditate.

In earlier days, they used to keep an Idol or kalash (pot of water), worship it and settle within themselves. In the course of meditation they would start to feel the presence of Ganapati all around, inside, outside, above, below, in front and then this would take one into Samadhi. The main purpose of all this is to go into Samadhi.

Another aspect is that, when we engage with the outside world (through rituals), it creates positive vibrations within us and affects the atmosphere positively. The same results are obtained when Yagyas and poojas are performed. Therefore, these are the two aspects - firstly, to be established within oneself and to be in a state of Samadhi, and secondly - to purify vibrations and bring positivity in our behavior and the atmosphere.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

‘Dyatha’ is also Narayana, and the one who is meditating is also Narayana. It is all Narayana - inside, outside and everywhere. This is seen in all the mantras of the Gods. For example, in Ganapati mantra ‘Artharvashirsha’ - it says, 'Lord Ganapati is present everywhere - behind me, in front of me, besides me, above me, below me, inside me and outside of me'. Similarly, Narayana is present everywhere, before, behind and in front. This was a way to meditate.

In earlier days, they used to keep an Idol or kalash (pot of water), worship it and settle within themselves. In the course of meditation they would start to feel the presence of Ganapati all around, inside, outside, above, below, in front and then this would take one into Samadhi. The main purpose of all this is to go into Samadhi.

Another aspect is that, when we engage with the outside world (through rituals), it creates positive vibrations within us and affects the atmosphere positively. The same results are obtained when Yagyas and poojas are performed. Therefore, these are the two aspects - firstly, to be established within oneself and to be in a state of Samadhi, and secondly - to purify vibrations and bring positivity in our behavior and the atmosphere.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

There 33 crore Devatas, so what? They all belong to one God. It is your choice whomever you believe in. It is not for me to say. You do whatever feels right in your heart. It is your choice and my blessings.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Once you have suffered, the very thought in you, of wanting to get untangled and remain unaffected, will help you get out it.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Hand me your fears and leave them with me. When I am here to receive it, why don’t you give it away? Why don’t you take my words to your heart? If you did, then you would have already handed me your fear and negativity.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

In ancient times, they used to pray using fire. Agnikarya is one such prayer - It’s a wish that we make for the world to be harmonious and for our life to be in alignment with dharma - that is the tradition. But in spirituality, all the rituals are unimportant. They do have some impact but the main thing is meditation and knowledge. They are needed, but it's not necessary that everybody has to do. If you meditate, that is good enough.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, spirituality needs to be uplifted. 2000 years ago, people were so much caught in rituals that they forgot the real essence, the real knowledge and the experience of meditation. They forgot spirituality. So that needs to be revived. Nature takes care. Whenever whatever is needed, nature provides it at that time. Today also, that's what is happening, spirituality is getting uplifted.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Seemantham is a ceremony performed when a women is in her 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. In the ceremony, you inculcate values to the unborn baby right in the womb through the Vedic mantra chanting.

I have not gone into the details of it, but what I know is, they keep a pot of water and then the Vedic Mantras are chanted. The water absorbs the vibration of the mantras, and then it is poured on the mother and given to her to drink. Then she is given gifts, preferably green colour clothes.
Everyone makes her happy. Whatever she wants is provided to her. This ceremony is to keep the expecting mother happy. When a mother is happy, it impacts the baby in the womb.

In India, there is a tradition that - if any pregnant woman asks for anything, you should not say no to her. The mother-in-law and the mother, they make it a point to provide her with whatever she needs. See in earlier days, transportation and communication were not so good. Suppose a pregnant woman asks for a mango out of season, the custom is, somehow you find it and give it to her. People used to make all the efforts to keep her happy.
Pregnant women should not watch violent movies and serials, as negative impressions can affect the child in the womb.