Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Which is greater, Bhakhti Marg (path of devotion) or Gnan Marg (path of knowledge)? Is it necessary to do rituals or just remembering God is enough?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just remembering God is enough. It is good to have some rituals like lighting a lamp, keeping some flowers because it creates a beautiful atmosphere at home. But you should do meditation, that is enough.
Though many women are on the spiritual path, they are mothers but they are not spiritual leaders. Could you please explain why this is happening?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Who says mothers are not spiritual leaders? Every woman is as spiritual leader, she leads the whole family into spirituality. Women lead everybody at home. Women are naturally spiritual.
Though many women are on the spiritual path, they are mothers but they are not spiritual leaders. Could you please explain why this is happening?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Who says mothers are not spiritual leaders? Every woman is as spiritual leader, she leads the whole family into spirituality. Women lead everybody at home. Women are naturally spiritual.
Why temples are built on hills in India?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you walk up the hill, there will be a difference in your body and your breathing; inside of you, some sort of kriya happens. After that, when you go inside the temple and sit, the mind calms down. That is why they built temples on hills.
When you walk pranayama happens, when you go up the hill, body gets an exercise and when you go up there and sit, meditation happens very naturally. God is inside us, the only way to meet God is meditation. As you sit to meditate, then gradually you will be calm and peaceful from within, after that it will be blissful, after that there will be lot of light & clarity and that is God, that is Divine.
Is Marriage an obstacle to enlightenment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you think it's an obstruction, then it will be. If you think it won't be an obstruction, then it won't be. It depends on you. There are so many people who do seva even after being married. It all depends on the state of your mind.
Is Marriage an obstacle to enlightenment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you think it's an obstruction, then it will be. If you think it won't be an obstruction, then it won't be. It depends on you. There are so many people who do seva even after being married. It all depends on the state of your mind.
What should one do if someone blames us for something we didn't do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Without knowing if they say something, you should educate them about the facts, the situation, and then ignore. Then let it go.
Is having desires okay?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It's okay. Let them be. Just know that you are bigger than the desires. Then even when the desires don't get fulfilled, your mind is not lost. This is possible only through spirituality.
What is Pavamana Suktam?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It's a prayer. It says, "Let all the Gods and the divine purify our heart. Let everything be pure. Our mind, intellect, environment, thoughts, emotions - let everything be pure. Let even the body be pure.
It is said that if our right eye is blinking, it bring us bad luck. Is this true?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Don't Bother about all this. Just do ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ Chanting.