Q: Please comment on the Varalakshmi puja?

Sri Sri: It is whatever you honour. Vara means gift. The gift of wealth that you have received in your life. Often children of rich people don't value to what they have! You know because it has come so easy to them. But there are some people who have under gone all the toil, struggles. They believed in something, hard earned and they valued it when they got it. Similarly for all the gifts that you received in your life, you need to honor! When you honor then you don't misuse it. Money can be earned, money can be misused as well. Just to get some name�... so much of showoff people get into! Just to get some popularity! You know popularity should be used for good cause. You should not misuse popularity. You know there are some movie actors who are really popular. The youth is very fond of them! Now if they project themselves smoking a cigar and all that you know then the youth follow the movie actor! Children starts thinking, "I'll smoke like my here!" And if the hero is using abusive words and violence then the child starts thinking like that. And then video game� video game is again such a waste of money and energy!! The whole day they play the games where they have shoot their so-called enemies!!

You know recently in the US there was this case where a small child of only four years old stabbed his parents!! Can you believe this? This is unimaginable, unthinkable!! This is nothing but the misuse of the media! Misuse of technology!!



Q: Can you please tell us about the Guru shishya relationship? (The relation between the Master and the Devotee)

Sri Sri: It's a very special relationship. It cannot be described. It's like who you are to yourself. The same way� Teacher is just a mirror to yourself. You know where you can be natural. You know that you are never judged. Because he know you well you know!!

Q: Will freedom not bring arrogance?

Sri Sri: True freedom is not an "I don't care" attitude. It is lightness from within, agenuine smile and not stiffness. When someone is stiff and arrogant, they are not really free. True love blossoms only in such freedom. And when there is genuine love, respect simply follows you.


Q: What do you do if people don't respect you?

Sri Sri: Thank them. They have given you freedom. (Laughter and amazement) When people respect you, they often take away your freedom. They expect you to smile at them, recognize them, behave in a certain way with them. If they don't respect you, you are not obliged to answer their questions and you can drop all the formalities. Either you will be naturally smiling or frowning. So you will be complete.

When people love and respect you, you are obliged to return their courtesies because you don't want to hurt them. When they don't respect or love you, they will not be hurt by your actions and expressions. So they set you free. When you gain respect, you often do it at the cost of your freedom. Wisdom is to put the freedom first and not bother about respect.


Q: Will freedom not bring arrogance?

Sri Sri: True freedom is not an "I don't care" attitude. It is lightness from within, a genuine smile and not stiffness. When someone is stiff and arrogant, they are not really free. True love blossoms only in such freedom. And when there is genuine love, respect simply follows you.


Q: You said at the Navratri that we see only 0.003% of what is actually happening. Can you please talk on that?

Sri Sri: You know there was this scientist named Mickel Kako who established a theory, after having done several experiments and research, that there are parallel worlds. It is he who said that, what we see is only 0.003% of what is actually happening. What we cannot see is the 'Dark Energy'.

What we cannot see is the 'Dark Energy'. That's what he named it. The power of that 'Dark Energy' is unlimited! It is immense! In fact our Rig-Veda also says the same thing. The 'Dark' is referred to here as the 'Tamas'. Even Rig-Veda says that this 'Tamas' has great power. That's why they say 'Kali'. The dark Goddess. She just do not symbolize destruction, she is also referred to as the epitome of knowledge. Like the pupil of our eye is dark! It is because of that we can see. Do you see what I am saying? The source of knowledge is the 'Kaali'�


Q: This body of our feels like such a burden at times. We suffer several diseases and it becomes an obstacle for us to merge with the Ultimate. Guruji, can you please explain how important it is to keep the body?

Sri Sri: You know there is a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. There are thousands of souls who want to take a body to enjoy whatever you are enjoying right now! These souls are want to get a body, they are waiting!! Only fools leave the body, I tell you!! Only fools commit suicide! You have so many impressions from the last birth!! You must have been a donkey, cow, bull, buffalo,(laughter) anything!! You keep carrying the impressions and behave in a particular way!! You have tendencies!!