Arjuna Haridas

Why is it that God made the religion so free and open? One thing that I personally like about the Abrahamic religions is that you know for certain what to do and what not to do. Comming from an Abrahamic religion (Islam) to Hinduism thrusts me into certainty of what to do into confusion. Has anyone else here (who wasn't born Hindu, of course) experienced this?

Why did God make it this way? Is it to confuse us? Is it a test? Why wouldn't He just tell us that "This is That" and then leave it in book format? The Bhagavad Gita is the closest thing to this, but then it recommends to worship according to the Vedas and Upanishads, and this is where things get hectic. People tell me that I'll go to Hell if I don't chant a certain mantra (which means nothing to me as nobody bothers to translate them) or if I don't do a certain ritual everyday (which also means nothing to me since nobody bothers to explain them). Has anyone else felt this way?

Why do you think that God made it so that Hinduism is the way it is; a completely personal religion with no "Do"s and "Don't"s?

There was an incident in Ramanujacharya's life. What happened was that he learned the secret to liberation; the "Om Namo Narayanaya" chant. He was warned not to tell anybody or else he'll go to Hell. Ramanujacharya then proceeded to gather the public together, not caring about caste, and told them this chant. His teacher learned about this and confronted Ramanujacharya about this. Ramanujacharya said "Punish me as you wish". His teacher didn't punish him, but was impressed.

What I'm saying is that Ramanujacharya, out of his love for Lord Vishnu, risked his own suffering in Hell in order to help others worship Lord Vishnu. This is an example of how a man can overcome fear and engage in pure love for Lord Vishnu.

To the OP:

Don't worry, you'll have our support in prayer.

 

Pray to Srila Prabhupada

 

 

I'm sorry, but shouldn't we be praying to Lord Vishnu/Krishna and His Avatars alone?

I'm new to Sri Vaishnavism. I was born in a Christian household, became a person who believed in but hated God, and later converted to Islam due to my search to find God and the unnatural attraction to God that I was born with (maybe it has something to do with my past life?). As of recently (April 2007), however, I've been a Vaishnava for a variety of reasons and miracles (which I was surprised about).

I deeply respect Ramanujacharya and I believe him to be Lakshmana reincarnate, which in turn makes him Adi Shesha incarnate. His purpose on this Earth was not because he was in Samsara, but because he wished to guide people. I firmly believe in his Vishishtadvaita Vedanta philosophy due to his giving Scriptural support from the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Puranas to support his philosophy.

I'm completely lost in Sri Vaishnava theology. Everywhere I turn for help, everyone is Gaudiya Vaishnava. It's hard to keep faith in Ramanujacharya's philosphy when there is nobody to help me at all. Due to the fact that I can't speak Tamil, Hindi, nor Sanskrit, I am lost.

Anyway, here are my questions:

1) I've heard that Ramanujacharya had discovered the 3 secrets to liberation and he told the public these 3 secrets (part of a very moving story about how he was willing to go to Hell in order to help others gain liberation). What were these 3 secrets?

2) I've heard that Ramanujacharya had developed 5 daily activites for us (the Nitya Grantha). What were these 5 daily activites, and what do we do if, for some reason, it's impossible for us to perform these daily activities?

3) How does Ramanujacharya recommend us to do puja and aarthi (if he recommends them), and what do we do if, for some reason, it's impossible for us to perform puja and aarthi the way he recommends?

4) How does Ramanujacharya recommend us to celebrate Ekadasi, and once again what do we do if, for some reason, it's impossible for us to celebrate Ekadasi in the way he recommends?

5) What is Ramanujacharya's position on meat-eating and drinking alcohol?

6) Besides the "Om Namo Narayanaya" chant (I forgot it's name), are there any other chants that Ramanujacharya recommends for us?

7) Finally, what is Ramanujacharya's belief of the nature of Goddess Lakshmi? Does he see Her as the Female aspect of Lord Vishnu? Or, does he see Her as the Female aspect of Ishvara, and Lord Vishnu as the Male aspect of Ishvara? Or, does he see Her as a simple mediatrix? In these cases, should we worship both of them or just Lord Vishnu? What does Ramanujacharya think of the other consorts of Lord Vishnu (if he believes there are any others)?

Please know that I live in a Christian household and am completely dependant on my parents due to my age and due to how much money I make, so it'll be impossible for me to set up murtis or hang up banners for Ekadasi and stuff like that (if they are necessary). For puja, however, I can use an image from the computer (pathetic, I know, but it's all I can do for now).

May Lord Vishnu bless you and be pleased with you!

I think that Vegetarianism is for the rich. Look at today's society. Meat is cheap and vegetables and organic foods are expensive. A poor person can only afford to eat meat. Just because of the simple fact that he eats meat to survive he goes to Hell? Should this person die because he's too poor to afford vegetables? No. Vishnu is more merciful than that.

Not everyone can afford a vegetarian diet, and those who can are lucky. Plus, you have those who are living with a meat-eating family. They can't go out and buy food themselves, so they must rely on their parents to buy food. Since they live in a meat-eating household, how do you expect them to survive when the parents only buy meat? Should this child die because he/she has access only to meat? No. Vishnu is more merciful than that.

Look at what the Great Lord Vishnu says in the Garuda Purana:

"If one takes meat after worshipping deities and manes in Sraddha, one does not acquire sin" (Garuda Purana 1.96.72)

"An intelligent man shall avoid these six: old women (for sexual purposes), fresh wine, DRY meat, carrot, curd in the night and sleep during the day" (Garuda Purana 1.114.25)

Notice how in 1.114.25 of the Garuda Purana, Lord Vishnu says to avoid DRY meat, not meat in general. By saying that we should not eat any meat is like saying that Lord Vishnu forgot to put something in the Garuda Purana.

Avoid meat if you want to. As a matter of fact, I believe that vegetarianism has good spiritual benefits. However, that doesn't mean that eating meat makes one spiritually impotent and entangled in the world. It simply means that one is eating meat to survive. This is the reason why most meat-eaters eat meat: to survive.