Anandway: Blog

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji: This time when I went to Haryana, I met some scientists who had done some good research which showcased how their genes were so good because they did not marry within the same Gotra. They demonstrated how maximum medals in sports were won by sportsmen from Haryana. So this is what the research said. Even in animal science this is followed. Also you should not marry siblings or close relatives. So from a scientific point of view this looks logical but then our Gotras are so ancient and have expanded so much that I don't think it is right to put too much weight on it. For instance if you are from the same Gotra but are from Haryana and Tamil Nadu, then it makes no sense to talk about Gotras then. But yes, if your from the same region then it is better to avoid marrying in the same Gotra.

Question: Some say that Yoga is against some religions. What do you have to say about it?

Sri Sri: No, no, this is a narrow perspective that it is against any religion. I feel we should all come together and do Yoga for better health, happier mind, sharper intellect and more joy in life. If someone does not want to do it, you cannot force them to do it. In today’s time, in America, there are a set of people who do not want to use electricity. Did you know that? There is a community that is against electricity, they don’t use electricity. The whole world has moved ahead and they continue to burn wood and light candles to read. What can we do.

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Praising is a Divine quality. When you praise, it’s not just for the person, something inside you expands, you feel uplifted, lighter. Isn't it? And you don’t have to keep on praising everyday, everywhere, everyone, but at least have this experience of praising someone and feeling uplifted.  ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Question: Why is it so difficult to choose a life partner? The one we like doesn't like us, and the one who likes us, we don’t like them.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes this is a serious matter! (laughter) What can I say, this is the way the world is, a little crooked. That’s why, no matter you like or you don’t like, just bear it somehow and move ahead. What is the guarantee that if you like someone today, you will keep liking them tomorrow? If you stop liking them after a year or two, what will you do? Sometimes people stop liking their partner even after marriage? So you never know, you may just not like somebody and start liking them after marriage? So don't be too choosy. Nobody is perfect. Even the other person might be looking for perfection. Are you also perfect? Any relationship, if it is based on how you can make the person happy, then it will work. If you are only focussed on how much happiness you can take from the relationship, then that boat will shake. If you live your life thinking how you can bring happiness to others and improve their lives, then every person you meet in life you will see everyone as one and they will all move along with you. You have the power in you to change others. Don't forget that. You may not be able to change the whole society but you can at least change one or two people! When you can spoil people, you can also improve them. There are so many people who have spoilt their friendships. it happens, everything changes here. So you keep the focus on your Self. Focus on knowledge and meditation.

छं0-भए प्रगट कृपाला दीनदयाला कौसल्या हितकारी।
हरषित महतारी मुनि मन हारी अद्भुत रूप बिचारी।।
लोचन अभिरामा तनु घनस्यामा निज आयुध भुज चारी।
भूषन बनमाला नयन बिसाला सोभासिंधु खरारी।।
कह दुइ कर जोरी अस्तुति तोरी केहि बिधि करौं अनंता।
माया गुन ग्यानातीत अमाना बेद पुरान भनंता।।
करुना सुख सागर सब गुन आगर जेहि गावहिं श्रुति संता।
सो मम हित लागी जन अनुरागी भयउ प्रगट श्रीकंता।।
ब्रह्मांड निकाया निर्मित माया रोम रोम प्रति बेद कहै।
मम उर सो बासी यह उपहासी सुनत धीर पति थिर न रहै।।
उपजा जब ग्याना प्रभु मुसकाना चरित बहुत बिधि कीन्ह चहै।
कहि कथा सुहाई मातु बुझाई जेहि प्रकार सुत प्रेम लहै।।
माता पुनि बोली सो मति डौली तजहु तात यह रूपा।
कीजै सिसुलीला अति प्रियसीला यह सुख परम अनूपा।।
सुनि बचन सुजाना रोदन ठाना होइ बालक सुरभूपा।
यह चरित जे गावहिं हरिपद पावहिं ते न परहिं भवकूपा।।
दो0-बिप्र धेनु सुर संत हित लीन्ह मनुज अवतार।
निज इच्छा निर्मित तनु माया गुन गो पार।।192।।

Welcome to an evening in Lucknow with Padmashree Madhup Mudgal ji singing songs first sung by Kabir Das ji.