Is karma applicable to animals too? Is there any difference on karma effects on man and women separately?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Karma is the same for men and women. As for animals, the animal birth occurs only to experience the effects of the karma carried over from the previous birth. During the lifetime of the animal, the karma is not accumulated.  

What should be the regular conduct and diet restrictions of a sadhak?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

To progress well in your spiritual quest, it is advisable for a you to take Sattvik fruits and Sattvik food. Avoid eating food from outside. Never eat food without offering to Lord Krishna.

• Always be kind and merciful to others.

• Never take undue favour from anyone.

• Always be cheerful and happy.

• Before going to bed, think for a while about the spent time for you on each of the events during the day, and justify to yourself for the same.

• Remember the Lord always and be ever conscious of the fact that every moment is governed by the will and wish of Sri Krishna.

• Thank him copiously for all His grace and praise Him ever. Feel that Sri Krishna is always with you wherever you are and guiding your every moment.

What rules and rituals do I need to follow to wear Tulsi Mala?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Tulasi Mala can be worn at all times and there are no restrictions to it. But, if you perform Japa with the Mala, you should wear it only during the times of puja and whenever you feel pious in your heart.

Swamiji! Can you explain what exactly is spiritual knowledge in layman terms?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

1. The creation of the whole Universe and all the beings in the Universe is so wonderful. On seeing this wonderful creation, one should understand that should be a Creator. Who is the Creator?

2. What happens to the soul after death? If there nothing like life-after-death, then what is the reason for so many inequalities in multiple dimensions in the creation?

3. How does the human body act on its own?

4. What is the significance of the results established by the great Saints who were selfless? Can they be neglected just like that?

5. Everybody is after happiness, from the tiny ant to the mighty elephant. But the joy experienced is only fleeting. Where is the actual happiness that would be everlasting? How can it be attained without any interruption?

Finding answers to the above questions is Spiritual Knowledge.

Some people say that the Buddha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Is it true??
Also, is Jesus God Himself or a messenger of God?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Yes, the Buddha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Jesus is a Maha Purusha and a Yogi.

Why should devotees go to temples, if they chant the Maha Mantra at home itself??
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

To keep the temple as the real temple, Nama Kirtan has to be done there too. When Nama Kirtan is performed in a place, the ‘Sannidhyam’ (divine presence) of the Lord is enhanced. When one chants at home, only his family and himself are benefited. If this is done in a temple, all the innumerous devotees who frequent the temple also get benefited.

For over a long period of time many Gurus and Sages have come and gone. There have been innumerable disciples for these Gurus. These disciples were, no doubt, devoted their Gurus, but when they move into the world, become hard-hearted, corrupt and materialistic. Why can the Gurus not change at least 10% of their disciples?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

The ‘Uttama’ Guru will never try to perform any gimmicks or mesmerism to try to bring about a change in the disciple. That is the work of a magician and not of a Uttama Guru! The Adi Guru, Lord Dakshinamurthi Himself had only four disciples worth mentioning.

Goodness in any person is an attribute and is oriented towards action. This itself will not result in ‘Mukti’ (Liberation). In his great work “Viveka Chudamani”, Adisankara Bhagavatpada has said that Mukti does not result from Dhaana (charity), Sankhya Yoga or through millions of Pranayama. It results solely from Jnana and this is possible only through the grace of the Guru.

Guru's grace is not an act in isolation but a natural result when he is extremely pleased and happy with the disciple. If that happens, the disciple is transformed spontaneously. For the disciple of a Uttama Guru to be good, all his vasanas should be destroyed. This is a silent internal transformation and is done gradually within and not through force. This may not even be noticed by the disciple himself. If the disciple is truly attached to the Uttama Guru, this internal transformation will happen slowly but surely.

I have tried controlling my anger by adopting methods like chanting at that moment or by taking deep breaths, but they don’t come to my rescue always. In fact majority of the times I lose my temper. I strongly feel that my anger is preventing me from living a life that would finally make me realize the ultimate truth about God Please advise me.
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

You have to develop ‘viveka’ or discrimination.
When you understand that others when hit by you get as much pain as experienced by you when you are hit by others; when you see that the same hurt felt by you when someone shows anger, would be felt by the person on whom you show anger, your anger would slowly come under control.

In addition, control your diet. do not partake of food rich in oil, tamarind, chilli and too much salt. Also before you eat, mentally offer the food to Bhagavan Krishna, as Bhagavan Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavatam that His prasada is Nirguna.

In this Kali Yuga, we do mistakes with or without our knowledge. Though I chant the Maha Mantra, having committed so many mistakes in my daily life, I feel ashamed to stand before God and seek for his blessings the next time. What should I do?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

It is a common for everybody in this world to commit mistakes. Especially the current yuga is notorious enough to compel you to commit mistakes. At the same time, this is not to encourage you to commit mistakes. It is not a grave sin as long as the mistakes are because of the fact that you are unable to control your senses. Chant the Maha Mantra without the feeling of guilt. As you chant it continuously, it will slowly bring a transformation in you even without your knowledge.

Advaita, Dwaita and Vishitadvaita philosophies propounded by the great Mahans Adi Sankara, Sri Madhwacharya and Sri Ramanuja are so different from each other. Which one should I follow?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

All the three philosophies debate about the end state of the soul. We are just in the beginning and there is no contradiction here. Don’t have any predetermined notions about the end goal. Simply chant the Maha Mantra pray to Sri Krishna to give you the best and the Supreme state. It then becomes His duty to grant you the same.

Are Mukti and Moksha one and the same?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Yes they are one and the same.

I heard from your lecture that Lord Krishna came to rescue Senanayi. He was a great Bhakta indeed and would have chanted the Maha Mantra thousands of times a day. I am not so great as Senanayi and I don’t do as he did. Will Lord Krishna come to rescue me in the same way?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

The Lord is equal for everyone. He showers the same compassion and kindness to everyone. He does not distinguish based on caste, creed, religion, color, geography, gender, wealth or status. All He longs for is love and devotion. If you have total faith and devotion to Him, He will definitely come before you some day.

My elders say that keeping a picture of Sri Krishna holding a flute at home is not auspicious. Is it true?
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

The flute held by Sri Krishna is the very embodiment of bliss and happiness. Many Mahans long to hear the sweet notes of His flute, which they consider as the ‘anAhata dhvani’.

When Maha Mantra is chanted before this wonderful, rare and beautiful form of the Lord with flute in his hands, Sri Krishna shall play it melodiously and bring great happiness and joy, in addition to fulfilling your wishes and granting innumerable boons.

Get rid of all the wrong sentiments and enjoy the boundless grace of the Lord.

If people are afraid to keep the picture of our Lord Sri Krishna with a flute, which is an instrument of celebration and joy, what would they say of the pictures of Mother holding a trident and that of Lord Muruga holding a ‘vel’ (spear)!

Please enlighten me on what is the principal difference between Azhwars and Nayanmars.
 

Sri Sri Swamiji:

Azhwars worshipped Lord Narayana as their ‘Ishta’ (favorite deity), and nayanmars worshipped Lord Shiva as their ‘Ishta’. This is the principal difference.