Yes Lord Shiva is very much capable of giving Mukti through Jnana.
answers and beyonds
A normal human being is said to undergo unbearable pain at the time of his death. Is a similar pain undergone by a ‘jiva’ attaining liberation either by guru’s grace or by his own merit? If not how would it be in such a case?
In meditation, one’s vasanas are destroyed. Does one feel pain during meditation? No. In just the same way, when a Guru or God wishes to liberate a person in his deathbed, he doesn’t feel pain.
In an instant, all the vasanas will raise and be destroyed in its origin, after which the Jiva will experience ‘Chit-Prakasa’ in the heart. Beyond this, the state varies depending on the path chosen by the Guru or God. If the Guru/God wished to give Jivan Mukti, the Prana merges with the soul. If a specific Loka has been chosen for the Jiva, the Prana carries the astral body to the respective world.
Whenever I pray for job, money, etc., I am advised that I should be asking for more important things like Moksha. I wonder how I can expect Moksha if I am not able to attain even the mundane needs. Am I right in thinking so?
Moksha is the birth right of every jiva. That is why you are advised to pray for it. In fact that is the right thing to ask.
What is Mukti ? Why there is a desire for a devotee to get Mukti? Can’t he love God without having this desire?
Mukti is not something you can see. It is supreme joy; eternal bliss. You can love God without having the desire for Mukti too. But true love for God takes one to that state, whether he desires it or not.
When do we get Moksha? Which is better — Family Life (‘Illaram’) or Ascetic Life (‘thuravaram’)?
You are already in Moksha. You have to just remove that veil of ignorance (‘that you are not in Moksha’). This is possible by chanting the Maha Mantra — Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare continuously, which was verily propagated by Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu. Illaram (‘family life’) is the best.
Please tell me about the greatness of Nupura Ganga in Azhagar Temple in Madurai. Is it equivalent to the Ganges?
Yes it is equivalent to the Ganges and that holy place is very much suited to perform Tapas.
How many ‘vanas’ (forests) constitute the Brindavan?
12 Forests.
They are:
1) Atalvan 2) Kevaarivan 3) Biharvan 4) Gochaaranvan
5) Kaaliyadamanvan 6) Gopalvan 7) Nikunjavan 8) Nidhuvan
9) Radhavan 10) Jhulanavan 11) Gahvaravan 12) Pappadvan
My elders say that keeping a picture of Sri Krishna holding a flute at home is not auspicious. Is it true?
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)!
What is pleasing to Krishna? How can I make him happy?
Cheerfulness pleases Him
Sharing with others pleases Him
Sacrifice pleases Him
Giving up ego pleases Him
Selflessness pleases Him
All beautiful things please Him
Helping others pleases Him
Flowers please Him
Honesty pleases Him
Truth pleases Him
Simplicity pleases Him
An open heart pleases Him
Patience pleases Him
Not finding fault with others pleases Him
Unconditional love pleases Him
Caring for cows pleases Him
Caring for Tulsi Plant (Holy Basil) pleases Him
Feeding the poor and feeding His devotees pleases Him
Non-violence (‘ahimsa’) pleases Him
Serving the Guru (Master) pleases Him
Witnessing and accepting all the happenings in the world as His play pleases Him more than anything else.
What is the import of Lord Vishnu and his related incarnations always having a dark complexion?
When nothing is left, what remains is darkness. So when the whole creation gets absorbed in grand deluge (‘Maha Pralaya’), that which remained (‘sa eka:’) is Lord Vishnu, and hence the dark complexion.
