[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on January 02, 2021, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by SwÄmi are given below.]
1. Did ÅšrÄ« HanumÄn burn Lanka out of ego or due to some other reason?
[A question asked by Śrī Ganesh.]
SwÄmi replied: HanumÄn, while burning Lanka, announced that He was the weakest monkey in the army of SugrÄ«va (Mattaḥ pratyavaraḥ kaÅ›cit...). SugrÄ«va, the leader of the army was certainly greater than his army. That SugrÄ«va had been defeated by VÄli and that VÄli had been killed by RÄma. By this gradation, HanumÄn wanted to convey the strength of RÄma to the enemy. If HanumÄn, the weakest monkey of SugrÄ«va’s army Himself was able kill so many demons and burn the city of Lanka, the demons could estimate the power of RÄma, SugrÄ«va and the army. HanumÄn damaged the confidence of the demons in this way. This shows the climax of intelligence of HanumÄn (BuddhimatÄṃ variá¹£á¹ham...)
2. Why is it said that Lord Gaṇeśa should not be worshiped with tulasī leaves except on Ganesh Chaturthi?
[A question asked by Śrī Hrushikesh.]
SwÄmi replied: Every person wants to become a special personality by telling something special to others. While telling such a thing to others, he should also tell the reason for it. Then, people will understand and appreciate the point. If you ask Me the reason for such a belief, what can this poor Datta Swami do? If this belief is actually so well-known, anybody should be able to tell the reason behind it!
3. Why do I only get worldly dreams, even though I desire to have dreams of God?
[A question asked by Smt. Sheela Prasad.]
SwÄmi replied: The dreams that you get are only related to your strong thoughts. Weak thoughts do not appear in your dream. Let your devotion be strengthened further. Then, you will get divine dreams.
4. After committing the criminal act of crucifying Jesus, did the non-believers of Lord Jesus get reformed or not?
[A question by Smt. Anita Renkuntla.]
SwÄmi replied: Certainly, many supporters of the crucifixion of Lord Jesus repented and got reformed. The tragic scene of the crucifixion and the climax of divine forgiveness of Jesus was such that it indeed filled many people with kindness. God had planned that incident so as to melt the rockiest of hearts and fill them with kindness. Only when the heart softens with kindness, can spiritual knowledge enter the heart.
5. What is meant by Your statement that God had the knowledge of creation, even before He created it?
[A question asked by Shri Anil Anthony.]
SwÄmi replied: God is omniscient. It means that He knows the past, the present and the future. The same thing was told by God in the GÄ«tÄ (VedÄhaṃ samatÄ«tÄni...). Nothing is impossible for God since He is omnipotent.