I have several question, some pertaining to the puranas and some about self improvement and realization. 

Preacher Questions and AnswersCategory: QuestionsI have several question, some pertaining to the puranas and some about self improvement and realization. 
Avatar of Shantan ReddyShantan Reddy asked 9 years ago

Radhey Radhey Swamiji,
a) When brahmaji is a swa-ansh of krishna, why is brahmalok under maya?
b) We hear that kanha took matsya avatar to save vedas during the pralay. So does that mean the matsya avatar happens once every 14 manvantars?
c) Although I am a vegetarian, I am just curios what our texts say about this. ‘why is eating plants different from eating animals, when essentially both are jeev’?
d) What should one do to control dur-bhavana? These bad thoughts come to my mind, and I realize it the very next instant that it was such a paap for having thought that. These things keep happening, and sometimes I get scared that all of this is going to distance me from govind. I really need help with this.
having asked all these questions, I want to mention that for the past 24 years of my life I had known nothing about kripaluji maharaj. But it has to be kanha’s kripa that I got introduced to his teachings when I was infact looking for something else on youtube. I feel so happy attaching my mind and thoughts and emotions to kanha, and listening to mahraji and following what he says to my best mayic capabilities I have felt a change in me. I will forever be indebted to maharaji for showing me the path to reach govind. 

1 Answers
Avatar of Pooja AnandPooja Anand Staff answered 9 years ago

Radhey Radhey,
Please find answer to your question below-
a) When brahmaji is a swa-ansh of krishna, why is brahmalok under maya?
Answer: Brahma is himself Divine, but his abode is part of swarg. Like he has taken up residence in swarg, and that abode is only temporary, for the life of this brahmand. Then Brahma will go to Vaikunth abode in the Divine world.
 
b) We hear that kanha took matsya avatar to save vedas during the pralay. So does that mean the matsya avatar happens once every 14 manvantars?
Answer: Yes, at least that often (14 manvantar means one day of Brahma, or a kalp). It could happen multiple times in a kalp depending on various factors.
 
c) Although I am a vegetarian, I am just curios what our texts say about this. ‘why is eating plants different from eating animals, when essentially both are jeev’?
Answer: One factor is that plant food has an inherent sattvic (positive, pious) energetic quality, so it has a subtle sattvic effect on our mind. Meat has an inherent tamas (negative, impious) energetic quality, so the subtle effect on the mind is also tamas. If we want to develop the spiritual potential and good qualities of our mind, then it is advisable to eat sattvic food.
In addition, the majority of the time we eat plant food, we have not killed the plant. Fruit, nuts, grains, daal, and many vegetables do not require the death of the plant in order to harvest the food. In the case of crops like rice, wheat, etc, the plant is an annual which has finished it’s life cycle at the time of harvest. Only in the case of root crops is the plant actually being killed. 
 
d) What should one do to control dur-bhavana? These bad thoughts come to my mind, and I realize it the very next instant that it was such a paap for having thought that. These things keep happening, and sometimes I get scared that all of this is going to distance me from govind. I really need help with this.
Answer: These thoughts that enter the mind from our subconscious are the result of bad sanskars and are a symptom of the negative reserves of the mind accumulated through bad thoughts and actions of uncountable past lives. It is quite natural for it to happen. Do not dwell upon these thoughts. Just release them and quickly replace them with a positive devotional thought, like “I belong to Radha Krishna. They are always with me, no matter how fallen I am.” As you proceed on the path of raganuga bhakti, these negative reserves will gradually be cleaned out, and you will not have so many unwanted thoughts.
 
Having asked all these questions, I want to mention that for the past 24 years of my life I had known nothing about kripaluji maharaj. But it has to be kanha’s kripa that I got introduced to his teachings when I was infact looking for something else on youtube. I feel so happy attaching my mind and thoughts and emotions to kanha, and listening to mahraji and following what he says to my best mayic capabilities I have felt a change in me. I will forever be indebted to maharaji for showing me the path to reach govind.
Jai Shree Radhey! Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj ki jai!