Seeking Answers

The best way to learn is to ask questions. The second best is to listen to what others are asking. The magic is in the listening.

The Four Meanings of Indra
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Four Meanings of Indra

A clear explanation of the term “Indra” across Vedic and Paurāṇic texts, showing how Indra symbolizes the pure and impure mind, its mastery over the senses, and why many names and forms of Indra appear in mythology.

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The Symbolic Meaning of Dvandva Yuddh
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Symbolic Meaning of Dvandva Yuddh

A clear Q&A explaining what dvandva yuddh truly means in the dialogue between Parashurama and Ram. The discussion reveals the symbolic, spiritual meaning behind the term—how self-knowledge shapes our interactions with others.

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Understanding the Real Meaning of Avatar
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Understanding the Real Meaning of Avatar

A clear and direct question-and-answer discussion on what avatar or avataran truly means. The talk explains how higher consciousness descends from the subtler koshas into the mind and senses, making spiritual knowledge practical in daily life.

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Inner meaning of Ruchika Muni
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Inner meaning of Ruchika Muni

This Q&A explains the symbolic meaning of Ruchika Muni. “Ruchika” comes from the root rich, meaning “to illuminate.” It signifies the Self — the light of consciousness that enlivens the seven koshas or sheaths within the body. The seven koshas are described as his “sons,” existing only through the presence of this inner light.

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Inner meaning of Kshatriya Becoming a Brahmin
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Inner meaning of Kshatriya Becoming a Brahmin

This Q&A explores the transformation of Vishwamitra from a Rajarshi (royal sage) to a Brahmarshi. The discussion reveals that the Kshatriya symbolizes outward engagement, while the Brahmin represents inner realization. The path from one to the other is a process — an ascent from governing the outer world to mastering the inner self through purification of the mind.

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The Fine Line Between Pride and Self-Respect
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Fine Line Between Pride and Self-Respect

This Q&A explores the subtle difference between abhimaan (pride) and swabhimaan (self-respect). The word swa can mean either the ego-self or the true Self, making swabhimaan positive or negative depending on which nature dominates — sattva, rajas, or tamas.

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If Everything Is Karma, Why Do We Still Punish?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

If Everything Is Karma, Why Do We Still Punish?

This Q&A explains why punishment and justice exist even when the law of karma governs all actions. Those who do wrong often lack awareness of karma, so human systems of correction — counsel, control, punishment, and strategy — help them awaken. The discussion also explores how acceptance of one’s mistakes depends on whether the mind is in a lower (egoic) or higher (aware) state.

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The Inner Dialogue Between Jatayu and Ravana
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Inner Dialogue Between Jatayu and Ravana

This Q&A explains the symbolic conversation between Jatayu and Ravana. Jatayu represents the pure, awakened mind that warns the ego not to harm inner purity, while Ravana symbolizes pride and desire. Their dialogue mirrors the constant struggle within us — between integrity and temptation.

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Pulastya Lineage and Kakutstha Lineage
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Pulastya Lineage and Kakutstha Lineage

This Q&A explains the inner meaning of two symbolic terms — Pulastya-vanshi (for Ravana) and Kakutstha-vanshi (for Rama). Ravana’s lineage signifies consciousness turning toward the body, creating ego, while Rama’s lineage represents awareness established in higher, noble thought, leading to true self-realization.

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The Meaning of Ravana’s Many Queens
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Meaning of Ravana’s Many Queens

In this Q&A, the teacher explains how “wives” or “queens” in mythology represent different powers within us, and why Ravana’s statement “I’ll make you my chief queen” symbolizes the dominance of our thoughts.

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Kaikeyi and the Emotive Power: Why the Ramayana is Needed to Teach Inner Truths?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Kaikeyi and the Emotive Power: Why the Ramayana is Needed to Teach Inner Truths?

 Kaikeyi personifies the emotive/will faculty of the mind. The Ramayana’s characters are inner qualities; the forest represents our inner depths. For many readers the epic functions as a living pedagogy: it translates terse Upanishadic truths into images and scenes that lodge in the heart, making subtle spiritual knowledge teachable — even to children.

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Maya, Attraction, and Ignorance: Are They Different or the Same?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Maya, Attraction, and Ignorance: Are They Different or the Same?

 In this Q&A, a seeker asks whether attraction comes from maya or maya comes from attraction. The answer clarifies that maya has no independent existence; our own ignorance of our true Self is what we call maya, avidya, or delusion. Through examples like mirage (mrig-marichika) and references to Krishna’s use of the word mudha in the Gita, it shows that terms like maya, ignorance, and illusion all point to the same fundamental inner unawareness.

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Ram, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna - what do they symbolise?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Ram, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna - what do they symbolise?

In this Q&A, the speaker explains that Dasharatha’s four sons are not just historical figures but symbols of inner awakening. Ram represents Self-knowledge; Bharat the bliss and love that arise from it; Lakshman the awareness that “I create my own thoughts”; and Shatrughna the power to dissolve them. The Ramayana is revealed as a story of our inner spiritual journey.

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Ram, Lakshman, and Sita - what do they symbolise?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Ram, Lakshman, and Sita - what do they symbolise?

In this Q&A, the discussion explores the symbolic meaning of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita in the Ramayana. Ram represents Self-knowledge, Lakshman the ever-awake power of discrimination, and Sita our pure thinking. When thinking becomes captivated by illusion (moh), even awakened intellect can only recognize but not act—showing how awareness must arise before attachment takes hold.

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