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.

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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
Is Deceit Part of Moh?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Is Deceit Part of Moh?

In this Q&A, a seeker asks whether deceit and trickery are separate vikaras or part of moh, which is usually understood as attachment or ignorance. Through the example of Ravana, Maricha, and Sita in the Ramayana, the answer explains how moh is attachment to “mine”, and how ego uses moh to make us act deceitfully, subtly distorting pure thinking through attractive forms.

Read More
How to Act Without Attachment?
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

How to Act Without Attachment?

In this Q&A, the teacher explains how to act with awareness rather than attachment. Using the example of a train seat, she shows that duty performed from Self-awareness is not attachment. The Self — the conscious “I” — must awaken and take charge of the mind, intellect, and senses, becoming the true master and driver of life.

Read More
The Inner Meaning of Curses and Blessings in Scripture
Ramayana, Basic Concepts Arpan Gupta Ramayana, Basic Concepts Arpan Gupta

The Inner Meaning of Curses and Blessings in Scripture

In this Q&A, the teacher explains that curses (shraap) and blessings (vardaan) in spiritual texts are symbolic. A curse represents the presence of impurity that needs purification, while a blessing indicates inner strength or virtue. Both point to our inner evolution — not external magic, but the inevitable movement of the soul toward higher consciousness.

Read More
Are Omens Real or Symbolic?
Ramayana, Basic Concepts Arpan Gupta Ramayana, Basic Concepts Arpan Gupta

Are Omens Real or Symbolic?

In this Q&A, the teacher explains that omens (shakun–apshakun) in the Ramayan are symbolic. Nature itself is neutral; omens have no real power. It is our thoughts, beliefs, and state of mind that create their effect. When we live in awareness, omens lose all influence — they are only reflections of our own thinking.

Read More
Cutting Off Shurpanakha’s Nose and Ears
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

Cutting Off Shurpanakha’s Nose and Ears

In this Q&A, the teacher explains that Shurpanakha’s nose and ears being cut is not a physical act but a symbol. It means making the force of attachment powerless through awareness, thought, and willpower. Using daily life examples, the talk shows how self-knowledge and clear thinking weaken the hold of ego-based attachment.

Read More
The Inner Meaning of Ram and Sita’s Marriage
Ramayana Arpan Gupta Ramayana Arpan Gupta

The Inner Meaning of Ram and Sita’s Marriage

In this Q&A, the teacher explains that Sita represents our pure, sacred thinking — born when knowledge plows the field of the mind. Ram is the conscious Self, and their marriage symbolizes the union of the soul with purity, not a physical relationship.

Read More