This audio tells you about how listening gives better results in spirituality rather than reading.

Which are the three kinds of desires permitted in dharma?

1. Lokeshana - desire to attain a divine world such as Swarga or Vaikuntha 2. Putreshana - desire to have progeny 3. Vitteshana - desire for wealth to fulfill your duties as a householder.

What are the Vedic scriptures?

Vedic scriptures comprise of 1. Veda Samhitas 2. Brahmanas 3. Aranyakas 4. Upanishads.

Where to start reading Hindu scriptures?

In the Puranas and Itihasas, Vedic teachings are explained through historical incidents that are easily understood. It is here that you should begin reading Hindu scriptures.

How many holy books are there in Hinduism?

1. Four Veda Samhitas along with Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads 2. Smritis 3. Itihasas 4. Puranas 5. Darshanas 6. Ancillary texts - Vedangas, Dharma sutras, Nibandha granthas

Who started the Bhakti movement in South India?

Bhakti movement in South India was started by Vaishnavite saints called Alwars and Shaivaite Saints called Nayanars.

Which are the eight kinds of wealth?

Padma, Mahapadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Sankha, Nila, and Nandana.

Who is the Lord of treasures?

Kubera

Which were the three incarnations of Jaya-Vijaya on earth?

1. Hiranyakasha-Hiranyakashipu 2. Ravana-Kumbhakarna 3. Shishupala-Dantavakra.

Who were Shishupala and Dantavakra?

Shishupala was the king of Chedi. Dantavakra was the king of Karusha. They were incarnations of Jaya-Vijaya on earth towards the end of Dwapara yuga. Both were killed by Sri Krishna.

Who is Goddess Aditi?

Aditi was one of Daksha Prajapati's daughters. Kashyapa Prajapati was her husband. The twelve Adityas are her sons. Mahavishnu also took avatara as her son - Vamana. Devaki, Krishna's mother, was an incarnation of Aditi.

How was Sage Parashara born?

Parashara's father was Shakti and his mother was Adrishyanti. Shakti was Vasishta's son. In the ongoing tussle between Vasishta and Viswamitra, once Viswamitra made a king called Kalmashapada possessed with a demon. Then Kalmashapada devoured all the hundred sons of Vasishta including Shakti. At that time Adrishyanti was already pregnant. She delivered Parashara at the ashram of Vasishta.

How is listening important in Karma-marga?

Karma-marga is based on the Vedas. Vedas are always taught orally, by listening. Books are not used for teaching Vedas.

How is listening important in Jnana-marga?

In Jnana-marga the principle is श्रोतव्यो. मन्तव्यो निदिध्यासितव्यः - listen first, then meditate upon it, then remember it again and again. Stress is on listening not reading.

How is listening important in Bhakti-marga?

Bhakti-marga is centered around listening to the greatness of Bhagavan, not anything else.

In all three: Karma-marga, Jnana-marga, and Bhakti-marga, listening is important; not reading. All karmas, the karmakanda is mentioned in the Vedas. The procedures and mantras of all yajnas are given in the Vedas. Even for those not mentioned in the Vedas, Vedas are the basis. Vedas are always taught orally, never reading out of a book. The guru chants and the shishya repeats after him. Not with the help of books, In traditional gurukulas, you won’t even find books, strictly speak....