Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Ch.1.6 Lecture 37 on 30 May 2026 Q&A

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Discussion on Prana, Character, and Spiritual Association

Question 1: Experiencing the Prana of Larger vs. Smaller Vedanta Centers

Participant: Here in the West, well, everywhere in the world, but when we look at the centers, the Vedanta centers, you know, Ramakrishna Mission, you know, Mahapurush, there are amazing souls, swamis, in some of the main centers. And I feel like the maybe the prana there is different than in smaller, unaffiliated centers. And so, like, you know, you're mentioning that prana is character and it also helps with karma and your thoughts. And so, how can we veer away from that momentum, from the action that's going on at bigger centers? How can we mimic that? How can we also be able to experience that and, you know, have the kudu and all of that?

Response (Maharaj): Okay, I will not go into specifics, but I will give you a clear guideline. First of all, it is none of our business to think whose prana. Prana means – remember – character, and the character determines what type of activities, in what spirit, and how it is manifest. It all depends upon the character. OK, it is not our business to poke our nose into what the other people are doing. When you come across some people, if you feel that "I feel elevated. Their association and their advice somehow is helping me to go nearer to God," I will try to eliminate every other thought, take advantage of that, and move forward. That should be the guideline – not to discriminate. What some smaller centers are doing, bigger centers are doing, this one is doing, that one is doing – that is none of our business; it is a waste of time. Okay.

Participant: Thank you, Maharaj. Jai Ramakrishna.

Response (Maharaj): Jai Ramakrishna.

Question 2: Is Prana the Same as Gunas?

Participant: In this lesson on discernment – is the nama rupa karma or nama rupa prana which you are describing – is the prana to be equated as the same as gunas? Like when you told us that when you do the dhyanam, you can do nama dhyanam, rupa dhyanam, and guna dhyanam. So I would guess prana is the same as guna.

Response (Maharaj): You see, it is very simple if we understand it properly. You come across any person; that person can be – what is called – analyzed in these three ways: his form, his name. Now his form is not viewed just as a form. So that is why I told you karma – that is a better word perhaps. So karma means character. What forms us is called our karmas – they form our character, okay?

Participant: True.

Response (Maharaj): And it is the character which makes us either get attracted or repelled. So when you see somebody whose character repels you, his very name also brings to your mind memories of that. If you happen to see – whether actual person or photograph – again and again, the same reaction comes, isn't it?

Participant: Correct.

Response (Maharaj): So whether they are near or far, family members or outside, it doesn't really matter. So the question is: we, in whose presence we become better people, have to understand that character is better character. What is the simple explanation? If you have money, you can give money. If you have skill, you can give the skill. If you are a great, good doctor, you can help patients, isn't it? What a person has, that alone he can give. So if your character becomes better by coming into contact with somebody, that means that person has that character.

Participant: Yes.

Response (Maharaj): So you judge anybody by this criteria, and whatever helps you move forward – become a better person, happier person, peaceful person, tranquil person, self-controlled person – cultivate that company. It is as simple as that. Perfect.

Participant: Thank you, Maharaj ji.

Question 3: Attraction, Raga Dvesha, and Self-Assessment

Participant: Pranams Maharaj! With the karma, the raga dvesha comes into play, I think. So can I understand that when I am attracted to the outer appearances, I am identified with my body, with my external appearance?

Response (Maharaj): Correct.

Participant: When I'm attracted by great minds, then that means I'm at the mind level.

Response (Maharaj): Correct. It is correct.

Participant: So whatever – so based on my raga dvesha, that will make me assess where I am.

Response (Maharaj): But not only that. If you are attracted to a person, that person has a personality, isn't it?

Participant: Yes.

Response (Maharaj): And that personality is shaped by what? Character. It is the face that reflects the character. That is why they say face is the mirror of the man. So, however much a person may cover or put on this and that, for a long time it won't do. We all have got some intuitive power. Very soon our illusion will break, even if we are at first mistaken. So that is why even that word "attraction" – even saints feel that attraction. Sri Ramakrishna says, if you still remember, "I was attracted to that person." Yeah. What does it mean? That means there is some spiritual substance in that person. And I was repelled – he did not use that word "repelled." But some people, "You better go and see the buildings or the gardens." That is his gentle way of expressing that "Get the hell out of here." Yeah, we have to be very clear about it. But not in the way we mean. Sri Ramakrishna never does any harm to anybody. "You are not going to get any benefit from me, and therefore don't waste my time, don't waste your time. Do whatever you want." There is no hatred in a saint. So the face cut, the character reflects clearly. However much they may try to cover it up with beauty or beauty instruments or whatever it is, very soon it breaks. Every cover will be uncovered. And what is uncovered alone is the truth. That is why babies attract so much – because they don't cover until we teach them. That is why they are so innocent, we call it. So what is important is: if anybody – you feel anybody's presence or association is helping you to become a better person (and you can definitely find it out), then try to cultivate the presence of that person more and try to avoid the other side. OK, we have to do that, no doubt about it.