ASKING QUESTIONS IS A PROGRESS
Hare Krishna!!
We all have a tendency to ask questions. We sometimes ask from our parents, friends, classmates, colleagues, etc. Children always have a list of questions in front of seniors. This we do to ensure ourselves with the right information. Questions are always there on the individual level, society level, national or international level.
But do we know- what type of questions we should ask? What kind of queries assure our progress and failure in attempts. But why should we do questions?- This is also a question in itself. Do we know how to ask questions? What should be our mood throughout our questioning?
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Let’s discuss about this topic with turning our divine pages of Vedic literature….
No doubt, we all have asked varieties of questions in our lives. In schools also, we are taught how to communicate with others. Children usually ask a variety of questions. Some of them, we answer, while some others- we consider their foolishness or because of their childish nature.
In business scenarios, we are also asked. But, about what should we question? We should meditate onto this point. No doubt, animals also question. Their questions are- about eating, mating, sleeping and defending. But the main point is our questions also revolve around these topics. We don’t go far beyond that.
This human life, we have got to ask about ourselves (athato brahma jigyasa). Otherwise ‘dharmena heenah pasubhi samanah’- we are not much better than animals. Our Vedic scriptures are a series of Questions and Answers. Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagwatam are in itself questions and answers.
In SB(1.2.5), Suta Goswami says, “O sages, I have been justly questioned by you. Your questions are worthy because they relate to Lord Krishna and so are relevant to the world’s welfare. Only questions of this sort are capable of completely satisfying the self.”
Srila Prabhupada, in this reference, says “So, questions about Krishna are good, that is loka- mangalam, auspicious for everyone. Both the questions and answers.” When we ask questions about our true existence, then we can say that we are asking right questions.
If we ask right questions with right attitude from right source, then it is a key for progress in real terms. In BG(4.34), the right attitude as well as right source is described. There, The Supreme Personality of Godhead says, “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self- realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.”
But, from where we ask- Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Chat GPT, AI and so on.
These could answer, but not the absolute answer.
If we do not seek these three necessary items while asking questions, then it is not a progress. We should check ourselves from asking absurd inquiries. We should learn this art of progress from Parikshit Maharaja, Vidura, Arjuna, Mother Devahuti, Prachetas and others. If we ask right questions, for sure, our progress is guaranteed.
Hare Krishna!!