T Ram Sewak

SAPT PRASHAN

Our spiritual literature is deeply rooted in the tradition of dialectical inquiry, where seekers engage with Divinity (Avatar) or enlightened souls that inspire transformative insights. Such dialogic exchanges serve as pivotal conduits for clarifying the intricate doctrines of Vedanta.

The Gita is undoubtedly the most well-known spiritual dialogue between Shri Krishna and a delusional Arjun, providing the clearest and most comprehensive answers to potentially all the questions that the human mind can conceive.

The conversation between Nachiketa and Yama (the God of Death) in the Katha Upanishad, which addresses Nachiketa's famous query about the ultimate mystery of death whether the Self (Atma) survives bodily death, the dialogue between Yudhishtra and Yaksha in the Mahabharata that elucidates the concepts of dharma, humility, wisdom, truth, etc. and the exchange between Janak and Ashtavakra, compiled as the Ashtavakra Gita, which serves as a treatise on advaita, vairagya, and the Gyan Marg, are all part of the dazzling spiritual canvas.

In Shri Ramcharitmanas, we learn that Garuda, Lord Vishnu's vehicle, also becomes entrapped in His delusional Maya during His Ram Avatar. A deluded Garuda seeks clarity from Lord Shiva, who directs him to Kakabhushundiji, the crow sage. Kakabhushundiji narrates Shri Ram's Katha and Leelas (Divine Play), and illuminates the Gyan and Bhakti Marg alongside. This eradicates Garuda's delusion and encourages the wise yet troubled seeker within him to further ask Kakabhushundiji, in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.121, the famous seven questions (Sapt Prashan) that explore the essence of human life and ethics. These are:

1. What is the most difficult body form to attain?

2. What is the greatest sorrow?

3. What is the greatest joy?

4. What are the natural characteristics and behaviours of noble souls and the wicked?

5. Which is the greatest virtue (punya)?

6. Which is the most terrible sin (paap)?

7. What are the various spiritual diseases, and how do they manifest?

Kakabhushundiji's detailed explanation to each of these questions follows. / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com