Vedas: Authority of the Vedas

Q. I can say I have practically no knowledge of the scriptures; but I believe in GOD - in all gods. Prior to coming to the US, I used to pray a lot. However, after coming here I have reduced that, apparently for no particular reason. But I have started praying to my parents, because I feel that by serving one's parents, one can serve God. I would like to understand what really is a person's duty - is it to serve God directly or to serve his parents and reach God through them?

Q. When I read articles on present day scientists saying there is life on Mars or human beings trying to land on moon, how do I relate that to material worlds described in Vedas?

Q. 1. How do we know if God is real?

One way we can come to understand or verify the existence of God is simply by studying the meticulous organization of this universe and all the things happening around us. There is such precise design, order and control in the way everything in nature functions, from the gigantic planetary movements down to the intricate workings of a cell. Is it not illogical to propose that this vast universe is conducted so meticulously just by chance and for no purpose?

Q. How do we justify explanation of eclipses given in the Vedas as Rahu swallowing Chandra etc, while science gives explanations of shadows of one falling over other?

Q. What is the relationship between Krishna and Dharma?

Q. I'd like to know something about Vedic knowledge: specifically about categories of Sabda, Pratyaksha and Anumana. Can you tell me what do they mean?

Srila Prabhupada explains these three methods of acquiring knowledge in his Sri Isopanishad, Introduction:

Q. I've read information on Michael Cremo's web site (Drutakarma Prabhu) where he calculates earth age based on SB Canto 3-Chapter 11. His estimation is about 2 billion years. Today, the scientifically studied data reveals an age of 4 billion or so. How should we approach the difference when challenged (other then the limited vision prone to make mistakes example)?

I presented this question to Drutakarma Prabhu directly, who replied as follows:

Q. Some people consider eggs to be vegetarian. I had a discussion with one such person who kept claiming that eggs are nothing but protein and carbohydrates. Could you give me some quotes from Prabhupada's books or scientific reasoning that defeats this proposition?

Q. A friend of mine told me that he does not believe in God. His explanation was "I don't believe in anything. I have no need. If I come across something that I cannot explain, I accept the fact that I cannot explain it. I feel that it is a very hard thing to do and I feel those who believe in God cannot do that. They need some way to explain things and God is just an excuse. I believe the ones who believe in God are so weak within that they need someone to blame their mishaps or their wrongs upon."

Q. 1. How can you know for sure that there really is life after death, instead of the other belief that we are just mechanistic organisms that live and then die and then are nothing?