Yes Sir, it is not easy to or i would say it is not possible to define the state of Bhagavan or define the state of the "Self".. Normal human mind with ego, always wants to understand everything in some logical way or some way other. That is one reason why many people had such questions and even some devotees tend to describe saying ' Bhagavan is in so and so state, so his mind is in that state to act without ego ' which is again incorrect... A Brahma Jnani's state cannot be defined fullest ! some expressions with comparisons can be given, still that is not just what is said.
HIS state and HIS actions cannot be defined, one can only try to explain. If it is from GOD, it has to be accepted immediately, without any questions.
Arunachala Siva.. Arunachala Siva..
This Response by Bhagavan is actually not quite simple as it reads. I am baffled a the "state" of Bhagavan, its puzzling each and every cell of my body. Even Great Jnani's like HH Chandrashekhara Saraswathi Swamigal (Kanchi) and HH Sachchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha (Sringeri) Swamigal had such great respect and adored Bhagavan. Ganapathy Sastrigal himself had hundreds of followers and He Himself was seen as a Rishi by many of his followers, He too was puzzled and baffled at Bhagavan's "State" Bhagavan was the Highest manifestation of absolute "Poornatvam" unparalleled.
Bhagavan's simplicity actually casts some illusions because he was so very humble and ordinary to our eyes. Moreover, His direct devotees like Muruganar, Nayaya and others were no ordinary devotees, they were verily like the 63 Nayanmars and Bhagavan is Saakshat Sivan Himself.
Where do we stand in the entire scheme? We have to do our Sadhana with utmost sincerity and purify our minds. And honestly, this enquiry has even baffled great devotees like Muruganar and Nayana as well. How are we to fare then?
We have to purify our mind first with other aids along with Bhagavan's guidance. Simple practice of Japa and other traditional rituals, etc... are great purifier and restricts the outgoing mind and brings back the focus on Japa or the ritual that we are doing.
Once our mind gets purified, then the Self Enquiry will be most effective. Like Bhagavan says -
"Gunpowder catches fire in an instant, while it takes time to ignite coal"
Salutations to Bhagavan
Q: Is marriage a bar to spiritual progress?
M: The householder's life is not a bar, but householders must do their utmost to practice self-control. If a person has a strong desire for the higher life then sexual desire will drop away. When the mind is destroyed the other desires are also destroyed.
Q: I have committed a sexual sin.
M: Even if you have, it does not matter, so long as you do not think afterwards that you have done so. The Self is not aware of any sin, and renunciation of sex is internal, not merely of the body.
M: But even if you do commit adultery, do not think about it afterwards, because you yourself are always pure. You are not the sinner.
M: But even if you do commit adultery, do not think about it afterwards, because you yourself are always pure. You are not the sinner.
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Hmm, in that case I might end up doing the same mistake again and again, by taking advantage of above statement.
So when will I change then, I will go into a whirlpool of one mistake after the other isn't it.
Just trying to understand what Bhagavan really intended in above statement.
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
After stopping the thought about it, how can you do it again?
Dear Swayam,
I am registered to a ramana maharshi based spiritual organisation based in US and they send me these quotes sir.
I am not sure whether they are maintaining any archive for these daily quotes.
I will enquire and let you know andi.
Dear prasanth,
Sri Bhagavan said: For having a shave, you do not shave the mirror.
Arunachala Siva.
Dear prasanth,
Sri Bhagavan said: For having a shave, you do not shave the mirror.
Arunachala Siva.
Some jnanis (those who have realized the Self) may develop siddhis (occult powers) such as invisibility
:) Dear Prashant,
one should always bow to one's guru. but not with an attitude that iam less u r greater. but rather, with an attitude that thanks for making me understand i am u and u r me!
This does not in any way stop one from bowing to guru. one should always bow to one's guru. but not with an attitude that iam less u r greater. but rather, with an attitude that thanks for making me understand i am u and u r me!
attitude that thanks for making me understand i am u and u r me!
Q: When we fall from the path what should we do?
M: All will be well in the end. There is a steady determination that gets you on your feet again after a fall or break. Gradually the obstacles get weaker and your current gets stronger. Every-thing comes right in the end. Steady determination is what is required.
You must love all and help all, since only in this way can you help yourself.
- Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi
you have heard from Bhagavan that even if one chants "i" , "I" one will realize. But then sir, have you realized ?
Excellent.
Abide as I AM...
but more importantly inquire what takes us away from "I AM"
:)
Dear Vladimir,
:) if you say "Self takes us away" then it means you are saying Self does an action! While Self is actionless and motionless ! and if I am also Self, then I too am moving!
Self is motionless and changeless !
So :) what changes, as always, is a upadhi.
and upadhi is mithya.
Get rid of thoughts
Q: Which is better, to practice meditation or to study spiritual books like the Upanishads?
M: It is entirely a matter of temperament. If you find that meditation suits you and helps to attain progress, then go on with it. Other people find that studying books suits them better than meditation. Different people must have different paths, it is a matter of individual taste and temperament
Dear Atmavichar100,
Spiritual Books can be studied to a limited extent covering bhakti and jnana. There is no need to read
books unlimitedly. If one is young, one can read novels and non fiction to some extent as for a change. Otherwise one
need not read many many spiritual books. It is of no use. Sri Bhagavan says in Who am I? : If all books speak only about
mano nigraha, one need not read books to a large extent.
Arunachala Siva.
I agree. After all questioning, there comes a stage, where Who am I? becomes an answerless question. Then 'idam' disappears
and 'tat' appears which is unanalyzable.
Q: Is this method quicker than developing qualities thought to be necessary for salvation?
M: All bad qualities are tied up in the ego. When the ego is gone, realization is self-evident.
17th May, 1947 (116) PRARABDHA (FATE)
This morning at 9 o’clock one devotee addressed Bhagavan as follows: “Swami, you said yesterday that a Jnani
will perform such actions as are ordained according to his prarabdha. But it is said that Jnanis have no prarabdha at all!”
Bhagavan said, in a leisurely way, “How did they get this body if they have no prarabdha? How do they perform the various actions? The actions of Jnanis are themselves called prarabdhas. It is stated that there is prarabdha from Brahma right up to Sadasiva
and the Avatars of Rama and Krishna and others also.
ParitranAya sAdhunAm vinAsAyaduskritAm
Dharma SansthapanArthAya sambhavAmi yuge yuge.
For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evildoers, for the sake of firmly establishing dharma (righteousness), I am born from age to age. Bhagavad Gita, IV: 8
“As stated in this sloka, Ishwara assumes a shape when the virtues of good people and the sins of bad people mingle and become prarabdha and he has to establish dharma. That is called parechcha prarabdha (the acts of other people). The body itself is prarabdha. The purpose for which that body has come into existence will get done of its own accord.”
Letters from Sri Ramanasramam-Suri Nagamma