Messages

3871

General topics / Re: Ramanashramam Deepavali visit

« on: October 27, 2011, 05:06:26 PM »

miracles to happen

Lots of things such as these go unrecorded. Just cant help feel humbled when we read or listen to such instances of devotees. When we look at their lives, our own problems look so mere...

Salutations to Bhagavan

3872

General topics / Re: Bhajans, Songs, Documentaries, Interviews, Pics and so on

« on: October 27, 2011, 04:21:38 PM »

A Great Sage's Love for All Beings:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhdQcSnWcwc

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMFZ469xIVM

Salutations to Bhagavan

3873

General topics / Re: Ramanashramam Deepavali visit

« on: October 27, 2011, 04:16:07 PM »

Thank you Subramanian Sir, Prashant, it always feels happy to hear if somebody visits or plans to visit Ramanshramam 

3874

General topics / Re: Ramanashramam Deepavali visit

« on: October 27, 2011, 12:48:05 PM »

Dear Subramanian Sir,

Yes the crowd was very less. Primarily there were only inmates. Having come back now, I am already feeling the urges to go back...its like they say, when a baby is born from the womb of the mother, it cries! Cries loudly out of the pain as to why it had come off here, why it had to be born out in this world, as it was at peace, Samadhi in the mother's womb. The same way, entering my place was like being born

Subramanian Sir, can visitors also have breakfast at the ashram? or is it only for invitees and guests only? I was hesitant to go inside to have breakfast as I was just a visitor. However it is my deep wish to have food at Bhagavan's place at least just once, as my circumstances do not permit booking room at Ramanashramam in advance, as I myself don't know when I will be going. Hence, in all my visits, I am able to stay only at Sheshadri Ashramamam.

Bhagavan willing, one day it too will happen!

Salutations to Bhagavan

3875

General topics / Ramanashramam Deepavali visit

« on: October 27, 2011, 11:19:06 AM »

I had been to Arunachala this diwali. I reached Arunachala the day before around 4 pm and got my self accommodation at Sheshadri Ashramam and went straight to Ramanashramam. Nothing special to highlight as i was entirely silent! The only words I may have spoken was for having food, milk and accomodation. It was very peaceful. I remained stay put at the Ashramam as long as I could. I attended the evening parayanams. They had changed the picture in the Nirvana hall, Now they have this image http://arunachala-ramana.org/photos/restored_photos/full/ioh_05.jpg

This is also equally great, the old one was unique. the old picture was Hrudayam itself. The Self Itself. I personally like gazing Bhagavan at Nirvanal hall. Thereafter I just sat silently in the Samadhi hall till about 9.

On the 26th. I got ready very early and came to Ramanshramam 3:30 and wondered if I could enter as the gates were closed. But fortunately the smaller gate was open and i silently entered Ramanashramam as i heard a beautiful song of PB Srinivas through the Watchaman room as i walked through, I went around the Mathrubhooteshwara shrine and peaked inside the Samadhi hall from  the windows of Samadhi hall (it was like having a secret darshan). To see Bhagavan in the small lamp light was truly some feeling! Then went directly to the old meditation hall. there were 2 persons in already. I was very excited to see Bhagavan at this time, as it was around 3:30 Bhagavan used to begin his day. I sat gazing at him till I heard the sounds of gates opening in the Samadhi Hall. I then got up and went to Samadhi hall, and was the first one to go around Bhagavan I was very happy. It felt very special to do the first circumambulation around Bhagavan that day

There was very heavy downpour non stop rains all through and doing girivalam was impossible ... hence I decided that I would atleast go 108 times around Bhagavan and did it and I felt this pradakshinam more effective than doing around the hill itself. They sung the special Deepavali song and to see the mangala arati before the sunrise was some experience then they burst crackers before Bhagavan at the entrance to Samadhi hall.

It was lovely to see dogs. there were 2 dogs that came inside the samadhi hall, it was obvious to see the peace in the dog, its bhakti is amazing. I was engulfed with the feelings of extreme grace seeing the devotion of the dogs. one dog directly went begind the samadhi hall and sat down just behind bhagavan and remained transfixed unmoved, i watched it with amazement as I was doing my pradakshinam. It does something to you.

Another dog while the daily parayanam was going on, entered and came in as if looking for somebody, I was seated in one corner and the dog came looking for somebody and kept going in... the caretaker who is near the Samadhi hall, beat its head "tap" hard it pained me so much (but i dont know what relationship that caretaker and the dog has, he beat it with "love" ) asking it to move out, but it wouldn't listen and did not even care being beaten   and some of us there just said to him its ok let it be ... and it went on inside to Mathrubhoopteshwara shrine it was amazing to see both the dogs not making any noise inside the samadhi hall. especially the second dog when it was hit hard on its head, remained silent and moved on looking around for what it had come in.

Both dogs did nothing of any sort that could amount to disturbing the devotees who were doing parayanam, meditation. amazing!

all these were happening, and i was captured by the compassion of Bhagavan...

what remained were only moments of silence...

Salutations to Bhagavan

3876

Arunachala / Re: Arunachala Darshanas

« on: October 26, 2011, 11:30:08 PM »

Dear Jyoti,

Urchavar is present in all temples. Since the original Idol in the sanctum sanatorium cannot be moved or removed, the great sages came up with this concept of Urchavars in the Agama Shastras.

As per the rules prescribed by the Agamas, the Lord, will go round the place where every body can get chance to have darshan of the Lord. The sages were well aware that not every body could go to temple, hence the Urchavar is the direct representative of the main idol which goes to peoople due to he great Karunya Bhava of the Lord. The Lord goes to people. He comes down to the level of us humans, subtly reminding us of our real nature, calling us to the Sanctum Sanatorium (Self) hridya Guha.

Well this is the significance in a nutshell.

As regards to the form,

Linga signifies Formless. Linga is the symbol of the one with no beginning and end.

Urchavar always has form. It is given a simple form by which common people are able to get a grasp of the Lord and the Tatva. You can never see a Linga Urchavar. Urchavar always has a form.

Salutations to Bhagavan

3877

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Sat-chit-ananda

« on: October 26, 2011, 11:24:09 PM »

There could be a million other ways, but every other description would definitely fall under any one of the words: Sat or Chit or Ananda.

In this case, "Ananta" would fall under "Sat" which is roughly translated into english as "Existence" "Is" "Continues" "That which ever was, is and will be"

So surely, Ananta already falls under "Sat"

The orignial Sat Chit Ananda term originated as Anadi & Apurusheya (Eternal and Aparusheya - not created by man) It is Veda term, hence the words and terms available in Vedas are simply flawless, so there is no need at all for newer terms and words.

But yes, we could use these as auxiliary terms to better understand the words Sat Chit and Ananda.

Salutations to Bhagavan

3878

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Gods

« on: October 26, 2011, 11:08:37 PM »

Dear Jyoti,

Here are verses from Nava Mani Malai that should put your doubts at rest -

5 Lord who art Consciousness Itself, reigning over the famous Sonagiri5, forgive all the grievous faults of this poor self and by Thy merciful glance, benign as the rain clouds, save me from being lost once more in the dreary waste, or else I cannot cross the terrible ocean of birth and death. What can match a mother’s care for her child? Deal with me then (like a loving mother).

9 Bearing and tending me in the world in the shape of my father and mother[/u], Thou didst enter my heart and before I fell into the deep sea calledmahamaya and was drowned, Thou didst draw me to Thee and keep me at Thy Feet. How shall I describe Thy wonderful Grace, O Arunachala, who art Consciousness Itself?

Moreover, when ever Bhagavan referred to Arunachala, it referred to the Self, the Atman, the Brahman, the real 'I'

That Self Arunachala, can be anyhing, mother, father, But Bhagavan addressed the Self Arunachala as Ammaiappan, MotherFather together.

You must be familiar about the Ardhanareeshwara tatvam.

Salutations to Bhagavan

3879

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Gods

« on: October 26, 2011, 02:30:47 PM »

Dear Jyoti,

See however you like to see Arunachala. Ulimately if that helps you to focus on Self, on the feeling of "I am" then it is it.

Means can be any, the goal is only one.

Ultimately, whatever you do, however you do, you should be able to see the divinity within your self as it is the Self only says all paths.



Saluations to Bhagavan

3880

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Meditation on the Self and Self-inquiry

« on: October 26, 2011, 02:11:50 PM »

Dear ramana1359,

whatever questions spring up, it is best and wise to ignore it, for all questions come with answers as a package in itself. Therefore, it is best to stick to the source, the Self. Bhagavan says, find the doubter, the doubter and his source has to enquired.

Bhagavan was more concerned in not the questions but rather on the questioner itself. Direct Bulls Eye.

Not a single word, sentences uttered by Bhagavan are pointing elsewhere, all of them directly aims to bring the focus somehow on the source.

Questions are not important and their answers too.

What alone is real is this intuitive feel of "I am" That alone is real, all else is unreal, all else is vritti, changeful, even this very question itself. Today this question would come, tomorrow another question would come about? that time this current question would be of no use, these are all unreal.

Staying with the intuitive feel of "I am" alone is real.

This discernment, what matters if it is called as meditation or Self Enquiry or yoga or bhakti? names are not important. What is more important is the discernment itself and continues abidance as "I am" as Sat Chit Ananda

Salutations to Bhagavan

3881

General Discussion / Re: At least 239 killed in Turkey earthquake

« on: October 26, 2011, 02:00:46 PM »

Dear krishnan,

This comes out of fear of death. It is on this fear of death that the mind begins to lament that how ignorant we are, it is mind that is helpless. It is good very good the more the mind gets helpless, its grip, its hold weakens  

All that is changeful is only in mind. What we call the cosmic consciousness is only the mind. Cosmic Law, etc... are only fancy concepts designed by Human Mind. What is, is only the Self, simple and eternal.

What is there to know apart from the Self?, the 'real 'I' that alone is real, knowing all else is ignorance, be it past, present or future and wanting to know the past or future is only an attempt for protection, which too is only out of avidya.

All these are only plays of the maya. Every-"body" has to die some day, and it happens according to ones prarabhda. Friends, we have to get used to "death" as death is the highest fear of the mind. The fear indicates the anithya of itself (mind's)

While, to keep the decorum and humanness, lets feel for all those bereaved ones, it is really the bereaved ones who are going to suffer and not the dead ones, Bhagavan has himself said that the dead are indeed happy and it is only the "living" who suffer.

Lets be "awake" in the quest of Self and not get carried away by emotions, yes, death is a tough "hit" to the mind. But what dies really? did the body die? did the body live to die? what really is getting killed is the fear of the mind of death as it is a reminder for everyone about their own fate. Hence, lets discern! Lets not grieve for our mind about its fears.

The Self is deathless and birthless

Salutations to Bhagavan

3882

General topics / Re: Bhajans, Songs, Documentaries, Interviews, Pics and so on

« on: October 26, 2011, 01:48:05 PM »

Dear ramana1359,

Starting this topic is a great idea

Salutations to Bhagavan

3883

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Gods

« on: October 24, 2011, 07:10:16 PM »

Skanda means 'that which is spilled or oozed, 'seed' in Sanskrit. The source, the heart. Ramana means "one that captivates" Ultimately, it is the Self that captivates one and all and that Self is the Seed, the source.

Skanda was also known as Jnana Pandita. Skanda is Brahman itself, He is Atmic principle, he is the seed, Bija. Murugan is another name of Skanda, which means "beautiful" What is really meant by beautiful is the Soul, Atman. So was Bhagavan.

Naayana himself believed to the end of his life that he was an Avatar of Ganapati, and firmly believed Bhagavan  Ramana Maharshi, his master, being an Avatar of his brother Skanda. To him, Mahatma Gandhi was an Avatar or Maitreya. Engaged, like him, in the divine mission of national liberation and regeneration. So did many other devotees like Muruganar, Viswanatha Swami..

Moreover, Skanda always resides in a hill, so did Ramana, Skanda's father was Lord Shiva, so did Ramana call Arunachala father as his father. Skanda had a stick in his hand and so did Bhagavan. Both wore Koupinam.



Salutations to Bhagavan

3884

General topics / Waking and Dream states

« on: October 24, 2011, 06:39:47 PM »

Those who follow monistic (Advaita) Vedanta, however, look upon this world as unreal, like a dream. According to them Paramatman, or the Over-Soul, is the witness of the three states of consciousness, waking, dream and dreamless sleep. All these are ideas. The dream state is just as real as the waking state. Let me tell you a story.

There was a farmer who was a monist; he had attained to some realization. He lived like any other farmer with his family, and he had a child. He and his wife had extreme love for this son because he was their only child. The farmer himself was a very spiritual man. He was respected and loved by everyone in the village. Once he was working in the field, when suddenly a man brought the news of his son's severe illness. He went home, called physicians, took great care, but could not save the child's' life. Everybody in the household was overwhelmed with grief, but the farmer looked as if nothing had happened. He consoled others by saying, "What can be gained by mourning over the child?" The next day he went to the field as usual, and after finishing his work he came home and found his wife and the other members of the family still weeping and wailing and plunged in deep sorrow. The wife reproached him, saying: "How heartless you are! you have not shed a single tear for your only child." The farmer then calmly replied: "Shall I tell you why I do not weep ? Last night I had a wonderful dream. I saw that I was a king, and the father of eight beautiful children, and that I was enjoying all the pleasures and comforts of life. Suddenly I woke up and the dream passed away. Now I am in great confusion, whether I shall weep and wail for my eight children or for this only one."

The farmer was an Advaita Jnani, therefore he realized that the waking state was as unreal as the dream state, and that the one permanent Reality was Atman.

yet another wonderful story as told by Sri Ramakrishna

Salutations to Bhagavan

3885

General topics / Re: What leads to God vision

« on: October 24, 2011, 06:08:07 PM »

yes, real God vision is Atma Darshanam only

Salutations to Bhagavan