Bhagavan Ramana Teachings

[Balaji]

Sinner

[Balaji]

Surrender

[Balaji]

One morning for example, Sri Bhagavan, while explaining a verse from Upadesa Saram, remarked Breath control can only produce manolayam, that is temporary suspension of mind.One-pointed meditation and concentration alone can lead to manonasam, that is, destruction of mind.

I mentioned to Sri Bhagavan that when I tried to do this kind of meditation, I often ended up falling asleep.

Sri Bhagavan replied, Of course, one should be alert in sadhana and guard against sleep as far as one can.  But it doesnt matter if sleep overpowers you.  The moment you wake up, catch the current of your meditation and continue.  Sleep will not prove to be a hindrance.

from The Power of the Presence Vol III
G V Subbaramayya

[Balaji]

I once prepared some semia (noodles) beautifully.  They were fluffy and separate.  He squeezed his share into a hard little ball and chewed it.
Why are you doing that, Bhagavan?I asked. You have spoiled your noodles.  They are not meant to be squeezed like this. Why all this separateness? he asked. Should not all be one indistinguishable whole?
He had ruined his meal merely to teach me a lesson in Vedanta!

Sampuranamma
The Power of the Presence Part 3
David Godman

[Balaji]

Bhagavan once made some similar comments when somebody presented him with a bell that was to be used during the ashram pujas.   He tried its sound in various ways and laughed.

God wants us to make a fire of our past evil deeds and burn our karma in it.   But these people burn a small amount of camphor and hope to please the Almighty.   Do they really believe that they can get something for nothing?   They do not want to bend to God, they want God to bend to them.  In their greed they would swallow God, but they will not let him swallow them.  Some boast of their offerings.   What have they got to offer? Some idols of Vinayaka are made of jaggery.  Devotees break off a piece of these statues and offer it to him.   Are these pieces not his already? Clearing the mind of thoughts and remaining steady in the peace of Self; that is the only offering worthy of the Lord?.

Subbalakshmi amma , Kitchen worker, The Power of the Presence , Part III, David Godman

[Beloved Abstract]

i remember one time in band camp .......

[Balaji]

Self of my Self! My eye flits from form to form without respite but nowhere does it find true interest or satisfaction, but when it lights on You, it adheres and rests there, still forever.

My mind is distracted by a thousand thoughts.  It suffers unceasing torment, but when it thinks of You, it is irresistibly drawn, like a magnet, to a vision of You, and rests on You in never-ending peace.

My heart is perpetually agitated with stormy passions.  It is often torn with terrific conflicts of contrary emotions.  But when it feels its way to You, its storm yields place to calm, it recovers its equilibrium and its floats on the ocean of eternal bliss.

My life has been like a troubled torrent, running zigzag on uneven ground, sometimes overflowing its banks and inundating all around, and sometimes drying up and sinking into the sands. It seemed to have no set direction or aim.  Only when at last it  merged and flowed in You, did it attain its ultimate destination and complete fulfilment.

You are my sole refuge!

 G V Subbaramayya, The Power of the Presence Part III, David Godman

[Balaji]

During the visit in which Sri Bhagavan gave Indira her mantra, he asked me about my son-in-law's health because he knew it had been causing me some anxiety for several months.  I took this as a cue to tell him all about my domestic cares and worries.
Sri Bhagavan looked me full in the face and with utmost sympathy he spoke to me in melting stones, Why cant you be like me? You know how I was when I arrived in Tiruvannamalai.   There was a time when I went around the town begging for food. In those days I was observing silence, I would pass down the street, halting for a moment in front of a house.   Standing there would gently clap my hands.   If there was no response, I would pass on.   Whatever food was obtained by me and other associates, we would mix it into one mass and take a morsel each.   We ate only once a day.   Now you see what changes have come outwardly, what buildings have been raised   This ashram has grown up around me, but I am ever the same.   Only the sun rises and sets.   To me there seems no other change.   So, through all the vicissitudes of good and evil, be like me, and whenever you are prone to depression or melancholy, remember me.?

These gracious words of Sri Bhagavan have been with me ever since.   They protect me as a talisman against all the ills of life.
G V Subbramayya, The Power of the Presence, Part III. David Godman

[Balaji]

I rarely felt that I was making much progress, so I once  asked Bhagavan, How many times will I have to be born to get Jnana

There are no factors like time and distance, answered Bhagavan. In one hour we dream that many days and years have passed by. Dont you see in a cinema film mere shadows being transformed into great seas, mountains and buildings.  The world is not outside you. It happens within you, like in a cinema show.   The small world that is in the mind appears as a big world outside.

Because I had this nagging feeling that I was not making much headway in spiritual matters, I once complained, Bhagavan your grace is not on me!.

Bhagavan replied,  You are speaking like one who, standing shoulder deep in the flood waters of the Ganges, complains that he is thirsty and says that he wants water from a tap in Tanjavur to be brought to quench his thirst.

Rangan, Bhagavan friend


from the power of the presence vol I, David Godman

[Balaji]

from fb Sri Ramana Maharshi

Relief from Suffering.

When a person suffers, he seeks relief. Bhagavan's friend Rangan faced difficulties as predicted by astrology and sought His counsel on what to do. Bhagavan told him to come and stay with during the period of suffering. Needless to say, he overcame all the troubles.
Adi Sanskaracharya composed a hymn to the Divine Mother which throws light on His way of mitigating trouble. The hymn is called Devi Aparadha Kshama Stotram meaning the hymn for the forgiveness of offence given to the Divine Mother. Acharya confidently declares Tvad-Anusarannam Klesha-Harannam meaning following you is to be freed from all suffering. Indeed, what suffering can touch those who worship the Divine Mother or take refuge in Her. Let us read from His composition.
न मत्रं नो यन्त्रं तदपि च न जाने स्तुतिमहो
न चाह्वानं ध्यानं तदपि च न जाने स्तुतिकथाः ।
न जाने मुद्रास्ते तदपि च न जाने विलपनं
परं जाने मातस्त्वदनुसरणं क्लेशहरणम् ॥१॥
Na Matram No Yantram Tad-Api Ca Na Jaane Stutim-Aho
Na Ca-[A]ahvaanam Dhyaanam Tad-Api Ca Na Jaane Stuti-Kathaah |
Na Jaane Mudraas-Te Tad-Api Ca Na Jaane Vilapanam
Param Jaane Maatas-Tvad-Anusarannam Klesha-Harannam ||1||

Meaning:
1.1: (O Mother) Neither Your Mantra, Nor Yantra (do I know); And Alas, Not even I know Your Stuti (Eulogy),
1.2: I do not know how to Invoke You through Dhyana (Meditation); (And Alas), Not even I know how to simply recite Your Glories (Stuti-Katha),
1.3: I do not know Your Mudras (to contemplate on You); (And Alas), Not even I know how to simply Cry for You,
1.4: However, one thing I know (for certain); By following You (somehow through rememberance however imperfectly) will take away all my Afflictions (from my Mind),
विधेरज्ञानेन द्रविणविरहेणालसतया
विधेयाशक्यत्वात्तव चरणयोर्या च्युतिरभूत् ।
तदेतत् क्षन्तव्यं जननि सकलोद्धारिणि शिवे
कुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति ॥२॥
Vidher-Ajnyaanena Dravinna-Virahenna-Alasatayaa
Vidheya-Ashakyatvaat-Tava Carannayoryaa Cyutir-Abhuut |
Tad-Etat Kssantavyam Janani Sakalo[a-U]ddhaarinni Shive
Kuputro Jaayeta Kvacid-Api Kumaataa Na Bhavati ||2||

Meaning:
2.1: (O Mother) Due to Ignorance of the Vidhis (Injunctions of Worship), and due to lack of Wealth, as well as due to my Indolent (Lazy) nature, ...
2.2: ... (Since) It was not possible for me to serve Your Lotus Feet; there have been Failures on the performance of my duties (I admit that),
2.3: (But) All these are pardonable (by You), O Mother; because You are the Saviour of All, O Shivaa (Auspicious Mother),
2.4: There can be Kuputra (fallen disobedient son turning away from Mother), but there can never be Kumata (Mother turning away from son permanently),