Dear srkudai and others, Sri Ramakrishna used 'crying' as
an expression of 'bhakti' and considered it as major tool
for self-realization. He used to talk of 'Maha-bhava', the
horripilation, crying, singing, dancing as indications of
the higest devotion. Saint Manikkavachagar also sings:
"Can I not get you by crying? O Siva!" in Tiruvachakam.
Even though Jnana and advaita are the main planks of
Sri Ramakrishna Order, many direct disciples and today's
monks of the Order, have recommended 'bhakti', as a major
route, for self realization. For example, Sri Ramakrishnanda,
who started the Madras Math, was praying to Krishna and
RK. Swami Vivekananda was not like that. He was not even
praying before RK's picture. Later, Swami Ranganathananda
was an exponent of pure Jnana. Swami Tapasyananda was an
exponent of bhakti also.
Bhagavan Ramana did not discourage crying. He told Mother
Azhagamma, to cry, when He had chided her for a small mistake.
Muruganar and Krishna Bhikshu have cried. Bhagavan said
crying will help to belittle one's own ego but not to merge with
Godhead. In fact, Arunachala Aksharamana Malai, the Marital Garland
of Letters is full of crying, of the lover (Ramana) to merge in Godhead
(Arunachala).
Arunachala Siva.
