BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA'S TALKS

BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA'S TALKS : J.K. SIVAN

IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND BHAGAVAN RAMANA IF YOU READ THE QUESTIONS PUT TO HIM AND THE ANSWERS GIVEN BY HIM, SLOWLY, CONCENTRATING ON EACH WORD ATTENTIVELY WITH INVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST TO LEARN.- It is made simple for you. So you will enjoy profusely. JKS

Devotee: Is the Hindu view of reincarnation theory correct?

Maharishi Ramana : No definite answer is possible for this question. There are pros and cons for the view. Even the present birth is denied natvevaham jatu nasam etc., (Bhagavad Gita). We were never born, etc.

D.: Is not individuality anadhi (without beginning)?

M.: Investigate and see if there is any individuality at all. Ask this question after solving this problem.

Nammalvar says: “In ignorance I took the ego to be myself;

however, with right knowledge, the ego is nowhere and only you

remain as the SELF.”

Both monists and dualists are agreed on the necessity of Self-

Realisation. Let us do it first and then discuss the side-issues.

Advaita or dvaita cannot be decided on theoretical considerations alone. If the Self is realised the question will not arise at all. Even Suka had no confidence in his brahmacharya whereas Sri Krishna was sure of his brahmacharya. Self-Realisation is designated by so many different names, satya, brahmacharya, etc. What is natural to the state of Self-Realisation forms the disciplinary course in the other state. “I-am-the-body” idea will become extinct only on Self-Realisation. With its extinction the vasanas become extinct and all virtues will remain ever.

D.: Samskaras are said to persist even in a Jnani.

M.: Yes. They are bhoga hetu (leading to enjoyment only) and not bandha hetu.

D.: This fact is often abused by fakes who pretend to be sadhus but lead vicious lives. They say it is prarabdha (remnant of past Karma). How shall we mark off the fakes from the genuine sadhus?

M.: The one who has given up the idea of being the doer cannot

repeat, “This is my prarabdha”. “The jnanis lead different lives”

is said for the benefit of others. The jnanis cannot make use of this in explanation of their lives and conduct.

Mr. Kishorelal: I am asthmatic. I have never been strong. Even as a baby I was not fed on my mother’s milk.

M.: Here the mind is strong and the body is weak.

D.: I wanted to practise Raja Yoga. I could not do it because of

my physical unfitness. The mind also began to wander with the

movement of the body.

M.: If the mind be kept immovable let the body change as much as it likes.

D.: Is it not a handicap to the beginner?

M.: Attempts must be made in spite of handicaps.

D.: Of course. But they will be momentary.

M.: The idea of ‘momentary’ is one among so many other ideas. So long as thoughts persist this idea also will recur. Concentration is our own nature (i.e. BE-ing). There is the effort now: but it ceases after Self-Realisation.