Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi Complete ... - BrahminVoice.org

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
such learning. Please tell me what I should do, how I should do it, at
what times, in which places, and so on.”
The Master remained silent. His silence seemed to say, “Here and
now, be at peace and tranquil. That is all”. But the questioner could
not interpret it that way; he wanted something concrete.
Talk 103.
The next day Sri Bhagavan said: These people want some japa, dhyana,
or yoga or something similar. Without their saying what they have
been doing so far what more can be said to them? Again, why japa,
its phalasruti, etc.? Who is it that makes the japa? Who gets the fruits
thereof? Can they not look to the Self? Or again, even if instructed by
others to do japa or dhyana, they do it for some time, but are always
looking to some results, e.g., visions, dreams, or thaumaturgic powers.
If they do not find them they say they are not progressing or the tapas is
not effective. Visions, etc., are no signs of progress. Mere performance
of tapas is its progress also. Steadiness is what is required. Moreover
they must entrust themselves to their mantra or their God and wait
for its Grace. They don’t do so. Japa even once uttered has its own
good effect, whether the individual is aware or not.
28th November, 1935
Talk 104.
Mr. Kishorilal, an officer of the Railway Board, Government of India, hails
from Delhi. He looks simple, gentle and dignified in behaviour. He has
gastric ulcer and has arranged for his board and lodging in the town.
Five years ago he took up the study of devotional literature. He is a
bhakta of Sri Krishna. He could feel Krishna in all that he saw. Krishna
often appeared to him and made him happy. His work was going on
without any effort on his part. Everything seemed to be done for him
by Krishna himself.
Later he came in contact with a Mahatma who advised him to study
Vedanta and take to nirakara upasana, i.e., devotion to formless
Being. He has since read about seven hundred books of philosophy
and Vedanta, including the Upanishads, Ashtavakra, Avadhuta and
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