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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
Sri Bhagavan observed: There were rishis like Visvamitra who
could duplicate the universe if they wished. They lived during the
lifetime of Ravana who caused agony even to Sita and Rama among
others. Could not Visvamitra have destroyed Ravana by his occult
powers? Though capable he kept still. Why? The occurrences are
known to the sages, but pass away without leaving an impression on
their minds. Even a deluge will appear a trifle to them; they do not
care for anything.
7th June, 1937
Talk 422.
Dr. Venkata Rao, a visitor from Guntur, asked: A Guru asks his disciple
to do things contrary to ethical principles. But the disciple, having
accepted the person as the master, desires to please the master
but his moral sense obstructs him. What should he do under the
circumstances?
M.: (No reply).
D.: I shall make myself clear. The Guru asked his disciple to commit a
theft and the disciple did not do it. The master then said, “I wanted
to test you to see if you had completely surrendered yourself or
retained your individuality. It is now clear what it is.” Is the Guru
right in ordering the disciple that way?
M.: (Still no reply).
Another person observed: There are persons on whom I refuse to sit in
judgement. Still I cannot help feeling if they deserve the appellation
of Gurus. They appear bogus men. If they be really worthy they
would not order the disciples in that way.
M.: But the person says, “It is for a test.”
The questioner continued: Should it be carried out?
M.: Your original statement contains the answer to your question.
Both the questioners jointly asked: The action is disagreeable. Can
it be done?
M.: The question might be referred to the person himself, i.e., the
Guru. He is responsible for the situation.
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