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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
Mr. G. Duff: The Buddhists deny the world; the Hindu philosophy
admits its existence, but says that it is unreal. Am I right?
M.: The difference of view is according to the difference in the angles
of vision.
D.: They say that Sakti creates the world. Is the knowledge of unreality
due to the unveiling of maya?
M.: All admit Sakti’s creation. What is the nature of the Creatrix?
It can only be in conformity with the nature of the creation. The
Creatrix is of the same nature as Her creation.
D.: Are there degrees of illusion?
M.: Illusion is itself illusory. Illusion must be seen by one beyond
it. Can such a seer be subject to illusion? Can he then speak of
degrees of illusion?
There are scenes floating on the screen in a cinema show. Fire
appears to burn buildings to ashes. Water seems to wreck vessels.
But the screen on which the pictures are projected remains
unscorched and dry. Why?
Because the pictures are unreal and the screen is real.
Again reflections pass through a mirror; but the mirror is not in any
way affected by the quality or quantity of the reflections on it.
So the world is a phenomenon on the single Reality, which is not
affected in any manner. Reality is only one.
The discussion about illusion is due to the difference in the angle
of vision. Change your angle of vision to one of jnana and then
find the universe to be only Brahman. Being now in the world, you
see the world as such. Get beyond it and this will disappear: the
Reality alone will shine.
Talk 447.
Sri Bhagavan said that a saint Namah Sivaya who was formerly living
in Arunachala must have undergone considerable difficulties. For he
has sung a song saying: “God proves the devotee by means of severe
ordeals. A washerman beats the cloth on a slab, not to tear it, but only
to remove the dirt.”
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