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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
Talk 466.
Mr. Vaidyalingam, an employee of the National Bank: By meditation
manifestation disappears and then ananda results. It is short-lived.
How is it made ever abiding?
M.: By scorching the predispositions.
D.: Is not the Self the witness only (sakshimatra)?
M.: ‘Witness’ is applicable when there is an object to be seen.
Then it is duality. The Truth lies beyond both. In the mantra,
sakshi cheta kevalo nirgunascha, the word sakshi must be
understood as sannidhi (presence), without which there could
be nothing. See how the sun is necessary for daily activities. He
does not however form part of the world actions; yet they cannot
take place without the sun. He is the witness of the activities.
So it is with the Self.
7th March, 1938
Talk 467.
Yogi Ramiah: All actions take place owing to Sakti. How far does
Sakti go? Can she effect anything without one’s own effort?
M.: The answer to the question depends on what the Purusha is
understood to be. Is he the ego or the Self?
D.: Purusha is svarupa.
M.: But he cannot make any prayatna (effort).
D.: Jiva is the one who makes the prayatna.
M.: So long as egoity lasts prayatna is necessary. When egoity ceases
to be, actions become spontaneous. The ego acts in the presence
of the Self. He cannot exist without the Self.
The Self makes the universe what it is by His Sakti, and yet He does
not Himself act. Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “I am not
the doer and yet actions go on”. It is clear from the Mahabharata
that very wonderful actions were effected by Him. Yet He says that
He is not the doer. It is like the sun and the world actions.
D.: He is without abhimana (attachment) whereas the jiva is with
abhimana.
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