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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
Talk 548.
A visitor asked Sri Bhagavan (in writing) the following questions:
(1) Were the differences in the world simultaneous, with creation?
Or are they of later growth? (2) Is the Creator impartial? Then why is
one born lame, another blind, and so on? (3) Are the eight Dikpalas,
thirty-three crores of gods and the seven rishis existent even today?
M.: Refer these questions to yourself and the answer will be found.
After a pause, Sri Bhagavan continued: if we first know our Self
then all other matters will be plain to us. Let us know our Self and
then enquire concerning the Creator and creation. Without first
knowing the Self, to seek knowledge of God, etc., is ignorance.
A man suffering from jaundice sees everything yellow. If he tells
others that all things are yellow who will accept his statement?
The creation is said to have an origin. How? Like a tree and the
seed from which it has grown. How was the seed produced? From a
similar tree. Where is the end to the series of questions? Therefore
one must know one’s Self before the world is known.
Talk 549.
Sri Bhagavan often speaks of namaskar (prostration) in the following
strain: “This namaskar was originally meant by the ancient sages to
serve as a means of surrender to God. The act still prevails but not the
spirit behind it. The doer of namaskar intends to deceive the object
of worship by his act. It is mostly insincere and deceitful. It is meant
to cover up innumerable sins. Can God be deceived? The man thinks
that God accepts his namaskar and that he himself is free to continue
his old life. They need not come to me. I am not pleased with these
namaskars. The people should keep their minds clean; instead of that
they bend themselves or lie prostrate before me. I am not deceived
by such acts.”
Talk 550.
Somerset Maugham, a well-known English author, was on a visit to
Sri Bhagavan. He also went to see Maj. Chadwick in his room and
there he suddenly became unconscious. Maj. Chadwick requested Sri
Bhagavan to see him. Sri Bhagavan went into the room, took a seat
and gazed on Mr. Maugham. He regained his senses and saluted Sri
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