Navaneetham - Guruvayoor / Guruvayur

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Unlike many other sages and teachers in India, Sri Ramana Maharshi’s teachings does
not limit itself to any section of the society nor does it differentiate between the illiterate
and the learned. Literally anyone, – whether born in India or elsewhere; whether
belonging to Sanathana Dharma or otherwise; whether proficient in the shastras or
unaware of it – can follow the teachings of the Great Master. The beauty of these
teachings is that it is not dry theory but practical and direct pointers that can be followed
right away by an aspirant to realize the Self without delay.
One of my favorite conversations Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi had with a devotee is as
follows:
Question: People talk of Vaikuntha, Kailasa, Indraloka, Chandraloka etc. Do they really
exist?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Certainly. You can rest assured that they all exist. There also a
swami like me will be found seated on a couch and disciples will also be seated around
him. They will ask something and he will say something in reply. Everything will be
more or less like this. What of that? If one sees Chandraloka, one will ask for Indraloka,
and after Indraloka, Vaikuntha and after Vaikuntha, Kailasa and so on, and the mind goes
on wandering. Where is shanthi (peace)? If shanthi is required, the only correct method of
securing it is by self-enquiry. Through self-enquiry Self-realization is possible. If one
realizes the Self, one can see all these worlds within one's Self. The source of everything
is one's own Self, and if one realizes the Self, one will not find anything different from
the Self. Then these questions will not arise. There may or may not be a Vaikuntha or a
Kailasa but it is a fact that you are here, isn't it? How are you here? Where are you? After
you know about these things, you can think of all those worlds.
In this brief conversation Bhagavan drives home the
(often forgotten) point that as long as the mind is
active, there is a world of duality. When duality exists,
the world – that is created by the mind – is assumed to
be real. When the body is shed, the same mind will
create many other worlds that are then assumed to be
as real as this one. Thus Atma Vichaara (Self enquiry)
is the only way to dispel the fallacy that there is a Self
waiting to be “Realized” and that we should realize the
Self. Atma Vichaara leads to the conclusion that the
seeker who was vainly searching for the Self was
indeed the Self from the very beginning. This
Realization can never come from book learning, nor
can it come through any other rigorous ritual as long as
the mind is active and agitated. Self Realization comes
only when all other thoughts fade away and the
thought that ‘I AM’ remains.
The best way to show our appreciation and gratitude to Bhagavan is by following,
practicing, and benefiting from His teachings.
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