Sri Ramana Maharshi - Who am I? ( # 11 )

[Guest guest]

Question.: Is not everything the work of God?

 

In the mere presence of the sun, which rises without

desire,

intention or effort, the magnifying glass emits hot light, the lotus

blossoms and people begin, perform and cease their work. In front of

a magnet a needle moves. Likewise, through the mere influence of the

presence of God, who has no 'sankalpa' [intention to accomplish

anything], souls, who are governed by the three or five divine

functions, perform and cease their activities in accordance with their

respective karmas. Even so, He [God] is not someone who has

'sankalpa', nor will a single act ever touch him. This [untouchability]

can be compared to the actions of the world not touching the sun, or

to the good and bad qualities of the elements [earth, water, fire and

air] not affecting the immanent space.

 

[ Sri David Godman's comments:

'Sankalpa' means 'resolve', 'will', or 'intention'. God has no personal

'sankalpa'. That is to say, He does not decide or even think about what he

should do. Though mature devotees 'bloom' on account of his presence, it is

not because He has decided to bestow His grace on these fortunate few. His

presence is available to all, but only mature convert it into realisation.

The three devine functions are creation, sustenance and

destruction.

The five devine functions are these three plus veiling and grace. According to

many Hindu scriptures, God creates, preserves and eventually destroys the

world. While it exists, He hides His true nature from the people in it through

the veiling power of 'maya', illusion, while simultaneously emanating grace

so that mature devotees can lift the veils of illusion and become aware of

Him as He really is. ]

 

( to

be continued )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India Matrimony: Find your life partner

online.