Ramana Gita I, 2-5

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[Chapter I, Verses 2-8 are the six questions asked by Ganapati Muni, followed by

the answers of Sri Ramana in Verses 10 onwards. With the answers I will

give the questions again so that we can see questions and answers together.

It is here and there a little bit difficult to post Ramana Gita, but I try my

best.]

 

Verses 2 and 3

In the cold season, on 29th December in the year 1913

of the Christian era when all disciples sat around with

focussed mind, I asked him, Bhagavan, Maharshi,

for definite conclusions.

 

 

Commentary

These verses indicate the sense of history of the Muni.

He has duly dated the conversations, visualising the

importance of this work for all times. ...

 

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Verse 4

Will the discrimitation between the 'Real and the 'Unreal'

itself be enough to liberate? Or is there any other spiritual practice for it?

 

 

Commentary

This verse and the next deal with the question of the best method

for liberation. The freedom sought is from the cycle of Karma. ...

The effort of all spiritual seekers is to be free of this bondage to

karma, to sorrow.

 

The scriptures declare that Brahman alone is 'Real'; the fullness

of consciousness. The body and the world are 'jada' or insentient

and therefore unreal. The traditional way to attain knowledge is to

negate the world as unreal and affirm the reality of Brahman.

Such practice, it is said would lead to the firm conviction of the truth

of the proposition, and would result in Self-knowldege.

When the phenomena is negated as Unreal what remains is the Real.

It may be noted that this practice is different from discrimination between

'Nitya' permanent, and 'Anitya', transient. Such discrimination would bring

about dispassion for the world.

It is also necessary to mention that the other limbs of spiritual practice

for Self-knowledge are said to be the absence of desire for fruits of action on

earth or in heaven, sustained urge for liberation and the cultivation of six

virtues, each of which has to be mastered before preceeding to the next, namely,

calmness,

restraint of mind,

control of senses,

withdrawal,

forbearance,

faith,

single-mindedness.

 

The doubt is whether this practice alone would suffice. This arises in the

context of the scriptural emphasis on experience by direct perception of truth.

....

 

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Verse 5

For seekers of truth, is the critical study of the scriptures alone enough for

liberation? Or is spiritual practice in accordance with Guru's guidance also

necessary?

 

Commentary

This verse has to be read along with the previous verse dealing with the best

method for

liberation. Here the questioner, Ganapati Muni, refers to the two traditional

ways.

 

 

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Ramana Gita, transl. and commentary by A.R. Natarajan

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