Ramana Gita 2. 2 - The Essence of his Teaching

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om namo bhagavate sri ramanaya

 

In the second chapter of Sri Ramana Gita, Sri Bhagavan gives, in four lines

of Sanskrit, the essence of His teaching.

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hrdayakuharamadhye kevalam brahmamAtram

hyahamahamiti sAkshAdAtmarupeNa bhAti |

hrdi viSa manasA svam cinvatA majjatA vA

pavanacalanarodhAdAtmanishTho bhava tvam ||

 

(Ramana Gita 2. 2)

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In the inmost core, the Heart

Shines as Brahman alone,

As 'I-I', the Self aware.

Enter deep into the Heart

By searching for Self, or diving deep,

Or with breath under check.

Thus abide ever in Atman.

 

(English translation by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi)

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This verse reveals the Self and three methods for the Realisation of the

Self which encompass Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga.

 

hrdayakuharamadhye kevalam brahmamAtram

 

In the interior cave of the Heart, Brahman alone shines, no more-no less.

This Heart is the seat of the Self. This Heart is none other than Brahman.

You are always in the Heart. You are, indeed, this Heart. This is the Self.

In truth the Self is without location... but in order to help the sadhak and

to give direction, in His compassion, Sri Bhagavan has pointed us towards

the middle of our being.

 

'The Heart is not physical; it is spiritual. Hridayam = hrit + ayam = This

is the centre. It is that from which thoughts arise, on which they subsist

and where they are resolved. The thoughts are the content of the mind and,

they shape the universe. The Heart is the centre of all. Yatova imani

bhutani jayante (that from which these beings come into existence) etc. is

said to be Brahman in the Upanishads. That is the Heart. Brahman is the

Heart.' (Talk; 97)

 

We should not allow ourselves to be drawn by distinctions of physical and

spiritual. The physical is entirely dependent on the spiritual. The

spiritual is never dependent on the physical (i.e. the distinction is simply

false perception) Although referred to as Heart-centre this is entirely

without centre or circumference; everything, body and all else, exists

within it.

 

'This space within the Heart is as vast as the (physical) space outside.

Indeed, within it are both heaven and earth; fire and air; sun and moon;

lightning and stars. Whatever is in this world and whatever is not...all

that is established within it.' (Chandogya Upanishad, 8.1.3)

 

hyahamahamiti sAkshAdAtmarupeNa bhAti |

 

As 'I', as 'I', the Self aware; Self-evidently shining. Continuous and

uninterrupted.

 

D. : 'What is the Heart?'

M. : 'It is the seat (if such could be said of it) of the Self.

D. : 'Is it the physical heart?'

M. : 'No. It is the seat wherefrom 'I' - 'I' arises.'

(from Talk; 52)

 

Can we recognise/experience the Self in the body? Yes we can.

Atma Vicara is the key. Once unlocked the 'I' - 'I' consciousness shines

forth directly, unobstructed.

 

hrdi viSa manasA svam cinvatA majjatA vA

pavanacalanarodhAdAtmanishTho bhava tvam ||

 

How do we submerge the mind in the Heart?

 

Three methods are suggested.

Quest for Self. This is Jnana.

Diving deep. This is bhakti. Attraction of/to the Self with or without

attributes.

Breath control. This is the path of Yoga.

In essence all three are resolved in one (atmavicara).

 

'Thus abide ever in Atman.'

 

Ever Yours in Sri Bhagavan,

Miles