Proximity of Death...

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With reference to Rob's: "I can't recall any other

place where Sri Ramana says....proximity of death. Can anybody think

of some examples?"

We do, of course, have the example of Sri Bhagavan Himself

(Venkataraman)and the experience in His uncle's house in Madurai in

1896. I just realised this. Basic really...

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RamanaMaharshi, "John" <ramanachala@t...>

wrote:

> With reference to Rob's: "I can't recall any other

> place where Sri Ramana says....proximity of death. Can anybody

think

> of some examples?"

> We do, of course, have the example of Sri Bhagavan Himself

> (Venkataraman)and the experience in His uncle's house in Madurai in

> 1896. I just realised this. Basic really...

 

If I may interject.

 

uLLatu nArpatu (40 verses on Existence) has pride of place among

Ramana's works. The invocatory verse 2 of this speaks of this very

same 'fear of death'.

 

maraNapaya mikkuLavam makkaLara Naka

maraNapava millA makEcan - caraNamE

cArvar taJ cArvOTutAJ cAvuRRAr cAveNNaJ

cArvarO cAvA tavar -ii-

 

 

 

Those who, in dread of death,

Verily seek refuge in the fortress

Of the holy feet of Lord Almighty,

Who has neither birth nor death;

Their I-ness and Mine-ness dies!

 

Deathless,

Will they ever again be apprehended

By the notion of death?

 

(unpublished translation by G Kameshwar)

 

The story goes that it was originally the last verse of the '40' but

then Ganapati Muni, one of his early sishyas, wanted it in the

invocatory section since this is one verse which refers explicitly to

a divinity. Ramana must have been happy to oblige :-)

 

Hope this helps,

 

Lakshmi Srinivas