Ramana Gita Study Group Ch 8. V 1,2,3 The Stages of Life

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RamanaMaharshi, Alan Jacobs

<alanadamsjacobs> wrote:

ON ASHRAMAS

 

SRI RAMANA GITA CHAPER 8

 

KRISHNA BHIKSHU TRANS.

 

1.In reply to another question of Karshni himself,Bhagavan Muni

enunciated what conduct was

allowewd in each of the four ashramas.

 

2.Be he a bachelor or householder,an anchorite or an ascetic,a woman

or a Shudra,whoever is ripe

and fit, may investigate the Supreme.

3.This order in the ashramas serves, like a flight of steps, in

finding the Supreme. One of a very

ripe mind need not follow this order .

 

 

 

 

=====

Life is a pure flame,and we live

by an invisible Sun within us.

===============================================

RAMANA GITA [translation & commentary by AR Natarajan]

 

Chapter 8

Vs1

In reply to another question by Karshni, Bhagavan explained the

duties of the four stages of life.

Vs2

A bachelor, a householder, a forest-dweller, a sanyasi, a woman or a

person outside caste, may enquire into Brahman, if ripe.

 

Commentary

The important point made by Ramana in this chapter is that self-

enquiry and Self-knowledge are common property and that stages in

life, sex and the like have no relevance for it. The scriptures

divide life into four stages (as above) and prohibit study of the

Vedas by women and persons not belonging to the three castes. The

doubt would arise whether the stages in life have any relevance for

pursuit of self-enquiry, and whether engaging in spiritual practices

for enlightenment is open to women and to those not belonging to any

of the castes. Ramana makes it clear that these restrictions have no

connection with seeking Self-knowledge. All that is needed is the

maturity for such enquiry.

 

Vs3

The stages are ladders for reaching the Supreme. They do not apply

to one with a mature mind.

Commentary

Here again Ramana emphasises that question of stages and gradual

development would not apply to those who have through proper

practices succeeded in purifying the mind.

 

= = = = ==

anu

 

 

 

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