Awakening

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Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaaya

9th February 1939

Devotee: What is staying with the Guru?

Maharshi: It means studying the sacred lore.

Devotee: But there is the special virtue of the Guru's presence.

Maharshi: Yes. That purifies the mind.

Devotee: That is the effect or the reward. I asked about how the disciple ought to behave.

Maharshi: That differs according to the type of disciple — student, householder,

what are his own ingrained tendencies and so on.

Devotee: If so, will it naturally come out right?

Maharshi: Yes. In former times the Rishis sent their sons to others for education.

Devotee: Why?

Maharshi: Because affection stood in the way.

Devotee: That cannot be for Jñanis. Was it in respect of the disciples.

Maharshi: Yes.

Devotee: If so, would not this obstacle get removed along with all the others,

through the Master's grace?

Maharshi: There will be delay. Owing to the disciple's want of reverence, grace

may become effective only after a long time.

It is said that awaking from ignorance is like awaking from a fearful dream of a beast. It is thus:

There are two taints of mind, namely veiling and restlessness (avarana and

vikshepa). Of the two, the former is evil, the latter is not so. So long as the

veiling effect of sleep persists, there is the frightful dream; on awaking the

veiling ceases, and there is no more fear. Restlessness is not a bar to

happiness. To get rid of the restlessness caused by the world, one seeks the

restlessness (activity) of being with the Guru, studying the sacred books and

worshipping God with forms, and by these awakening is attained.

What happens in the end? Karna was ever the son of Kunti. The tenth man was such

all along. Rama was Vishnu all the time. Such is jñanam. It is being aware of

That which always is.

Talks § 627Siva—Siva

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