Bhagavan Ramana on Sin (Paap)

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Dear Friends,

 

I received an inquiry from a very learned person on Advaita regarding

what Sri Ramana's views are on overcoming "sin" (paap). Sri Ramana, as

many of you already know, was an ocean of compassion and mercy.

Although the Sage of Arunchala himself led a life of immaculate

purity, he was quite understanding and even sympathetic to devotees

who wrestled with the natural temptations that afflict human beings.

Once when one of the devotees had an affair with a woman in the town,

the woman's family chased the devotee all the way to the Ashram. The

devotee was quite afraid and he was ridiculed severely by others at

the Ashram. Sri Ramana protected him understanding well the hypocrisy

that exists among human beings in judging others.

 

Coming back to the question of "sin" and how Sri Ramana felt that it

could be overcome, one has to look at the central teaching of

Bhagavan. Ramana Maharshi typically emphasized self-inquiy and/or

surrender. He apparently felt that the intensity and fullness of

inquiry or surrender to the Lord overcomes all sin (paap).

 

Here is a story which illustrates Sri Ramana's teaching of surrender

of our actions (good and bad -- paap and punya) to the Lord.

 

Story now follows:

 

Conversations with Ramana Maharshi were typically public and watched

by other devotees. The following dialogue between Sri Ramana and an

unknown visitor occurred at the Ashram and is recalled by a devotee.

The man was in depth of despair and at first Bhagavan seemed quite

unsympathetic. The visitor's conversation with the sage is quite

remarkable and worth reading.

 

Selected portions presented from the Maharshi newsletters.

 

-Harsha

 

"The man started moaning and crying even more, as if his heart were breaking.

 

"All my hopes of salvation are gone. You were my last refuge and you

say you have nothing to do with me! To whom shall I turn now? What am

I to do? To whom am I to go?"

 

Bhagavan watched him for some time and said, "Am I your guru that I

should be responsible for your salvation? Have I ever said that I am

your master?"

 

"If you are not my master, then who is? And who are you, if not my

master? You are my guru, you are my guardian angel, you will pity me

and release me from my sins!" He started sobbing and crying again.

 

We all sat silent, overcome with pity. Only Bhagavan looked alert and

matter-of-fact.

 

Bh: "If I am your guru, what are my fees? Surely you should pay me for

my services."

 

D: "But you won't take anything," cried the visitor. "What can I give you?"

 

Bh: "Did I ever say that I don't take anything? And did you ever ask

me what you can give me?"

 

D: "If you would take, then ask me. There is nothing I would not give you."

 

Bh: "All right. Now I am asking. Give me. What will you give me ?"

 

D: "Take anything, all is yours."

 

Bh: "Then give me all the good you have done in this world."

 

D: "What good could I have done? I have not a single virtue to my credit"

 

Bh: "You have promised to give. Now give. Don't talk of your credit.

Just give away all the good you have done in your past."

 

D: "Yes, I shall give. But how does one give? Tell me how the giving

is done and I shall give."

 

Bh: "Say like this: 'All the good I have done in the past I am giving

away entirely to my guru. Henceforth I have no merit from it nor have

I any concern with it.' Say it with your whole heart."

 

D: "All right, Swami, I am giving away to you all the good I have done

so far, if I have done any, and all its good effects. I am giving it

to you gladly, for you are my master and you are asking me to give it

all away to you."

 

Bh: "But this is not enough," said Bhagavan sternly.

 

D: "I gave you all I have and all you asked me to give. I have nothing

more to give."

 

Bh: "No, you have. Give me all your sins."

 

D: The man looked wildly at Bhagavan, terror stricken. "You do not

know, Swami, what you are asking for. If you knew, you would not ask

me. If you take over my sins, your body will rot and burn. You do not

know me, you do not know my sins. Please do not ask me for my sins."

And he wept bitterly.

 

Bh: "I shall look after myself, don't you worry about me," said

Bhagavan. "All I want from you is your sins."

 

For a long time the bargain would not go through. The man refused to

part with his sins. But Bhagavan was adamant.

 

Bh: "Either give me your sins along with your merits, or keep both and

don't think of me as your master."

 

In the end the visitor's scruples broke down and he declared:

"Whatever sins I have done, they are no longer mine. All of them and

their results, too, belong to Ramana."

 

Bhagavan seemed to be satisfied. "From now on there is no good nor bad

in you. You are just pure. Go and do nothing, neither good nor bad.

Remain yourself, remain what you are."

 

A great peace fell over the man and over us all. No one knows what

happened to the fortunate visitor; he was never seen in the Ashrama

again. He might have been in no further need of coming."