[Fwd: {RamanaMaharshi} Are Scriptures Useful?]

July 1, 2006

Harsha

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{RamanaMaharshi} Re: "Are Scriptures Useful?"

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 04:36:47 -0000

ramanachala <ramana.chala >

RamanaMaharshi <BhagavanRamana (AT) googl (DOT) com>

References: <1151725314.631546.47900 (AT) j8g2000cwa (DOT) googl>

Devotee: One of the stanzas says that the scriptures so scrupulously

studied in the earlier stages are ultimately of no use. At what stage

do they become useless?

Maharshi: When their essence is realised. The scriptures are useful to

indicate the existence of the Higher Power (the Self) and the way to

gain it.

Their essence is that much only.

When that is assimilated the rest is useless. But they are voluminous,

adapted to the development of the seeker.

As one rising up in the scale finds the regions one has passed to be

only steps to the higher stage, and so on, the steps ascended become

'purvapaksha' [arguments advanced by the opponent] successively until

the goal is gained.

When the goal is reached, It remains alone, and all the rest becomes

useless.

That is how the sastras become useless.

We read so much.

Do we remember all that we read?

But have we forgotten the essentials? The essential soaks in the mind

and the rest is forgotten. So it is with the 'sastras'.

>From Talk § 63

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