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[RamanaMaharshi] namaskAra

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:16:16 -0000

Miles <nanyar >

RamanaMaharshi

RamanaMaharshi

 

 

 

*Talk 549. *

Sri Bhagavan often speaks of /namaskar/ (prostration) in the following

strain: "This /namaskar/ was originally meant by the ancient sages to

serve as a means of surrender to God. The act still prevails but not the

spirit behind it. The doer of /namaskar/ intends to deceive the object

of worship by his act. It is mostly insincere and deceitful. It is meant

to cover up innumerable sins. Can God be deceived? The man thinks that

God accepts his /namaskar/ and that he himself is free to continue his

old life. They need not come to me. I am not pleased with these

/namaskars/. The people should keep their minds clean; instead of that

they bend themselves or lie prostrate before me. I am not deceived by

such acts." /(Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi - Sri Ramanasramam, 1978)

/

and....

*from reminiscences of R. Narayana Iyer (Sub-Registrar)*

"Sri Bhagavan was not always the same. Most of the time he was a very

pleasing person with a fascinating welcome smile. However, on occasion,

he could be stern and look forbidding. At such moments people were

struck with awe and a deep searching of the heart.

 

One hot Sunday afternoon an old devotee placed before Sri Bhagavan some

palmyra fruits (/nongu/). Bhagavan severely remarked: "Why do you do

this daily? You are a /sannyasin/. You must beg of others the

wherewithal to procure these. You must say that they are for me. You

know that I cannot eat them without others present sharing them and so

you have to get some quantity, and this you do using my name, as though

I desire it. Can't you keep quiet and mind your own business? You

prostrate before me and think that you have won me over. Every

prostration is like a blow on my head. All sorts of things are done

outside these four walls with impunity, as though these walls hide and

protect them. Who likes these prostrations?" And on and on he went in a

tirade against all and sundry who posed like pious men but were hiding a

lot of impurity. It was not one individual that was attacked. The

atmosphere in the hall was tense, and one by one, the devotees sneaked

out." /(Surpassing love and Grace - Sri Ramanasramam, 2001;103)/