Sri Ramana Paravidyopanishad, The nature of I

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The nature of "I"

 

 

 

381 As soon as this one named 'I' is born, there is born also along with it the whole world. When the "I" becomes latent, as in sleep, the world also vanishes. Because of this, the world is said to be the form of "I".

 

382 Though this great being, the real Self, is dearest to all and of great splendour, it does not shine unmistakably, for its light appears to be stolen by this evil one who has the form of the ego.

 

383 Though unreal, this one named jiva [individual self] covers up the truth of the Self. So, the Self, being wrongly conceived through a variety of false imaginations, is as good as lost for the ignorant man.

 

384 The mass of clouds, generated by the light of the sun, conceal the form of the sun. In the same way, this jiva, born as it is by the light of consciousness of the Self, conceals the Self.

 

~ Sri Ramana Paravidyopanishad, Lakshman Sarma

from THE POWER OF THE PRESENCE, vol. 3, p. 172

edited by David Godman