Ramana Maharshi on God, Will of God, Creator

[Guest guest]

Question : What is the relationship between God and the world? Is he the

creator or sustainer of it?

 

Ramana Maharshi : Sentient and insentient beings of all kinds are performing

actions only by the mere presence of the sun, which rises in the sky without

any volition. Similarly all actions are done by the Lord without any

volition or desire on his part. In the mere presence of the sun, the

magnifying lens emits fire, the lotus-bud blossoms, the water-lily closes

and all the countless creatures perform actions and rest.

 

The order of the great multitude of worlds is maintained by the mere

presence of God in the same manner as the needle moves in front of a magnet,

and as the moonstone emits water, the waterlily blossoms and the lotus

closes in front of the moon.

 

In the mere presence of God, who does not have even the least volition, the

living beings, who are engaged in innumerable activities,after embarking

upon many paths to which they are drawn according to the course determined

by their own karmas, finally realize the futility of action, turn back to

Self and attain liberation.

 

The actions of living beings certainly do not go and affect God, who

transcends the mind, in the same manner as the activities of the world do

not affect that sun and as the qualities of the conspicuous four elements

[earth, water, fire and air] do not affect the limitless space.

 

Question : Why is samsara - creation and manifestation so full of sorrow and

evil ?

 

Ramana Maharshi : God's will!

 

Question : Why does God will it so?

 

Ramana Maharshi : It is inscrutable. No motive can be attributed to that

power - no desire no end to achieve can be asserted of that one infinite,

all-wise and all-powerful being. God is untouched by activities, which take

place in his presence. Compare the sun and the world activities. There is no

meaning in attributing responsibility and motive to the one before it

becomes many.

 

Question : Does everything happen by the will of God?

 

Ramana Maharshi : It is not possible for anyone to do anything opposed to

the ordinance of God, who has the ability to do everything. Therefore to

remain silent at the feet of God, having given up all the anxieties of the

wicked, defective and delusive mind, is best.

 

Question : Is there a separate being Iswara [personal God] who is the

rewarder of virtue and punisher of sins? Is there a God?

 

Ramana Maharshi : Yes.

 

Source:

http://bhagwan-ramana-maharshi.blogspot.com/2008/12/ramana-maharshi-on-god-will-\

of-god.html

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Om namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram