Ramana Maharshi in general discourages political activity

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In general, Bhagavan discouraged political activity among those dedicated to the quest.D.: Is it not our duty to be patriots?B.: It is your duty to BE and not to be this or that, ‘I am that I am’ sums up the whole of the Truth. The method is summarised in ‘Be still.’

However, when people who were engaged in political life approached him, he would simply advise them to carry on in a spirit of service and surrender, seeking to eliminate all egoism from their work.D.: Is the desire for swaraj (independence) right?

B.: Such desire no doubt begins with self-interest. Yet practical work for the goal gradually widens the outlook so that the individual becomes merged in the country. Such merging of the individuality is desirable and the karma in question is

nishkama (unselfish). D.: If self-government for India is granted after a long struggle and terrible sacrifice, is one not justified in being pleased with the result and elated by it? B.: In the course of one’s work one must have surrendered oneself to the higher Power whose might must be kept in mind and never lost sight of. How then can one be elated? One should not even care for the result of one’s action. Then alone the karma becomes unselfish.

Gandhiji has surrendered himself to the Divine and works accordingly with no self interest. He does not concern himself with the results but accepts them as they turn up. That must be the attitude of national workers.

Q.: Should we then not think of and work for the welfare of the country?B.: First take care of yourself and the rest will naturally follow.Q.: I am not speaking individually but for the country.

B.: First surrender and then see. Doubts arise because of the absence of surrender. Acquire strength by surrender and then your surrounding will be found to have improved to the degree of strength acquired by you.

Source: From The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Edited by David Godman

-- Om namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram