It is enough to know the Self

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The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER ONEDEATH AND RE-BIRTHHe would occasionally explain in more detail, but still withthe reservation that in reality there is only the changeless Self.Devotee: How long is the interval between death and re-birth?Bhagavan: It may be long or short, but a Realised Man undergoesno such change; he merges into the Infinite Being, as is said inthe Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad. Some say that those who, afterdeath, take the path of light are not re-born; whereas those whotake the path of darkness are born after they have reaped theirkarma (self-made destiny) in their subtle bodies.If a man's merits and demerits are equal, he is re-bornimmediately on earth; if the merits outweigh the demerits, hissubtle body goes first to heaven, while if the demerits outweighthe merits it goes first to hell. But in either case he is later rebornon earth. All this is described in the scriptures, but in factthere is neither birth nor death; one simply remains what onereally is. That only is the truth.1Again, he would explain in terms of God's mercy.B.: God in His mercy withholds this knowledge frompeople. If they knew that they had been virtuous they wouldgrow proud, and in the other case they would be despondent.Both are bad. It is enough to know the Self.21 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, 573.2 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, 553.