Every thought will produce its effect some time or other

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The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER ONEGODOn other occasions, however, he would confirm the efficacyof prayer. As in other matters, he would put the viewpointwhich would best help the spiritual development of theparticular questioner.Devotee: Are our prayers granted?Bhagavan: Yes, they are granted. No thought will ever go in vain.Every thought will produce its effect some time or other.Thought force will never go in vain. 1It will be seen that this hints at a doctrine far wider thanpersonal response by an anthropomorphic God. It indicatesthe general power of thought for good or evil and itsrepercussions on the thinker. Understanding of this involves agreat responsibility for thoughts no less than for actions, justas Christ indicated that to look at a woman lustfully was asin, the same as committing adultery with her. The followingpassage shows how far this teaching was from any humanisedconception of a God.Not from any desire, resolve, or effort on the part of therising sun, but merely due to the presence of his rays, the lensemits heat, the lotus blossoms, water evaporates, and peopleattend to their various duties in life. In the proximity of themagnet the needle moves. Similarly, the soul or jiva subjectedto the threefold activity of creation, preservation and destruction,which takes place merely due to the unique Presence of theSupreme Lord, performs acts in accordance with its karma, andsubsides to rest after such activity. But the Lord Himself has noresolve; no act or event touches even the fringe of His Being.This state of immaculate aloofness can be likened to that of thesun, which is untouched by the activities of life, or to that of theall-pervasive ether, which is not affected by the interaction ofthe complex qualities of the other four elements. 21 Day by Day with Bhagavan by A. Devaraja Mudaliar (5th Edition, 2002), p. 266-7.2 Who Am I?, § 17.