Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi, Munagala Venkataramiah
4.65(423 readers)
TALKS IS ALL PURE GOLD -Major Alan Chadwick During the four years from 1935 to 1939,Munagala Venkataramiah,a veteran devotee and author of this work,painstakingly recorded the conversations that took place in the old hall between Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and his devotees. People from all faiths and every walk of life came to sit at Sri Bhagavan s feet:Whether ignorant or erudite,a simple peasant or royalty,they traveled from the far corners of the earth to place their doubts before him or just to sit in his divine presence.His infinite compassion and unique insight ensured that none left his ashram empty handed. Their questions covered every aspect of the spiritual search and every problem troubling the human mind:Maharshi s answers gently led the questioner to the correct solution,each question answered according to the questioner s own level of spritual development.All had their doubts dispelled,their hearts suffused with peace and their beings uplifted in his presence.This book is a truthful chronicle of such happenings. Reflecting the warmth,the humour and the deep spirtual atmosphere generated by the Master s presence,this work is a treasure-house for all who seek the highest truth.Sri Bhagavan s teaching,self-enquiry,is the core of this work.However,doctrinal questions from the various faiths,Hindu,Christian,Buddhist,Theosophical etc., have also been answered by the Maharshi.His explanations have revealed the common thread underlying all faiths and the absolute unity of the spiritual quest,irrespective of the diverse paths encountered on the journey to the highest Goal. First printed in the year 1955 the book has been reprinted thirteen times.
Publisher
Sri Ramanasramam/India
Publication Date
8/19/2013
ISBN
9788188018079
Pages
724
Categories
About the Author
Ramana Maharshi
Bhagavan Sri Ramaṇa Mahārṣi (Tamil: ரமண மஹரிஷி) born Venkataraman Iyer, was probably the most famous Indian sage of the twentieth century, he was born on December 30, 1879 in a village called Tirucculi about 30 miles south of Madurai in southern India. His middle-class parents named him Venkataraman. His father died when he was twelve, and he went to live with his uncle in Madurai, where he attended American Mission High School.
At age 16, he became spontaneously self-realized. Six weeks later he ran away to the holy hill of Arunachala where he would remain for the rest of his life. For several years he stopped talking and spent many hours each day in samadhi. When he began speaking again, people came to ask him questions, and he soon acquired a reputation as a sage. In 1907, when he was 28, one of his early devotees named him Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Divine Eminent Ramana the Great Seer, and the name stuck. Eventually he became world-famous and an ashram was built around him. He died of cancer in 1950 at the age of 70.
Ramana Maharshi was born 30 kilometers south of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India.
His Self-Realization
At age 16, he heard somebody mention "Arunachala." Although he didn't know what the word meant (it's the name of a holy hill associated with the god Shiva) he became greatly excited. At about the same time he came across a copy of Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, a book that describes the lives of Shaivite saints, and became fascinated by it. In the middle of 1896, at age 16, he was suddenly overcome by the feeling that he was about to die. He lay down on the floor, made his body stiff, and held his breath. "My body is dead now," he said to himself, "but I am still alive." In a flood of spiritual awareness he realized he was spirit, not his body.
His Guru
Ramana Maharshi didn't have a human guru (other than himself). He often said that his guru was Arunachala, a holy mountain in South India.
His Teachings
Ramana Maharshi taught a method called self-inquiry in which the seeker focuses continuous attention on the I-thought in order to find its source. In the beginning this requires effort, but eventually something deeper than the ego takes over and the mind dissolves in the heart center.
At age 16, he became spontaneously self-realized. Six weeks later he ran away to the holy hill of Arunachala where he would remain for the rest of his life. For several years he stopped talking and spent many hours each day in samadhi. When he began speaking again, people came to ask him questions, and he soon acquired a reputation as a sage. In 1907, when he was 28, one of his early devotees named him Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Divine Eminent Ramana the Great Seer, and the name stuck. Eventually he became world-famous and an ashram was built around him. He died of cancer in 1950 at the age of 70.
Ramana Maharshi was born 30 kilometers south of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India.
His Self-Realization
At age 16, he heard somebody mention "Arunachala." Although he didn't know what the word meant (it's the name of a holy hill associated with the god Shiva) he became greatly excited. At about the same time he came across a copy of Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, a book that describes the lives of Shaivite saints, and became fascinated by it. In the middle of 1896, at age 16, he was suddenly overcome by the feeling that he was about to die. He lay down on the floor, made his body stiff, and held his breath. "My body is dead now," he said to himself, "but I am still alive." In a flood of spiritual awareness he realized he was spirit, not his body.
His Guru
Ramana Maharshi didn't have a human guru (other than himself). He often said that his guru was Arunachala, a holy mountain in South India.
His Teachings
Ramana Maharshi taught a method called self-inquiry in which the seeker focuses continuous attention on the I-thought in order to find its source. In the beginning this requires effort, but eventually something deeper than the ego takes over and the mind dissolves in the heart center.
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