Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi on Spiritual Life and Practice
The True Meaning of Surrender (Saranagati)
In Paramahansa Yogananda’s wonderful commentary The Bhagavad Gita - God talks with Arjuna, we find a deep and mystical revelation that points us towards the direction by which a beginning foundation of “saranagati - saranam” can be laid. In further discussion of Gita 18:66 we are shown:
Sri Ramana Maharshi's teaching of Self-Enquiry
During the years between 1900-1902 when Sri Ramana Maharshi was living on the sacred hill of Arunachala
in the Virupaksha cave, a devotee came to him almost nightly after his work in town to learn the method of Bhagavan's teaching. Even though he was receiving direct instructions over this long time. he finally beseeched Bhagavan with a most urgent request.
Bytes of Wisdom From Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi
“Though Bhagavan rarely gave out mantras, when he did, he generally recommended “Siva, Siva’. Muruganar himself was given this mantra by Bhagavan, as were several other devotees including Annamalai Swami, the brother of Rangan (who was one of Bhagavan’s childhood friends), and also an unknown harijan.”
"Love and devotion to Him are a bridge across
the abyss to salvation."
But in fact Bhagavan was universal and provided guidance for every temperament, by the path of Devotion no less than of Knowledge. Love and devotion to Him are a bridge across the abyss to salvation. He had many devotees for whom he prescribed no other path.
From the Bhagavad Gita and Sri Ramana Maharshi
Sri Ramana defined the true meaning of “satsanga” to Srimat T.R. Kanakammal, one of the few direct disciples of the Maharshi. She has related that Bhagavan declared the Sanskrit word “sat” to mean “Being”, and the word “sanga” to mean “melting”. The “melting within” referred to by Bhagavan is a protracted process of sadhana tapas, a spiritual process of purification. It is not a whimsical imaginative fantasy of drifting within to a so-called instant blissful awareness of “oneness” with the Self.
How does one light a fire within the heart?
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi stressed practice that produces purification (removal of that fog of ignorance, the obstacles and habits of the mercurial mind which diminish our pure vision) as well as the grace of the knowledge of the Self as the eternal companions of those who would be led:
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi on The Need for a Guru
The heart and soul of Sanatana Dharma, or the eternal religion, found it's origination and essence in the oral transmission of it's Truths. Since the abiding nature of this dharma is Eternal, the foundation for those who today seek to cultivate these Truths must rely primarily on the oral tradition transmitted through the teacher (guru) - disciple relationship, or through satsanga, which will lead one toward that relationship.
The Bhagavad Gita and Sri Ramana Maharshi on
"The True Meaning and Nature of Surrender"
Devotee: “But we are worldly. There is the wife, there are the children, friends and relatives. We cannot ignore their existence and resign ourselves to Divine Will, without retaining some little of the personality in us.
Maharshi: “That means you have not surrendered as professed by you. You must only trust God.”
