SELF - ENQUIRY
(VICHARASANGRAHAM)
OF
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI
A new translation by
DR T. M. P. MAHADEVAN, M.A., Ph.D.
from the original Tamil
PUBLISHED BY
V. S. RAMANAN
President, Board of Trustees
SRI RAMANASRAMAM
TIRUVANNAMALAI
SOUTH INDIA.
Sri Ramanasramam
Eighth edition 1971
Ninth edition 1981
Tenth edition 1990
Reprint 1994
INTRODUCTION
The present work in prose consists of forty questions with answers covering the entire range of
spiritual disciplines required for the gaining of release (moksha). The questioner was Gambhiram
Seshayya, one of the early devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He was a Municipal
Overseer at Tiruvannamalai about 1900. Besides being an ardent Ramabhakta (worshipper of
Rama) he was interested in the study and practice of Yoga. He used to read Swami Vivekananda’s
lectures on the different yoga’s as also an English translation of the Rama-gita. For resolving the
difficulties which he came across while studying these books and in his spiritual practices, he
approached Bhagavan Sri Ramana from time to time. Bhagavan, who was only twenty-one years
old, was then living in Virupaksha cave on Arunachala Hill. As he was keeping silent at the time
not because of any vow taken but because he was not inclined to talk - he wrote out his answers to
Seshayya’s questions on bits of paper. These writings over the period 1900-1902 were later
copied in a note-book by Seshayya. The material thus gathered was published by Sri Ramanasramam
under the little Vichara-sangraham which literally means ‘A Compendium of Self-Enquiry.’ A
digest of the teaching contained in this work was later printed in English bearing the title ‘Self-
Enquiry’. In that English version, the questions were omitted and the substance of Bhagavan’s
teaching was given, classifying it in twelve short chapters with appropriate headings. The present
English translation is of the entire original text Vichara-sangraham as it is in Tamil. The Vicharasangraham
has unique value in the sense that it constitutes the first set of instructions given by
Bhagavan in his own handwriting.
A careful study of the instructions given by Bhagavan here will reveal that they are based on his own
plenary experience as confirmed by the sacred texts which were brought to his notice by the early
devotees and which he perused for the purpose of clearing the doubts that arose in the minds of the
devotees. In the course of his instructions, Bhagavan makes use of such expressions as, ‘the scriptures
declare’, ‘thus say the sages,’ etc.; he also cites passages from texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the
Vivekachudamani and once he mentions by name the Ribhu Gita. But it is quite clear that these citations
are offered only as confirmations of the truth discovered by Bhagavan himself in his own experience.
The basic teaching is that of Advaita-Vedanta. The plenary experience of the non-dual Self is the
goal; enquiry into the nature of the self is the means. When the mind identifies the self with the notself
(the body, etc.), there is bondage; when this wrong identification is removed through the
enquiry ‘Who am I ?’ there is release. Thus, Self-enquiry is the direct path taught by Bhagavan
Ramana. The ‘I-experience’ is common to all. Of all thoughts, the ‘I-thought’ is the first to arise.
What one has to do is to enquire into the source of the ‘I-thought’. This is the reverse process of
what ordinarily happens in the life of the mind. The mind enquires into the constitution and source
of everything else which, on examination, will be found to be its own projection; it does not
reflect on itself and trace itself to its source. Self-discovery can be achieved by giving the mind an
inward turn. This is not to be confused with the introspection of which the psychologists speak.
Self-enquiry is not the mind’s inspection of its own contents; it is tracing the mind’s first mode, the
‘I-thought’ to its source which is the Self. When there is proper and persistent enquiry, the ‘Ithought’
also ceases and there is the wordless illumination of the form ‘I-I’ which is the pure
consciousness. This is release, freedom from bondage. The method by which this is accomplished,
as has been shown, is enquiry which, in Vedanta, is termed jnana, knowledge. True devotion
(bhakti), meditation (dhyana), and concentration (yoga) are identical therewith. As Bhagavan
makes it perfectly clear, not to forget the plenary Self-experience is real devotion, mind-control,
knowledge, and all other austerities. In the language of devotion, the final goal may be described
as the resolution of the mind in its source which is God, the Self, in that of technical yoga, it may
be described as the dissolution of the mind in the Heart-lotus. These are only different ways of
expressing the same truth.
The path of Self-enquiry is found difficult by those who have not acquired the necessary competence
for it. The mind should first be rendered pure and one-pointed. This is done through meditation,
etc. So, the various paths, in their secondary sense, are auxiliaries to the direct path which is Selfenquiry.
In this context, Bhagavan refers to three grades of aspirants: the highest, the medium, and
the lowest. For the highest type of aspirants, the path prescribed is Vedanta enquiry; through this
path, the mind becomes quiescent in the Self and finally ceases to be, leaving the pure Selfexperience
untarnished and resplendent. The path for the medium is meditation on the Self;
meditation consists in directing a continuous flow of the mind towards the same object; there are
several modes of meditation; the best mode is that which is of the form ‘I am the Self’; this mode
eventually culminates in Self-realization. For the lowest grade of aspirants, the discipline that is
useful is breath-control which in turn results in mind control.
Bhagavan explains the difference between jnana-yoga (path of knowledge) and dhyana-yoga
(path of meditation) thus: jnana is like subduing a self-willed bull by coaxing it with the help of a
sheaf of green grass, while dhyana is like controlling it by using force. Just as there are eight
limbs for dhyana-yoga, there are eight for jnana-yoga. The limbs of the latter are more proximate
to the final stage than those of the former. For instance, while the pranayama of technical yoga
consists in regulating and restraining breath, the pranayama that is a limb of jnana relates to
rejecting the name-and-form world which is non-real and realizing the Real which is Existence-
Consciousness-Bliss.
Realization of the Self can be gained in this very life. In fact, Self-realization is not something
which is to be gained afresh. We are already the Self; the Self alone is. It is ignorance that makes
us imagine that we have not realized the Self. When this ignorance is removed through Selfknowledge,
we realize our eternal Self-nature. One who has gained this realization is called a
jivan-mukta (liberated while living). To others, he may appear to continue to tenant a body. For
the benefit of those others it is stated that the body will continue so long as the residue of the
prarabdha-karma (that karma of the past which has begun to fructify in the shape of the present
body) lasts, and that when the momentum is spent the body will fall and the jivan-mukta will
become a videha-mukta. But from the standpoint of the absolute truth, there is no difference in
mukti. What needs to be understood is that mukti or release is the inalienable nature of the Self.
This, in substance, is Bhagavan Sri Ramana’s teaching in the Vichara-sangraham.
University Of Madras.
November 15, 1965.
Note to the Eighth Edition
The earliest edition of this work in Question-Answer form, I have come across, is dated 1930,
published by A. Shivalinga Mudaliyar and V. Subrahmanya Achari and printed at Saravana Bava
Press, Madras. This bears a foreword by Muruganar which is dated June 16th, 1930. It is mentioned
in the foreword that it was Natanananda that edited the work in Question-Answer form. In his
preface, Natanananda observes that the work contains the teachings given in writing by Bhagavan
Ramana to Gambhiram Seshayya in the years 1901-1902. It is in the Question-Answer form that
this work is included in the ‘Collected Works’ in Tamil, in its early editions, published by the
Asramam. In the third edition published in 1940, as well as in subsequent editions, the Self-
Enquiry appears in the form of a digest. In the footnote that occurs at the end of the Publisher’s
Note, it is stated that the manuscript copy given by Gambhiram Seshayya’s brother was edited by
Shivaprakasam Pillai, and was put into Question-Answer form by Natanananda.
Madras
January 18, 1971.
SELF - ENQUIRY
(VICHARASANGRAHAM)
OF
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI
INVOCATION
Is there any way of adoring the Supreme which is all, except by abiding firmly as that!
1
Disciple: Master! What is the means to gain the state of eternal bliss, ever devoid of misery?
Master: Apart from the statement in the Veda that wherever there is body there is misery, this is
also the direct experience of all people; therefore, one should enquire into one’s true nature which
is ever bodiless, and one should remain as such. This is the means to gaining that state.
2
D: What is meant by saying that one should enquire into one’s true nature and understand it?
M: Experiences such as “I went; I came; I was; I did” come naturally to everyone. From these
experiences, does it not appear that the consciousness “I” is the subject of those various acts?
Enquiry into the true nature of that consciousness, and remaining as oneself is the way to understand,
through enquiry, one’s true nature.
1. i.e., without leaving any sediment.
3
D: How is one to enquire: “Who am I?”
M: Actions such as ‘going’ and ‘coming’ belong only to the body. And so, when one says “I
went, I came”, it amounts to saying that the body is “I”. But, can the body be said to be the
consciousness “I”, since the body was not before it was born, is made up of the five elements,
is non-existent in the state of deep sleep, and becomes a corpse when dead? Can this body
which is inert like a log of wood be said to shine as “I” “I”? Therefore, the “I” consciousness
which at first arises in respect of the body is referred to variously as self-conceit (tarbodham),
egoity (ahankara), nescience (avidya), maya, impurity (mala), and individual soul (jiva) . Can
we remain without enquiring into this? Is it not for our redemption through enquiry that all the
scriptures declare that the destruction of “self-conceit” is release (mukti)? Therefore, making
the corpse-body remain as a corpse, and not even uttering the word “I”, one should enquire
keenly thus: “Now, what is it that rises as ‘I’”. Then, there would shine in the Heart a kind of
wordless illumination of the form ‘I’ ‘I’. That is, there would shine of its own accord the pure
consciousness which is unlimited and one, the limited and the many thoughts having disappeared.
If one remains quiescent without abandoning that (experience), the egoity, the individual sense,
of the form ‘I am the body’ will be totally destroyed, and at the end the final thought, viz. the ‘I’-
form also will be quenched like the fire that burns camphor.1 The great sages and scriptures
declare that this alone is release.
4
D: When one enquires into the root of ‘self conceit’ which is of the form ‘I’, all sorts of different
thoughts without number seem to rise; and not any separate ‘I’ thought.
M: Whether the nominative case, which is the first case, appears or not, the sentences in which the
other cases appear have as their basis the first case; similarly, all the thoughts that appear in the
heart have as their basis the egoity which is the first mental mode ‘I’, the cognition of the form ‘I
am the body’; thus, it is the rise of egoity that is the cause and source of the rise of all other
thoughts; therefore, if the self-conceit of the form of egoity which is the root of the illusory tree of
samsara (bondage consisting of transmigration) is destroyed, all other thoughts will perish
completely like an uprooted tree. Whatever thoughts arise as obstacles to one’s sadhana (spiritual
discipline) - the mind should not be allowed to go in their direction, but should be made to rest in
one’s self which is the Atman; one should remain as witness to whatever happens, adopting the
attitude ‘Let whatever strange things happen, happen; let us see!’ This should be one’s practice. In
other words, one should not identify oneself with appearances; one should never relinquish one’s
self. This is the proper means for destruction of the mind (manonasa) which is of the nature of
seeing the body as self, and which is the cause of all the aforesaid obstacles. This method which
easily destroys egoity deserves to be called devotion (bhakti), meditation (dhyana), concentration
(yoga), and knowledge (jnana). Because God remains of the nature of the Self, shining as ‘I’ in
the heart, because the scriptures declare that thought itself is bondage, the best discipline is to stay
quiescent without ever forgetting Him (God, the Self), after resolving in Him the mind which is of
the form of the ‘I’-thought, no matter by what means. This is the conclusive teaching of the Scriptures.
5
D: Is enquiry only the means for removal of the false belief of selfhood in the gross body, or is it
also the means for removal of the false belief of selfhood in the subtle and causal bodies?
M: It is on the gross body that the other bodies subsist. In the false belief of the form “I am the body”
are included all the three bodies consisting of the five sheaths. And destruction of the false belief of
selfhood in the gross body is itself the destruction of the false belief of selfhood in the other bodies.
So inquiry is the means to removal of the false belief of selfhood in all the three bodies.
6
D: While there are different modifications of the internal organ, viz. manas (reflection), buddhi
(intellect), chitta (memory) and ahankara (egoity), how can it be said that the destruction of the
mind alone is release?
M: In the books explaining the nature of the mind, it is thus stated: “The mind is formed by the
concretion of the subtle portion of the food we eat; it grows with the passions such as attachment and
aversion, desire and anger; being the aggregate of mind, intellect, memory and egoity, it receives the
collective singular name ‘mind’, the characteristics that it bears are thinking, determining, etc.; since
it is an object of consciousness (the self), it is what is seen, inert; even though inert, it appears as if
conscious because of association with consciousness (like a red-hot iron ball); it is limited, noneternal,
partite, and changing like wax, gold, candle, etc.; it is of the nature of all elements (of
phenomenal existence); its locus is the heart-lotus even as the loci of the sense of sight, etc., are the
eyes, etc.; it is the adjunct of the individual soul thinking of an object, it transforms itself into a mode,
and along with the knowledge that is in the brain, it flows through the five sense-channels, gets
joined to objects by the brain (that is associated with knowledge), and thus knows and experiences
objects and gains satisfaction. That substance is the mind”. Even as one and the same person is
called by different names according to the different functions he performs, so also one and the same
mind is called by the different names: mind, intellect, memory, and egoity, on account of the difference
in the modes - and not because of any real difference. The mind itself is of the form of all, i.e. of soul,
God and world; when it becomes of the form of the Self through knowledge there is release, which
is of the nature of Brahman: this is the teaching.
7
D: If these four - mind, intellect, memory and egoity - are one and the same why are separate
locations mentioned for them?
M: It is true that the throat is stated to be the location of the mind, the face or the heart of the
intellect, the navel of the memory, and the heart or sarvanga of the egoity; though differently stated
2. “In the hearts of all individual souls that which shines is Brahman and hence is called the Heart” - Brahma Gita.
thus yet, for the aggregate of these, that is the mind or internal organ, the location is the heart alone.
This is conclusively declared in the Scriptures.
8
D: Why is it said that only the mind which is the internal organ, shines as the form of all, that is of
soul, God and world?
M: As instruments for knowing the objects the sense organs are outside, and so they are called outer
senses; and the mind is called the inner sense because it is inside. But the distinction between inner
and outer is only with reference to the body; in truth, there is neither inner or outer. The mind’s nature
is to remain pure like ether. What is referred to as the heart or the mind is the collocation of the
elements (of phenomenal existence) that appear as inner and outer. So there is no doubt that all
phenomena consisting of names and forms are of the nature of mind alone. All that appear outside are
in reality inside and not outside; it is in order to teach this that in the Vedas also all have been
described as of the nature of the heart. What is called the heart is no other than Brahman.
9
D: How can it be said that the heart is no other than Brahman?
M: Although the self enjoys its experiences in the states of waking, dream, and deep sleep, residing
respectively in the eyes, throat and heart, in reality, however, it never leaves its principal seat, the
heart. In the heart-lotus which is of the nature of all, in other words in the mind-ether, the light of
that self in the form ‘I’ shines. As it shines thus in everybody, this very self is referred to as the
witness (sakshi) and the transcendent (turiya literally the fourth). The ‘I’-less supreme Brahman
which shines in all bodies as interior to the light in the form ‘I’ is the Self-ether (or knowledgeether):
that alone is the absolute Reality. This is the super-transcendent (turiyatita). Therefore, it
is stated that what is called the heart s no other than Brahman. Moreover, for the reason that
Brahman shines in the hearts of all souls as the Self, the name ‘Heart’ is given to Brahman.2 The
meaning of the word hridayam, when split thus ‘hrit-ayam’, is in fact Brahman. The adequate
evidence for the fact that Brahman, which shines as the self, resides in the hearts of all is that all
people indicate themselves by pointing to the chest when saying ‘I’.
10
D: If the entire universe is of the form of mind, then does it not follow that the universe is an
illusion? If that be the case, why is the creation of the universe mentioned in the Veda?
M: There is no doubt whatsoever that the universe is the merest illusion. The principal purport of
the Veda is to make known the true Brahman, after showing the apparent universe to be false. It is
for this purpose that the Vedas admit the creation of the world and not for any other reason.
Moreover, for the less qualified persons creation is taught, that is the phased evolution of prakriti
(primal nature), mahat-tattva (the great intellect), tanmatras (the subtle essences), bhutas (the
gross elements), the world, the body, etc., from Brahman: while for the more qualified simultaneous
creation is taught, that is, that this world arose like a dream on account of one’s own thoughts
induced by the defect of not knowing oneself as the Self. Thus, from the fact that the creation of the
world has been described in different ways it is clear that the purport of the Vedas rests only in
teaching the true nature of Brahman after showing somehow or other the illusory nature of the
universe. That the world is illusory, every one can directly know in the state of realization which
is in the form of experience of one’s bliss-nature.
11
D: Is Self-experience possible for the mind, whose nature is constant change?
M: Since sattva-guna (the constituent of prakriti which makes for purity, intelligence, etc.) is the
nature of mind, and since the mind is pure and undefiled like ether, what is called mind is, in truth, of
the nature of knowledge. When it stays in that natural (i.e. pure) state, it has not even the name ‘mind’.
It is only the erroneous knowledge which mistakes one for another that is called mind. What was
(originally) the pure sattva mind, of the nature of pure knowledge, forgets its knowledge-nature on
account of nescience, gets transformed into the world under the influence of tamo-guna (i.e. the
constituent of prakriti which makes for dullness, inertness, etc.), being under the influence of rajoguna
(i.e. the constituent of prakriti which makes for activity, passions, etc.), imagines “I am the
body, etc.; the world is real”, it acquires the consequent merit and demerit through attachment, aversion,
etc., and, through the residual impressions (vasanas) thereof, attains birth and death. But the mind,
which has got rid of its defilement (sin) through action without attachment performed in many past
lives, listens to the teaching of scripture from a true guru, reflects on its meaning, and meditates in
order to gain the natural state of the mental mode of the form of the Self, i.e. of the form ‘I am
Brahman’ which is the result of the continued contemplation of Brahman. Thus will be removed the
mind’s transformation into the world in the aspect of tamo-guna, and its roving therein in the aspect
of rajo-guna. When this removal takes place the mind becomes subtle and unmoving. It is only by the
mind that is impure and is under the influence of rajas and tamas that Reality (i.e. the Self) which is
very subtle and unchanging cannot be experienced; just as a piece of fine silk cloth cannot be stitched
with a heavy crowbar, or as the details of subtle objects cannot be distinguished by the light of a
lamp flame that flickers in the wind. But in the pure mind that has been rendered subtle and unmoving
by the meditation described above, the Self-bliss (i.e. Brahman) will become manifest. As without
mind there cannot be experience, it is possible for the purified mind endowed with the extremely
subtle mode (vritti) to experience the Self-bliss, by remaining in that form (i.e. in the form of Brahman).
Then, that one’s self is of the nature of Brahman will be clearly experienced.
12
D: Is the aforesaid Self-experience possible, even in the state of empirical existence, for the mind
which has to perform functions in accordance with its prarabdha (the past karma which has begun
to fructify)?
M: A Brahmin may play various parts in a drama; yet the thought that he is a Brahmin does not
leave his mind. Similarly, when one is engaged in various empirical acts there should be the firm
conviction “I am the Self”, without allowing the false idea “I am the body, etc.” to rise. If the mind
should stray away from its state, then immediately one should enquire, “Oh! Oh! We are not the
body etc.! Who are we?” and thus one should reinstate the mind in that (pure) state. The enquiry
“Who am I?” is the principal means to the removal of all misery and the attainment of the supreme
bliss. When in this manner the mind becomes quiescent in its own state, Self-experience arises of
its own accord, without any hindrance. Thereafter sensory pleasures and pains will not affect the
mind. All (phenomena) will appear then, without attachment, like a dream. Never forgetting one’s
plenary Self-experience is real bhakti (devotion), yoga (mind-control), jnana (knowledge) and
all other austerities. Thus say the sages.
13
D: When there is activity in regard to works, we are neither the agents of those works nor their
enjoyers. The activity is of the three instruments (i.e., the mind, speech, and body). Could we
remain (unattached) thinking thus?
M: After the mind has been made to stay in the Self which is its Deity, and has been rendered
indifferent to empirical matters because it does not stray away from the Self, how can the mind
think as mentioned above? Do not such thoughts constitute bondage? When such thoughts arise due
to residual impressions (vasanas), one should restrain the mind from flowing that way, endeavour
to retain it in the Self-state, and make it turn indifferent to empirical matters. One should not give
room in the mind for such thoughts as: “Is this good? Or, is that good? Can this be done? Or, can
that be done?” One should be vigilant even before such thoughts arise and make the mind stay in its
native state. If any little room is given, such a (disturbed) mind will do harm to us while posing as
our friend; like the foe appearing to be a friend, it will topple us down. Is it not because one
forgets one’s Self that such thoughts arise and cause more and more evil? While it is true that to
think through discrimination, “I do not do anything; all actions are performed by the instruments”,
is a means to prevent the mind from flowing along thought vasanas, does it not also follow that
only if the mind flows along thought vasanas that it must be restrained through discrimination as
stated before? Can the mind that remains in the Self-state think as ‘I’ and as ‘I behave empirically
thus and thus’? In all manner of ways possible one should endeavour gradually not to forget one’s
(true) Self that is God. If that is accomplished, all will be accomplished. The mind should not be
directed to any other matter. Even though one may perform, like a mad person, the actions that are
the result of prarabdha-karma, one should retain the mind in the Self-state without letting the
thought ‘I do’ arise. Have not countless bhaktas (devotees) performed their numerous empirical
functions with an attitude of indifference?
14
D: What is the real purpose of sannyasa (renunciation)?
M: Sannyasa is only the renunciation of the ‘I’ thought, and not the rejection of the external objects.
He who has renounced (the “I” thought) thus remains the same whether he is alone or in the midst
of the extensive samsara (empirical world). Just as when the mind is concentrated on some object,
it does not observe other things even though they may be proximate, so also, although the sage may
perform any number of empirical acts, in reality he performs nothing, because he makes the mind
rest in the Self without letting the ‘I’ thought arise. Even as in a dream one appears to fall head
downwards, while in reality one is unmoving, so also the ignorant person, i.e., the person for
whom the ‘I’ thought has not ceased, although he remains alone in constant meditation, is in fact
one who performs all empirical actions.3 Thus the wise ones have said.
15
D: The mind, sense-organs, etc., have the ability to perceive; yet why are they regarded as perceived
objects?
M:
As shown in the above scheme, since we, the consciousness, know all objects, we are said to be
drik (knower). The categories ending with pot are the objects seen, since they are what are known.
In the table of ‘knowledge: ignorance (i.e. knower-known)’ given above, among the knowers and
objects of knowledge, it is seen that one is knower in relation to another; yet, since that one is
object in relation to another, none of those categories is, in reality, the knower. Although we are
said to be the ‘knower’ because we know all, and not the ‘known’ because we are not known by
anything else, we are said to be the ‘knower’ only in relation to the known objects. In truth,
however, what is called the ‘known’ is not apart from us. And so we are the Reality that transcends
those two (the knower and the known). All the others fall within the knower-known categories.
16
D: How do egoity, soul, self, and Brahman come to be identified?
2 The eye organ
3 The sense of sight
4 The mind
5 The individual soul
6 Consciousness (the Self)
Drisya
(Known object)
Pot (i.e. the seen object)
Drik
(Knower)
1 The seer
Body, Pot, etc.
The eye organ
The sense of sight
The mind
The individual soul
Further,
3. Like those who listen to a story with their attention fixed elsewhere, the mind whose residual impressions have
worn away does not really function even if it appears to do so. The mind that is not free from residual impressions
really functions even if it does not appear to do so; this is like those who while remaining stationary imagine in
their dreams that they climb up a hill and fall therefrom.
M:
From the examples given above, it will be clear how egoity, soul, witness, and All-witness come
to be identified.
Just as in the wax-lump that is with the smith numerous and varied metal-particles lie included
and all of them appear to be one wax-lump, so also in deep sleep the gross and subtle bodies of all
the individual souls are included in the cosmic maya which is nescience, of the nature of sheer
darkness, and since the souls are resolved in the Self becoming one with it, they see everywhere
darkness alone. From the darkness of sleep, the subtle body, viz. egoity, and from that (egoity) the
gross body arise respectively. Even as the egoity arises, it appears superimposed on the nature of
the Self, like the heated iron-ball. Thus, without the soul (jiva) which is the mind or egoity that is
conjoined with the Consciousness-light, there is no witness of the soul, viz. the Self, and without
the Self there is no Brahman that is the All-witness. Just as when the iron ball is beaten into
various shapes by the smith, the fire that is in it does not change thereby in any manner, even so the
soul may be involved in ever so many experiences and undergo pleasures and pains, and yet the
Self-light that is in it does not change in the least thereby, and like the ether it is the all-pervasive
pure knowledge that is one, and it shines in the heart as Brahman.
17
D: How is one to know that in the heart the Self itself shines as Brahman?
M: Just as the elemental ether within the flame of a lamp is known to fill without any difference
and without any limit both the inside and the outside of the flame, so also the knowledge-ether that
is within the Self-light in the heart, fills without any difference and without any limit both the
inside and the outside of that Self-light. This is what is referred to as Brahman.
18
D: How do the three states of experience, the three bodies, etc., which are imaginations, appear in
the Self-light which is one, impartite and self-luminous? Even if they should appear, how is one to
know that the Self alone remains ever unmoving?
The example
(1) The iron-ball
(2) The heated iron-ball
(3) The fire that is in the heated ironball
(4) The flame of fire which remains
as one
The exemplified
Egoity
The soul which appears as a superimposition on
the Self
The light of consciousness, i.e. the immutable
Brahman, which shines in the soul in everybody
The all pervading Brahman which remains as one
M:
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_
_ _
_
_ _ _ _
The Self which is the lamp (1) shines of its own accord in the inner chamber, i.e., the causal body
(7) that is endowed with nescience as the inner wall (4) and sleep as the door (2); when by the
vital principle as conditioned by time, karma, etc., the sleep-door is opened, there occurs a reflection
of the Self in the egoity-mirror (5) that is placed next to the door-step - Mahat-tattva; the egoitymirror
thus illumines the middle chamber, i.e., the dream state (8), and, through the windows
which are the five cognitive sense-organs (6), the outer court, i.e., the waking state. When, again,
by the vital principle as conditioned by time, karma, etc., the sleep-door gets shut, the egoity
ceases along with waking and dream, and the Self alone ever shines. The example just given
explains how the Self is unmoving, how there is difference between the Self and the egoity and
how the three states of experience, the three bodies, etc., appear.
The Example
(1) The Lamp
(2) The door
(3) The door-step
(4) The inner wall
(5) The mirror
(6) The windows
(7) The inner chamber
(8) The middle chamber
(9) The outer court
The Exemplified
The Self
Sleep
Mahat-tattva
Nescience or the causal body
The egoity
The five cognitive sense-organs.
Deep sleep in which the causal body is manifest
Dream in which the subtle body is manifest
Waking state in which the gross body is manifest
19
D: Although I have listened to the explanation of the characteristics of enquiry in such great detail,
my mind has not gained even a little peace. What is the reason for this?
M: The reason is the absence of strength or one-pointedness of the mind.
20
D: What is the reason for the absence of mental strength?
M: The means that make one qualified for enquiry are meditation, yoga, etc. One should gain
proficiency in these through graded practice, and thus secure a stream of mental modes that is
natural and helpful. When the mind that has in this manner become ripe, listens to the present
enquiry, it will at once realize its true nature which is the Self, and remain in perfect peace,
without deviating from that state. To a mind which has not become ripe, immediate realization and
peace are hard to gain through listening to enquiry. Yet, if one practices the means for mindcontrol
for some time, peace of mind can be obtained eventually.
21
D: Of the means for mind-control, which is the most important?
M: Breath-control is the means for mind-control.
22
D: How is breath to be controlled?
M: Breath can be controlled either by absolute retention of breath (kevala-kumbhaka) or by
regulation of breath (pranayama).
23
D: What is absolute retention of breath?
M: It is making the vital air stay firmly in the heart even without exhalation and inhalation. This is
achieved through meditation on the vital principle, etc.
24
D: What is regulation of breath?
M: It is making the vital air stay firmly in the heart through exhalation, inhalation, and
retention,according to the instructions given in the yoga texts.
25
D: How is breath-control the means for mind-control?
M: There is no doubt that breath-control is the means for mind-control, because the mind, like
breath, is a part of air, because the nature of mobility is common to both, because the place of
origin is the same for both, and because when one of them is controlled the other gets controlled.
26
D: Since breath-control leads only to quiescence of the mind (manolaya) and not to its destruction
(manonasa), how can it be said that breath-control is the means for enquiry which aims at the
destruction of mind?
M: The scriptures teach the means for gaining Self-realization in two modes - as the yoga with
eight limbs (ashtanga-yoga) and as knowledge with eight limbs (ashtanga-jnana). By regulation
of breath (pranayama) or by absolute retention thereof (kevala-kumbhaka), which is one of the
limbs of yoga, the mind gets controlled. Without leaving the mind at that, if one practises the
further discipline such as withdrawal of the mind from external objects (pratyahara), then at the
end, Self-realization which is the fruit of enquiry will surely be gained.
27
D: What are the limbs of yoga?
M: Yama, niyama, asana, ,pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Of these -
(1) Yama:- this stands, for the cultivation of such principles of good conduct as non-violence
(ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possession
(apari-graha).
(2) Niyama:- this stands for the observance of such rules of good conduct as purity (saucha),
contentment (santosha), austerity (tapas), study of the sacred texts (svadhyaya), and devotion to
God (Isvara-pranidhana).4
(3) Asana:- Of the different postures, eighty-four are the main ones. Of these, again, four, viz.,
simha, bhadra, padma, and siddha5 are said to be excellent. Of these too, it is only siddha, that is
the most excellent. Thus the yoga-texts declare.
(4) Pranayama:- According to the measures prescribed in the sacred texts, exhaling the vital air
is rechaka, inhaling is puraka and retaining it in the heart is kumbhaka. As regards ‘measure’,
some texts say that rechaka and puraka should be equal in measure, and kumbhaka twice that
measure, while other texts say that if rechaka is one measure, puraka should be of two measures,
and kumbhaka of four. By ‘measure’ what is meant is the time that would be taken for the utterance
4. The aim of yama and niyama is the attainment of all good paths open to those eligible for moksha. For more
details see works like the Yoga-sutra, Hathayoga-dipika.
5. Siddhasana: Left heel should be placed over the genital organ and over that, the right heel. Fixing one’s gaze
between the eyebrows one’s body should be motionless and erect like a stick.
6. Although it is true that the lotus in the crown of the head is said to have a thousand petals, it also may be
described as having eight petals because each of these eight consists of 125 sub-petals.
of the Gayatrimantra once. Thus pranayama consisting of rechaka, puraka, and kumbhaka, should
be practised daily according to ability, slowly and gradually. Then, there would arise for the mind
a desire to rest in happiness without moving. After this, one should practise pratyahara.
(5) Pratyahara:- This is regulating the mind by preventing it from flowing towards the external
names and forms. The mind, which had been till then distracted, now becomes controlled. The
aids in this respect are (1) meditation on the pranava, (2) fixing the attention betwixt the eyebrows,
(3) looking at the tip of the nose, and (4) reflection on the nada. The mind that has thus become
one-pointed will be fit to stay in one place. After this, dharana should be practised.
(6) Dharana:- This is fixing the mind in a locus which is fit for meditation. The loci that are eminently
fit for meditation are the heart and Brahma-randhra (aperture in the crown of the head). One should
think that in the middle of the eight-petalled lotus6 that is at this place there shines, like a flame, the
Deity which is the Self, i.e. Brahman, and fix the mind therein. After this, one should meditate.
(7) Dhyana:- This is meditation, through the ‘I am He’ thought, that one is not different from the
nature of the aforesaid flame. Even, thus, if one makes the enquiry ‘Who am I?’, then, as the
Scripture declares, “The Brahman which is everywhere shines in the heart as the Self that is the
witness of the intellect”, one would realize that is the Divine Self that shines in the heart as ‘I-I’.
This mode of reflection is the best meditation.
(8) Samadhi:- As a result of the fruition of the aforesaid meditation, the mind gets resolved in the
object of meditation without harbouring the ideas ‘I am such and such; I am doing this and this’.
This subtle state in which even the thought ‘I-I’ disappears is samadhi. If one practises this every
day, seeing to it that sleep does not supervene, God will soon confer on one the supreme state of
quiescence of mind.
28
D: What is the purport of the teaching that in pratyahara one should meditate on the pranava?
M: The purport of prescribing meditation on the pranava is this. The pranava is Omkara consisting
of three and a half matras, viz., a, u, m, and ardha-matra. of these, a stands for the waking state,
Visva-jiva, and the gross body; u stands for the dream-state Taijasa-jiva, and the subtle body; m
stands for the sleep-state, Prajnajiva and the causal body; the ardha-matra represents the Turiya
which is the self or ‘I’-nature; and what is beyond that is the state of Turiyatita, or pure Bliss. The
fourth state which is the state of ‘I’-nature was referred to in the section on meditation (dhyana): this
has been variously described - as of the nature of amatra which includes the three matras, a, u, and
m; as maunakshara (silence syllable); as ajapa (as muttering without muttering) and as the Advaita7.
If meditation in the form ‘I am Shiva’ (Shivoham bhavana), which prevents the thought going outwards, is
practised always, samadhi will come about.- Vallalar.
8. In the city that has nine false gates, He resides in the form of bliss. Bhagavad gita.
mantra which is the essence of all mantras such as panchakshara. In order to get at this true
significance, one should meditate on the pranava. This is meditation which is of the nature of
devotion consisting in reflection on the truth of the Self. The fruition of this process is samadhi
which yields release which is the state of unsurpassed bliss. The revered Gurus also have said
that release is to be gained only by devotion which is of the nature of reflection on the truth of the
Self.
29
D : What is the purport of the teaching that one should meditate, through the ‘I am He’ thought, on
the truth that one is not different from the self-luminous Reality that shines like a flame?
M: (A) The purport of teaching that one should cultivate the idea that one is not different from the
self-luminous Reality is this: Scripture defines meditation in these words, “In the middle of the
eight-petalled heart-lotus which is of the nature of all, and which is referred to as Kailasa,
Vaikundha, and Parama-pada, there is the Reality which is of the size of the thumb, which is
dazzling like lightning and which shines like a flame. By meditating on it, a person gains
immortality”. From this we should know that by such meditation one avoids the defects of (1) the
thought of difference, of the form ‘I am different, and that is different’, (2) the meditation on what
is limited, (3) the idea that the real is limited, and (4) that it is confined to one place.
(B) The purport of teaching that one should meditate with the ‘I am He’ thought is this: sahaham:
soham; sah the supreme Self, aham the Self that is manifest as ‘I’. The jiva which is the Shivalinga
resides in the heart-lotus which is its seat situated in the body which is the city of Brahman;
the mind which is of the nature of egoity, goes outward identifying itself with the body, etc. Now
the mind should be resolved in the heart, i.e. the I-sense that is placed in the body, etc., should be
got rid of; when thus one enquires ‘Who am I?’, remaining undisturbed, in that state the Self-nature
becomes manifest in a subtle manner as ‘I-I’; that self-nature is all and yet none, and is manifest as
the supreme Self everywhere without the distinction of inner and outer; that shines like a flame, as
was stated above, signifying the truth ‘I am Brahman’. If, without meditating on that as being
identical with oneself, one imagines it to be different, ignorance will not leave. Hence, the identitymeditation
is prescribed.
If one meditates for a long time, without disturbance, on the Self ceaselessly, with the ‘I am He’
thought which is the technique of reflection on the Self, the darkness of ignorance which is in the
heart and all the impediments which are but the effects of ignorance will he removed, and the
plenary wisdom will be gained.7
Thus, realizing the Reality in the heart-cave which is in the city (of Brahman), viz. the body, is the
same as realizing the all-perfect God.
In the city with nine gates, which is the body, the wise one resides at ease.8
The body is the temple; the jiva is God (Shiva). If one worships him with the ‘I am He’ thought,
one will gain release.
The body which consists of the five sheaths is the cave, the supreme that resides there is the lord
of the cave. Thus the scriptures declare.
Since the Self is the reality of all the gods, the meditation on the Self which is oneself is the
greatest of all meditations. All other meditations are included in this. It is for gaining this that the
other meditations are prescribed. So, if this is gained, the others are not necessary. Knowing one’s
Self is knowing God. Without knowing one’s Self that meditates, imagining that there is a deity
which is different and meditating on it, is compared by the great ones to the act of measuring with
one’s foot one’s own shadow, and to the search for a trivial conch after throwing away a priceless
gem that is already in one’s possession.9
30
D: Even though the heart and the Brahmarandhra alone are the loci fit for meditation, could one
meditate, if necessary, on the six mystic centres (adharas)?
M: The six mystic centres, etc., which are said to be loci of meditation, are but products of
imagination. All these are meant for beginners in yoga. With reference to meditation on the six
centres, the Shiva-yogins say, “God, who is of the nature of the non-dual, plenary, consciousnessself,
manifests, sustains and resolves us all. It is a great sin to spoil that Reality by superimposing
on it various names and forms such as Ganapati, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Mahesvara, and
Sadashiva”, and the Vedantins declare, “All those are but imaginations of the mind”. Therefore, if
one knows one’s Self which is of the nature of consciousness that knows everything, one knows
everything. The great ones have also said: “When that One is known as it is in Itself, all that has
not been known becomes known”. If we who are endowed with various thoughts meditate on God
that is the Self we would get rid of the plurality of thoughts by that one thought; and then even that
one thought would vanish. This is what is meant by saying that knowing one’s Self is knowing
God. This knowledge is release.
31
D: How is one to think of the Self?
M: The Self is self-luminous without darkness and light, and is the reality which is self-manifest.
Therefore, one should not think of it as this or as that. The very thought of thinking will end in
bondage. The purport of meditation on the Self is to make the mind take the form of the Self. In the
middle of the heart-cave the pure Brahman is directly manifest as the Self in the form ‘I-I’. Can there
9. We shall meditate on that which, existing in the form of self, is the atma-tattva, is effulgent, and which residing
in all living things always says “I”, “I”. To seek for a God outside, leaving the God residing in the cave of the heart,
is like throwing away a priceless gem and searching for a trivial bead.
be greater ignorance than to think of it in manifold ways, without knowing it as aforementioned?
32
D: It was stated that Brahman is manifest as the Self in the form ‘I-I’, in the heart. To facilitate an
understanding of this statement, can it be still further explained?
M: Is it not within the experience of all that during deep sleep, swoon, etc., there is no knowledge
whatsoever, i.e. neither self-knowledge nor other-knowledge? Afterwards, when there is experience
of the form “I have woken up from sleep” or “I have recovered from swoon” - is that not a mode of
specific knowledge that has arisen from the aforementioned distinctionless state? This specific
knowledge is called vijnana. This vijnana becomes manifest only as pertaining to either the Self or
the not-self, and not by itself. When it pertains to the Self, it is called true knowledge, knowledge in
the form of that mental mode whose object is the Self, or knowledge which has for its content the
impartite (Self); and when it relates to the not-self, it is called ignorance. The state of this vijnana,
when it pertains to the Self and is manifest as of the form of the Self, is said to be the ‘I’-manifestation.
This manifestation cannot take place as apart from the Real (i.e. the Self). It is this manifestation that
serves as the mark for the direct experience of the Real. Yet, this by itself cannot constitute the state
of being the Real. That, depending on which this manifestation takes place is the basic reality which
is also called prajnana. The Vedantic text “prajnanam brahma” teaches the same truth.
Know this as the purport of the scripture also. The Self which is self-luminous and the witness of
everything manifests itself as residing in the vijnanakosa (sheath of the intellect). By the mental
mode which is impartite, seize this Self as your goal and enjoy it as the Self.
33
D: What is that which is called the inner worship or worship of the attributeless?
M: In texts such as the Ribhu-gita, the worship of the attributeless has been elaborately explained
(as a separate discipline). Yet, all disciplines such as sacrifice, charity, austerity, observance of
vows, japa, yoga, and puja, are, in effect, modes of meditation of the form ‘I am Brahman’. So, in
all the modes of disciplines, one should see to it that one does not stray away from the thought ‘I
am Brahman’. This is the purport of the worship of the attributeless.
34
D: What are the eight limbs of knowledge (jnana-ashtanga)?
M: The eight limbs are those which have been already mentioned, viz., yama, niyama, etc. but
differently defined.
Of these -
(1) Yama:-This is controlling the aggregate of sense-organs, realizing the defects that are present
in the world consisting of the body, etc.
10. Death or Kala is the giving up on this earth of the contemplation of the Self which should never be given up
even the least bit. - Vivekachudamani.
(2) Niyama:- This is maintaining a stream of mental modes that relate to the Self and rejecting the
contrary modes. In other words, it means love that arises uninterruptedly for the supreme Self.
(3) Asana:- That with the help of which constant meditation on Brahman is made possible with
ease is asana.
(4) Pranayama:- Rechaka (exhalation) is removing the two unreal aspects of name and form from
the objects constituting the world, the body etc., puraka (inhalation) is grasping the three real
aspects, existence, consciousness and bliss, which are constant in those objects, and kumbhaka is
retaining those aspects thus grasped.
(5) Pratyahara:- This is preventing name and form which have been removed from re-entering
the mind.
(6) Dharana:- This is making the mind stay in the heart, without straying outward, and realizing
that one is the Self itself which is existence-consciousness-bliss.
(7) Dhyana:- This is meditation of the form ‘I am only pure consciousness’. That is, after leaving
aside the body which consists of five sheaths, one enquires ‘Who am I’?, and as a result of that,
one stays as ‘I’ which shines as the Self.
(8) Samadhi:- When the ‘I’-manifestation also ceases, there is (subtle) direct experience. This is samadhi.
For the pranayama, etc., detailed here, the disciplines such as asana, etc., mentioned in connection
with yoga, are not necessary. The limbs of knowledge may be practised at all places and at all
times. Of yoga and knowledge, one may follow whichever is pleasing to one, or both, according
to circumstances. The great teachers say that forgetfulness is the root of all evil, and is death for
those who seek release;10 so one should rest the mind in one’s Self and should never forget the Self
: this is the aim. If the mind is controlled, all else can be controlled. The distinction between yoga
with eight limbs and knowledge with eight limbs has been set forth elaborately in the sacred texts;
so only the substance of this teaching has been given here.
35
D: Is it possible to practise at the same time the pranayama belonging to yoga and the pranayama
pertaining to knowledge?
M: So long as the mind has not been made to rest in the heart, either through absolute retention
(kevala-kumbhaka) or through enquiry, rechaka, puraka, etc., are needed. Hence, the pranayama
of yoga is to be practised during training, and the other pranayama may be practised always.
Thus, both may be practised. It is enough if the yogic pranayama is practised till skill is gained in
absolute retention.
11. Seeing everything as Real according to the Scripture: I am Brahman -one only without a second.
12. Of all Yogins, only he who rests his unwavering mind and love in me is dear to me.- Bhagavad-gita.
13. Of the means to release only bhakti (devotion) may be said to be the highest. For, bhakti is constant reflection
on one’s own Self.- Vivekachudamani.
36
D: Why should the path to release be differently taught? Will it not create confusion in the minds
of aspirants?
M: Several paths are taught in the Vedas to suit the different grades of qualified aspirants. Yet,
since release is but the destruction of mind, all efforts have for their aim the control of mind.
Although the modes of meditation may appear to be different from one another, in the end all of
them become one. There is no need to doubt this. One may adopt that path which suits the
maturity of one’s mind.
The control of prana which is yoga, and the control of mind which is jnana11 - these are the two
principal means for the destruction of mind. To some, the former may appear easy, and to others
the latter. Yet, jnana is like subduing a turbulent bull by coaxing it with green grass, while yoga
is like controlling through the use of force. Thus the wise ones say: of the three grades of
qualified aspirants, the highest reach the goal by making the mind firm in the Self through
determining the nature of the real by Vedantic enquiry and by looking upon one’s self and all
things as of the nature of the real; the mediocre by making the mind stay in the heart through
kevala-kumbhaka and meditating for a long time on the real, and the lowest grade, by gaining
that state in a gradual manner through breath-control, etc.
The mind should be made to rest in the heart till the destruction of the ‘I’-thought which is of the
form of ignorance, residing in the heart. This itself is jnana; this alone is dhyana also. The rest
are a mere digression of words, digression of the texts. Thus the scriptures proclaim. Therefore,
if one gains the skill of retaining the mind in one’s Self through some means or other, one need
not worry about other matters.
The great teachers also have taught that the devotee is greater than the yoginsl2 and that the
means to release is devotion, which is of the nature of reflection on one’s own Self.l3
Thus, it is the path of realizing Brahman that is variously called Dahara-vidya, Brahma-vidya,
Atma-vidya, etc. What more can be said than this? One should understand the rest by inference.
The Scriptures teach in different modes. After analysing all those modes the great ones declare
this to be the shortest and the best means.
37
D: By practising the disciplines taught above, one may get rid of the obstacles that are in the mind,
viz. ignorance, doubt, error, etc., and thereby attain quiescence of mind. Yet, there is one last
doubt. After the mind has been resolved in the heart, there is only consciousness shining as the
14. Though the obstacles which cause the bondage of birth may be many, the root-cause for all such changes is
ahankara. This root-cause must be destroyed for ever.- Vivekachudamani.
15. Ignorance cannot hide the basic ‘I’, but it hides the specific truth that the jiva is the Supreme (Self).
plenary reality. When thus the mind has assumed the form of the Self, who is there to enquire?
Such enquiry would result in self-worship. It would be like the story of the shepherd searching for
the sheep that was all the time on his shoulders!
M: The jiva itself is Shiva; Shiva Himself is the jiva. It is true that the jiva is no other than Shiva.
When the grain is hidden inside the husk, it is called paddy; when it is de-husked, it is called rice.
Similarly, so long as one is bound by karma one remains a jiva; when the bond of ignorance is
broken, one shines as Shiva, the Deity. Thus declares a scriptural text. Accordingly, the jiva which
is mind is in reality the pure Self; but, forgetting this truth, it imagines itself to be an individual
soul and gets bound in the shape of mind. So its search for the Self, which is itself, is like the
search for the sheep by the shepherd. But still, the jiva which has forgotten its self will not become
the Self through mere mediate knowledge. By the impediment caused by the residual impressions
gathered in previous births, the jiva forgets again and again its identity with the Self, and gets
deceived, identifying itself with the body, etc. Will a person become a high officer by merely
looking at him? Is it not by steady effort in that direction that he could become a highly placed
officer? Similarly, the jiva, which is in bondage through mental identification with the body, etc.,
should put forth effort in the form of reflection on the Self, in a gradual and sustained manner; and
when thus the mind gets destroyed, the jiva would become the Self.l4
The reflection on the Self which is thus practised constantly will destroy the mind, and thereafter
will destroy itself like the stick that is used to kindle the cinders burning a corpse. It is this state
that is called release.
38
D: If the jiva is by nature identical with the Self, what is it that prevents the jiva from realizing its true
nature?
M: It is forgetfulness of the jiva’s true nature; this is known as the power of veiling.
39
D: If it is true that the jiva has forgotten itself, how does the ‘I’-experience arise for all?
M: The veil does not completely hide the jiva;l5 it only hides the Self-nature of ‘I’ and projects the ‘I am
the body’ notion; but it does not hide the Self’s existence which is ‘I’, and which is real and eternal.
40
D: What are the characteristics of the jivan-mukta (the liberated in life) and the videha-mukta
(the liberated at death)?
16. If there is prolonged meditation that the worlds are an appearance in me who am the plenary Reality, where can
ignorance stand?
M: ‘I am not the body; I am Brahman which is manifest as the Self. In me who am the plenary
Reality,l6 the world consisting of bodies etc., are mere appearance, like the blue of the sky’. He
who has realized the truth thus is a jivan-mukta. Yet so long as his mind has not been resolved,
there may arise some misery for him because of relation to objects on account of prarabdha
(karma which has begun to fructify and whose result is the present body), and as the movement of
mind has not ceased there will not be also the experience of bliss. The experience of Self is
possible only for the mind that has become subtle and unmoving as a result of prolonged meditation.
He who is thus endowed with a mind that has become subtle, and who has the experience of the
Self is called a jivan-mukta. It is the state of jivan-mukti that is referred to as the attributeless
Brahman and as the Turiya. When even the subtle mind gets resolved, and experience of self
ceases, and when one is immersed in the ocean of bliss and has become one with it without any
differentiated existence, one is called a videha-mukta. It is the state of videha-mukti that is referred
to as the transcendent attributeless Brahman and as the transcendent Turiya. This is the final goal.
Because of the grades in misery and happiness, the released ones, the jivan-muktas and videhamuktas,
may be spoken of as belonging to four categories - Brahmavid, - vara—variyan, and
varishtha. But these distinctions are from the standpoint of the others who look at them; in reality,
however, there are no distinctions in release gained through jnana.
OBEISANCE
May the Feet of Ramana, the Master, who is the great Shiva Himself and is also in human form,
flourish for ever!
and also gratitude to Bhagavan’s great devotees for the collection)
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