'BHAGAWÃN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI'S AKSHARAMANAMÃLAI' (1) R.R. Sabha, Chennai 16th October -- 21st Ocotber, 1995 & 24-25th October, 1995 Sri Swamiji has been rendering ‘Upanyãs’ (discourses), in Tamizh. This is being brought to you here. There may appear to be variations in the ‘tense’ of the language. This is due to the fact that great effort has been taken to maintain the original style of the ‘Upanyãs’. Therefore, we request you to keep this in mind while reading the translated ‘words’ of Sri Swamiji.

“ It is absolutely necessary for every man to take refuge in a Guru. Who could that Guru be? How do we identify the Guru? “

- Sri Swamiji

Sri Swamiji,

"HARE RÃMA HARE RÃMA RÃMA RÃMA HARE HARE
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

SadGuru Maharaj ki! Jai!

Shruti Smriti purãnãnãm ãlayam karunãlayam
Namãmi Bhagvatpãda Shankaram loka Shankaram!

Brahmãnandam parama sukhadam kevalam jnãnamoorthim
Dwandwãtheetham Gagana Sadrusham thatvamasyãdi lakshyam
Ekam nityam vimalam achalam sarvadhee sãkshibhutam
Bhavãtheetham triguna-rahitam Sadgurum tam namãmi!

Subrahmanyam shivam shãntam Bhakti Mukti pradãyakam
Arunãchalastvam koham ithi bodayantam Gurum Bhajey!

Krishnãya Vãsudevãya Devakinandanãya cha
Nandagopa kumãraya Govindãya Namo namaha!"

“ This country carries the name 'Bhãrata'. A legend states that the country has got this name after a king named 'Bharata' who ruled this country. But, the very sound 'Bharata' carries a meaning 'Brahma Nishtta' (one established in the 'Self'). Since 'Brahma Nishttãs' are continuously being born all over this country, till date, it carries the name 'Bhãrata desa'.

When afflicted with some disease, don't we consult a doctor and have it cured? All of us are afflicted with a disease('roga'). It is called 'Bhava roga'. A doctor is required to cure this disease. Who is that doctor? Verily the Guru! It is absolutely necessary for every man to take refuge in a Guru. Who could that Guru be? How do we identify the Guru?

It is absolutely necessary for every man to take refuge in a Guru. Who could that Guru be? How do we identify the Guru?

Well! What is the mark of such a Guru? How should that Guru be? He should be a Jivan Mukta! We have to take shelter only in that Guru who has realized his nature and is ever immersed in 'Brahmãnanda' (the Bliss of the Self). What is the use of taking refuge in one who has not attained 'poornatva' (fullness); for, those that have not attained 'poornatva' nurture doubts and are not sure (of the real state). They know not the way. How can such people show you the way?

We call Sri Sankara Bhagavat Pãdãl (Ãdi Sankara) as the 'Jagadguru' (the World Teacher). How did Sri Sankara earn the name 'Jagadguru'? Is it just a traditional title conferred on him? No! Certainly not! It is said that about 72 religions existed before Sri Sankara's incarnation. But, after the Avatãr of Sri Sankara, even the names of these religions were not known! Prior to Sri Sankara's Avatar these religions had existed. We know not how many of these religions were condemned by 'Ãchãrya' (Sri Sankara). During Sri Sankara's lifetime only his faith of Advaita existed, as, all these religions were condemned and routed out by him. Hence, he was called the 'Jagadguru'! All the 'sampradãyãs' were born only after his period. Don't we call Sri Sankara the 'Jagadguru', as, during his lifetime he checked all the religions, set right those religions that needed to be corrected and brought all people under the faith of Advaita?
So, this shows that we should attain only such a one who has attained Jivan Mukti and is immersed in 'Brahmãnanda' as Guru.

Once, a man visited Sri Rãmakrishna Paramahamsa and said to him, "Swami! All people are devoid of devotion! I intend to spread the message of devotion. I wish to talk to them about God and you have to bless me for accomplishing this task."
Sri Rãmakrishna Paramahamsa asked him, "Have you seen God?"
The man replied, "No, I have not seen God."
Sri Rãmakrishna Paramahasa said, "How can you preach people about God while you have not seen Him? Therefore, first of all you should see God. After you see God it can be decided if it is necessary to preach others about Him!"
The import of this statement is that devotion is automatically born in all people when they happen to see those who are devoted to God and it does not come about through 'prachãra'.

In one of his discourses in Chennai, 'Periya' Periyava (Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal) has said, "Thousands of people come to have my darshan in the village or Town that I visit. All these people come as they feel that 'Periyava' would utter some loving words. But, I feel it is better to do dhyãna than perform 'upanyãs' (discourse); because, it is of no use at all to give 'upadesa' (advise) without my 'Realising the 'Self'. And, if, I 'Realise the Self' then again there is no need for 'upanyãs' because all will be transformed by merely seeing me! There is no need to do 'pravachana' (lecture)." Therefore, we have to attain a Guru who is a Jivan Mukta.

Now, in the 'Invitation' for this program I have referred to Sri Bhagavãn (Ramana Maharishi) as 'Guru Ratnam' (gem). Have I not spoken of 'Ãcchãryãl' (Sri Sankara) as 'Jagadguru'? In the same manner, the term 'Guru Ratnam' (Gem of Gurus) is not a casual word of reference. You may question, 'how to recognize a Guru?'

When we go through the Vedãnta grantãs over and over again we find that they declare that there are no (special) signs for one who has attained Jivan Mukti - it is said that they do not bear any particular outward appearance, behaviour, talk, etc. However much we peruse the Vedãnta Grantas and Purãnas we do not find any description of a 'Jivan Mukta'. There is nothing on how a Jivan Mukta talks, walks or behaves. It is, as a matter of fact, stated that the behavior of a Jivan Mukta cannot be determined.

Then, how do we identify such Mahãtmas? Can we call someone a Jivan Mukta just because he has big following and lots of disciples? Certainly not! People throng other places, too! Today, crowd is found everywhere. Therefore, a Guru cannot be identified on the basis of the number behind him. Is that not so?

Establishment of big ãshrams or possessing wealth is also not the signs of a Mahãtma because we approach a Mahãtma only because he has sacrificed everything and that we, too, may attain that state. Hence, possession of wealth is not a great sign of a Mãhatma. Well! Can we call the one who has built a large hospital, big schools, is involved in social services as a Mahãtma? Alas! Are not many affluent people carrying out such activities? These people have not embraced ascetic life for this reason! They are not involved in spiritual life for this purpose! All these work can be performed by remaining in the world in the garb of a householder.

Visitors may include the country's Prime Minister and other Ministers. But, would that make one a knower of spiritual life? Then, what is the way to recognize the Guru? Only Mahãtmãs can comprehend Mahãtmãs; ordinary mortals can never comprehend the state of a Mahãtma.

Thus, it was Mahãtmãs who came to Sri Ramana. It was the great Mahãtma Sri Seshãdri Swami who revealed Sri Ramana to the world. Should we not know who Seshãdri Swami was? By knowing the greatness of Sri Seshadri Swami we can comprehend the greatness of Sri Bhagavãn. "

GOPIKA JEEVANASMARANAM!
GOVINDA! GOVINDA!”

NOTE: Any discrepancy/lapse in the translated version of the Upanyasam is the sole responsibility of the person/s who translated the work from Tamizh into English.

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