Legends:
The Malayalam version of Ulladu Narpadu (Forty Verses) was read out by a devotee for the benefit of a visitor. After hearing it, the latter asked:
D: What about the reference to duality during one’s effort and unity at the end?
B.: It refers to people who think one must begin one’s spiritual striving with a dualistic idea. They say that there is God and that one must worship and meditate until ultimately the individual merges into God. Others say that the individual and the Supreme Being always remain separate and never merge.
But let’s not worry now about what happens at the end. All agree that the individual exists now. So let a man discover it – that is discover his Self. There will be time enough afterwards to find out whether the Self is to merge in the Supreme or is a part of it or remains separate. Let us not forestall the conclusion.
Keep an open mind, dive within and find the Self. The truth will dawn upon you all right, so why try to decide beforehand whether it is absolute or qualified unity or duality? There is no meaning in doing so. Your decision would have to be made by logic and intellect, but the intellect derives its light from the Self (the Highest Power) so how can its reflected and partial light envisage the entire and original light? The intellect cannot attain to the Self, so how can it ascertain its nature?
While explaining to an American lady, Bhagavan said:
The Self alone is Real. All else is unreal. The mind and intellect have no existence apart from you. The Bible says: ‘Be still and know that I am God’. Stillness is the only thing needed to realise that ‘I am’ is God.
Later he added:
The whole Vedanta is contained in the two Biblical statements -
‘I am that I am’ and ‘Be still and know that I am God’.
For one who found Self-enquiry too difficult, he would recommend worship and submission.
Source: Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words – Arthur Osborne
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