Special Question: Bhagavan Ramana’s preaching is that the word ‘I’ is the greatest mantra...?

[Guest guest]

Radhe Krishna To all,Bhagavan

Ramana’s preaching is that the word 'I' is the greatest mantra, greater

than even the Pranava Mantra, and by constantly practicing

self-enquiry, the mind will merge into its source and liberation

results. But I am not able to reconcile Ramana's saying with

your statement "Mahamantra of Krishna is the greatest mantra". How can

somebody who has realized say that only one particular form is the

greatest while every form has to be eventually abandoned. Is not the enquiry 'Who Am I' the only path where all other paths end? Please clarify. Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji:In this context, please allow me

to ask you a few

questions –One

day while the young Ramana was at home, the fear of death gripped him.

He decided to face this fear and in order to investigate, immediately

rushed upstairs and lay as stiff as a corpse, pretending to be dead. He

got rid of the fear of Death once for all and emerged as a Realized

Being.1.

After the above incident happened, a visitor to his house uttered the

word 'Arunachala' and this drew him at once to the Arunachala Hill. He

narrates this account himself. Now, who is greater, 'I' or 'Arunachala'?2.

Before leaving for the Arunachalam, he wrote a letter to his family

members in which he said he was going to meet his Father. Now, who is

greater, ‘I’ or his Father?3. As soon as he reached the Holy

Arunachala temple, he ran straight into the sanctum sanctorum and

embraced the Lord who was in the form of a Lingam. Now, who is greater,

'I' or the Lord in the form of the Lingam ?4. While he lived in

Tiruvannamalai, once, when his mother fell ill, he composed two

beautiful poems on Lord Arunachaleswara pleading the Lord to cure her.

Now, who is greater, 'I' or the Lord Arunachaleswara?5.

Once, when the Arunachaleswara deity was taken as a procession around

the Hill ('giri valam'), as the procession passed the Ashram, Bhagavan

Ramana immediately stood up in reverence. When the devotees around

wondered why he did so and enquired, he replied, 'Appavirkku pillai

enrum adakkam' (The son is always subservient to the Father). Now, who

is greater, 'I' or the Father?6. Bhagavan Ramana's compositions

like 'Arunachala Aksharamanamalai', 'Arunachala Stuthi Panchakam',

'Arunachala Ashtakam' etc. sing praise of none other than Lord

Arunachaleswara. Now, who is greater, 'I' or Lord Arunachaleswara?7.

The lyrics of one of his Tamil compositions read thus: 'ninaivaru naal

mudhalaaga miga peridhena…' referring to the Arunachala which

translates as 'since the day I remember, I ascertained Arunachala as

the greatest'. Now, who is greater, 'I' or the Arunachala? In

one of his songs, Bhagavan Ramana says that the 'I' is nothing but Siva

who is present in all the life forms including Lord Vishnu and Brahma.

He has not composed any song on Lord Vishnu or Brahma. Is he not a

Jivan Mukta?Remember that all the aforementioned incidents had happened only after He had Realized the Self. You will find answers to your question if you can answer the above questions. --------------------------- INVITATION & IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 1. Jan 12-18: Sri Sri Muralidhara

Swamiji's discourse on Srimad Bhagavatam at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai.... ALL ARE WELCOME....2.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji's Anugraha Bhashanam will be telecast on

the auspicious Pongal day on VIJAY TV on January 14th between 7-7:30 AM

and subsequently on January 15th 6-6:30 AM... Pl do not miss...--------Regards & Chant The Maha mantra:Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare HareSource: http://namadwaar.org/home.php