In ignorance, I took the ego to be the Self

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The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER ONEDEATH AND RE-BIRTHDevotee: Is the Hindu

doctrine of reincarnation right?Bhagavan: No definite answer is

possible. Even the presentincarnation is denied, for instance in the Bhagavad Gita.D.: Isn't our personality beginningless?B.:

Find out first whether it exists at all and after you havesolved that problem, ask the question. Nammalwar says: "Inignorance, I took

the ego to be the Self, but with rightknowledge the ego is not and only you remain as the Self ".Both the non-dualists and the dualists

agree on the necessity forSelf-realisation. Attain that first and then raise other questions.Nondualism or dualism cannot be decided on theoreticalgrounds alone. If the Self is realised, the question will not arise. 1Whatever is born must die; whatever is acquired must belost; but were you born? You are eternally existent. The Self cannever be lost.

21 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi,

491.2 Talks

with Sri Ramana Maharshi, 20.