Iswara's Will

This question was posed by Siva Prakasham Pillai when Bhagawan was living at Skandashrama ,these question and answers are brought out in a book "Who am I".

Pillai: Is not this universe,with what takes place therein ,the result of Iswara's Will ; and if so why should He will thus

Bhagawan: God has no purpose. He is not fettered by any action. The world's activities cannot affect Him.As the sun rises without any desire, purpose, or effort, yet directly it rises numerous activities take place in this earth; the lens placed in its rays produces fire in its focus; the bud of the lotus blossoms ,water evaporates , and every living being enters upon , maintains and finally drops its activity. But the sun is not affected by such activity, as it merely maintains its nature, acts by fixed laws, has no purpose, and is merely a witness. so it is with God.

Again take the case of space or ether.Earth, water, fire and air ,are all in it and have their motions and modifications therein.Yet none of these affects ether or space. the same is the case with God.God has no desire or propose in His acts of creation, maintenance , destruction, withdrawal and salvation to which the beings (Jiva) are subject.As the beings (Jivas) reap the fruits of their acts accordance with His laws( the laws of Karma etc) the responsibility for such fruits is theirs , not God's. God is not affected or bound by any acts.

 

FAITH OF TWO DEVOTEES

Chalam in his book Bhagawan Smruthulu (Bhagawan Remembered) gives accounts of two devotees who immensely devoted to Bhagawan and  put their life in Bhagwan.

One a old devotee who lived in Draupadi temple , at distance from the Ashram. His only possessions were a pot and a axe to cut wood.He used to beg in the town and cook and eat in the pot.He used to come to ashram and look at Bhagawan hours together and then go away in the night to the temple which is in the middle of a jungle ,dilapidated and visited by none.

Chalam once asked him "Do you live here? Are you not afraid  to live alone at night?"

He said" Why should I be afraid ,Bhagawan looks after me. In the night I am surrounded by a blue light from Bhagawan , which protects me."

The second one is a old blind Muslim from Peshawar who over heard about Bhagawan through a Urdu book and travelled on his own to Tiruvannamalai and placed himself in front of Bhagawan.

Chalam asked him what he want to do next , for the reply was "Whatever Bagawan tells me to do."

These two devotees stand as an example for us.

SRI RAMANA

LIFE AND HABITS

Bhagawan never gave any instructions to anyone regarding lifestyle or any special instructions ,but his day to day life gives a standing example of a ideal lifestyle for a Spiritual aspirant.One noticed in Bhagawan's Life

Personal Cleanliness,tideness of dress
Habitual wearing of Vibhuthi and Kumkum on forehead
equal sharing of all enjoyments with those around HIM
Strict adherence to time schedule
doing useful work however low it be
Never leaving work unfinished
the pursuit of perfection in every action
Indessant activity except while sleeping or resting after a spell of hard work
never considering onself superior to others
speaking the truth always or strict silence if the expression of truth would hurt or lower the reputation of others
perfect self help;never asking another to do a piece of work which can be done by onself
taking full responsibility of failure ,if any , withour shifting the blame on others
accepting success and failure with equanimity
never disturbing the peace of another
Leaving the leaf or plate clean after eating
compete non-interference in the affairs of others
never worrying about future

These are the lessons Sri Ramana tought by example and we should try and follow these with all strenght of body ,mind and spirit.

SRI RAMANA