Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Dr. Venkat S. Ramanan, fondly referred to as Anand Anna, the president of Sri Ramana Ashram, gave a detailed talk on the purpose of Bhagavan's incarnation. This was part of the centenary celebrations held in Arunachala ashram in New York on September 30. Swami Sarvapriyananda from the Vedanta society in New York also graced the occasion. Swami Sarvapriyananda is known for his deep knowledge, unflappable calmness, intense bhakti and rare humility and he is the perfect messenger of the lofty teachings of our Sanatana Dharma. He is, of course, extremely well known for his talks, teachings and discourses on YouTube.

Some excerpts (edited) from the talk:

The purpose of Bhagavan’s incarnation was to restore and adapt the ancient path of Atma Vichara or Self Enquiry to modern conditions. In ancient times it had been a path reserved for the heroic few who could strive in solitude, withdrawn from the world in constant meditation. As might be expected, the practice therefore became increasingly rare over time. What Bhagavan did was to restore it in a new form combined with Karma Yoga, in such a way that it could be used in the conditions of the modern world.

The foundation of this path to realization lies in the principles of Advaita Vedanta. The core teaching of Vedanta is that we are the Self, pure consciousness - Sat Chit Ananda, but that we identify ourselves with our body and mind in ajnana or ignorance. Bhagavan taught that karma marga leads to chitta shuddhi - mental purification but does not confer mukti. Only vichara or self enquiry can lead to permanent release. Bhagavan taught that the ego is simply a bundle of thoughts, at the root of which is the “I” thought. In deep sleep, when we are egoless and thought-free, there is bliss and harmony. Even the greatest tragedy or pain cannot touch us in that blessed state.

The moment we wake up, because of our vasanas or predispositions, the “I” thought springs up and from it, springs up the entire world or samsara. Bhagavan asks us to pay attention to that “I” thought. This is the first step.

Bhagavan says this “I” thought cannot exist on its own. It needs adjuncts to cling to for its existence. These adjuncts are names, forms, likes and dislikes. If we strip these adjuncts, there is nothing for this I to feed on and this gives us a clue. This is the second step.

Thus the third step is to isolate the I thought to its pure form and this step is called Aham Vritti.

So the third step is exactly that - to isolate the “I” thought to its pure form. Bhagavan called this “Aham Vritti”. The fourth step is to scrutinize the nature of this isolated “I” thought and discover that it is non-existent. We are left with just the “I-awareness”, without the thought. Bhagavan called this “Aham Sphurana”.

The fifth step is to search for the source of this spurious “I” thought or mind. In fact, Bhagavan says “When one turns within and searches whence this “I” thought arises, the “I” vanishes and wisdom’s quest begins.”

And that leads to the last step, to find the source, the hridayam, and merge in it. This is “Aham Bodham”. For this last step of attaining Samadhi in the heart to bear fruition, we need the grace of our Guru. We can strive along the path with complete earnestness, following the steps sincerely, but must wait patiently for the final consummation of the mind in the heart.

Bhagavan’s Atma Vidya is therefore in essence, Hridaya-Vidya, the journey to reach the Heart.

The beauty of Bhagavan’s teachings is that he empowers everyone who comes to him to use their own ever-present self-awareness as a powerful tool in the process of Self-realization.The focus was always on “anubhavam” or experience of the truth.

As I outlined above, that sweetness or bliss is inherent in our Self, in our heart. Once we get even a small taste of this bliss inherent in us, we stop looking externally. The search is over. We have come home.

I like to end on a light note. Sri Ramanasramam, Bhagavan’s Ashram, is the only place in the world where a devotee can work towards 2 completely unrelated degrees successively - gaining an MBA and then an MD! Well, MBA is Mind-Body-Alienation and MD is Mind-Dissolution. Bhagavan helps us alienate the mind and body first and once we are ripe, he guides us to mind-dissolution, the ultimate goal. May we all succeed in acquiring both degrees with distinction in this lifetime!