2.
THE MAHARSHI'S GREATNESS

BHAGAVAN Sri Ramana Maharshi's greatness needs
no recapitulation here. He was a knower (Jnani) by birth,
like Suka and Vamadeva. In His teens He woke up to the
reality of the Self not apart from the Divine (Brahman ^[?]) -- the
Fourth State -- turiya ^[?]; the shock of death brought it about.
The Grace of Minakshi and Arunachala were there and
showed Him that State. He was drawn to Arunachala, the
mountain-magnet attracting souls to It; there He shone as
Dakshinamurti, by explanation through Silence proclaiming
the Divine Reality; He shone as the One Self that projects
from Himself both Maya and the world. In His Presence,
peace and the experience of nectar were enjoyed by all
beings, including birds and beasts. For almost forty years
His soothing voice, silvery radiance and golden touch were
the solace of thousands and thousands of pilgrims from
East and West.

      He shed His physical frame in 1950, but He Himself
ever IS -- in His transcendental state. Even though we can
no longer hear that voice or see that shining face, we find
ever more as the long years roll by that He is still with us in
our midst, still able to guide His pupils who come to Him
from distant places to the Light of true and eternal wisdom.
There is nought that is not He. Let us put aside the ego, or
surrender it to Him, and He will fill us with His being and
sweeten our lives, helping us to be He Himself.

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