The Collected Works of Ramana
Maharshi
T. K. Sundaresa Iyer's Preface
(Translated from the Tamil Original)This is Tiruvannamalai, the sacred place where Arunachala,
the self-created Linga of Fire, shines. Arunachala, the centre
of the earth, attracts seekers who are rich in tapas [?] and confers
liberation on those who simply think of it. Bhagavan Sri
Ramana Maharshi who is of the form of Dakshinamurti and
always abides in the Self, graces this place in order to enable
countless souls to attain liberation from samsara and reach
the bliss of final beatitude. He confers Grace from his state of
supreme silence. His extraordinary compassion flows like a
flood. This Ramana Nool Thirattu (The Collected Works of
Ramana Maharshi) is a golden work, it is nectar, it is his prasad
to us.
It is due to our good merit and luck that compositions of
various types -- prose, poetry, dialogue and song -- are
available in this work. The learned and not so learned alike,
can, according to their levels of understanding, read it and be
profited.
Sri Arunachala Stuti Panchakam (Five Hymns to Arunachala)
, the first part of this work, was composed in the early
days when Sri Bhagavan had just begun to speak, breaking
mouna [?]. It is the flood of the Self itself. Devotees should be
delighted to go through the explanations on bhakti [?] and jnana
provided by Ramana Murti himself. He is the Supreme Being,
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and it comes from his Heart. This revelation by him confirms
his own verse in Akshara Mana Malai, "That each one is
Reality Itself, Thou wilt of Thy Nature show,
O Arunachala!"
Regarding Upadesa Noon Malai, the second work of this
compilation:
Upadesa Undiyar (The Essence of Instruction) was written
in response to the request of a devotee, Sri Muruganar. He
had started composing Tiruvundiyar but wanted Bhagavan to
guide him. Sri Bhagavan wrote the rest of the verses himself
and thus completed this great work.
Ulladu Narpadu (Forty Verses) and its supplement were
written in response to the requests of the devotees from time
to time. Ekatma Panchakam (Five Verses on the Self) was
first composed in Telugu and subsequently translated by Sri
Bhagavan himself into Tamil. Appala Pattu (The Song of the Poppadum),
especially composed by Sri Bhagavan when his
mother Alagammal desired him to help in the preparation of
appalam is a wonderful piece. When Muruganar composed
the pallavi and anupallavi (the first and second parts) of the
song Anma Viddai (Self Knowledge) and could not proceed
with the rest, he sought the help of Sri Bhagavan. Sri Bhagavan
complied with his request and completed the charanams (the
third part). The whole song is now very well known. This
Upadesa Noon Malai (Original Works) becomes sweeter and
sweeter as you taste (read) it. The more one reads, the more
and more one gets enlightened. Devotees will learn this
through experience.
After this feast of Knowledge we have the divine words of
Siva and Krishna translated by Sri Bhagavan himself. Thus
we have Devi Kalottaram - Jnana Achara Vichara Patalam
(taught by Siva to Parvati), Sarvajnanottara - Atma
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Sakshatkara Prakaranam (taught by Siva to Kumara) and
Bhagavad Gita Saram (the essence of the Gita taught by Lord
Krishna). Translations from the original Sanskrit of Sri
Shankaracharya, of the Dakshinamurti Stotra (Hymn to
Dakshinamurti), Atma Bodha (Knowledge of the Self), as well
as Guru Stuti and Hastamalaka Stotra (composed by his
disciples) form the third part.
The fourth part consists of translations in prose of
Shankara's Viveka Chudamani and Drig Drisya Vivekam.
At the end comes Arul Mozhi Thokuppu (Words of Grace)
consisting of three works -- Nan Yar (Who am I??), Vichara
Sangraham and Upadesa Manjari (Spiritual Instruction). Nan
Yar consists of instructions received from Sri Bhagavan by
Sri Sivaprakasam Pillai and compiled by him. Although short,
this work captivates the Heart in a wonderful manner. Vichara
Sangraham (Self Enquiry): These instructions were given by
Sri Bhagavan in writing, in response to the queries of
Gambhiram Seshayya. Sri Bhagavan was not in the habit of
speaking at that time. The speciality of this work is that Sri
Bhagavan has given instructions on paths like karma [?], bhakti [?],
etc. This was unusual since he mainly taught the method of
Self-enquiry. The contingent reason for giving instruction on
other paths was that the questioner himself was following
these. Upadesa Manjari is a compilation of Sri Bhagavan's
sayings by Sadhu Natanananda.
It is certain that by the power of the nectarine words of
Bhagavan Sri Maharshi contained in this work, faith in the
Lord will increase and struggling souls will be able to free
themselves from all kinds of misery and attain the supreme
bliss of final beatitude.
Om Tat Sat
Sri Ramanarpanamastu
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