Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

That concentration will not remain constant unless one
knows one’s own Self by enquiring. For that enquiry, a
Guru’s help is necessary. That is why the ancients say that
the enquiry should not stop with mere initiation. However,
even if it does, the initiation will not be without benefit. It
will bear fruit some time or other. But there should be no
ostentation in this initiation. If the mind is pure, all this
will bear fruit; otherwise, it goes to waste like a seed sown
in barren soil,” said Bhagavan.

“I don’t know, Swami. You may say that a hundred times
or a thousand times. To be sure of one’s own progress, a
living Guru like you is required. How can we give the status
of a Guru to a lifeless portrait?” he said. With a smile on his
face, Bhagavan said, “Yes, yes,” nodding his head and then
kept silent. Brother, all I can say is that that smile and that
silence were radiant with knowledge and wisdom. How can
I describe it?