Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi [Paperback]

Sri Munagala Venkataramiah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2006

TALKS IS ALL PURE GOLD -Major Alan Chadwick During the four years from 1935 to 1939,Munagala Venkataramiah,a veteran devotee and author of this work,painstakingly recorded the conversations that took place in the old hall between Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and his devotees. People from all faiths and every walk of life came to sit at Sri Bhagavan s feet:Whether ignorant or erudite,a simple peasant or royalty,they traveled from the far corners of the earth to place their doubts before him or just to sit in his divine presence.His infinite compassion and unique insight ensured that none left his ashram empty handed. Their questions covered every aspect of the spiritual search and every problem troubling the human mind:Maharshi s answers gently led the questioner to the correct solution,each question answered according to the questioner s own level of spritual development.All had their doubts dispelled,their hearts suffused with peace and their beings uplifted in his presence.This book is a truthful chronicle of such happenings. Reflecting the warmth,the humour and the deep spirtual atmosphere generated by the Master s presence,this work is a treasure-house for all who seek the highest truth.Sri Bhagavan s teaching,self-enquiry,is the core of this work.However,doctrinal questions from the various faiths,Hindu,Christian,Buddhist,Theosophical etc., have also been answered by the Maharshi.His explanations have revealed the common thread underlying all faiths and the absolute unity of the spiritual quest,irrespective of the diverse paths encountered on the journey to the Highest Goal. First printed in the year 1955 the book has been reprinted sixteen times. Somerset Maugham visited India and met Sri Ramana Maharshi.It is said that the famous important work of Somerset Maugham 'Razors's Edge' is based on the philosophy of Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is not a book to be lightly read and laid aside:it is bound to be an unfailing guide to increasing number of pilgrims to the Light Everlasting. Despite the fact that the great Sage of Arunachala taught for the most part through silence,he did instruct through speech also,and that too,lucidly,without baffling and beclouding the minds of his listeners.One would wish that every word that he uttered had been preserved for posterity.But we have to be thankful for what little of utterances has been put on record.Sri Ramana's central teaching is:Self-inquiry.Instead of wanting to know this and that,seek to know the Self.Ask 'Who am I?'instead of asking about a hundred other things. Self-inquiry ought to be the easiest of all tasks.But it seems to be the most difficult because we have become strangers to our Self.This is the ultimate Truth.This is one's eternal,natural,inherent state.Sri Ramana's teachings as found in the "Talks" will bring hope to everyone.No one need think that he is beyond the pale of redemption. --Dr.T.M.P.Mahadevan/Professor of Philosphy/Madras University.

"The words of this Sage still flame out in memory like beacon lights.'I pluck golden fruit from rare meetings with wise men.'wrote trans-atlantic Emerson in his diary,and it is certain that I plucked whole basketfuls during my talks with this man.Our best philosophers of Europe could not hold a candle to him..." --Paul Brunton/Author of Best Sellers like In Search of Secret India/Egypt etc.,

About the Author

The world owe's a lot to the Author Sri Munagala Venkataramiah,an ardent devotee of the Maharshi for recording the conversations that took place between Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and his devotees.

Product Details

• Paperback: 683 pages
• Publisher: Sri Ramanasramam/India; 1st edition (December 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8188018074
• ISBN-13: 978-8188018079
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most wonderful book in the known universe! It never leaves my side!, November 21, 2005

By 

Luc Andre Mandeville (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi (Paperback)

In truth, if I was to choose the proverbial only book to bring to a desert island, this would be it! A lifetime of strong and profund insights from one who was considered a Jivanmukti (liberated while living) in India. In the form of dialogs with Western visitors and Hindus, about liberation (moksha). At the contact of his words, a genuine ring of truth will enlighten you from the very depths of your soul! Gently powerful and endowed with transformative power! If you are not familiar with Sri Ramana Maharshi's prose, you should begin with another shorter anthology of extracts from his dialogs called: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his Own Words, by Arthur Osborne. Contrary to the present work, it is arranged thematically. Welcome to Sri Ramana's liberated teaching. This is the Indian hardcover edition, there is also an American softcover edition. Give a copy to a spiritual friend!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars his love goes beyond the words in this book, dont be distracted., July 30, 2007

By 

TOM CORBETT "flakey" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi (Paperback)

Ramana Marhashi is and was a truly good man, just look at the beautiful picture of him on the cover of this book. he is proof that hindu process/ path is a ligitimate way in this universe. i have sought to complement my christian walk(as a mystic of sorts) through a better understanding of hinduism.

aspects of it are beautiful, as infact are aspects of any path. be it shamanist, buddhist or whatever. but i cannot help think that the isolation that some of these paths lead to at the top of the lofty mountain are a little sad and lonely in some respects. so lofty that no one else understands. and when they do, they to become isolated.

one master once said that "enlightenment is a very lonely place to be, no one understands" this is sad. as a christian i think that there is a place for enlightenment, but am inclined to think that self sacraficial love is far more important... the ordinary person is just as important as the buddha or immortal. all this searching has a role and a place, but if a child loves his mother, surely this is far more important than meditating on a mountain as a fully enlightened master. the fool is no less significant than the adept. we are all of great importance whatever our path or lack thereof.

i do believe that certain people are returners, call them bodhisattvas, that terrifying compassion. they return to make others lives easier, but i must say this, that i do believe that most of us only get one chance at this life. it will not be measured in ones degree of enlightenment, nor understanding, nor in how much one prayed, nor even in the amount of ones good works...

rather we will be judged by how much pain we endured, by our hard and kind words, by how much in short... we loved. im afraid i think of a master like Dogen Zenji, and feel sadness when i hear how he became bitter and hardened in later life, but then God understands. illnesses and life can harden the heart, but so to can spiritual seeking... until the day one arrives at the truth. And, there is only one Truth, that is True Love.

there is no difference between atheist or theist, these are both concepts and positions. it is Love that matters.

From this book of Ramana Marharshis, we are encouraged to just accept that we are the self. the great I. but there is a lot more seeking that has gone into his life, and practice that can never be sandwiched between these pages. just as what i write is a pointing so too is what is recorded of the Marharshis life. one really has to find ones own way in the spiritual path...

really and once again i have to say it. Ramana found true love. he knows and knew the answer. this is all he had, all he needed and all he wanted.

a master such as Sunryu Suzuki lamented that he never experienced satori... so what. sartori as ikku indicated is just a sheet of paper relating to a mystical experience. suzuki will be remembered and will stand on the degree of his love and his compassion. after all these are the only things that really matter.

God would have us forget about him sometimes. God is far happier when we are kind and generous with our hearts than when we pray on a sunday, or for that matter unceasingly.

as lennon said and as ramana realised... it is all about love, not just any kind of love, not selfish love, not jealous love, but True self sacrificing Love.

take care and God bless you who read these words... the hardest thing you will ever do is love, he who truly loves will truly suffer, but so what, its worth it.

let go of it all and just love. (difficult).

best wishes, from snow-flake. xxx