On the silence of Sri Ramana Maharshi by Swami Tapovan Maharaj
Silence is Truth. Silence is Bliss. Silence is Peace. And hence Silence is Atman. To live this Silence as such is the Goal. It is moksha. It is the end of the endless cycle of births and deaths. Sri Ramana Maharshi was an embodiment of such Silence. He was the Silence Itself. Therefore he did not preach the Silence. Only when one comes back to the 'noisy' from the Silence, can one preach the Silence. How can the Silence preach Itself through Silence?
Nearly thirty-five or forty years ago, I had the good fortune of having the darshan of Maharshi at Tiruvannamalai when he was living there in a cave along with his mother and brother. One midday, a young brahmachari at that time, I went up the Hill to the cave, saw the Maharshi and, placing a bunch of bananas at his feet, bowed and sat before him. At the same moment some monkeys jumped on to the scene, scrambled for the fruits and ran away with them.
Maharshi looked lovingly into my face. That was all. He spoke but silence — not a word passed between us. A supreme, dynamic and divine Silence prevailed. An hour passed by, all in Silence. He rose for his meals (bhiksha). I too rose from my seat, bowed again and walked down the Hill. The divine Silence sank deeper and deeper into me at each step! Someone came running behind and pressed me to take some prasad. Thankfully I declined. I was full — full with the Silence. Maharshi called him back and advised him not to press me. Then I left the cave and walked away.
Sri Ramana Maharshi was an idol of Peace and Silence. It is the first duty of all those who admire and follow him to seek after that Divine Silence. The enquiry into that Divine Silence is but the enquiry "Who am I?"
Oh, man! Enquire and be immersed in that inner Silence. Do all works of this world to reach that goal, to attain that Divine Silence. If you have already attained that Silence, do strive for loka sangraha (the salvation of the world) if you choose to do so. The ocean's surface dances in waves, laughs in sparkling foam, roars as its thunderous waves clap and clash! And yet deep in its inner vaults it rests in eternal Silence and peace. Without such a divine and spiritual depth, the works and activities of this universe prove worthless and aimless.
"Works should be undertaken and pursued to take us ultimately to the workless Abode of Divine Silence and endless Peace." This is the secret doctrine of all our Vedas and ancient scriptures.
Source – The Mountain Path Magazine 1980