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"Love and devotion to Him are a bridge across the abyss to salvation." Sri Ramana Maharshi
Ellam Ondre
(All is One)
This small but extraordinary book was written in the 19th century and has been translated from Tamil into English. The author is unknown. It was popularized by the sage, Ramana Maharshi, who often named it along with a few others to disciples who were in pursuit of wisdom. This book, highly saturated in wisdom teachings, names the single most effective method of attaining to realization (i.e. enlightenment, moksha or liberation).
Sri Ramana Maharshi especially emphasized the book to those who had difficulty reconciling the concept of multiple gods (as in the Hindu religion) with the Advaita concept of a single Universal Creator. This book explains how there is no basic conflict between these points of view, as long as things are viewed from the perspective that all the diverse beings and objects in this expansive universe are essentially parts of a greater whole.
Or, as the book sums it up: All is One...
Men court happiness and shun misery. It is the same with other beings also. This holds true for the common run of mankind. But the higher order is bent upon right conduct, enduring patiently the good or evil that it may bring. Fellowship with these will be lasting, whereas fellowship with ordinary people will not be. Good will result to the world through fellowship with the higher order only .
The question then arises: "What is right?'' The point is important, but the answer has not been found. Why? Because what is right is determined by circumstances.
Again a few points which may not be clear on a superficial reading will become clear upon closer study. More may be gathered from major works or Sages. Universal Mother, Master true, save us!
3. God
3.1
Who is God? God is He who transcends
all that is seen by us. If He transcends this world,
is there no relation between God and this world?
Not a particle here is unrelated to Him.
Then what is meant by transcending the world?
The world comprises us and the objects seen by us.
In other words, the animate and inanimate together form the world.
What shall we say of Him who created
the beings and things? Of these two,
we say the conscious beings are superior.
All that we can apprehend is that He
belongs to the highest order of beings known to us.
Our intellect cannot proceed further.
Thus, our Creator is superior to us.
He cannot be apprehended by our intellect.
Therefore His name, Transcended Being,
Kadawul, means that He surpasses our intellect.
Hence His Name is Kadawul—Transcended Being.
3.2
Can God then not be made known to us?
Not quite so. In a way, He is known to us.
This much of His Grace is enough for us.
We have no need for all His Greatness.
He has made known as much of His Greatness
as will suffice to eradicate our misery.
There is no reason for Him to reveal
a jot more of His Power than is necessary
to remedy our defects in the present state.
Thus He is known according to our needs,
but ever within our grasp. However limitless,
He is within reach of our knowledge
to some extent.
3.3
What is it that brings Him within reach of our knowledge?
That He is known as Being-Consciousness-Bliss.
Being denotes that which is imperishable, that which exists forever.
Should He become nonexistent at any time,
who is His Destroyer? Who created Him?
The perishable nature of all leads to the inference
that all is lorded over by One who is imperishable. This immortal Overlord is God.
His imperishable nature is Being (Sat).
Now, what is Consciousness?
By Consciousness we mean knowledge— Absolute Knowledge,
not like our erring intellectual knowledge.
Irregularity or mistake cannot stain its actions.
It is Knowledge, pure and simple.
Frequently He teaches us saying,
"Your knowledge is irregular and erring."
How orderly are even the insentient objects of His creation!
It is known to many how an atheist was taught a good lesson when he derided
the scheme of things saying,
"Why did He make the seed so small
for the banyan tree which is so big?"
That an insentient thing is found in good order and later becomes useful,
implies a conscious agency at work. Can a simple, insentient thing
do something that is possible
for unfailing knowledge only?
Can it not be done by our inadequate knowledge?
No, it can never be. Therefore God is also said
to be Consciousness (Chit).
Now, what is Bliss? It is the state of being free from desire for anything.
It is Peace that is ever full. Were He to desire anything,
how would He be better than ourselves?
How could we gain Bliss from Him?
He Himself would require another being to fulfil His desires.
But who would think Him to be so?
The state of self-contentment is that of Bliss.
Therefore He is called Bliss (Ananda).
These three—Being, Consciousness and Bliss— are inseparable.
Otherwise, they would be naught individually.
Hence, He is known as Being-Consciousness-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda).
Thus God remains not only transcendent,
but also falls within the reach of our knowledge as Being-Consciousness-Bliss.
3.4
Only who has gained the fourth state and sees all as One knows God truly as Being-Consciousness-Bliss.
Words cannot express nor the ears hear how such a one is united with God.
It is a matter of realization.
But there are ways and means
for such realization. They can be spoken of, learned, and acted upon.
3.5
He who can be realized thus, is God. He has no name—we give Him a name.
He has no form—we give Him a form.
Where is the harm in doing so?
What name is not His. What form is not His?
Where is the sound or form in which He is not?
Therefore, in the absence of true knowledge of Him you can name Him as you please,
or imagine Him as of any form so to remember Him.
Your hope for His Grace without any effort on your part is utterly fruitless.
Were it possible to receive His Grace
without any effort all would be alike.
There would be no reason for any difference.
He has shown us the ways and means. Make effort, reach the goal, be happy.
Your idleness and selfishness make you expect His Grace without your effort.
The rule for all is for you, too.
Do not relax your efforts.
God can be realized by your effort only.