Ribhu-gita Reading 4.1: There is no non-self

This Introduction is for those who may encounter this series but are new to Ribhu-gita. Ribhu-gita was one of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi's favorite traditional spiritual works. It forms the sixth section of the Sanskrit work known as Śiva-Rahasya. It is the teachings of Lord Siva in Mount Kailas to His devotee Ribhu, from whom the Gita derives its name.

Bhagavan Ramana often referred to the Ribhu-gita in his talks with devotees and seekers, and he is reported to have said that if one repeatedly read Chapter 26 of the Ribhu-gita one could pass spontaneously into samādhi, the natural state of Self-realization.

Bhagavan Ramana first attendant, Palaniswami had brought a copy of Ribhu-gita to Bhagavan's attention. Later in life Bhagavan related how surprised he was at the time to hear an exact description of his own state recited in the Ribhu-gita and that it had been experienced by others and was the bliss of the Self sought after by all true seekers.

Transcript

The most confidential of all secrets was summarized and spoken by Shiva.

The mind which is spoken of as self is non-self only.

The mind which speaks thus is also non-self.

The world too is non-self.

Be certain that there is no non-self.

By rendering naught all forms of thought,

By forsaking all form,

And with the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

By the non-cognition of the mind there is nothing to be thought of.

By the non-cognition of the body aging is not.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

By non-thinking of the feet there is no motion.

By non-thinking of the hands there is no action.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

In the absence of Brahman there is no world.

By the absence of that world there is no Hari.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

In the absence of aging death is void.

Worldly and Vedic matters are naught.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

Righteousness,

Purity,

Truth and fear are non-existent.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

There is no pronunciation of syllables.

My consciousness is imperishable.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

The guru does not exist,

Nor does the disciple in truth.

With the knowledge that Brahman alone is,

Be certain that there is no non-self.

Reviews

Very good presentation. I don’t understand it yet, but it’s a great presentation. The understanding is on me! Thank you very much! 🌺🙏🌺

The heart of illusion!! Thank you!

Interesting enlightenment of meditation to another level.Thank you.