Sri Ramana Maharshi
Q. If one remained quiet, how is action to go on? Where is the place for karma yoga?
M. Let us first understand what Karma is, whose Karma it is and who is the doer. Analyzing them and enquiring into their truth, one is perforce obliged to remain as the Self in peace. Nevertheless the actions will go on.
Q. How will the actions go on if I do not act?
M. Who asks this question? Is it the Self or another? Is the Self concerned with the question.
Q. No, not the Self. It is another, different from the Self.
M. So it is plain that the Self is not concerned with actions and the question does not arise.
(PS: Interesting to read Nisarga Maharaj's similar talk here)
Q. What is the state of the realized man? Is he not acting?
M. The question implies that the realized man is not the questioner. Why should you concern yourself with another? Your duty is to look to yourself and not ask of others.
Q. The scriptures hold him up as the ideal.
M. Certainly. He is the ideal. You should realize the Self. Even if his state be now described, your understanding of it will be only according to your capacity. You admit that your capacity is limited. The scriptures say that the realized state admits of no limits. So then, the only way to understand his state is to realize the Self and experience the state. If the question arises afterwards the answer will be found.
Q. If one remained quiet, how is action to go on? Where is the place for karma yoga?
M. Let us first understand what Karma is, whose Karma it is and who is the doer. Analyzing them and enquiring into their truth, one is perforce obliged to remain as the Self in peace. Nevertheless the actions will go on.
Q. How will the actions go on if I do not act?
M. Who asks this question? Is it the Self or another? Is the Self concerned with the question.
Q. No, not the Self. It is another, different from the Self.
M. So it is plain that the Self is not concerned with actions and the question does not arise.
(PS: Interesting to read Nisarga Maharaj's similar talk here)
Q. What is the state of the realized man? Is he not acting?
M. The question implies that the realized man is not the questioner. Why should you concern yourself with another? Your duty is to look to yourself and not ask of others.
Q. The scriptures hold him up as the ideal.
M. Certainly. He is the ideal. You should realize the Self. Even if his state be now described, your understanding of it will be only according to your capacity. You admit that your capacity is limited. The scriptures say that the realized state admits of no limits. So then, the only way to understand his state is to realize the Self and experience the state. If the question arises afterwards the answer will be found.
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