"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Sacred Ash

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Karpoora Arati is symbolic of the burning away of the mind by the light of illumination, vibhuti (sacred ash) is Siva (Absolute Be-ing) and kumkuma (vermilion powder) is Sakti (consciousness). Vibhuti is of two kinds: para vibhuti and apara vibhuti. The sacred ashes are of the latter class. The para is what remains over after all the dross has been burnt away by the Fire of Realization. It is absolute being.

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सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad