First Know What You Are

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q. What happens after birth in human form, what happens to the jiva?

We do not understand what we are, and until we know what we are there is no room for such a question. (Bhagavan obviously here refers to the dehatma buddhi which is the cause for this confusion of ideas of death and birth, for Atman has no birth or death, it is untainted by the elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water, etc.) (Gita 2.11) Asochyam anvosochas tvam, projnavadamscha bhashase etc. - What is it that had birth? Whom do you call a man? If, instead of seeking explanation for birth, death and after-death matters, the question is raised as to who and how you are now, these questions will not arise. You are the same while in deep sleep, in dream and in waking state.