Self is God

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q. May I take it that the Self and the non-Self are like substance and its shadow?

M. Substance and shadow are for the one who sees only the shadow and mistakes it for the substance and sees its shadow also. But there is neither substance nor shadow for the one who is aware only of the Reality.

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Q. Does not 'bhakti' (devotion) imply duality?

M. Swa swarupanusandhanam bhaktirityabhidheeyate (reflection on one's own Seld is called bhakti). Bhakti and Self-Enquiry are one and the same. The Self of the advaitins is the God of the bhaktas.

Q. Is there a spiritual hierarchy of all the original propounders of religions watching the spiritual welfare of the humans?

M. Let them be or let them no be. It is only a surmise at the best. Atma is pratyaksha (self-evident). Know it and be done with speculation. One may admit such a hierarchy; another may not. But no one can gainsay the Atma.