Reality of this world

Sri Ramana Maharshi

19-10-1945 Morning

A visitor asked, "What is the reality of this world?"

Bhagavan. If you know your reality first, you will be able to know the reality of the world. It is a strange thing that most people do not care to know about their own reality, but are very anxious to know about the reality of the world. You realize your own Self first and then see if the world exists independently of you and is able to come and assert before you its reality or existence. 

Another visitor asked, "Why is there so much pain even for the innocent, such as children for instance? How is it to be explained? With reference to previous births or otherwise?" 

B: As about the world, if you know your own reality, these questions won't arise. All these differences, the pains and miseries of the innocent, as you say, do they exist independently of you? It is you that see these things and ask about them. If by the enquiry 'Who am I?' you understand the seer, all problems about the seen will be completely solved. 

Dr. Syed asked, "If a person prays for a spiritual good for say two years and yet is not answered, what should he do?"

B: It may be it is for his good that the prayer is not granted.