Misery Due to Thoughts

Sri Ramana Maharshi

D.: What is the need then for pranayama? 

M.: Pranayama is meant for one who cannot directly control the thoughts. It serves as a brake to a car. But one should not stop with it, as I said before, but must proceed to pratyahara, dharana and dhyana. After the fruition of dhyana, the mind will come under control even in the absence of pranayama. The asanas (postures) help pranayama, which helps dhyana in its turn, and peace of mind results. Here is the purpose of hatha yoga. 

Later Sri Bhagavan continued: When dhyana is well established it cannot be given up. It will go on automatically even when you are engaged in work, play or enjoyment. It will persist in sleep too. Dhyana must become so deep-rooted that it will be natural to one. 

D.: What rite or action is necessary for the development of dhyana? 

M.: Dhyana is itself the action, the rite and the effort. It is the most intense and potent of all. No other effort is necessary. 

D.: Is not japa necessary? 

M.: Is dhyana not vak (speech)? Why is japa necessary for it? If dhyana is gained there is no need for anything else. 

D.: Is not a vow of silence helpful? 

M.: A vow is only a vow. It may help dhyana to some extent. But what is the good of keeping the mouth closed and letting the mind run riot. If the mind be engaged in dhyana, where is the need for speech? Nothing is as good as dhyana. Should one take to action with a vow of silence, where is the good of the vow? 

D.: What is jnana-marga? 

M.: I have been saying it for so long. What is jnana? Jnana means realisation of the Truth. It is done by dhyana. Dhyana helps you to hold on to Truth to the exclusion of all thoughts. 

D.: Why are there so many Gods mentioned? 

M.: The body is only one. Still, how many functions are performed by it? The source of all the functions is only one. It is in the same way with the Gods also. 

D.: Why does a man suffer misery? 

M.: Misery is due to multifarious thoughts. If the thoughts are unified and centred on a single item there is no misery, but happiness is the result. Then, even the thought, “I do something” is absent; nor will there be an eye on the fruit of action.