*POINTS TO PONDER* The absolute truth is 'TRANSCENDENTAL'- beyond 'Dvaita' and 'Advaita'- the omnipresent-omnipotent-eternal and all-pervading reality ~ Swaathmaaraaman.

'Ramana Maharshi'


D.: Does Sri Bhagavan advocate Advaita ?

Sri Bhagavan : ' Dvaita' and ' Advaita ' are relative terms. They are based on the sense of duality. The SELF is as it 'IS'. There is neither ' Dvaita' nor
' Advaita '. " I AM THAT I AM ". 'Simple Being' is the SELF.

D.: This is not mayavada...

Sri Bhagavan : The 'mind' is maya (illusion). REALITY lies beyond the 'mind'. So long as the 'mind' functions, there is duality, maya , etc. Once it is transcended, the REALITY shines forth. Although it is said to shine forth, SELF-effulgence is the SELF.

D.: It is ' Sat--Chit--Ananda '.

Sri Bhagavan : ' Sat--Chit--Ananda ' is said to indicate that the SUPREME is not asat (different from unreal), not achit (different from insentient) and not an anananda (different from unhappiness). Because we are in the phenomenal world, we speak of the SELF as ' Sat--Chit--Ananda '.

D.: ' Aham ' = 'I' applies to the 'individual' and also to ' Brahman '. It is rather unfortunate...

Sri Bhagavan : It is ' upadhi bheda ' (owing to different limiting adjuncts). The bodily limitations pertain to the 'Aham' ('I') of the jiva (individual), whereas the universal limitations pertain to the ' Aham ' of ' Brahman '. Take off the ' upadhi ' (limiting adjuncts) ; the " I "         ( 'AHAM ' ) is pure and single.

{ " TALKS ", No.433 (p.401) }