Nine Stray Verses

On 30th September 1937 an old devotee, Somasundara Swami begged Bhagavan to write in his notebook at least an akshara (a single syllable). An akshara also means undecaying and denotes Brahman. Bhagavan wrote a short epigram on the difficulty of writing down the akshara. This is the first verse below. The remaining verses were written at odd times by Bhagavan and included in some of the poems of Muruganar. The order used here was suggested by Bhagavan.

One syllable shines for ever in the heart as Self.
Who is there anywhere who can write it down?

Later Bhagavan expanded it as follows:

1. All the letters in this book add up to a single, imperishable letter.
This as written you have read.
The single letter shines forever of its own accord within the heart.
Who can hope to write it?

2.

Incantation reaching to the source of sound is the best course
for those who are not firm in consciousness which is the source of the I.

3

He who mistakes this excreta-making body for Self
is worse than one who, born a pig, takes excreta for food.

4

Incessant search for Self the love supreme of God we call.
For He alone as Self abides within the Heart of all.

5

What introverted mind calls peace, outside as power is shown;
Those who have reached and found this truth, their unity have known.

6

He who's contented with his lot, from jealousy is free
Balanced in affluence and mishap; not bound by action he.

7

By him alone who's saved himself can other folk be freed;
The help of others is as if the blind the blind, would lead.

8

Question and answer are of speech, duality their sphere;
Impossible in monism to find them anywhere.

9

There is neither creation nor destruction, neither destiny, nor free will,
Neither path nor achievement; this is the final truth.

— Collected Works of Sri Ramana Maharshi, pg.138