Ramana Maharshi About Different Types Of Knowledge

Talk 68

D.: Is there knowledge in Realisation?

M.: Absence of knowledge is sleep. There is knowledge in Realisation.But this knowledge differs from the ordinary one of the relation of subject and object. It is absolute knowledge. Knowledge has two meanings:

(1) vachyartha = vritti = Literal meaning.
(2) lakshyartha = Jnana = Self = Swarupa = Secondary significance.

D.: With vritti one sees knowledge.

M.: Quite so, he also confounds vritti with knowledge. Vritti is a mode of mind. You are not the mind. You are beyond it.

Later Sri Bhagavan explained: Vritti is often mistaken for consciousness. It is only a phenomenon(Any state or process known through the senses) and operates in the region of abhasa (reflected consciousness).

The knowledge lies beyond relative knowledge and ignorance. It is not in the shape of vritti.There are no subject and object in it.

Vritti belongs to the rajasic (active) mind. The satvic mind (mind is repose i.e The absence of mental stress or anxiety) is free from it. The satvic is the witness of the rajasic. It is no doubt true consciousness.

Still it is called satvic mind because the knowledge of being witness is the function of abhasa (reflected consciousness) only. Mind is the abhasa. Such knowledge implies
mind. But the mind is by itself inoperative. Therefore it is called satvic mind.

The satvic mind is in fact the Absolute consciousness. The object to be witnessed and the witness finally merge together and Absolute consciousness alone reigns supreme. It is not a state of sunya (blank) or ignorance.

It is the swarupa (Real Self).Some say that mind arises from consciousness followed by reflection (abhasa);others say that the abhasa (reflection) arises first followed by the mind. In fact both are simultaneous.

Source: Talks With Ramana Maharshi Book