Spiritual Stories

The book "Spiritual Stories" compiled by Joan Greenblatt and published by Sri Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai, features a collection of stories told by Ramana Maharshi. The preface highlights Ramana Maharshi's remarkable ability to recall and retell stories from Indian scriptures, bringing profound spiritual truths to life with his own emotive delivery and even acting out the parts. The book aims to make these stories more accessible and insightful for spiritual seekers.

The stories themselves, as narrated by Ramana Maharshi, often serve as parables to illustrate spiritual concepts and guide devotees towards self-inquiry and realization. Key themes and stories include:

• Self-Surrender: Illustrated by the story of King Janaka and Sage Ashtavakra, demonstrating that true spiritual realization requires complete surrender to the Master.
• The Jnani and the Siddha: Contrasting the spiritual realization of a Jnani (like Prabhulinga) with the powers of a Siddha (like Gorakhnath), emphasizing that true knowledge lies in knowing the Self, not in physical immortality.
• Twentyfour Gurus: A story about Dattatreya, who learned from various sources in the world, highlighting that wisdom can be found everywhere.
• Enter the Heart: This story emphasizes that true understanding and peace come from looking within, rather than relying on external perceptions or the mind's projections.
• Buddha: Illustrates non-attachment and the pursuit of true happiness, even when surrounded by worldly pleasures.
• The Sadhu and the Three Stones: Demonstrates that true contentment and peace are internal and independent of external comforts or possessions.
• Initiation: The story of the king and the minister illustrates the importance of authority and the spiritual potency behind true initiation.
• Peace is the Sole Criterion: Explains that true spiritual realization transcends the mind and can only be understood through silence.
• The Garlic Plant: Explains the origin of garlic in mythology and its properties, noting that while beneficial physically, its tamasic qualities make it unsuitable for sadhakas (spiritual practitioners).
• I and You: Through the story of Ribhu and Nidagha, it teaches the non-duality of existence and the importance of dissolving the sense of separation between "I" and "you."
• Earnestness or Faith (Sraddha): Highlights that sincerity and earnest effort are crucial for spiritual progress, not just intellectual understanding.
• In the World but Not of the World: The story of Kaduveli Siddhar showcases that true spiritual attainment means remaining unaffected by external circumstances and worldly entanglements.
• Total Abidance: Using the example of Saint Tukaram, it illustrates how the divine name can spontaneously resonate from every pore of a devoted being.
• Quiet Piety: Suggests that true devotion is often a private matter and should not be ostentatiously displayed.
• Unknown Tenth Man: A parable illustrating how ignorance can create perceived problems (like a lost person), which are resolved by recognizing the ever-present reality of the Self.
• God Works for His Devotee: Shows how divine beings can take on mundane tasks for their devotees, as seen in the story of Sundaramurti Swami.
• Each Reflects His Own Nature: Demonstrates how one's inner nature colors one's perception of the world.
• The Master's Payment: Emphasizes that true repayment to a guru is to continue in the state of realization.
• The Fault Lies in Exposure: Illustrates that what is concealed is not inherently impure, but it becomes so when exposed.
• Brahmachari's Touch: Explores the mystery of spiritual power and the concept of one who is eternally celibate even amidst worldly activities.
• The King and His Ministers: Highlights that a glimpse of truth can act as a stimulus for continued effort towards perfect realization.
• The Greatness of Japa: Reinforces the power of chanting the divine name, as exemplified by the stories of Namadeva and Adhyatma Ramayana.
• Silent Eloquence: Compares the eloquent silence of the Vedas and sages to the ultimate realization of the Self.
• Headship of a Mutt: Through the story of a sanyasi, it subtly points out the importance of self-reliance and the illusory nature of worldly positions.
• Bhakta Ekanath: Shares stories of profound identification with the divine, leading to extraordinary events.
• The Immature Pot: Uses the story of Namdev and Gora Kumbhar to illustrate the journey of self-realization, emphasizing surrender to a guru.
• Tapo Bhrashta: Explains how even deep spiritual practice can be interrupted by worldly distractions, leading to a fall from one's state.
• Yogi's Penance: Distinguishes between temporary mental stillness and the annihilation of the mind, stressing the importance of eradicating all latent tendencies.
• Brahmin's Curse: Teaches the value of good intentions and the wisdom of not seeking praise, even when one is in the right.
• Kabir: Demonstrates spiritual prowess that transcends ordinary displays of power.
• Kamal, Son of Saint Kabir: Addresses the location of the Self, refuting the idea that it is confined to a physical body part, and emphasizes that the Self is eternal and beyond birth and death.
• Mutual Curse: Explores the concept of curses and their dissolution, highlighting the power of divine grace and the inner meaning of scriptural narratives.
• The Lord Himself Comes: Illustrates how divine beings can directly manifest to guide and bless their devotees, as seen in the story of Jayadeva.
• Deliverance of a Thorn Bush: Shows that spiritual liberation can be attained by all beings through divine grace and the teachings of a true guru, regardless of their form.
• Brahma, Vishnu, Siva: Offers a deeper philosophical interpretation of the Hindu Trinity, seeing them as manifestations of the unified Divine Being.
• Silence is the True Upadesa: Emphasizes that the highest spiritual teachings are often transmitted through silence, especially for advanced seekers.
• Dakshinamurti: Reinforces the significance of Supreme Silence as the ultimate teaching, as demonstrated by Lord Dakshinamurti.
• Brahma's Pride: Illustrates the futility of pride based on longevity or creative power, highlighting that true realization transcends such egoic considerations.
• Sweet of Speech: Shows how skillful and devoted speech can please the Divine.
• Parvati's Test: Demonstrates the interconnectedness of the Divine and the importance of recognizing the inherent divinity in all beings.
• Going Round the Self: Explains that true pilgrimage is an inward journey, an "Atma pradakshina" (circumambulation of the Self).
• Ardhanareeswara: Narrates the story of the divine union of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizing the integration of masculine and feminine principles within the Self.
• Periapuranam: Introduces the lives of Saivite saints, highlighting different forms of devotion.
• The Fire of Devotion: Shares the story of Karaikal Ammaiyar, illustrating extreme devotion that transformed her physical form.
• Mother's Blessings: Details the divine intervention in the life of Jnana Sambandar, emphasizing the power of divine grace and knowledge.
• The Lord is Within Me: Reinforces that the Divine presence within an individual is the source of strength and fearlessness.
• Pilgrimage to Sri Arunachala: Recounts the devotional journeys of Jnana Sambandar, highlighting divine interventions and the significance of Arunachala.
• Sambandhar and Appar: Illustrates divine tests and the different ways the divine responds to devotion, as experienced by two great saints.
• Saint Appar: Details the spiritual journey of Appar, from Jainism to Saivism, and his profound devotion.
• There is Nothing Without: Emphasizes that the external world is a projection of the inner consciousness.
• With the Moon in His Crown: Shares stories of Sundaramurthy's divine encounters and spiritual journeys, highlighting the omnipresence of the Divine.
• Swami is Everywhere: Illustrates the concept of the Divine being present everywhere and the importance of respectful conduct.
• Sundaramurthi's Bond of Servitude: Narrates how Sundaramurthy was reminded of his divine connection and destiny as a servant of Lord Shiva.
• Manikkavachakar: Details the transformative spiritual journey of Manikkavachakar, his devotion to Shiva, and divine interventions in his life.
• How the Tiruvachakam was Written: Explains the divine origin of the sacred hymns of Tiruvachakam, dictated by Lord Nataraja himself.
• Yoga Vasishtam: Introduces the philosophical text and its emphasis on stories illustrating Advaita Vedanta.
• Brahma, the Creator: Explains the power of the mind and desires in creation through a story of Brahma.
• The Charm of Self-Realisation: Contrasts the pursuit of external powers (siddhis) with the inherent bliss of Self-realization.
• Alms for a King: Illustrates that true detachment and freedom from ego are necessary for spiritual peace, even for a king.
• Universal Equality: Highlights that true seekers transcend worldly distinctions and actions, living in a state of universal equality.
• One Pointedness: Emphasizes that focusing the mind on the Supreme reality leads to detachment from worldly attractions.
• The Siddhhas' Lesson: Conveys the idea that worldly suffering stems from attachment to the body and the mind, and that true wisdom leads to freedom from such miseries.

The book serves as a testament to Ramana Maharshi's teachings, presented through engaging narratives that illuminate complex spiritual truths in a relatable and inspiring manner.