'The Soul of Silence' - Sri Swami Thapovanji Maharaj, Uttarkasi, Himalayas

The Soul of Silence

Sri Swami Thapovanji Maharaj, Uttarkasi, Himalayas

Silence is Truth. Silence is Bliss. Silence is Peace
and hence, Silence is Atman. To live this Silence is
the Goal. It is Moksha. It is the end of this endless
cycle of births and deaths. Sri Ramana Maharshi was an
embodiment of Silence. He was Silence Itself.
Therefore he did not preach the Silence. Only when one
comes back to the 'noise' from the Silence, can one
preach the Silence. How can the Silence preach itself
through Silence ?

Nearly forty years ago, I had the good fortune of
having the darhsan of the Maharshi at Tiruvannamalai
when he was living there in a cave along with his
mother and brother. One midday I, a young Brahmachari
at that time, climbed to the cave, saw the Maharshi
there, and placing a bunch of bananas at his feet,
bowed and sat before him. At the same moment some
monkeys jumped onto the scene, scrambled for the
fruits and ran away with them.

The Maharshi looked lovingly into my face. That was
all. He spoke but Silence; not a word passed between
us. A supreme, a dynamic and Divine Silence prevailed.
An hour passed by, all in Silence. He rose for his
bhiksha. I too rose from my seat, bowed again and
walked down the Hill. The Divine Silence sank deeper
and deeper into me with each step! Someone came
running behind me and pressed me to take some prasad.
Thankfully, I declined. I was full, so full with the
Silence. The Maharshi called him back and advised him
not to press me. Then I continued walking away.

Maharshi was an image of Peace and Silence. It is the
first duty of all those who admire and follow him to
seek that Divine Silence. The enquiry into that Divine
Silence is but the inquiry 'Who am I?'

O Man! Inquire and be immersed in that inner Silence.
Do all works of this world to reach that goal, to
attain that Divine Silence. The ocean's surface dances
in waves, laughs in sparkling foam, roars as its
thunderous waves clap and clash! And yet deep in its
inner vaults it rests in eternal Silence and Peace.
Without such a divine and spiritual depth, the works
and activities of this universe prove worthless and
aimless.

"Works should be undertaken and pursued to take us
ultimately to the workless Abode of Divine Silence and
endless Peace." This is the secret doctrine of all our
Vedas and ancient Scriptures.

The Call Divine, 1953