Desire for salvation (Re: Who am I ?)

[Vidyasankar Sundaresan]

>   Regarding the perils of enquiry pointed out by Vidyashankar,
>   Ramana Maharishi has said that enquiry can be practiced by
>   anyone irrespective of caste, race, sex etc. However he says
>   that if one is not fit for enquiry then he should resort to
>   surrender which is also applicable to all.

The fitness for enquiry and belonging to a particular caste, race
or sex are not necessarily the same. Brahmin males have been considered
to be superior in Indian society, but nothing can prevent the AtmavicAra
of a so-called untouchable, if he is fit. This point is brought out
very beautifully in the manIshA-pancakam. Here Sankara says, "whether
he be a brAhmaNa or a cANDAla, I consider the one who knows Brahman
to be my guru."

Vidyasankar