Essence of Ribhu Gita – Preface
PREFACE
The Ribhu Gita forms the sixth section of the Sanskrit work known as Siva Rahasya. It is the teachings of Lord Siva in Mount Kailas to His devotee Ribhu, from whom the Gita derives its name.
The Ribhu Gita was translated into Tamil verse by a Brahmin Vedic scholar of high repute, by name Bikshu Sastrigal who was also an accomplished scholar in Tamil. He translated the work under the name of Ulaganatha Swamigal, and because of his efforts attained renowned fame among the Tamil devotees of Siva.
The Tamil version is a free translation of the original Sanskrit text, consisting of 1,924 verses of such scintillating brilliance that Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi recommended its recital as a strong support for spiritual sadhana. He used to say that the recital itself leads to spontaneous abidance in the Self.
The book presented herewith consists of 122 verses from the original Tamil work, being a free translation into English prose, conveying the essence of the original, rather than a mere mechanical word for word translation.
Reading of this English text alone will not be complete unless it is supported by vigorous sadhana with the help of a realised teacher, who has obtained firm abidance in Siva-Self by a life of devotion to Lord Siva. This aspect is stressed in some of the verses selected.
It is the earnest hope and prayer of the translator that after reading this English text, devotees all over the world would make the pilgrimage to Tiruvannamalai, and complete their sadhana in the immediate presence of Lord Arunachala Siva and Sat Guru Ramana enshrined in His samadhi in Sri Ramanasramam.
Prof. N. R. KRISHNAMOORTHI AIYER. (Translator)
Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai
15th August, 1984.
