The works of Ramaṇa Maharṣi

Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu

Verse 11

வறிவுறுந் தன்னை யறியா தயலையறிவ தறியாமை யன்றி யறிவோவறிவயற் காதாரத் தன்னை யறியவறிவறி யாமை யறுமே யறவே

அறிவு உறும் தன்னை அறியாது அயலை அறிவது அறியாமை அன்றி அறிவோ அறிவு அயற்கு ஆதாரம் தன்னை அறிய அறிவு அறியாமை அறுமே அறவே

A floor that is not made of anything

In plain words

You know a great deal about what is out there. You have never once examined the one it is all appearing to. Call that what it is. Not incomplete knowledge — ignorance. And when the one that holds both the knowing and the known is finally known, the pair doesn't get resolved or reconciled. It is cut off. Cleanly, and for good.

Word for word

To know the other without knowing oneself, in whom knowledge inheres — is that knowledge, and not ignorance? On knowing the Self, the support of knowledge and of the other, knowledge and ignorance are utterly cut off. Utterly —