Question: You spoke of atyāshrama (beyond the āshramas—beyond the orders of life) the other day. Is there any authority for it? Is it mentioned anywhere?
Maharshi: Yes—in the Upanishads, the Suta Samhitā (Skānda Purāna), Bhāgavata, Bhārata and other works.
Q.: Are there any restrictions or discipline for that state?
M.: There are characteristics of it mentioned.
Q.: There are Gurus for each āshrama. Is there a Guru for atyāshrama?
M.: Yes.
Q.: But you do not admit a Guru.
M.: There is a Guru for everyone. I admit a Guru for me also.
Q.: Who is your Guru.
M.: The Self.
Q.: For whom?
M.: For myself. The Guru may be internal or external. He may reveal Himself internally or communicate externally.
Q.: Can the atyāshramis own property?
M.: There is no restriction for them. They may do what they please. Suka is said to have married and begotten children also.
Q.: The atyāshrami is like a householder in that case.
M.: I have already said that he is above the four recognized āshramas.
Q.: If they can marry, own property, etc., they are only .
M.: That may be your view.
Q.: Can they own property and convey the same to others?
M.: They may or may not. All depends on their .
Q.: Is there any for them?
M.: Their conduct is not regulated according to any rules or codes.
Q.: When visitors want to stay here, say two or three days, do they take your permission?
M.: The permission from the management is permission from me. The visitors come here for me; the management is for me. Wherever there is mutual agreement, I do not interfere. When visitors come here and I admit them, will others dare go against my wishes? My consent is implied in the actions which take place with mutual goodwill.
Sri Bhagavan was shown a stanza in His own handwriting in praise of Himself as Subrahmanya.
Sri Bhagavan said that the handwriting was His own whereas the ideas were Perumālsvāmi’s.
Q.: But do you not agree with the statement made in it?
M.: In the same way as an idol is praised as Subrahmanya.