Free Will And Divine Will

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A seeker once asked Ramana Maharshi if there was such a thing called freewill.

Ramana Maharshi gave His customary answer may be with a difference in the choice of words.

He said that as long as there is the sense of doership, there is a sense of free will. But when the ego which is responsible for the sense of doership is abated with self enquiry, divine will takes over to guide the course of events. Fate then is oversome by self knowledge or Jnana.

Cohen who has recorded the aforesaid conversation in his 'Guru Ramana' refers to an incident where divine will interceded in the favour of a devotee through an unpremeditated action.

One of the Master's attendent, Shiva was dismissed from his service for some reason. He immediately took off to his native. Later he related his experince in Ramana's presence.

As he detrained, a relative advanced towards him in a scurry and said that he was on his way to send him (Shiva) a telegram. The telegram was aboout the serious condition of his father who was dying and was wanting to see him badly. On Shiva's arrival, his father who had not opened his eyes for several days, opened his eyes and said, “At last you have come". After about an hour he breathed his last.

When the free will is dropped owing to steadfast practice of Self enquiry, divine will intecedes for the benefit of the devotee. Has not Ramana assured, “God nor Guru never forsakes a devotee who has surrendered"

Surender would simply mean, giving up the sense of doership, from which free will stems.