It might have been sages fate (prarabdha) to develop such powers (siddhis) side by side with their wisdom (jnana). Why should you aim at that which is not essential but apt to prove a hindrance to wisdom (jnana)?

Devotee:  Is it not necessary or at least advantageous to render the body invisible in one’s spiritual progress?

Ramana Maharishi:  Why do you think of that? Are you the body?

Devotee:  No. But advanced spirituality must effect a change in the body. Is it not so?

Ramana Maharishi:  What change do you desire in the body, and why?

Devotee:  Is not invisibility evidence of advanced Wisdom (jnana)?

Ramana Maharishi:  In that case, all those who spoke, who wrote and who passed their lives in the sight of others must be considered ignorant (ajnanis)!

Devotee:  But the sages Vasistha and Valmiki possessed such powers?

Ramana Maharishi:  It might have been their fate (prarabdha) to develop such powers (siddhis) side by side with their wisdom (jnana). Why should you aim at that which is not essential but apt to prove a hindrance to wisdom (jnana)? Does the Sage (Jnani) feel oppressed by his body being visible?

Devotee:  No.

Ramana Maharishi:  A hypnotist can render himself suddenly invisible. Is he therefore a Sage (Jnani)?

Devotee:  No.

Ramana Maharishi:  Visibility and invisibility refer to a seer. Who is that seer? Solve that first. Other matters are unimportant.