Words of Bhagavan Ramana

Arunachala Shiva

2008-04-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

Ramana Maharshi says in one of his stotras about Arunachala (Shiva): "I gave "me", and I got YOU in return, so who of us is the intelligent one?"

Om Namah Shivaya!

Nayana's Birthday

2007-11-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

Please see this.

How Nayana got his name

2007-07-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

A devotee asked, “Why does Bhagavan call Ganapati Sastri ‘Nayana’ (Nayana means father)?”

“There is a reason for it,” he replied, “it is my custom to address all people with respect. Moreover, he was older than me. I therefore always used to call him Ganapati Sastri Garu. That was very distressing to him and so he begged me times out of number not to do so, saying, ‘Am I not your disciple? You should call me by a familiar name. This is very unfair.’ I did not pay any heed to his protests. At last one day he insisted on my giving up the formal way of addressing him and adopting a familiar one.

All his disciples call him ‘Nayana’, you see. So I made it an excuse and said I too would call him ‘Nayana’ like the others.

He agreed to it because ‘Nayana’ means a child and a disciple could be addressed as one’s own child. I agreed because ‘Nayana’ also means ‘father’ and hence it would not matter so far as I was concerned. I was still addressing him in respectful terms. Whenever I asked him to come here or go there he was still uncomfortable because after all that he had done, I continued to talk to him with the respect due to elders,” said Bhagavan.

-- From Letters from Sri Ramanasramam (Letter 111)

Nayana Day: 25 July 2007

2007-07-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

Nayana (Ganapathi Muni) mainly stayed in the Mango Tree cave on Arunachala and used to visit Bhagavan off and on. Nayana used to discuss shastras, with him and get his doubts cleared. He was a mighty scholar, while Bhagavan was just literate, yet Nayana would say,

"Without Bhagavan's grace, the intricacies of the scriptures are beyond one's power of understanding. One word from him makes everything clear."

.

When Nayana would see someone sitting in front of Bhagavan, meditating with his eyes closed, he would scold the devotee saying,

"When the sun is shining in front of you, why do you need to close your eyes? Are you serious or do you only want to show what a pious fellow you are?"

Those were happy days indeed, and I was blessed with many visions of deities and divinities. It was all due to Nayana's powers and Bhagavan's grace.

-- A lifetime with Bhagavan, by T.K.Sundaresa Iyer
Please also see arunachala-ramana, Ganapati Muni in Ramana Leela, Nayana and the Ramana Gita.

Be with us always

2007-07-19T02:12:00.000-07:00

A lady devotee prayed to Bhagavan, "My only desire is that you may always be with us".

Bhagavan exclaimed, "Look at her, she wants us all to turn into stones, so that we may sit here forever"

-- Recounted by Chalam

Sri N Subramanian absorbed in Bhagavan

2007-07-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

On Monday, July 2, Appachi Mama, the head priest of Sri Ramanasramam, passed away at a Vellore hospital due to a sudden stroke. He was 80 years old and had served in Sri Ramanasramam since his youth. His departure has saddened all those who have benefited by his devotion and service all these decades. In his usual modest manner, Appachi Mama briefly
described his life in a recent video interview. The following text has been extracted from this interview.

I joined the Ashram Vedapatasala on January 8, 1942 and finished my course in 1950. During those years the Patasala boys had to perform most of the Ashram chores. This included assisting the priest in the Mother’s temple, cleaning the kitchen after every meal, grinding the coffee beans every evening, shifting huge vessels from the fire, spreading rice for mixing at the poor feeding, serving the devotees and the servants. The rest of the time we had our Veda lessons.

Once, while serving Bhagavan and others, Bhagavan asked for some more buttermilk. I went to the kitchen and
took the bucket containing the buttermilk and served Bhagavan, not knowing that this was the sour buttermilk
which was put aside for the servants. Bhagavan drank the buttermilk and never said anything. But the kitchen staff
took me to task. I was shocked to know that inadvertently I served sour buttermilk to Bhagavan. I was too shy and frightened to face him. Even during the morning and evening Veda Parayana in the hall I sat at a distance from him and at meals avoided serving him. However, after two days had passed and finding that he did not mention anything about the incident I took courage and started serving him again.

In 1950 after Bhagavan’s Maha Nirvana, I joined a secondary school and after finishing the eighth standard I took a teachers training course. I then served as a teacher for three years in Tirukoilur and Tanjore. At the time my pay was 45 rupees per month. Krishnamurthy (Kittu), who was working as a priest in the Ashram, wrote to me and asked me to return to serve in the Ashram with a salary of only 15 rupees per month. Though the pay was low, I thought it was a call from Bhagavan himself to serve him, and heeding this call resigned my job, came and settled at the Ashram.

In those days the Ashram income was insufficient and irregular. Consequently, we used to be paid only when there
were enough funds. These days, of course, even before the end of the month we get our pay. Things have changed
considerably.
As the electrician and plumber would not come to the Ashram when called, I also took up that work. I did most of
the electrification and plumbing to the newly built cottages. I also had to prepare naivedya, do the grinding work for the
temple, go to the town for collecting papers, get signatures from the trustees maintaining accounts, etc. All these
responsibilities devolved on me. Later on the situation improved and the Ashram had its own plumber and
electrician, and the other jobs were taken over by the office staff. In this manner, I have been at the service of Bhagavan
for more than 50 years.
SRI N. SUBRAMANIAN
(APPACHI MAMA)
Taken from the Maharshi Newsletter, July-Aug 2007

In Your Arms

2007-07-04T23:27:00.000-07:00

Even if you were to throw away my dead body in these thorny bushes I do not mind, but I must end this life in Your arms.
-- Bhagavan's Mother to Him

Bhagavan, your dear Mother spoke for all of us.

Hereafter never harm anyone

2007-06-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

Bhagavan smilingly said to her, "You see, the stone you threw hurt the bee and so it stung you. So hereafter never harm anyone."

For this charming little story, please see the blog of a nine-year old.

Prayer to Lord Ramana

2007-06-28T02:34:00.000-07:00

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

-- St. Francis

Artwork courtesy Gabriele Ebert

Deliverance of Lakshmi - II

2007-06-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

(Continued from previous post)

With the divine touch of Bhagavan, the outer breath of
Lakshmi began subsiding and the movement of the body
began to decrease. When the doctor came at 10-30 and gave
an injection Lakshmi remained unaffected as if the body
was not hers. There was no death agony. Her sight was calm
and clear. The doctor turned her over into the posture of
Nandi, put some medicine on the boils and went away
instructing us to keep some support for the head. As it was
11-30 by then, Venkataratnam came back after having his
meal. He asked me to hold up the head saying he would
bring some more hay. The tongue touched me and it was icy
cold; the life of Lakshmi reached the feet of Sri Ramana and
was absorbed in Him.

Ten minutes later, Bhagavan came into the shed saying,
“Is it all over?” and squatted by her side, took her face in
both his hands as though she were a little child, and lifted it
and said, “Oh Lakshmi, Lakshmi,” and then, to us,
controlling his tears, he said, “Because of her, our family
(the Ashram) has grown to this extent.” When all were
praising Lakshmi, Bhagavan asked, “I suppose the doctor
has not troubled her much, did he? How did her life cease?”
We told him all that had happened. “That is all right. Did
you notice this? The right ear is uppermost now. Till
yesterday she was lying down on her other side. Because of
the boil she was turned over to this side. So this ear had to
come up. Look, in the case of people who die in Kasi, people
say Lord Siva will whisper into the right ear. Lakshmi too
has her right ear up,” said Bhagavan, and showed that ear
to all people there.

By that time, crowds gathered. After a
quarter of an hour, Bhagavan got up and said, “Ramakrishna
has been saying for the last ten days that a good tomb
(samadhi) must be built for Lakshmi.” Bhagavan then went
away to the hall.

Deliverance of Lakshmi

2007-06-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

In my letter to you under the caption “Worship of the
Cow,” I described to you the grandeur of Lakshmi, the queen
of the cows, and the amount of love Bhagavan had for her. To
that queen, as for his own mother, Bhagavan on Friday the
18th of June gave Videha Mukti (liberation). That morning
when I went to the Ashram, I was told that Lakshmi was
seriously ill and would not survive the day. So I went straight
to the cow shed, without seeing Bhagavan even. The room
built for the calves was vacated, cleaned and Lakshmi was
given a bed of straw to lie down upon. As it was Friday, she
was as usual decorated with turmeric paste, vermilion mark
on the forehead and a garland of flowers round the neck and
horns. Venkataratnam was sitting by the side fanning her.

Lakshmi was lying down with her majestic look spreading
lustre all round. She reminded me of Kamadhenu going to
Kailas to do abhishekam with milk over the great Lord Siva.

When I went to Bhagavan and prostrated before him
and got up, he looked at me with a divine look. Taking it as an
order, I said I would go and stay with Lakshmi. He nodded
his head in assent and I went immediately. Venkataratnam
gave me the fan and left. Sitting in that place I began repeating
Ramana Dwadasakshari (twelve letters of Ramana Mantram),
Ashtotharam (108 names of Ramana), etc. and Lakshmi
appeared to hear them attentively.

When Bhagavan came to the cowshed at 9-45 a.m. as
usual he came to see Lakshmi. Bhagavan sat on the hay by
her side, lifted her head with both his hands, and passing
one of his hands lightly over her face and throat, and then
placing his left hand on the head, began pressing with the
right hand fingers her throat right down to the heart.

After pressing like that for about a quarter of an hour he said,
addressing Lakshmi, “What do you say, mother? Do you want
me to stay here alone? I could stay, but what to do? All people
could be around you as in the case of my mother. Even so,
why? Shall I go?” Lakshmi remained calm, devoid of all the
bonds of this world and of the pains of her body as though
she were in samadhi. Bhagavan sat there unwilling to move
and with a heart full of compassion. I was overwhelmed at
the sight and exclaimed involuntarily, “Oh! Mother
Alagamma had the greatest luck. So has Lakshmi now.”

Bhagavan looked at me with a smile. Subramaniam came
and said, “It seems the doctor will not be coming till 10-30
as there is no immediate danger to Lakshmi.”

“All right. So Doctor will not be coming now. Have you brought the
medicine for injection?” asked Bhagavan. Turning towards
Lakshmi and gently stroking her head and neck, he said,
“What do you say? May I go?”

Subbulakshmi said, “She will
feel happy if Bhagavan is by her side.” “That is so, but what
to do?” So saying and looking into the eyes of Lakshmi,
Bhagavan said, “What? May I go? Won’t you tell me?”
Lakshmi looked at him proudly. What reply Bhagavan got,
we do not know but he got up and went away saying, “See
that the flies do not get into the mouth.” I assured him that
we would take due care of Lakshmi and Bhagavan left the
place very reluctantly.

(From Letters From Sri Ramanasramam. To be continued)

Cow Lakshmi Day - June 27th

2007-06-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

This year, Cow Lakshmi Day will be observed on June 27th. This is the day of Lakshmi's Nirvana. Pictures of Lakshmi.

Kinder than a Mother

2007-06-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Squirrel held lovingly by Bhagavan

In the roof of the Old Hall, squirrels would build nests. Once, some new-born squirrels dropped on Bhagavan's sofa. Their eyes remained yet unopened and the size of each baby may not have been more than an inch; they were very red in color with fresh flesh, absolutely tender to touch.

The mother squirrel ignored them. Now what to do? How to feed and attend to such tender things?

The baby squirrels were in the palm of Bhagavan. Bhagavan's face glowed with love and affection for them. While there was a question mark in the faces of those who surrounded Bhagavan, He Himself was happy and cheerful. He asked for some cotton to be brought. He made a soft bed for them.

He also took a bit of cotton and squeezed it to such a tiny end, the end portion looked like a sharp pin. He dipped it in milk and squeezed milk into the tiny mouths. At regular intervals, Bhagavan repeated this act of compassion. He tended them with great care and love till they grew up and ran around. They did not run away, only ran around their 'Mother'. Kinder far than their own mother!

-- V. Ganesan, Moments Remembered

Vegetarian Quotes | Turning Veg

Animals Treated as Equals

2007-06-16T02:17:00.000-07:00

Bhagavan feeding monkey

I looked around. Squatting on the floor or sitting in the Buddha posture or lying prostrate face down, a number of Indians prayed - some of them reciting their mantras out loud. Several small monkeys came into the hall and approached Bhagavan. They climbed onto his couch and broke the stillness with their gay chatter.

He loved animals and any kind was respected and welcomed by him in the ashram. They were treated as equals of humans and always addressed by their names. Sick animals were brought to Bhagavan and kept by him on his couch or on the floor beside him until they were well. Many animals had died in his arms.

When I was there he had a much-loved cow who wandered in and out of the hall, and often lay down beside him and licked his hand. He loved to tell stories about the goodness of animals. It was remarkable that none of the animals ever fought or attacked each other.
-- Mercedes de Acosta, Here lies the Heart

Please see this also.

An End to Suffering

2007-06-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Our true Father Ramana says:

1. My devotees have the qualifications to rejoice abundantly, like children of an emperor.

2. Abandon the drama [of the world] and seek the Self within. Remaining within, I will protect you, [ensuring] that no harm befalls you.

3. If you inquire and know me, the indweller, in that state there will be no reason for you to worry about the world.

4. For the cruel disease of burning samsara to end, the correct regimen is to entrust all your burdens on me.

5. In order that your needless anxieties cease, make sure that all your burdens are placed on me through the brave act of depending totally on grace.

6. If you completely surrender all your responsibilities to me, I will accept them as mine and manage them.

7. When bearing the entire burden remains my responsibility, why do you have any worries?

8. Long ago you offered your body, possessions and soul to me, making them mine, so why do you still regard these things as 'I' and 'mine' and associate yourself with them?

9. Seek my grace within the Heart. I will drive away your darkness and show you the light. This is my responsibility.

Entire piece here and here.
See also this

Her Little Lord

2007-06-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

For Mother Alagammal, newborn Venkat with his bright glowing eyes, and peaceful countenance was the Lord Himself. And she carried her little Lord with her wherever she went.

It was impossible not to touch the little Lord's face, his soft cheeks, his tiny ears or his little nose as he slept. But such a sound sleeper was He! What was He dreaming of, the little one?

Like all mothers, she prayed to the Lord to protect her son, little knowing that the tiny child in her arms was the Lord Himself.

Mother, Let us find somewhere else to go

2007-06-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Lord holds his mother's hand and says "Mother, Let us find somewhere else to go."

The story of Alagammal, the mother, is a story that has perhaps never/rarely been told as it deserves to. Giving birth to the Lord, nurturing Him, then losing him, finally finding him again, with many, many trials along the way ...

Please see this.

Mahapuja 2007

2007-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Today being the Mahapuja Day (when Bhagavan's mother, Alagammal, passed away in 1922), a few pieces related to Mahapooja are laid at Bhagavan's Feet.

May Thou and I be one and inseparable like Alagu and Sundara, Oh Arunachala!
-- From Aksharamanamalai

It was the month of December and Bhagavan's jayanthi
was arriving. I used to talk to my doctor friend about the
speciality of jayanthi darshan, for on the jayanthi day
Bhagavan had a special glow of light about him and his starry
eyes shed a special lustre and those around experienced the
ambrosia or the elixir of life. It is for experiencing this light
or bliss of being that devotees flocked to him from near and
far. Though this experience was obtained on normal days
too, it was very intense on particular occasions like jayanthi,
Mahapooja and Karthikai days, as also it was when great souls
met him. -- From The Silent Power

Glory to the holy mother of sacred Ramana!
Glory to the samadhi!
Glory to the linga consecrated by the Maharshi!
Glory to the new Aghasamana teertha!
-- From Soundaryamba shatkam (Six verses on Soundaryamba/Alagammal)

A word should be said also about the great annual festivals.

Most of the devotees were unable to live permanently at Tiruvannamalai and could only come occasionally, so that there were always crowds for the public holidays, especially for the four great festivals of Kartikai, Deepavali, Mahapuja (the anniversary of the Mother's death) and Jayanthi (the birthday of Sri Bhagavan).
-- From Path of Self Knowledge

Suri Nagamma (Letter 246) as usual has a very touching description to recount. A teaser:

As you know, during the time of the Jayanti, Mahapuja and other celebrations, Bhagavan does not get up for his meals unless and until the feeding of the poor starts and is half-finished. It seems in the past, during such festive occasions, Bhagavan did not take his food except with the last batch. It is only recently, on representations made by devotees, that Bhagavan has been taking food after the feeding of the poor was halfway through...

For the full piece, please see this.

In Sri Bhagavan.

Thiruchulinathan

2007-06-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

I saw Thiruchulinathan* and, being unable to turn back, stood there transfixed. He is the Lord that dances in Chidambaram and that protects the helpless and is merciful to them. The same Thiruchulinathan manifested himself as God in Virupaksha Cave on the hill in the sacred Tiruvannamalai.

-- Ramanatha Brahmachari (Andavane)

* Lord of Tiruchuli (where Ramana was born)

Photograph shows Ramanatha Brahmachari sitting on extreme left, front.

For more on Ramanatha Brahmachari please see Ramana Leela, and Letter 78.

Respect for mother

2007-06-04T02:28:00.000-07:00

One morning, during the usual conversations the topic turned on Bhagavan's mother coming away to live with him and on her manner of life, and Bhagavan spoke to us as follows:

"Mother began coming here frequently and staying with me for long periods. You know I always address even beasts and birds in a respectful manner. In the same way, I used to address Mother also with the respectful form of speech. It then occurred to me that I was doing something hurtful. So I gave up the practice and began addressing her in the familiar way. If a practice is natural and has become habitual you feel uncomfortable at changing it. But anyway what do these bodily things matter?"

He spoke with deep feeling and my eyes filled with tears.

(From Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, Letter 14, dated 12 Dec 1945, by Suri Nagamma)

Mother and Father

2007-06-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Photo of Bhagavan's Father, Sundaram Iyer. Father passed away on February 18th, 1892 at the age of 47. For some hours after his father's death, young Venkataraman contemplated the matter of how his father's body was still there, but the 'I' was gone from it. This was perhaps a forecasting of what was to happen two years later.

Photograph of Bhagavan with Mother Alagammal, 1913

"May Thou and I be one and inseparable like Alagu
and Sundara, O Arunachala!"

- Marital Garland of Letters, v3

Post in homage to Mother Alagammal. The mahapuja is on June 9th this year.
Acalayoga | Sri Ramana's Life

Mother's last day

2007-05-31T00:06:00.000-07:00

(Post in homage to Mother Alagammal)
May 19, 1922 (Dundubhi year and Vaisakha month) was her last day; everyone could sense the impending end that day. Yet they had to do whatever was possible in a
spirit of detachment leaving the result to the Lord. As long as she was conscious, Bhagavan gave her spiritual instructions. When she lost consciousness Ganapati Muni
and others commenced vedic chants, some others chanted the Rama-nama.

After the violent gasps (urdhva-swasa) began, Bhagavan placed his right hand on her heaving heart and the left one on her head. He looked at her intently. The day passed that way. Subsequently Bhagavan himself narrated what had happened thus:

The latent tendencies and thoughts which are the cause of future births flared up. She had just then lost consciousness of the external world. Hence in the subtle world her subtle body was witnessing scene after scene of what was to happen. By this sequence of experiences, the soul went through the future births and travelled towards the highest.

How could she experience this? It was because of the current of Bhagavan's spiritual power transmitted by touch that she experienced all within herself, without having to
be born over and over again. There was a battle between her soul forces and Bhagavan's spiritual power in which her latent tendencies gradually weakened and ultimately got vanquished. Bhagavan actually described the scenes she witnessed in the subtle state including their intensity.

The end came peacefully by eight in the night. Among those present, Ganapati and Niranjanananda Swami heard a sound indicative of the mother's death.

In this manner, the mother's individuality submerged in Atma, God. She attained mahanirvana. She had no more births. Due to her son, who was Arunachala in human form, she attained mukti or became established in the Atma.

Mother's body acquired a new brilliance which persisted till the abhisheka on the following day

As the mother's end was nearing nobody in the ashram ate anything that day. After her end, the Maharshi got up, and with no trace of grief said, "We may now eat. There is no pollution." How could there be any pollution when they were in the presence of the Lord in whom the holy lady merged? Such a body was a holy shrine in itself. The ashramites had a quiet meal.

The entire night passed in the singing of devotional songs. According to Manavasi Ramaswamy Iyer, "Bhagavan had no grief whatever. On the other hand, he appeared to be relieved like a bird released from a cage." These words were recorded in his diary. True, why did he have to grieve?

The mother attained the supreme state. Some days after the event somebody remarked to the Maharshi, "Mother has passed away." Immediately Bhagavan corrected him saying "No, mother has merged, she has become one."

On another occasion, when the matter of his according mukti to the mother came up, Bhagavan
said, "Yes my attempt in her case was successful. Earlier, in the case of Palaniswami I attempted the same. Thinking that he had attained the ultimate I removed my hand, thereupon he opened his eyes. The prana passed through the eyes. That is how my attempt at that time failed." On still another occasion, Bhagavan said, "Where has mother gone? She is here." Hence there need be no doubt as to where Alagammal had departed. The Maharashi meant
that she merged in Easwara and was with him (as he also was abiding in the atma).

Mother has not passed away. She has merged. She has become one.

The question as to whether the body was to be cremated or buried came up on the very night of mother's expiry.
Bhagavan pointed out that according to chapter 13 of Ramana Gita the body of one who attained mukti was to be buried and not cremated. The disciples decided to bury the body. Early next dawn, they carried the body from Skandasramam down the hill to a spot near Paliteertham.
Meanwhile, some relatives from other places came and though they argued in favour of a cremation, they were overruled. The news of the mother's death passed round the town, in spite of every effort to keep it private. As a result, numerous people turned up at the burial ground.Your text goes here.

A pit was dug below an aswatha tree. The body was lowered into it. The pit was filled with camphor, vibhuti, salt and other aromatic materials and later covered. The disciples erected a brick samadhi and by some coincidence, a Siva linga from Kasi arrived just then. It was placed atop the samadhi and named, Matrubhuteswara (Mother who was Easwara).

The Swami was watching the proceedings as a mere
witness. With the samadhi of the mother the son's filial
duty ended.

As Swami had entreated Arunachala in 1914, the
mother was consumed not by the fire of cremation but by
the fire of Jnana .

For the Mahapooja day, Ganapati Muni wrote six
verses entitled Soundaryamba shatkam (Six verses on
Soundaryamba) ? (Soundaryamba has the same meaning
as Alagamma). This is the substance of the verses:

1. In the first quarter of the night of Friday, the ninth
day of the dark fortnight of Vaisakha month, Dundubhi year
2. Wife of Sundaram born in the exalted lineage of
Bharadwaja, Parasara and mother of Ramana Maharshi born
as an avatara of Guruguha (Subrahmanya), the blessed lady,
3. One devoid of any attachment, one cleansed
by bhakti to Siva, one whose prana was arrested by the
touch of Guha (Ramana Maharshi), one whose tendencies
were all destroyed that very moment
4. She, Soundaryamba, became that Light which
can be known only by the Vedantic Vakyas, which is all-
pervasive, and which was known by her son.

5. At that samadhi of Soundaryamba the stream
which poured out of the lotus palms of Ramana Maharshi
became a new teertha, the Aghasamana teertha (the teertha
which removes all sins).

6. Glory to the holy mother of sacred Ramana!
Glory to the samadhi!
Glory to the linga consecrated by the Maharshi!
Glory to the new Aghasamana teertha!

The Maharshi later said something interesting. After
her passing away, Alagammal's body acquired a new
brilliance which persisted till the abhisheka on the following
day at the time of samadhi; it disappeared soon after water
was poured. Further, at the last breath in all cases a faint
sound emanates. In the mother's case, Bhagavan did not
notice it but others present did.

Every year, to commemorate the anniversary, pooja
is performed to Matrubhuteswara. Thousands of devotees
from various parts of the world assemble to join the
observance.
(This year the day falls on June 9th, 2007)
Photos of Mother's temple are copyright of Sri Ramanasramam

Mother surrenders to Son

2007-05-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

In course of time she (Bhagavan's mother, Alagammal) came to understand the
Maharshi's behaviour and grasped that attachment was
not proper. She realised that she had come to the ashram
not as the Maharshi's mother but as a devotee keen on
attaining spiritual knowledge. There was only one way
by which she could win his grace and that was by service
without any desire, but with contentment and
detachment. With this realisation her old body toiled day
and night to serve the ashram inmates. Finally she donned
ochre robes, gained detachment and listened to Vedantic
matters. She surrendered herself to the Maharshi, certain
in the belief that he was her saviour.

In the last two or three months of her physical life
she was sick, hence it had become necessary for someone
to look after her. The Maharshi was her first servant. He
nursed her day and night but how long could that old and
tired body survive?

Post in homage to Bhagavan's Mother. To be continued ...
Photo of Mother's temple, copyright Sri Ramanasramam

All women are my mothers

2007-05-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Another latent tendency of hers (Bhagavan's mother) was her strong
attachment to the Maharshi, her son. She loved him
and expected him to love her equally strongly. This bond
could not be swept away, though it needed to be swept
away . Whenever she demonstrated her love through
any act the Maharshi admonished her. On several
occasions he pulled her up, upon which she wept. The
Maharshi would then say "Cry and cry more. It does
you good. The more you cry the more satisfied am I".

She could not understand why he was so harsh towards
her. On some other occasions he would not give her any
reply but would converse with other ladies, which hurt
her. She felt that he slighted her deliberately. All that he
would say was: " All women are my mothers, what is so
special about you?" Apart from this, the Maharshi who
always helped in household chores, intentionally refused
to help his mother whenever she sought it. Once, she
asked him to help her in preparing appalams. Instead of
doing so, he gave her a song — famous as the "appalam
song".

Quote from Sri Ramana Leela

Photo (1) of foundation stone of Mother's temple (laid on 1-9-1939 by Bhagavan and consecrated on 17-3-1949), and (2) of Bhagavan's picture inside Mother's temple are free to copy/use.

Prayer for Mother's Recovery

2007-05-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

The next few posts are in homage to Mother Alagammal who attained Nirvana on May 19th, 1922. This year, Mahapuja falls on June 9th.

In 1914, Bhagavan's mother, returning from a pilgrimage
to Tirupati, paid a brief visit to him at Tiruvannamalai. While
there she had a severe attack of fever, which some thought to
be typhoid. Her life was despaired of and Bhagavan composed
the following poem for her recovery. Needless to say, she
recovered. Two years later she came and took up her abode
permanently at Bhagavan's Ashram on the hill.

Photo of Mother's Nirvana Room at Skandasramam

1. Hill of my refuge that cures the ills of recurring births!

O Lord! It is for You to cure my mother's fever.

2. O God that smites Death itself? My sole refuge!

Vouchsafe Your grace unto my mother and shield her from
Death. What is Death if scrutinised?

3. Arunachala! O blazing fire of Jnana ! Deign to wrap
my mother in Your light and make her one with You. What
need then for cremation?

4. Arunachala, that chases away illusion (maya)! Why
delay to dispel my mother's delirium! Besides You,
is there anyone who with maternal love can protect the
suppliant soul and ward off the strokes of destiny?