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Saranagathi – eNewsletter from Sri Ramanasramam
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The Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi website
2007
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2008
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Saranagathi
Publisher
V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team
eNewsletter from sriramanamaharshi.org Ravi Ramanan
Prashanth Visweswaran
saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
SARANAGATHI SEPTEMBER 2007 / Issue 1
In this issue: SARANAGATHI
Main Article An eNewsletter from www.sriramanamaharshi.org
Downloads & Dear Devotees of Sri Bhagavan:

“Sri Ramana eLibrary” initiative
With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to publish the first
Sri Ramana Centers & Satsangh eNewsletter from Sri Ramanasramam’s website. The purpose is
to bring together devotees of Sri Bhagavan from across HIS
Recent Happenings world.
MAIN ARTICLE SARANGATHI, eNewsletter, is being developed to help

devotees share their experiences, about Satsangh, meetings
The main feature article for this and other events that are held within various centers of
issue is an extract from Day by Day Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
with Bhagavan – From the Diary of
A. Devaraja Mudaliar. This article Initially we would like to begin with, by publishing this
brings out in great detail the festive eNewsletter on a monthly basis. Based on the response and
atmosphere that was experienced feedback provided by devotees, we may change this frequency.
by the devotees of Sri Bhagavan on It is also proposed to have one feature article for each issue.
September 1st 1946. The feature article would focus on popular events that happened
during that month between 1879 and 1950.
September 1st 1946 was the
Golden Jubilee of Bhagavan’s It is an earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh groups and
ADVENT at Tiruvannamalai. centers to share with us their events, stories and experiences.
These days Bhagavan Sri Ramana Please email them to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
Maharshi’s Advent at Arunachala is
celebrated by devotees at Sri Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan
Ramanasramam and various Editorial Team
centers and satsangh groups world
over. Details on Page 2 & 3
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA DOWNLOADS and “Sri Ramana eLibrary” Initiative
CENTERS & SATSANGH GROUPS With the internet becoming a powerful media to dissipate
This month’s issue covers a report information and enhance communication, the devotees here at
on some of Bhagavan Sri Ramana sriramanamaharshi.org have embarked on an initiative to
Maharshi Centers, Satsangh improve accessibility to several available literature in Sri
Groups, their events and contacts. Ramanasramam.
In this issue we are also making a Presently there are several ebooks that have been made
request from various groups across available. These books can be downloaded from
the world to send us some details, http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/Allpub.html
so that we may be able to publish With the Blessings of Sri Bhagavan, the devotees here at
the details in the future issues of sriramanamaharshi.org have started an initiative
this eNewsletter. For details “Sri Ramana eLibrary” and would like to encourage
please go to page 5. volunteers to contribute their time and skills in this initiative.
For details please go to page 4.
1
Copyright © Sri Ramanasramam
For subscription to this newsletter please register at sriramanamaharshi.org
Saranagathi
eNewsletter from sriramanamaharshi.org
MAIN ARTICLE
September 1st 1946
Extract from Day by Day with Bhagavan

From the Diary of
A. DEVARAJA MUDALIAR
This is the Golden Jubilee of Bhagavan’s arrival at Tiruvannamalai. I went to the hall about 5-30 a.m.
hoping to see Bhagavan there, to fall at his feet, and to offer some fruits and two bath towels. But
found that today the parayana was started about 4 a.m. and closed at 5 a.m. and that Bhagavan
went to the bathroom as early as 5 a.m.
After Bhagavan had his breakfast and returned from his stroll, a number of married women
(sumangalis) headed by Uma came from the Temple in a procession, doing bhajan and carrying a
milk- pot, and Uma and her daughter sang a Tamil song and offered milk to Bhagavan. He took a
spoon of the milk and the rest was distributed among the devotees.
Then I read out Colombo Ramachandra’s Ramanashtakam, in Tamil, and also my five stanzas
composed for the Jubilee. Then Uma read out her Muthumalai composed for the occasion. Printed
copies of all the three compositions were then distributed to the devotees. Printed copies of tributes
by Turiyananda in Tamil, K.Vaidyanatha Aiyar of Vellore in English verse, T.K. Sundaresa Iyer in Tamil
verse, and K.R. Seshagiri Aiyar in English were also read out and distributed.
One Mr. Bhatt also read out his Canarese songs. Then a gentleman introduced by Dr. T.N.K. gave a
performance on gottu vadyam. Mr. Chellam Iyer, of Kalaimagal office, read out Muruganar’s poems
composed for the occasion, including one which he composed at the moment.
After lunch Bhagavan would not allow himself even his usual rest, but insisted on being available for
devotees who had come from far and near and so, soon after his return from the after-lunch stroll,
various addresses in different languages were read out. One of them was from the Hindi Prachar
Sabha. Another was Dr. Siva Rao’s tribute in English which was read out and also translated into
Tamil by Mr. T.K.D. Iyer. Mr. Siva Mohan Lal also read out the English translation of the Hindi address
he read to Bhagavan yesterday. Dr. Siva Rao’s address in effect said, “I have been trying my humble
best to cure Bhagavan of various bodily ailments of his. But all my efforts have proved vain, except to
give some temporary relief. I believe this is due to my ego having presumed that it can cure
Bhagavan. All people today are offering various things to Bhagavan — fruits, flowers, clothes, books,
etc. I have decided to offer my ego. I place it at Bhagavan’s feet and beg him to accept it.”
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Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
September 1st 1946
Extract from Day by Day with Bhagavan

From the Diary of
A. DEVARAJA MUDALIAR
Contd…
About 2-30 p.m., the programme already planned and published for the Jubilee was begun with Mr.
Justice Kuppuswamy Aiyer as President. He made a few introductory remarks in English. Then Mr.
T.K.D. read out Sir S. Radhakrishnan’s article, intended for inclusion in the Souvenir Volume, but
which, though posted in Calcutta on 7th August, was received here only on the 30th.
Then the following spoke: Swami Rajeswarananda and Prof. T.M.P. Mahadevan of the Madras
University, in English, Justice Chandrasekara Iyer in Telugu, Chellam Iyer of Kalaimagal office and
Omandur Ramaswami Reddiar in Tamil, Mr. S.R. Venkatarama Sastri (of Vivekananda College) in
Sanskrit, and Mr. Airavatam Aiyer, in Malayalam. After the speeches, Viswanatha Sastri recited a few
Sanskrit songs, and Kunjuswami a few Tamil songs of Bhagavan and of one Venkatarama Iyer (author
of Ramana Stuti Panchakam).
Bhagavan then rose at 4-45 p.m. as usual. After he returned about 5 p.m., Mr. Annamalai Pillai, the
local Congress leader, made a speech in Tamil, on behalf of the citizens of Tiruvannamalai, expressing
joy and gratitude on Bhagavan’s completing fifty years’ stay here. Then Musiri Subramania Iyer
gave a very moving and devotional musical performance till about 6-45. For the speeches and music
excellent loudspeaker arrangements had been made by the local Municipal Chairman and it was a
great convenience for the crowds who had gathered. Finally Veda parayana brought the day’s function
to a close.
Copyright © Sri Ramanasramam 3

Saranagathi
DOWNLOADS and “Sri Ramana eLibrary” INITIATIVE
With the internet becoming a powerful media to dissipate information and enhance communication,
the devotees here at sriramanamaharshi.org have embarked on an initiative to improve accessibility to
several available literature in Sri Ramanasramam. Presently there are several ebooks that have been
made available. These books can be downloaded from www.sriramanamaharshi.org/Allpub.html
With the Blessings of Sri Bhagavan, the devotees here at sriramanamaharshi.org have started an
initiative “Sri Ramana eLibrary” and would like to encourage volunteers to contribute their time and
skills in this initiative.
The objective of “Sri Ramana eLibrary” is to build an online archival / library of several publications
such as, all editions of Mountain Path, books, devotees experiences and reminiscences, videos and
audio compositions. It is desired to have “Google” like search capability within this eLibrary.
The first step is to Pray to Sri Bhagavan to shower HIS abundance Grace and provide direction and
guidance to this initiative. Having surrendered the sense of doer ship to Sri Bhagavan, we now need to
build a team of core devotee volunteers.
We would like to have volunteers who have experience in the areas listed below. Geographic location
of the individuals volunteering does not matter. We can learn together how to manage logistic issues
as we go along. It is estimated that on a average about 10 -15 hours per week of time will be required
by each volunteer. There will be weekend dial in calls etc.
Technical Team
1. Hands on Content Admin / DBA devotee who has experience administering large content
management repositories such as Sharepoint, Documentum or OpenText.
2. Devotees who have experience managing infrastructure issues such as hosting services, web
servers, upgrades and maintenance of IT infrastructure.
3. Developers and web designers who can work on coding and creative input for the eLibrary
Content Team
1. Devotees who can assist in scanning, indexing and archiving various publications.
Please email your interest to volunteer for the above roles at saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org. In
the subject area – please mention Volunteer for Sri Ramana eLibrary
REST Sri Bhagavan will Take Care
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
4
Saranagathi
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI CENTERS & SATSANGH
Sri Ramanasramam is devoted to the sole purpose of maintaining and preserving Sri Ramana
Maharshi’s teachings and spreading it through His ashram. Over the years there have been devotees
who have started centers around the world to help in spreading His teachings. These centers are run
by sincere devotees for conducting satsanghs and celebrating His Jayanti, Aradhana, Advent Day, and
other similar events of great significance. Today, satsangh groups spread across various countries
worldwide including United States, Canada, Europe, Asia & Australia.
This section will be a regular feature of SARANAGATHI eNewsletter. We will post events and reports
from Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Centers and Satsangh Groups from across HIS world. Provided
below is a list of available Centers and Satsangh Groups.
Please send an email to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org to have your information included.
INDIA (Country Code 91)

Sri Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. Phone: 04175-237200
Sri Ramana Kendra – Mylapore Chennai Phone: 044-24611397
Sri Sundara Mandiram – Tiruchuzhi Phone: 04566–282217
Sri Ramana Kendram – Sri Ramana Mandiram Phone: 0452-2346102
Sri Ramana Mandiram – Desur Tamilnadu
Sri Ramana Kendram – Hyderabad – Andhra Pradesh Phone: 040-27424092
Sri Ramana Kendra – New Delhi Phone: To be updated
NORTH AMERICA (Country Code 001)

Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group San Francisco CA Phone: 510-656-2752
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Los Angeles CA Phone: 310-473-9441
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group CT Phone: 860-691-1862
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Washington DC Phone: 703-257-5589
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Atlanta GA Phone: 678-546-0378
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group F. Lauderdale FL Phone: 954-755-4758
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group GOSHEN IN Phone: 574-875-6298
Arunachala Ashrama New York NY Phone: 718-560-3196
Arunachala Ashrama Nova Scotia Canada Phone: 902-665-2090
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Ann Arbor MI Phone: 734-623-7199
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Dublin OH Phone: 614-664-1534
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Ottawa ON Phone: 713-733-8250
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Toronto ON Phone: 905-849-6005
Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Nashville TN Phone: To be Updated
We will periodically update this list and also share stories and experiences about HOW each Group or
Center meet to get absorbed in Sri Bhagavan Ramana’s Amazing Bliss. In due course we will include in
sriramanamaharshi.org transliterated and audio versions of important songs, chants and prayers.
5
Saranagathi
RECENT HAPPENINGS
The Peacock’s ADVENT
Report from Sri Ramanasramam
The morning of Tuesday - August 28 2007, when devotees returned from the Old Dining Hall, a
beautiful sight waited all. A healthy well grown male peacock was already in the samadhi hall perched
on the stone railing nearest to the northern door leading to the Well. He was calm & composed un-
mindful of all the attention he was getting. Slowly and purposefully he moved over to the samadhi
platform, ambled leisurely in front of the Lingam and majestically climbed over the low stool adjoining
the Lingam. To everyone's delight he gracefully turned his neck towards the Lingam, held his gaze
steadily for some time before unhurriedly climbing down from the stool. Then he hopped over to the
stone railing again looked at the assembled devotees and flew out through the same open doorway.
The whole act lasted for almost half an hour. All were elated! Somebody had the presence of mind to
capture the delightful scene as pictures.
6
Saranagathi
RECENT HAPPENINGS
SARANAGATHI
A Full day event in Connecticut USA
A Report by Aruna, Ramkumar, Shobana and Prashanth and the
Devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group Connecticut USA
On May 27 2007, The devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group – Connecticut USA,
organized with Sri Bhagavan’s blessings a full day event – SARANAGATHI. The entire program was
focused on the message of SURRENDER. Devotees of Sri Bhagavan from various parts of the United
States and Canada attended the program. The program was blessed further by the presence of Smt
Sushila Ramanan, Sri V.S. Ramanan, Smt. Saraswathi and Sri S. Ranganathan from Sri
Ramanasramam – Tiruvannamalai.
The program started with Mahaganapathi Homam performed by Sri Vaidyanathan from New York,
followed by the chanting of Sri Ramana Chathvarimsath by all devotees present. Pada Pooja was led by
Smt Sushila Ramanan and Sri V.S. Ramanan with the chanting of Sri Ramana Ashtothram and
Mathrubutheswarar Ashtothram. After Pada Pooja Smt. Malathi Sarma from Connecticut, led the
chanting of Sri Ramana Kavacham with her melodious voice.
The post lunch program included a slide presentation led by Sri Gopal Sarma of Connecticut on “At the
Feet of Sri Bhagavan” by T.K. Sundaresh Iyer. Book Reading by Sri V.S. Ramanan and Sri Dennis
Hartel took devotees directly to Sri Ramanasramam. The evening program included a “Kacheri” by
Sri. Balasubrahmaniyan & Party - Adjunct Instructor in Music - Wesleyan University. There were some
melodious renditions on Sri Bhagavan, Muruganar songs and Arunachala. The program concluded with
all the lady devotees performing “Kummi” to several melodious songs. Aarati was performed and all
devotees of Sri Bhagavan who attended the program dispersed with Sri Bhagavan in their hearts.
7
Saranagathi
Publisher
V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team
SARANAGATHI OCTOBER 2007 / Issue 2
Main Article An eNewsletter from www.sriramanamaharshi.org
Vinayaka Chathurti at Sri Dear Devotees of Sri Bhagavan:

Ramanasramam – A Photo Gallery
With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to publish an
ADVENT DAY Celebrations A Report world.
MAIN ARTICLE SARANGATHI, eNewsletter, is being developed to help

devotees share their experiences, about Satsangh, meetings
The main feature article for this and other events that are held within various centers of
issue is an extract from Letters and Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Recollections of Sri
Ramanasramam. Initially we would like to begin with, by publishing this
This recollection talks about the eNewsletter on a monthly basis. Based on the response and
love and affection that Sri feedback provided by devotees, we may change this frequency.
Bhagavan had for children. It is also proposed to have one feature article for each issue.
The feature article would focus on popular events that happened
October 10th 1948 Playing with during the years between 1879 and 1950.
children Sri Bhagavan shared a
very unique relationship with Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh groups and
children. In this article Sri centers is to share with us their events, stories and experiences.
Bhagavan talks about how HE Please email them to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
carried Mahadeva Sastri – son of
Kavyakantha Ganapathi Muni on Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan
HIS back while swimming in a tank Editorial Team
opposite Pachiamman shrine.
Details on Page 2 & 3
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA Vinayaka Chathurti at Sri Ramanasramam A Photo Gallery
CENTERS & SATSANGH GROUPS Vinayaka Chathurti was celebrated at Sri Ramanasramam on
This month’s issue covers a report 15th September 2007. Some photos taken during that occasion
on some of Bhagavan Sri Ramana have been displayed in this edition. Details on Page 4
Maharshi Centers, Satsangh
Groups, their events and contacts. Sri Ramana e-Library - Updates
In this issue we are also making a In response to volunteers request from last month’s edition of
request from various groups across SARANAGATHI, we would like to thank all those who
the world to send us some details, volunteered. Details on Page 6
so that we may be able to publish
the details in the future issues of ADVENT DAY Celebrations – a Report
this eNewsletter. For details A report covering ADVENT Day celebrations from Sri
please go to page 5. Ramanasramam and various centers Details on Page 6
1
Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
10th October, 1948

(207) PLAYING WITH CHILDREN
Extract from Letters from and Recollections of
Sri Ramanasramam
By Suri Nagamma
A few days ago, Mahadeva Sastri, son of Kavyakanta Ganapati Sastri, came here. Bhagavan introduced
him to us all. As he is now living in this place our talk turned on his father Sri Kavyakanta yesterday
afternoon. Bhagavan began telling us: “When I was living in Virupaksha Cave, sometime in 1903,
Nayana came there with his family. At that time this Mahadeva was about four or five years of age.
Nayana prostrated before me and then asked the little boy to do likewise. He appeared not to have
heard it and, with an air of indifference, kept quiet. Nayana too did not mind it.
Then, all of a sudden, that boy prostrated before me in full length (Sashtanga namaskaram). Like a
young boy who has had his Thread Ceremony he placed his hands on his ears and then touched my
feet. I wondered how that little boy could have known the correct procedure of prostration and felt that
it must have come from family traditions. I said, “Yes. Every habit comes out from family traditions.”
Bhagavan: “That is so. This Mahadeva has since changed a lot. I used to talk with him frequently.
During the days when I was living in the Mango Cave, Nayana invited all those near and dear to him,
to listen to his reading of the “Uma Sahasram” in Pachiamman Shrine. His family also came. Mahadeva
was then eight years of age. I asked him if he remembered me. He did not say anything in reply and
quietly went away to play. After a while, somebody came to see me. They prostrated before me and
telling me that they had come once before, asked me if I remembered them. As I did not remember, I
was silent. I do not know how he noticed that incident, but after they left, Mahadeva came to me
running and said, “Swami, what did those people ask you first?” I replied saying that they had
enquired of me if I remembered them as they had come once before and that I had been silent as I did
not remember them. He promptly stated that he likewise did not remember me. I felt amused.
“You know what I did one day? Seating Mahadeva on my back I began swimming in the tank opposite
The Pachiamman shrine, from one end to the other. When we were halfway through he began pressing
me down, greatly elated, shouting ‘Aha, Hai!’ as cart drivers do to their bullocks. I was tired and it
seemed as though both of us would be drowned. I was of course very anxious that he should be saved
from such a catastrophe. So I managed somehow to reach the other side.”
I said, “For one who helps people to swim across the mighty ocean of Samsara (the material world) is
that difficult?”

2
Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
10th October, 1948

(207) PLAYING WITH CHILDREN
Sri Ramanasramam
By Suri Nagamma
Another devotee enquired if it were a fact that Bhagavan and Nayana used to swim in the Pandava
Tank. Bhagavan replied, “Yes. That also was only in those days. We used to try to excel each other in
swimming. That was great fun.”
Another devotee said, “It seems you played marbles with children?”
Bhagavan replied, “Yes. That was so. That too was while we were in the Virupaksha Cave. The holes
dug for the purpose of playing marbles must be there even now. Those children sometimes used to
bring packets of sweets. We all shared them. During Dipavali they used to put aside my share of
crackers and bring them up to me. We used to fire the crackers together. It was most entertaining.” I
was reminded of the leelas (playful acts) of Lord Krishna’s boyhood days. Even now Bhagavan plays
with children if they come here with toys.
The Knower of Truth goes about the world, (outwardly) like a child,
a madman or a devil.
- Mahavakyaratnamala

Saranagathi
VINAYAKA CHATHURTI at Sri Ramanasramam – A Photo Gallery
VINAYAKA CHATHURTI WAS CELEBRATED AT

SRI RAMANASRAMAM ON 15th September 2007
Sri Ganesha at Special Pooja for Sri Ganesha at

Matrubutheswara Temple Matrubutheswara Temple
Sri Ganesha Pooja at Sri Ramanasramam Sri Ganesha Pooja at Sri Ramanasramam
Veda Pataskala Veda Pataskala
Special meal preparation at

Sri Ramanasramam

4
Saranagathi
Maharshi’s teachings and spreading it through HIS ashram. Over the years there have been devotees
INDIA (91)
Sri Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. 04175-237200
Sri Ramana Kendra – Mylapore Chennai 044-24611397
Sri Sundara Mandiram – Tiruchuzhi 04566–282217
Sri Ramana Kendram – Sri Ramana Mandiram 0452-2346102
Sri Ramana Kendram – Hyderabad – Andhra Pradesh 040-27424092
Sri Ramana Kendra – New Delhi To be updated
NORTH AMERICA Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Groups (001)

San Francisco CA 510-656-2752
Los Angeles CA 310-473-9441
East Lyme Connecticut 860-691-1862
Washington DC 301-528-5526
Atlanta GA 678-546-0378
F. Lauderdale FL 954-755-4758
Goshen IN 574-875-6298
Arunachala Ashrama New York 718-560-3196
Arunachala Ashrama Canada 902-665-2090
Ann Arbor MI 734-623-7199
Dublin OH 614-664-1534
Ottawa ON 713-733-8250
Toronto ON 905-849-6005
Nashville TN To be Updated
Center meet to get absorbed in Sri Bhagavan Ramana’s Grace. In due course we will include in
5
Saranagathi
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Sri Ramana e-Library – An Update
The September 2007 edition of SARANAGATHI eNewsletter requested assistance from volunteers to
contribute their time and skills towards building an e-Library for all Sri Bhagavan related publications,
audio and video sources. Several devotees from across the world have responded to this request
offering their time and skills. The editorial team from SARANAGATHI would like to sincerely thank each
and everyone who have responded.
We are presently organizing the approach and methods for developing the e-Library. In the next few
months to come, several news additions would be made to e-Library which is to be posted as part of
www.sriramanamaharshi.org.
We will constantly keep you updated about the progress.
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi ADVENT DAY Celebrations – a Report
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi ADVENT Day on 1st September was celebrated at various centers from
across HIS world. A brief report is provided below:
Sri Ramanasramam - Tiruvannamalai

Devotees from Sri Ramana Mandiram – Madurai along with other devotees from other places, traveled
to Tiruvannamalai following the same route that Sri Bhagavan took to reach ARUNACHALA on 01
September 1896. Regular prayers and programs were observed at Sri Ramanasramam.
Arunachala Ashrama New York

Devotees from the Tri State Area in the USA, met at Arunachala Ashrama in New York City to celebrate
the ADVENT DAY of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi to ARUNACHALA. This celebration was conducted
on 8th September 2007. Smt. Sushila Ramanan and Sri V.S. Ramanan from Sri Ramanasramam
presided over the function.
Ramana Kendra – Chennai

Devotees in Chennai celebrated ADVENT of Sri Bhagavan to Arunachala from 2nd September 2007 to
3rd September 2007. The program involved, Vedaparayanam, Talks, chanting by children and other
programs.
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Group – California

Devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Group – California are celebrating ADVENT of Sri
Bhagavan to Arunachala on 29th September 2007 at the Jain Centre, Milpitas California.
6
Saranagathi
Publisher
V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team
SARANAGATHI NOVEMBER 2007 / Issue 3
Main Article – The Holy Beacon An eNewsletter from www.sriramanamaharshi.org
Navaratri Celebrations at Sri Dear Devotees of Sri Bhagavan:

Ramanasramam – A Photo Gallery
With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to publish an
From an INDIANA U.S.A Devotee. world.
Report from Washington DC SARANGATHI, eNewsletter, is being developed to help

Satsangh Group devotees share their experiences, about Satsangh, meetings
and other events that are held within various centers of
MAIN ARTICLE – The Holy Beacon Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
The main feature article for this
issue is again an extract from Initially we would like to begin with, by publishing this
Letters and Recollections of Sri eNewsletter on a monthly basis. Based on the response and
Ramanasramam. This recollection feedback provided by devotees, we may change this frequency.
talks about the festivity and joy It is also proposed to have one feature article for each issue.
that was experienced during The feature article would focus on popular events that happened
November 1947 in Sri Bhagavan’s during the years between 1879 and 1950.
presence.
When the Holy Beacon is lit on Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh groups and
Arunachala, it is a sight well worth centers is to share with us their events, stories and experiences.
seeing. In the Ashram, in Please email them to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
Bhagavan’s presence, a small
deepam is also simultaneously lit, Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan
sacramental offerings (prasadam) Editorial Team
are distributed and “Akshara Mana
Malai” and other hymns are sung.
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA Navaratri at Sri Ramanasramam A Photo Gallery

CENTERS & SATSANGH GROUPS Navaratri was celebrated at Sri Ramanasramam from 12.10.07
This month’s issue covers a report to 21.10.07. Some photos taken during that occasion have been
on some of Bhagavan Sri Ramana displayed in this edition. Details on Page 5
Maharshi Centers, Satsangh Sri Ramana e-Library - Updates
Groups, their events and contacts. The famous and most melodious Tamil Parayana have been
In this issue we are also making a made available in various options Details on Page 5
request from various groups across From Sri Ramana Devotee – INDIANA U.S.A
the world to send us some details, A beautiful “from the heart” story about a devotee of Sri
so that we may be able to publish Bhagavan from INDIANA USA Details on Page 6
the details in the future issues of Report from Washington DC Satsangh Group
this eNewsletter. For details Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Group – Washington
please go to page 4. DC USA provides detailed report Details on Page 7
1
Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
29th November, 1947

(160) THE HOLY BEACON
Sri Ramanasramam
By Suri Nagamma
When the Holy Beacon is lit on Arunachala, it is a sight well worth seeing. In the Ashram, in
Bhagavan’s presence, a small deepam is also simultaneously lit, sacramental offerings (prasadam) are
distributed and “Akshara Mana Malai” and other hymns are sung. This year in particular, as there was
no rain, the function went off very well. In the afternoon, from 3 o’clock onwards, the devotees started
making preparations for the festival at the Ashram. In the Jubilee Hall, the floor was decorated with
lime and rice powder floral designs, while hanging from the roof all round, were mango leaf festoons.
On such occasions, the crowds which come to town for this Dipotsavam (Festival of Lights) usually visit
the Ashram in the morning as they go round the hill; whereas in the evenings, it is mostly the
Asramites who are present at the Ashram celebrations, and there is no crowd. On this evening, when
Bhagavan went out to the cowshed, the attendants placed his couch in the open space facing the
summit of the hill, spread the bedding on it and put a stool with all the things on it that Bhagavan
usually has by him. Opposite the couch a large shallow iron pan was placed on a high stool, ghee
poured into it and a wick placed in the centre; flowers and garlands were strewn around it.
Just as these preparations were nearing completion, Bhagavan came from the cowshed with his
attendants, and it was as though it were actually Lord Siva Himself arriving on the scene.
Spontaneously those gathered there rose; Bhagavan seated himself on the couch and all prostrated
before him. We then sat in rows, the men on Bhagavan’s right, the women on his left, along the steps
leading to the Hill. The space in front of Bhagavan was filled, not only with baskets of fruits brought by
the devotees, but also with vessels of all sorts full of sweetmeats and other preparations. When the
ghee brought by devotees was poured into the pan, it was overflowing. Camphor was then placed on
the wick. The fragrance from the lighted incense sticks spread on all sides and created a holy
atmosphere. Bhagavan sat lovingly looking at all the devotees and related to those near him the
significance of the Festival of Lights. He also pointed out the exact place where the deepam was to be
lit on the hilltop. After that, Veda Parayana began.
By the time the Parayana was over, the sun had set. Soon, little lights in earthenware saucers were lit
all round the hall and garlands of electric lights of many colours were switched on.

Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
29th November, 1947

(160) THE HOLY BEACON
Sri Ramanasramam
By Suri Nagamma
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the lighting of the sacred beacon on the hilltop and the attendants had
handed to Bhagavan a binocular with which he, too, was eagerly scanning the hill. While his gaze was
concentrated on the summit of the hill, ours was concentrated on his Divine face, for it was just a
reflection of Arunachala.
With the firing of crackers at the Temple, the light on the hilltop appeared. Immediately, the ‘akhanda
jyoti’ (uninterrupted) light, opposite Bhagavan was lighted. The Brahmins rose and chanted the
mantra, ‘na karmana naprajaya dhanena’, and lit the camphor; kumkum and vibhuti were distributed
and then all the devotees sat down. After Bhagavan had partaken of a little fruit and some
sweetmeats, the rest were distributed amongst the devotees. Immediately after that, the devotees
divided themselves into two parties, one singing the hymns in the “Akshara Mana Malai”, and the other
taking up the refrain ‘Arunachala Siva’. After that, the five stanzas beginning with
‘Karunapurnasudhabhde’ in Sanskrit and its equivalent in Tamil were recited.
Bhagavan sat resting his cheek on his hand, slightly reclining on the pillow — his characteristic pose.
His face appeared as though mirroring his Self-illumination, with his silence and his profound thought
reflected on it. The moon rose in the east and cast its light on him as though seeking its light from
Him. I sat there, facing east, with my back against the almond tree. If I looked west, I had the light of
the Arunachala Hill; if I looked ahead I had the brilliant light of the moon; and if I looked to the right, I
had the glowing light emanating from Bhagavan’s face. What a sight it was, and how lucky I felt that I
had the three-faced Light around me that night! I felt an inexplicable bliss and involuntarily closed my
eyes.
On hearing the sound of the dinner bell, I opened my eyes. Bhagavan was looking steadily at me, and
that look was more than I could stand; involuntarily my head hung down. Bhagavan smiled and
entered the dining room, the devotees following him. After the meal, with Bhagavan’s permission, we,
the devotees, started for the walk round the hill. I shall write to you about it some time later.
_______

3
Saranagathi
INDIA (91)
Sri Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. 04175-237200
Sri Ramana Kendra – Mylapore Chennai 044-24611397
Sri Sundara Mandiram – Tiruchuzhi 04566–282217
Sri Ramana Kendram – Sri Ramana Mandiram 0452-2346102
Sri Ramana Kendram – Hyderabad – Andhra Pradesh 040-27424092
Sri Ramana Kendra – New Delhi To be updated
NORTH AMERICA Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Groups (001)

San Francisco CA 510-656-2752
Los Angeles CA 310-473-9441
East Lyme Connecticut 860-691-1862
Washington DC 301-528-5526
Atlanta GA 678-546-0378
F. Lauderdale FL 954-755-4758
Goshen IN 574-875-6298
Arunachala Ashrama New York 718-560-3196
Arunachala Ashrama Canada 902-665-2090
Ann Arbor MI 734-623-7199
Dublin OH 614-664-1534
Ottawa ON 713-733-8250
Toronto ON 905-849-6005
Nashville TN To be Updated
4
Saranagathi
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Sri Ramana eLibrary – Daily Parayana
Daily Parayana (The Poetic Works of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi)
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi's Tamil compositions are revered by scholars of Tamil literature
as works of literary genius. Beyond that, Bhagavan had the extraordinary ability to compress into a few
words the full breadth of the Upanishadic realization and HIS own direct experience of it. It is these
verses and compositions that are chanted daily at Sri Ramanasramam. Today at Sri Ramanasramam
Parayana is sung from 6.30 pm - 7.15 pm. The current hymns follow a weekly cycle. The daily
Parayana hymns are available in MP3 audio format and the lyrics transliterated in English and in some
cases Tamil.
We presently have options to download the song in MP3, play online and the associated lyrics are
available in English in PDF format. We will be making available lyrics in Tamil and other languages very
soon. Please visit http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/Tamil_Parayana.html
We will constantly keep you updated about the progress with regards to the eLibrary initiative.
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Navaratri Celebrations – Photo Gallery
The Navaratri celebrations at the shrines of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Matrubutheswara
were performed on Friday the 12th October 2007 and concluded with Vijayadasami on 21st October
2007.
Laksharchana with Mahanyasa Rudrabhishekam with Parayana with sacred works such as Devi
Mahatyam were performed. Devotees of Sri Bhagavan from various parts of India and other countries
participated in the celebrations.
Please visit http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/navarathiri/picture_Navarathiri.html to see

photographs taken during this celebration at Sri Ramanasramam.
5
Saranagathi
FROM an INDIANA U.S.A Devotee.
To Saranagathi eNewsletter 03-October-07

Dear Friends,
I am very happy to receive the wonderful new Saranagathi eNewsletter. I love to read all kinds of old
and new writings about our Beloved Bhagavan. My name is Orva Schrock and I am reporting in from
perhaps the most humble of the Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh groups listed in the newsletter:
NORTH AMERICA, GOSHEN, IN, U.S.A.
So far I’m the one and only member of my “group” but looking forward to meeting other local devotees
if it is the will of Arunachala Ramana, the ocean of grace. I will share here a bit, not because I have
anything new or special to say, but in hopes of perhaps inspiring or encouraging others to make an
effort, to support the magnificent gift and revelation of Bhagavan’s teachings.
I am a retired business man, now aged 59. I have some health problems but I am very blessed and
love life to the fullest. I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist sect. For example it was my “duty” to
quit school at age 16 and find work to help our large family financially. I still regret that I never
received a proper modern education. I never felt spiritually or culturally at home and left it behind at
age 18. I was always curious, though, about God, Spirit, Saints & Sages, Religions, etc. and it always
seemed natural to me to search for answers. I began to pray and meditate.
Back in the 1970s in my early 20s I began to read everything I could get my hands on regarding these
subjects. At that time I first encountered Ramana Maharshi after being very attracted to a particular
volume in a bookstore: it was “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi” with the famous forward by
C. G. Jung. At the time the book was “above my head” so to speak, but a spark was ignited which
never died out. I felt somehow that this Maharshi was above and beyond the usual books and
teachings I was finding. But I knew I wasn’t really understanding His message and my search
continued on with much reading and experimenting with various teachings and systems.
Always I remembered the great Sage and over the years I began to read and reread everything I could
find by or about him. Along with that I turned toward Vedanta and Nondualism as the basis and
foundation of my evolving understanding. Of course, Ramana always stood head and shoulders above
anything and everything else I encountered. In recent years He has become my highest aspiration and
inspiration. Every day now I know His presence in my Heart as the One Self of all beings, The
Satchitananda personified. Yes, He appeared as human among us and yet remains always something
above and beyond His physical appearance.
So this Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Centre consists of me here at my home. I live on 5 acres with a
beautiful natural setting. I am blessed to have a meditation room where I can chant and meditate and
sit in darshan of his photos and written words. I burn candles and incense, do my silent gentle Self-
inquiry. If any other person wants to come sit, discuss, meditate, celebrate, they will be very welcome.
He is here, life is good
6
Saranagathi
Report from the Washington, D.C. Satsangh Group
Sharing Remembrance of Bhagavan and the Bliss of Self Knowledge in Satsangh
By the Grace of Sri Bhagavan, our Satsangh group has been meeting every other Saturday evening for
about 6 years. The numbers vary from one meeting to the next, but the flood of dharshan never
varies, flowing freely and copiously from Sri Bhagavan to each and every soul present, lifting us up and
carrying us towards greater awareness of the Self.
The format we use for Satsangh meetings is as follows:

Readings from books of conversations with Sri Bhagavan, or about his life – about 30 minutes
Group singing of Upadesha Saram, Arunachala Pancharatnam, and Aksharamanamaalai
“Open mike” individual singing and recitation. This includes both children and adults.
Group singing of Ramana Sadguru
Meditation – about 20 minutes
Readings from books of conversations with Sri Bhagavan, or about his life – about 15 minutes.
Sometimes we are honored by talks given by senior devotees who are visiting from India.
All rise for group recitation of Na Karmana followed by pranams to Sri Bhagavan. Occasionally arathi is
performed. Sometimes there is distribution of kumkum and vibhouti.
Usually potluck dinner is served.
If you want any further information about our Satsangh meetings, please email Uma Santosh at
uma_santosh@hotmail.com
Anbar Kalum Vaazhi! (Glory to His Devotees!)
7
Saranagathi
Publisher
V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team
SARANAGATHI Deepavali 2007 / Special
Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya
Saranagathi eNewsletter Team
Would like to wish all Devotees A Very Happy Deepavali
On the occasion of Deepavali, we are pleased to bring out a

Deepavali Special Edition of Saranagathi
1
Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
20th August, 1946

(65) NARAKASURA — DIPAVALI
Extract from Letters from and Recollections of Sri Ramanasramam
By Suri Nagamma
Ramachandra Iyer came here from Madras recently.One day he was seated in the hall going through
an old notebook and correcting some dates and numbers in it. Seeing that, Bhagavan asked what it
was. He replied, “This is an old notebook written by Bhagavan. I am looking into the numbers and
dates in it, and entering them in the printed book.” “Give it to me,” Bhagavan said, and taking it and
turning over the pages, said to me, “There are some Dipavali padyams (verses) in it. Have you heard
them?” When I said I had not, he read them out and gave the meaning thereof as follows: “He is
Narakasura (a demon) who feels attached in the thought that he is the body. That attachment to the
body itself is a Naraka (hell). The life of a person who has that attachment, even if he be a Maharajah,
is hellish. Destroying the attachment to the body, and the self shining by itself as Self is Dipavali. That
is the idea contained in those verses.” I asked, “Are all these verses in Nool Thirattu?”* Bhagavan said,
“These were all composed extempore on the spur of the moment from time to time. Why include all
these in that book?” After the first publication of the book, when these verses were read out in
Bhagavan’s presence, he asked, “Do you know why I wrote those verses?” When I said that I did not
know, he said, “Is that so? One Dipavali day, Muruganar wanted me to write something about Dipavali.
‘Why don’t you write? Why should I?’ I asked. He said that he would also write if I did. I agreed, and
wrote these verses. I did not write anything without reason. There is a story behind every verse that I
wrote.” So saying he showed me the verses (in Tamil). I give them below with the meaning:
Vrittam:
He is the king of hell who says that he is the body which is hell itself. He is Narayana who
ascertains who Naraka is, and destroys him with His vision of wisdom, Jnana Drishti.
That is the auspicious day of Narakachathurdasi.
Venba:
The false belief that this hell-like house called body is me, is Naraka himself. To destroy that
false belief and let the self shine as Self, is Dipavali.

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Saranagathi
Photo Gallery of Deepavali celebrations at Sri Ramanasramam on 8th November 2007

3
Saranagathi Publisher
V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team
Ravi Ramanan
saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org Prashanth Visweswaran
SARANAGATHI DECEMBER 2007 / Issue 4

An eNewsletter from www.sriramanamaharshi.org
• Main Article – Extract from Day
By Day with Bhagavan Dear Devotees of Sri Bhagavan:
• Sri Ramana Centers & Satsangh
• Sri Ramanasramam Calendar With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to publish an
2008 eNewsletter from Sri Ramanasramam’s website. The purpose is
• Deepam 2007 Celebrations to bring together devotees of Sri Bhagavan from across HIS
• Advent Day Celebrations at CA world.
• Report and photos of Free
Medical Camp at Sri SARANGATHI, eNewsletter, is being developed to help
Ramanasramam devotees share their experiences, about Satsangh, meetings
and other events that are held within various centers of
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
MAIN ARTICLE
Initially we would like to begin with, by publishing this
The main feature article for this eNewsletter on a monthly basis. Based on the response and
issue is an extract Day By Day feedback provided by devotees, we may change this frequency.
with Bhagavan. This recollection It is also proposed to have one feature article for each issue.
talks about the events and details The feature article would focus on popular events that happened
surrounding Echammal’s passing during the years between 1879 and 1950.
away during December 1945.
Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh groups and
There are also some answers centers is to share with us their events, stories and experiences.
provided to devotees by Sri Please email them to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
Bhagavan during this day on 28th
December 1945. Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan
Editorial Team
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA

CENTERS & SATSANGH Sri Ramana e-Library - Updates
GROUPS Sri Ramanasramam’s Calendar for 2008 Details on Page 5
This month’s issue covers a report
on some of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Deepam 2007 – A Photo Gallery Details on Page 5
Maharshi Centers, Satsangh
Groups, their events and Advent Day 2007 – California Report Details on Page 5
contacts. In this issue we are also
making a request from various Free Medical Camp at Sri Ramanasramam
groups across the world to send A free medical camp was conducted in the premises of Sri
us some details, so that we may Ramanasramam (Morvi Guest House) on Saturday, the 3rd
be able to publish the details in November 2007 Details on Pages 6 & 7
the future issues of this
eNewsletter. For details please
go to page 4.

For subscription to this newsletter please register at www.sriramanamaharshi.org
Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
Extract from Day by Day with Bhagavan by Sri Devaraja Mudaliar

28th December, 1945.
Morning
It seems Echammal passed away at about 2-30 a.m. and the matter was reported to Bhagavan only
about 8 a.m. in the hall. The talk naturally was about Echammal and how from 1907 she persevered
in offering food to Bhagavan without any break. Bhagavan also remembered three other persons who
fed him when he was under the iluppai tree in the Big Temple. One was Dasi Rajambal who, it
seems, took a vow that she would not eat before feeding Bhagavan and was feeding him for about
two months until he moved away to Gurumoortham. It seems she continued to send food even to
Gurumoortham for a day or two. But Bhagavan asked her to discontinue it. It seems this lady died
only recently. Bhagavan mentioned also Meenakshi Ammal, a Kammala woman, and said, “She was
like a rakshasi. She would daily go round the hill and then come and cook and bring food to me. After
some time she began assuming control over everybody including Palaniswami. If others brought
food, etc., she would give some to me and whatever remained she used to take away with her.”
(Bhagavan said, in the afternoon, “Our Nagappa’s mother Ratnamma also used to bring food in those
days”). Of food supplied regularly, (Kattalai) as Bhagavan put it, he said, “You don’t know what
trouble all such regular supply involves. Those who make it expect some control over you. It also
creates some aham in them.
Everyone of them expects you to take something. One would say “I say, serve something with your
own hand”, and then each would serve something. The quantity would become too great. Any
number of people bring any number of things, and at all times, and you must take them. Sometimes
we used to mix up all things received, milk, food, porridge, etc., and drink it if the resulting mixture
was a liquid. ‘Swami-hood’ is very difficult. You cannot realize it. I am speaking from fifty years’
experience. After such experience in Gurumoortham I wanted to avoid it by not remaining in anyone
place.”
Afternoon
Santhamma came and reported to Bhagavan that Echamma passed away peacefully and people did
not even know when exactly life departed and that though she was unconscious for nearly two days,
when she had a little consciousness at one time during these two days, the one question she asked
was, “Has food been sent to Bhagavan?” (Later I learnt from Nagamma that this was not quite
correct. It seems that somebody, to test whether Echamma’s mind was clear and not wandering,
asked the question “Has food been sent to Bhagavan today?” and Echammal at once showed
recognition). Her body was cremated. I thereupon asked Bhagavan, “It is said in the case of such
people they should not be cremated, but buried”. Bhagavan replied, “It seems she herself had
mentioned that her body should be cremated and that her bones alone should be taken and buried in
her village.”

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Saranagathi
MAIN ARTICLE
I also asked Bhagavan what he meant by his statement last night that “she would often remain with
closed eyes”. He explained, “She practiced concentrating on the head centre and would be in a
trance- like state for even two or three days with breath fully controlled. I told her it was only laya
and one should not be satisfied with it, but must get out of it and beyond it.”
One Mr. Joshi, introduced by our Chaganlal Yogi, put the following questions and Bhagavan gave the
following answers:
Question : When I think ‘Who am I?’, the answer comes ‘I am not this mortal body but I am
chaitanya, atma, or paramatma.’ And suddenly another question arises — ‘Why has atma come into
maya?’ or in other words ‘Why has God created this world?’
Answer: To enquire ‘Who am I?’ really means trying to find out the source of the ego or the ‘I’
thought. You are not to think of other thoughts, such as ‘I am not this body, etc.’ Seeking the source
of ‘I’ serves as a means of getting rid of all other thoughts. We should not give scope to other
thoughts, such as you mention, but must keep the attention fixed on finding out the source of the ‘I’
thought, by asking (as each thought arises) to whom the thought arises and if the answer is ‘I get
the thought’ by asking further who is this ‘I’ and whence its source?
Question : Is atma a subject of sakshatkara?

Answer: The atma is as it is. It is sakshat always. There are not two atmas, one to know and one to
be known. To know it is to be it. It is not a state where one is conscious of anything else. It is
consciousness itself.
Question : I do not understand the meaning of “brahma satyam jagat mithya (Brahman is real, the
world is unreal)”. Does this world have real existence or not? Does the jnani not see the world or
does he see it in a different form?
Answer: Let the world bother about its reality or falsehood. Find out first about your own reality.
Then all things will become clear. What do you care how the jnani sees the world? You realize
yourself and then you will understand. The jnani sees that the world of names and forms does not
limit the Self, and that the Self is beyond them.
Question : “I do not know how to worship. So kindly show me the way to worship.”
Answer: Is there a ‘worshipper’ and a ‘worshipped’? Find out the ‘I’, the worshipper; that is the best
way. Always the seer must be traced.

Saranagathi
by sincere devotees for conducting satsanghs and celebrating His Jayanti, Aradhana, Advent Day,
and other similar events of great significance. Today, satsangh groups spread across various
countries worldwide including United States, Canada, Europe, Asia & Australia.
INDIA (+91)
Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu 04175-237200
Sri Ramana Kendra – Mylapore, Chennai, Tamilnadu 044-24611397
Sri Sundara Mandiram – Tiruchuzhi, Tamilnadu 04566–282217
Sri Ramana Mandiram – Madurai, Tamilnadu 0452-2346102
Sri Ramana Satsang – Desur, Tamilnadu
Sri Ramana Kendram – Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 040-27424092
Sri Ramana Kendra – New Delhi 011-24626997
RMCL – Bangalore, Karnataka 080-23369633
NORTH AMERICA Sri Ramana Maharshi Satsangh Groups (+1)

San Francisco, CA 510-656-2752
Los Angeles, CA 310-473-9441
East Lyme, CT 860-691-1862
Washington, DC 301-528-5526
Atlanta, GA 678-546-0378
F. Lauderdale, FL 954-755-4758
Goshen, IN 574-875-6298
Arunachala Ashrama, New York 718-560-3196
Arunachala Ashrama, Canada 902-665-2090
Ann Arbor, MI 734-623-7199
Dublin, OH 614-664-1534
Ottawa, ON 713-733-8250
Toronto, ON 905-849-6005
Nashville, TN To be Updated

Saranagathi
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Sri Ramana eLibrary – 2008 Calendar and Special Days
New additions to the eLibrary include the electronic version of Sri Ramanasramam’s 2008 calendar
with special dates and events. Please visit http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/2008_calender.html to
be able to view the calendar and also download a pdf version of the calendar.
In addition to the calendar, special days in 2008, have been included for the benefit of devotees.
Please visit http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/special_days_2008.html to know about the special
days in 2008.
We will constantly keep you updated about the progress with regards to the eLibrary initiative.
Deepam Celebrations 2007 at Sri Ramanasramam – A Photo Gallery
The Deepam celebrations at Sri Ramanasramam were performed on Friday the 24th November 2007.
Please visit http://sriramanamaharshi.org/deepam/picture_deepam.html to see photographs taken
during this celebration at Sri Ramanasramam.
Deepam Celebrations at Nova Scotia – A Report by Sri Dennis Hartel
With Bhagavan's grace this year on Kartigai Deepam day we lit a deepam on top of the Arunachala
Ashrama mountain here in Nova Scotia. In route we lit deepams at Skanda Ashram and Virupaksha
Cave. Earlier in the morning, exactly corresponding to 6 pm your time we chanted
Asksharamanamalai and lit a deepam in front of Bhagavan and Arunachala within the Arunachala
Ramana Mandiram. All day we were immersed in the grace of Arunachala Ramana, our sole refuge
and support.
Similarly, we have reports that devotees from across HIS world celebrated Deepam with their
Satsangh groups and families.
Advent Celebrations at California – Report from

Smt. Sunita Parsuraman & Sh. Badri Gopalan
The Advent function was held in Milpitas Jain temple on 29th September, 2007. It began with a
melodious chanting of Aksharamanamaalai. Brahmachari Prabodh Chaitanyaji, resident acharya of
Chinmaya Mission, San Jose then gave a short talk on Bhagavan and his teachings.
The talk was followed by Bhajan's on Bhagavan, and then chanting of selected portions of the Veda,
and concluded with Aarti. There was a sumptuous lunch for all devotees at the end of the Aarti.

Saranagathi
Free Medical Camp at Sri Ramanasramam – Photo Gallery
Dear Devotees :
A free medical camp was conducted in the premises of Sri Ramanasramam (Morvi Guest House) on
Saturday, the 3rd November 2007 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The camp was conducted under the
aegis of Sri Ramanasramam by Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Hospital, Porur, Chennai.
A team of 14 technicians & 12 physicians comprising of dentists, cardiologist, neurologist,

nephrologists and orthopaedicians. More than 1000 patients were examined by the visiting team. The
team also came with x-ray, Ultra Sound, Echo Cardiogram and ECG machines. Free medicines were
distributed to the patients. The remaining drugs were generously donated to Ashram free dispensary
by the hospital.
The Ashram gratefully acknowledges the services of Sri Ramachandra Medical Center and its Vice
Chancellor Sri Venkatachalam.
Praying for Sri Bhagavan's Blessings,
President,
Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai.

Saranagathi
Free Medical Camp at Sri Ramanasramam – Photo Gallery (Continued)

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya J ANUARY 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
V OLUME 2, I SSUE 1
Saranagathi
eNewsletter from www.sriramanamaharshi.org
Purpose
By Publisher INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Purpose 1
Dear Devotees,
Happy New Year - 2008 1
With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to January 1946 @ Sri Ramanasramam 2
publish an eNewsletter from Sri Ramanasramam’s Sri Arunachaleswarar Giripradakshinam

website. The purpose is to bring together – A Report from Sri Ramanasramam 3/4
devotees of Sri Bhagavan from across the world. Ashram website updates 4
Saranagathi, a monthly eNewsletter, is being

developed to help devotees share their for download from the ashram website.
experiences, about satsangh, meetings and other
events that are held within various centers of Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi around the world. groups and centers is to share with us their events,
stories and experiences. Please email them to
It is proposed to have one feature article for each saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
issue. The feature article would focus on events
that happened during the years between 1879 Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan,
and 1950 as captured in popular books like Talks
with Sri Ramana Maharshi, Letters from Sri President
Ramanasramam and others, which are available Sri Ramanansramam.
Happy New Year - 2008

Praying for Sri Bhagavan’s Blessings & Grace.
Those On Whom The Guru’s Glance Of Grace Has Fallen Are
Like The Deer Caught In A Tiger’s Jaw. They Are Bound
To Have Their Wretched Ego Slain And Know The One
Supreme Awareness. They Will Never Be Forsaken.
- Sri Muruganar, The Garland of Guru’s Sayings, 284.

Page 2 Saranagathi
A Pair of Pigeons Bhagavan patted them cajolingly and put them

in the cage, saying, “Please go in. Be safe in the
By Smt. Suri Nagamma
cage.” Then Bhagavan said, “In the Bhagavatham,
An Extract from ‘Letters from Sri Ramanasramam’
pigeons also are stated to be in the hierarchy of
17th January, 1946. Gurus, in the chapter relating to Yadu
Samvadam. I remember having read that story
One morning about September or October 1945, a long ago.”
devotee from Bangalore, by name Venkataswami
Naidu, brought a pair of pigeons and gave them to While the pigeons were on his lap, one devotee
the Ashram as an offering. Seeing that, Bhagavan came and asked, “What is this?” Bhagavan said,
said, “We have to protect them from cats, etc., is it without attachment but assuming responsibility,
not? Who will look after them? A cage is required, “Who knows? They come, and decline to go
food must be given. Who will do all that here? It is back. They say they will stay here only. Another
better for him to take them away.” family has come upon me, as if what I already
have is not enough.” Dear brother, it is very
The devotee said he would make all the required interesting to witness these strange happenings.
arrangements and requested that they should be It is said that in olden days Emperor Bharatha
kept in the Ashram. He placed the pair of pigeons renounced the world and performed great tapas
in Bhagavan’s lap. With overflowing affection and (meditation), but towards the end of his life he
love, Bhagavan drew them near him, saying, could think only of his pet deer and so was born
“Come dears! Come! You won’t go back? You wish a deer in his next life.
to stay on here? All right, stay on; a cage will be
coming.” As he thus petted them with affection, In Vedanta Sastras, in the Bharatham and
they became absolutely quiet, closed their eyes as Bhagavatham there are many stories like this.
if they were in samadhi, and stayed on there Bhagavan had told us long ago: “Any living being
without moving this way or that. that comes to me, it is only to work out the
balance of its karma. So don’t prevent anyone
Bhagavan thereupon keeping them on his lap from coming to me.” When I looked at those
stopped petting them, and with his gracious eyes pigeons, it occurred to me that they might be
fixed on them, sat in silence, deeply immersed in great saints who had fallen from their austerity
samadhi. It took nearly an hour for the devotees in in meditation; otherwise, how could they get
the Ashram to find and bring a cage for them. The into the lap of Bhagavan, a privilege which is
wonder of it is, all through that one hour, the impossible for ordinary people? In canto V of
pigeons sat in Bhagavan’s lap without moving one Bhagavatham there is a verse which says that
way or the other as if they were a pair of yogis in people born in Bharatavarsha are blessed, since
samadhi. What could we say about their good Hari has come there a number of times as an
fortune? Is it not the result of their punya in avatar and blessed them by His precepts, help
previous births that this great sage should seat and guidance.
them on his lap, cajole them by patting them from
the head down to the feet with his hands, bless The above incident is an illustration of this, is it
them and thereby bestow on them divine bliss? not? What do you say?
Not only that, when the cage was brought in,
Page 3 Saranagathi
Sri Arunachaleswarar Giripradakshinam

A Report from Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai.
Sri Arunachaleswarar, the presiding deity of Sri

Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai goes
round the Arunachala Hill twice a year. First, on the
third day after the Deepam festival and the second
time on the third day of the Tamil month of Thai i.e.
around January 16th.
Immediately after the Deepam festival, the Lord is

accompanied by His consort and escorted by the Devotees receiving the Lord in front of Sri
deity from Adi Annamalai. However, in the month of Ramanasramam.
Thai, He goes alone on the day after 'Tiruvoodal' was performed.
festival. Both the times He is received with great
reverence and humility by devotees. Every time Sri Arunachaleswarar passes the Ashram,
the old devotees witnessing the event are reminded
As usual the procession, passed Sri Ramanasramam of Smt. Suri Nagamma's account of it in ‘Letters
this year on 26th of November around 1p.m, the from Sri Ramanasramam’. The following is the
Ashram President offered the Lord a garland, dhoti, excerpt from the book.
coconuts, fruits on behalf of all devotees and arati
21st November 1945.
The Son is Beholden to the Father
…The day before yesterday being full moon, the usual

Deepotsava (festival of lights) was celebrated on a
grand scale. This morning Sri Arunachaleswarar started
for giripradakshinam (going round the hill) with the
usual retinue and devotees and accompaniment of
music. By the time the procession reached the Ashram
Gate, Sri Niranjanananda Swami (the Sarvadhikari) came
out with Ashram devotees, offered coconuts and
camphor to Sri Arunachaleswarar, and paid homage
when the procession was stopped and the priests
performed Arati (waving of the lights) to the God. Just
then Sri Bhagavan happened to be going towards the
Goshala (cowshed) and seeing the grandeur he sat
down on the pial near the tap by the side of the book
depot.
Sri Arunachaleswarar & Apeethakuchambal.
Continued on page 4
Page 4 Saranagathi
Continued from page 3
The Arati plate offered to Sri Arunachaleswarar was

brought to Bhagavan by Ashram devotees and Sri
Bhagavan took a little Vibhuti (holy ashes) and applied
it to his forehead, saying in an undertone “Appakku
Pillai Adakkam” (The Son is beholden to the Father).
His voice seemed choked with emotion as he spoke.
The expression on his face proved the ancient saying
“Bhakti Poornathaya Jnanam” (the culmination of
Arati being performed to the Lord. Devotion is Knowledge). Sri Bhagavan is Lord Siva’s
son. Sri Ganapati Muni’s saying, that he is Skanda
incarnate, was confirmed. It struck us that Bhagavan
was teaching us that since all creatures are the
children of Ishwara, even a Jnani should be beholden
to Ishwara……
‘Letters from Sri Ramanasramam’ by Smt. Suri Nagamma
The procession going around the Hill.
Ashram Website Update

Please visit the following links which have been recently added:
• 128th Jayanti Pictures http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/Jayanti.html
• 128th Jayanti Video http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/video.html
• Swami Ramanananda http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/ramananda.html
• Sri Vidya Havan http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/srividya.html
• New Release http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/newrelease.html
Publisher: V.S. Ramanan
Editorial Team: Ranjani Ramanan, Prashanth Visweswaran, Ravi Ramanan
Email: saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org
Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya F EBRUARY 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
V OLUME 2, I SSUE 2
Saranagathi
Purpose
Purpose 1
Dear Devotees,
Who Am I? 1
With Sri Bhagavan‟s Grace we are pleased to January 1946 @ Sri Ramanasramam 2/3
publish an eNewsletter from Sri Ramanasramam‟s Maattu Pongal – A Report from Sri Ramanasramam 3
website. The purpose is to bring together Celebrating the Birthday 4
devotees of Sri Bhagavan from across the world.
Swami Ramanananda - Obituary 5
eLibrary Update 5
developed to help devotees share their
Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh
groups and centers is to share with us their events,
events that are held within various centers of
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi around the world.
It is proposed to have one feature article for each

Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan,
that happened during the years between 1879
President
Sri Ramanansramam.
with Sri Ramana Maharshi, Letters from Sri
Tiruvannamalai, India.
Ramanasramam and others, which are available
for download from the ashram website.
Who Am I?
When the World which is what –is-seen has been removed,
there will be Realization of the Self which is the Seer.
The nature of Awareness is Existence-Consciousness-Bliss.

- Sri Bhagavan.
Page 2 Saranagathi
Worship of the Cow

By Smt. Suri Nagamma of Lakshmi, enjoying the sight of the beautiful
An Extract from „Letters from Sri Ramanasramam‟
decorations on her, the devotees gave arati with
16th January, 1946. camphor, chanting Vedic hymns such as “Na
Karmana” etc. Some devotees said that they would
You know yesterday was the animal Festival of take a photo of Lakshmi. She was then led into the
Cows (Maattu Pongal). On that day, all over the middle of the Gosala after asking the devotees
country, domestic animals are decorated and fed who had gathered into a big group, to step aside.
with Pongal. In the Ashram also yesterday Lakshmi stood there, tossing her head in a
morning, several varieties of sweetmeats were graceful manner. Bhagavan also got up, came, and
prepared and, with garlands made of those stood by the side of Lakshmi, patting her head
sweetmeats, puja to Nandi was performed by and body with his left hand, and when he said,
drawing ornamental lines with lime powder before “Steady, please, be steady”, Lakshmi slowly closed
the cowshed, by tying plantain trees around the her eyes and remained absolutely quiet as if she
pillars, by hanging garlands of green leaves, by were in a samadhi (trance). Sri Ramana then
bathing all the cows, by placing tilakam (vermilion placed his right hand on her back, and with his
marks) on their foreheads and garlands around walking stick in his left, stood in a dignified
their necks, and by feeding them with Pongal. manner by the side of Lakshmi, when the
Finally puja was performed to the chanting of photographer took two or three photos. One must
mantras and the breaking of coconuts. see that sight to appreciate its grandeur fully.
Another photo was taken when Bhagavan was
Lakshmi is the queen amongst the cows, is she feeding her with his own hands fruits and
not? You must see her grandeur! Her forehead was sweetmeats. You can see the photos when you
smeared with turmeric powder, and adorned with come here. I was reminded of Lord Krishna in
Kumkum. Around her neck and horns were hung Repalle when I saw the grand spectacle of
garlands made of roses and several other flowers, Bhagavan standing in the midst of the cows in the
as also those made of edibles, and sweets. Besides Gosala. Not only this, in Brahma Vaivartha Purana
these, garlands made out of bananas, sugarcane it is stated that Krishna is the Paramatma, the Lord
pieces and coconut kernels, were put around her of the cow world, and that Radha is Prakriti. The
neck. Not satisfied with these, the person in theory in that Purana is that Radha and Madhava
charge of the animals brought from his own house are Prakriti and Purusha-the inseparable pair.
another garland made out of some savoury Standing with his body bent slightly to the left,
preparation like murukku and placed it on the and with his left hand on Lakshmi, and with the
neck of Lakshmi. When Niranjananandaswami walking stick in his right hand, looking as if it was
asked him what it was for, he replied with a flute, with a sparkling smile on the face like the
justifiable pride that that was his mamool (yearly foam on the waves of the ocean of ananda, with a
custom) to do so. When I saw Lakshmi thus compassionate look towards the group of
decorated like Kamadhenu, I was overjoyed and devotees that had gathered along with the herd of
felt extremely happy. cows, Sri Ramana, the embodiment of grace, it is
no surprise if one were reminded of Lord Krishna
Bhagavan, who went out at 9-45 a.m., came to the Himself standing with crossed legs, resting on his
Gosala (cow-shed) at 10 a.m., to shower his toes and playing exquisitely on the flute.
children there. While he sat on a chair by the side
Continued on Page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
Continued from Page 2
If that Krishna is Ramana, what are we to say of our Prakriti and Purusha. You would perhaps laugh
Lakshmi who appears to have been completely at my foolish fantasies but take it from me,
oblivious of this world with her ears hanging down, that sight was so lovely. Every year this
with her eyes closed and enjoying transcendental worship of the cow is being performed, but
bliss caused by the touch of Bhagavan‟s hands on her this year Bhagavan gave us this blissful
body? Shall I say that she is the embodiment of darshan by standing by the side of Lakshmi,
Prakriti in the shape of Radha? Otherwise, how could because the devotees said that they would take
she understand human language? a photo of Lakshmi. What a great day! I am
writing to you, because I just could not contain
It is no exaggeration to say that we, with human my joy.
eyes, saw in that congregation what is beyond
human sight; a world of cows, and its overlords,
16th January, 2008.
„Maattu Pongal‟ at Sri Ramanasramam
Pongal Festival (Makara Sankranti), which is a festival of

the people especially farmers of Tamil Nadu, was
celebrated at the Ashram on 15th January. It is a day of
Puja Cow at Ashram Gosala.
thanks giving to the Sun God. The next day is „Maattu
Pongal‟. „Maattu Pongal‟ means, Pongal festival
dedicated to cows and bulls. So at our ashram too the
cows, bulls and calves were the centre of attraction and
the objects of special affection and adoration on this
sacred day. The whole Gosala (cowshed) was given a
thorough wash. The cows and bulls were given a bath,
their horns were painted, vermillion applied to the
foreheads and garlands put round their necks. The
Ashram priest offered puja to the cows and prasad was Decorated Matrubhuteshwara Nandi.
distributed to those present.
Earlier a special puja was offered at the Samadhi of

Cow Lakshmi and the Nandi (sacred bull) at the
Matrubhuteswara Temple.
To see video and more pictures, click on link below.
http://sriramanamaharshi.org/mattupongal.html
Puja at Gosala.
Page 4 Saranagathi
Sri Bhagavan’s Jayanti was celebrated at Sri Ramanasramam and other centers around the world on 25th Dec, 2007.
Below is an article about the significance of celebrating Bhagavan’s Jayanti.
Celebrating the Birthday

By Jean Dunn.
An Extract from „Ramana Smrti – Sri Ramana Maharshi Birth Centenary Offering (1980).
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi was requested by identity – the Eternal Being. The illusion that
Vasudeva Sastri in 1912 to allow his birthday to be he was a body in time and space died. We
celebrated by his devotees. Bhagavan refused to be can only imagine that state, but because of
drawn into our illusion and, as do all his actions Bhagavan, we know that it is possible for us
and words, his reply on this occasion serves as a also to attain. In truth, as he tells us, there is
guide to bring us out of illusion into reality: nothing to attain, only question the illusion
and it will disappear.
You who wish to celebrate the birthday, seek first
whence was your birth. One‟s true birthday is when “To seek one‟s self and merge in the Self,
one enters that which transcends birth and death - that is Wisdom”. How to seek one‟s self?
the Eternal Being. Bhagavan has told us repeatedly to enquire,
in every situation, whatever happens, “to
At least on one‟s birthday one should mourn one‟s whom is this happening?” “Who am I?”, to
entry into this world (samsara). To glory in it and keep our attention focused on this “I”.
celebrate it is like delighting in and decorating a Gradually our mind will lose interest in the
corpse. To seek one‟s self and merge in the Self – magic show of the world and our own self
that is wisdom. will grow stronger. We have so many
concepts about everything – our self, the
Sri Bhagavan had no reasons of his own for world, God, and even the Absolute. These
anything he did. All was for our benefit. By „our‟ I concepts we have gathered from others and
mean all of us who have been drawn to him all made our own, thereby imprisoning
those who in the future will be drawn to him. What ourselves. No one else binds us, we bind our
was he teaching us by this verse? What does it self with bonds of illusion. The mind tends to
mean, “Seek first whence was your birth”? Aren‟t we be satisfied with words. If we can name a
all aware of who our parents are and the date of thing, we think we know it; we fail to seek
our birth? Yes, but that is the date of the birth of a the meaning of words. Bhagavan was
body and the parents are the bodies from which uncompromising in his insistence that we
this body is born. Are we the body? If so we will need only remove illusion; no effort is
surely die. What did Bhagavan do when, as a needed for realization because it is already
youngster of sixteen, he was faced with the there. By persistent enquiry, ignorance will
overwhelming certainty of immediate death? By a vanish. This is wisdom. We have great joy
deep enquiry he discovered that he was not the and good cause for celebration in the birth of
body, that he was never born and would never die. Sri Ramana Maharshi, the great sage whose
That was his true birthday, when he “entered that presence will guide us out of our ignorance
which transcends birth and death – the Eternal to wisdom. Although the body has died, the
Being”. He was reborn as the spirit Immortal. truth which is Bhagavan, our own Self, lives
Ignorance had vanished and he knew his true eternally.
Page 5 Saranagathi
Sri Swami Ramanananda

1914 – 2007
It is with great sadness that we convey the news of accurately the way Sri Bhagavan would talk and
Sri Swami Ramanananda‟s passing away. He was Sri interact with devotees on given occasions,
Bhagavan‟s nephew i.e. Sri Niranjananandaswami‟s something which brought tears of joy to the
son and served the ashram from 1938 till his onlooker‟s eyes.
retirement in 1994 as President of Sri
Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai. One will for sure miss Swamiji‟s smiling face, his
sense of humor and kindness towards one and
His devotion and faith in Sri Bhagavan was complete. all who visited the ashram. Sri Bhagavan has
One of his oft-repeated phrases was, “A 60-foot taken unto Himself his child, one whose very
circle of Bhagavan‟s protective grace is around me birth was due to His blessing, to fulfill Mother
always!” Swamiji was a fearless warrior and Alagamma‟s prayer that the family lineage may
underwent testing times to make the ashram a fully continue.
functioning organization, after Sri Bhagavan‟s
mahanirvana. A true karma yogi, Swamiji served the On 26th December, one day after participating in
ashram in many capacities. As he would say he was Sri Bhagavan‟s Jayanti function, Swamiji passed
“an all rounder”, overseeing activities as diverse as away peacefully at 8.30pm.
construction of ashram guesthouses, boundary wall
and other buildings, resolving legal matters that the
ashram has faced, managing the ashram finances
and even deciding the daily kitchen menu! His
attention to detail and diligence in carrying out any
task was something to be emulated.
Every letter to the ashram had to be stamped with

the date of receipt and the reply mailed the same
day as “this was the way Sri Bhagavan did it”. One of
his lesser known skills, was his ability to act out
eLibrary Updates
Please visit the following links which have been recently added to the eLibrary
 Sri Vidya Homam Pictures http://sriramanamaharshi.org/srividya.html

 Swami Ramanananda‟s Aradhana http://sriramanamaharshi.org/swamiramanananda.html
Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya M ARCH 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
V OLUME 2, I SSUE 3
Saranagathi
Purpose
Purpose 1
Dear Devotees, Sri Niranjanananda Swami 2/3
Sri Vidya Havan – A Report from Sri Ramanasramam 3

With Sri Bhagavan‟s Grace we are pleased to Sri Chakra Meru 4
publish this eNewsletter from Sri
Ramanasramam‟s website. The purpose is to
bring together devotees of Sri Bhagavan from
across the world.
Ramanasramam and others, which are available for
download from the ashram website.
Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsangh

President
Sri Ramanansramam.
Grace
If towards the Lord you take one single step,
then with much more than a mother‟s love
He takes nine steps towards you to accept you.
Such is Guru‟s Grace.
- Garland of Guru‟s Sayings by Sri Muruganar

Page 2 Saranagathi
The Aradhana of Sri Niranjanananda Swami, Sri Bhagavan‟s brother and former Sarvadhikari of Sri
Ramanasramam, was celebrated at his samadhi on January 22nd, 2008 with special abhishekam and puja.
The following article presents a brief sketch of his life, service and devotion to Sri Bhagavan and his many
contributions to Sri Ramanasramam.
Sri Niranjanananda Swami

An extract from Timeless in Time - Sri Ramana path and that they should not under any
Maharshi - A Biography by A.R.Natarajan circumstances be requested for financial support.
An Extract from „Letters from Sri Ramanasramam‟ Hence Niranjanananda Swami had to complete the
task little by little, with great patience and
exceptional single-mindedness. He went to Burma
to get the best teakwood and to other places to
procure quality materials. The services of an
outstanding sthapati (authority on temple
architecture) Vaidyanatha Sthapati were engaged
to be in charge of the construction. It was a labour
of love to one who had given birth to the world
teacher.
It is also to his credit that the house in which

Ramana was born in Tiruchuzhi and the house at
which he became an enlightened one in Madurai
From 1929 to the beginning of 1953, the
were acquired through his efforts. In one sense his
management of Sri Ramanasramam was headed
most important service was to ensure that the
by Niranjanananda Swami. He was the younger
ashram extended hospitality and solicitude to the
brother of Ramana. This by itself perhaps would
devotees and the visitors. He would take care that
have been sufficient for reverential obeisance to
they were well fed. Another important aspect was
him. During this period there was phenomenal
his keenness to ensure that the works of Ramana
growth of the ashram. When he took over, there
be available at affordable prices. „The Collected
were only two huts and Ramana‟s hall. Gradually
Works of Ramana‟ in Tamil, „Who am I?‟, in many
various buildings including the dining hall which
languages, the first biography of Ramana, „Sat
is the biggest in structure, came up. The
Darsanam‟, „Maharshi‟s Gospel‟, were all brought
pinnacle of his achievement was the construction
out by him. As a result the ashram became an
of Matrubhuteswara temple, the grand edifice
active centre for spreading Ramana‟s teachings.
over Mother Azhagammal‟s samadhi. The
construction, which began on September 1,
What marked him out was his total surrender to
1931, took nearly ten years to complete. For
Ramana whom he regarded as the Supreme One.
Ramana had imposed a strict injunction against
He had renounced family life and hitched his life to
raising of any funds in his name or that of the
Ramana even while he was at Skandasramam. The
ashram. Ramana‟s position was that devotees
old devotees were unanimous in affirming that he
came to him for solace and counsel on the inner
regarded his job as an assignment given to him by
Continued on Page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
Ramana to be executed in an attitude of surrender. A day prior to his Mahasamadhi, on January 28,
“Above all his absolute dedication to Bhagavan and 1953, he called his successor T.N.Venkataraman,
his unwavering faith were his mainstay and his family and ashram devotees and said,
support”. “Everything belongs to Bhagavan and should be
guarded with care and vigilance. Devote yourself
It is said that he was excessively strict particularly heart and soul to the service of the Lord and in
in enforcing the rule that in exchange for free food return he will shower his grace on you. Be sincere
the inmates should do service to the ashram, be it and truthful to the core of your being.”
in the office, kitchen, garden or elsewhere. He was
so firm on this that it is said on one occasion His samadhi is located in the ashram directly
Ramana had to humorously intercede on behalf of opposite the Matrubhuteswara temple in line with
„Sama Thatha‟ by referring to the pension rules of the sanctum-sanctorum.
the government.
Sri Vidya Havan

A report from Sri Ramanasramam.
On January 30th, 2008 Sri Vidya Havan was performed at Sri Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai. This
annual havan commemorates the commencement of the worship of the Sri Chakra Meru consecrated by
the touch of Sri Bhagavan.
Page 4 Saranagathi
The following extract is from A Sadhu‟s Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi by Sadhu Arunachala (Major
A.W.Chadwick). It describes in detail how Sri Bhagavan has blessed the Sri Chakra Meru installed in the
Mathrubhuteswara temple.
Sri Chakra Meru
Bhagavan was deeply interested in the construction

of the Shrine built over his Mother‟s tomb. He
attended every function in connection with it,
placing his hands in blessing on the various objects
that were to be enclosed in the walls. At night,
when no one was about he would walk round and Sri Chakra Meru
round the construction consecrating it. That he
should take such a demonstrative part in anything happened that night to be at his side the whole
has a very deep significance. It was extremely rare time; this was unusual as I deliberately avoided
and has been doubted by many, but I myself was an taking prominent part in such things, preferring
eye-witness to these things and can vouch for their to watch from the back. Strangely, something
truth. made me keep by him on this occasion and on
account of this I was able to understand his
He took a personal interest in the cutting of the Sri deep interest in the Temple and especially in
Chakra Meru in granite which was installed in the the Sri Chakra. It was because of this knowledge
completed temple and is regularly worshipped. This that I was instrumental after Bhagavan‟s
is about one and a half feet square and passing, in persuading the Ashram authorities
proportionately high. At the time of the to institute the Sri Chakra Poojas six times a
Kumbhabhishekam, on the penultimate night month. The explanation for this unusual action
before the sacred water was poured over the on Bhagavan‟s part may be found in the
images, he personally superintended the necessity that Siva must be always accompanied
installation in the inner shrine. It was an extremely by Shakti. The world would stop otherwise. On
hot night and with three charcoal retorts for the only occasion when such a Pooja was
melting the cement adding to the heat, it must have performed shortly after the dedication of the
been intolerable inside the airless cave of the inner Temple during the life of Bhagavan, he refused
shrine, but for about an hour and a half Bhagavan to go for his evening meal but insisted on
sat there telling the workmen what to do. remaining a witness of it until the end. When
someone remarked how magnificent it had been
On the last night of the function he went in and it would be good thing if such Poojas could
procession, opening the doors of the new Hall and be performed regularly, “Yes,” replied Bhagavan,
temple and passing straight up into the Inner “but who will take the trouble?” The trouble is
Shrine, where he stood for some five minutes with being taken now and it undoubtedly has the
both hands laid on the Sri Chakra in blessing. I blessings of Bhagavan.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya APRIL 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
Saranagathi
V OLUME 2, I SSUE 4
Purpose
Purpose 1
The Teaching in Silence 2

Dear Devotees,
Sivaratri - A Report from Sri Ramanasramam 2/3
Conducting a Ramana Satsang 3
With Sri Bhagavan’s Grace we are pleased to
Inner Path – Giripradakshina 4
Ramanasramam’s website. The purpose is to
across the world.
Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsang
experiences, about satsangs, meetings and other

President
The Kingdom of God
Because we think we are the body

We imagine that Heaven exists
Somewhere, afar. The pure, bright world
Of Siva is not a place to go to.
Nowhere but in your heart alone
It is.
- Garland of Guru’s Sayings (194) by Sri Muruganar
Page 2 Saranagathi
The Teaching in Silence

An extract from At the Feet of Bhagavan - Leaves from the Diary of Sri T.K. Sundaresa Iyer
It was a Sivaratri Day. The evening worships at stillness! He sat still, and all sat still, waiting. The
the Mother's shrine were over. The devotees had clock went on striking, nine, ten, eleven, twelve,
their dinner with Sri Bhagavan, who was now on one, two and three. Sri Bhagavan sat and they sat.
His seat, the devotees at His feet sitting around Stillness, calmness, motionlessness - not
Him. conscious of the body, of space or time.
At 8 p.m. one of the Sadhus stood up, did Thus eight hours were passed in Peace, in Silence,
pranam (offered obeisance), and with folded in Being, as It is. Thus was the Divine Reality
hands prayed: "Today is the Sivaratri Day; we taught through the speech of Silence by Bhagavan
should be highly blessed by Sri Bhagavan Sri Ramana Dakshinamurthi.
expounding to us the meaning of the Hymn to
Dakshinamurti (stotra)." Says Bhagavan: "Yes, sit At the stroke of 4 a.m. Sri Bhagavan quietly said:
down." "And now have you known the essence of the
Dakshinamurthi Hymn". All the devotees stood and
The Sadhu sat, and all eagerly looked at Sri made pranam to the holy Form of the Guru in the
Bhagavan and Sri Bhagavan looked at them. Sri ecstasy of their Being.
Bhagavan sat and sat in His usual pose, no,
poise. No words, no movement, and all was
Sivaratri
Sivaratri is a sacred day for all devotees of Siva.

Siva is worshipped as the Supreme Reality in
his formless aspect as also with form
represented by the linga.
This year it occurred on 6th March and was

celebrated at the Ashram as usual with four
special pujas, preceded by abhishekams
throughout the night. Ekadasa Rudra parayana
was also done before the third puja.
It was an unforgettable experience for

devotees who kept vigil throughout the night
and went round the Hill. Special Puja at Sri Bhagavan’s Shrine on Sivaratri.
Continued on Page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
The following verse selected by Sri Bhagavan

from the Puranas explains the significance of
Sivaratri.
The first day on which Lord Siva Himself took

The form of the Mountain-Linga called
Lord Arunachala, was Arudra in month of
Margazhi. And that day when
Lord Vishnu and the Devas worshipped Him,
From out of the effulgence taking birth,
Was Sivaratri in the Masi month.
Rudram chanting at Sri Bhagavan’s Shrine.
Conducting a Ramana Satsang

A Guideline – Response to an email request.
reminisce about the life of Sri Bhagavan, His
Ramana Satsang’s are observed by like-minded
devotees, His ashram and enjoy the “naturalness
devotees across the world, and below is an
of Bhagavan which was as striking as His
attempt to describe the usual program across
grandeur”.
North America. These are usually conducted bi-
weekly or monthly by a group of devotees living
A short period of meditation is usually followed
within travelling ‘radius’, either at a devotee’s
by reading about Bhagavan’s teachings from
home or at a temple, equidistant to many.
books like ‘Maharshi’s Gospel’ or ‘Who Am I?’.
The 1½ to 2 hour program starts off with

Some satsang groups conduct a short program
chanting Sri Bhagavan’s works, namely the
for children called ‘Bala Ramana’ while the
popular and enchanting ‘Aksharamanamalai’
adults meditate and read. The children listen to
followed by ‘Upadesa Saram’ and ‘Arunachala
stories about Bhagavan’s life and also learn
Pancharatnam’ to delve on Maharshi’s teachings.
short songs or slokas. This is followed by arati
and a potluck lunch/dinner ‘prasad’,
Reading from Bhagavan books is also a clear
favorite for many devotees. Some groups choose
A pdf file containing many of the usual satang
to read any of the Ashram publications from
program items, are available for download, by
cover to cover over the course of several
clicking on the link below.
satsangs or sometimes they prefer to read
excerpts from books like ‘Talks with Sri Ramana Satsangh Program
Maharshi’ or ‘Letters from Sri Ramanasramam’. It
is strongly felt that reading is an ideal tool to
Page 4 Saranagathi
Inner Path – Giri Pradakshina

By Peter Berking
(Washington, D.C. Area Satsang Group)
The purpose of this article is to explain to devotees

how to follow a route for Pradakshina on the Inner
Path that avoids going through downtown
Tiruvannamalai in the last 1/3 of the route. The
traditional route for the Inner Path normally joins
up with the Outer Path about 2/3 of the way
through and immerses one in the hustle and bustle
of town, which I find is often an unpleasantly
jarring contrast to the peaceful, natural setting of
the Inner Path up to that point. Instead of going
through the business district of town in the final leg
of the route, this route takes you through the
Pavala Kundru (Coral Hills) residential
neighborhood on the slope of Arunachala.
I find that the generally more peaceful environment Inner Path around Arunachala
and welcoming, cheerful attitude of the residents of
Pavala Kundru makes the experience of Pradakshina
considerably more pleasant, and makes it easier to
maintain the momentum of stillness generated by
the Inner Path up to that point. This way of doing
Pradakshina really lives up to the name “Inner Path”,
both physically and spiritually. It has the added
bonus of taking you through Virupaksha Cave and
Skandashram–a fitting finale to the intimate
communion with Arunachala that is experienced
through the Inner Path.
The full instructions for following this route are too

lengthy to include here, download pdf file below for Rugged terrain and nature at its best.
more details by clicking on link below.
Inner Pradakshina Instructions

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya MAY 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5
Saranagathi
Purpose
Purpose 1
Mahasamadhi of Sri Bhagavan in April, 1950 2

Dear Devotees,
th
8.47pm on April 14 , 2008 3
With Sri Bhagavan‟s Grace we are pleased to

Ramanasramam‟s website. The purpose is to
across the world.
Our earnest request, to all devotees, satsang
experiences, about satsangs, meetings and other

President
Sri Ramanansramam.
True Immortality Tiruvannamalai, India.
Believing that the body is

Oneself, one dreads the body‟s death.
Enquiring “What dies?”, “Who am I?”
One dies into the Self. How else
But through the ego‟s death can one
Gain immortality.
- Garland of Guru‟s Sayings (228) by Sri Muruganar
Page 2 Saranagathi
Mahasamadhi of Sri Bhagavan in April, 1950

An extract from Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge by Arthur Osborne
On Thursday, April 13th, a doctor brought Sri wave of his right hand he motioned him away.
Bhagavan a palliative to relieve the congestion There were about a dozen persons in the small
in the lungs but he refused it. “It is not room, doctors and attendants.
necessary; everything will come right within two
days.” Two of the attendants were fanning him, and the
devotees outside gazed spell-bound at the moving
That night he bade his attendants go and sleep fans through the window, a sign that there was still
or meditate and leave him alone. a living body to fan. A reporter of a large American
magazine moved about restlessly, uneasy at
On Friday the doctors and attendants knew it having been impressed despite himself and
was the last day. In the morning he again bade determined not to write his story till he got away
them go and meditate. About noon, when liquid from Tiruvannamalai to conditions that he
food was brought for him, he asked the time, considered normal. With him was a French press-
punctual as ever, but then added, “But photographer.
henceforth time doesn‟t matter.”
Unexpectedly, a group of devotees sitting on the
Delicately expressing recognition of their long veranda outside the hall began singing
years of service, he said to the attendants, “The „Arunachala-Siva‟ (Aksharamanamalai). On hearing
English have a word „thanks‟ but we only say it, Sri Bhagavan‟s eyes opened and shone. He gave
santhosham (I am pleased).” a brief smile of indescribable tenderness. From the
outer edges of his eyes tears of bliss rolled down.
In the morning the long crowd filed past the One more deep breath, no more. There was no
open doorway silent with grief and struggle, no spasm, no other sign of death: only
apprehension, and again between four and five that the next breath did not come.
in the evening. The disease-racked body they
saw there was shrunken, the ribs protruding, For a few moments people stood bewildered. The
the skin blackened, it was a pitiable vestige of singing continued. The French press-photographer
pain. And yet at some time during these last few came up to me and asked at what precise minute it
days each devotee received a direct, luminous, had happened. Resenting it as journalistic
penetrating look of recognition which he felt as callousness, I replied brusquely that I did not
a parting infusion of Grace. know, and then I suddenly recalled Sri Bhagavan‟s
unfailing courtesy and answered precisely that it
After darshan that evening the devotees did not was 8.47. He said, and I could hear now that he
disperse to their homes. Apprehension held was excited, that he had been pacing the road
them there. At about sunset Sri Bhagavan told outside and at that very moment an enormous star
the attendants to sit him up. They knew already had trailed slowly across the sky. Many had seen it,
that every movement, every touch was painful, even as far away as Madras, and felt what it
but he told them not to worry about that. He sat portended. It passed to the north-east towards the
with one of the attendants supporting his head. peak of Arunachala.
A doctor began to give him oxygen but with a
Page 3 Saranagathi
8.47pm on April 14th, 2008.

The anniversary of Sri Bhagavan‟s Brahma

Nirvana is usually celebrated on Chaitra Krishna
Paksha Trayodasi (April-May) reckoning the day
according to the Souramana (solar) system of the
Hindu calendar. For the last few years it is also
observed according to the Gregorian calendar,
that is, on 14th April, the day Bhagavan left His
body.
For the last few years it is also observed

Nirvana room.
according to the Gregorian calendar, that is, on
14th April, the day Bhagavan left His body. Sri
Bhagavan‟s Aksharamanamalai was chanted by a
large number of devotees before the Nirvana
room on 14th April this year between 8.15pm
and 9pm. This chanting movingly re-enacted the
scene of the very same day in 1950, when
devotees present chanted the hymn in the
minutes before Bhagavan‟s Brahma Nirvana.
Sri Bhagavan's Decorated Picture.
Devotees in front of Nirvana Room. View of Nirvana Room with Devotees reciting
Akshramanamalai.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya J UNE 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6
Saranagathi
CONTENTS
This Issue This Issue 1
Destiny & Free Will 1
Dear Sri Bhagavan Devotees, The Mother 2
A Devotee’s Experience 5
With Sri Bhagavan‟s Blessings we are pleased to ‘Linga Pratishta’ at Swami Ramananandha’s Samadhi 7
publish the June 2008 Saranagathi issue.
The month of May was one of intense activity at current form has grown primarily around her
Sri Ramanasramam. We celebrated both Sri samadhi. In this issue we publish a short biography
Bhagavan and Mother Alagamma‟s Aradhana. of Mother Alagamma, Vijay Krishnasamy‟s moving
and inspiring email from Australia and a report on
We got many reports of His Aradhana „Linga Pratishta‟ at Swami Ramanananda‟s samadhi.
celebrations, from around the world. The Ashram
and Tiruvannamalai received few „welcome‟ We look forward to hearing from you, about your
showers followed by long periods of hot weather, satsangs and experiences. Please send your emails
like the rest of South India. to saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
The focus of the June issue of Saranagathi is on Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan,
Sri Bhagavan‟s mother, Alagamma. Her faith and
devotion to Sri Bhagavan was immense. She Editorial Team.
stayed with Sri Bhagavan at Virupaksha cave and
later at Skandashram. Sri Ramanasramam, in its
Destiny & Free Will
The Ordainer controls the fate of souls

in accordance with their prarabdhakarma.
Whatever is destined not to happen will not
happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined
to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it.
This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent.
- Sri Bhagavan‟s written answer to His Mother.
Page 2 Saranagathi
The Mother
An extract from Ramana Maharshi & The Path in Liberation from the delirium of life. Needless to
say, Alagammal recovered. She returned to
of Self-Knowledge by Sri Arthur Osborne
Manamadura, but after this prayer circumstances
Nagamma
conspired to draw her back from the life of the
Shortly after Sri Bhagavan‟s mother returned
world to that of the Ashram. The family house at
from her unsuccessful attempt to win him back
Tiruchuzhi had been sold to meet debts and pay
to her in 1900, she lost her eldest son. Two
necessary expenses. Her brother-in-law,
years later the youngest son, Nagasundaram,
Nelliappier, had died, leaving the family in none
still only a lad of seventeen, went to
too easy circumstances. In 1915 the wife of her
Tiruvannamalai for the first time to see his
youngest son, Nagasundaram, died, leaving a
Swami brother. So overcome was he that he
young son who was adopted by his aunt Alamelu,
embraced him and wept aloud; Sri Bhagavan sat
now married. Alagammal began to feel that the
silent, unmoved. The mother came once for a
only place left for her in her old age was with her
brief visit on her return from a pilgrimage to
Swami son. Early in 1916 she went to
Benares.
Tiruvannamalai.
In 1914 she went on a pilgrimage to
At first she stayed for a few days with Echammal.
Venkataramanaswami Shrine at Tirupati and
Some of the devotees were against her staying with
again stayed at Tiruvannamalai on her way
Sri Bhagavan, fearing that he might leave his abode
back. This time she fell ill there and suffered
in silent protest, as he had left home in 1896.
severely for several weeks with symptoms of
However, there was a great difference, for now it
typhoid. Sri Bhagavan tended her with great
was she who had renounced home, not he who
solicitude. The verses he composed during her
was detained there. The majesty of Sri Bhagavan
sickness are the only instance known of any
was so awe-inspiring that, despite his gracious
prayer of his to influence the course of events.
manner, when a question like this arose as to what
Oh Lord! Hill of my refuge, who curest the ills of
he would wish none presumed to ask him directly.
recurrent births, it is for Thee to cure my
Even if any did he might sit unmoved, not replying,
mother‟s fever. Oh God who slayest death!
for he had no wishes. The wish for the mother‟s
Reveal Thy feet in the Heart-Lotus of her who
recovery expressed in his verses is something
bore me to take refuge at Thy Lotus-Feet, and
quite exceptional. Soon after his mother came to
shield her from death. What is death if
stay with him, Sri Bhagavan moved from
scrutinised? Arunachala, Thou blazing fire of
Virupaksha to Skandashram, a little higher up the
Knowledge! Enfold my mother in Thy Light and
hill and directly above Virupaksha. This is a much
make her one with Thee. What need then for
more spacious cave and was constructed for him
cremation? Arunachala, Dispeller of illusion!
to occupy. Finding a damp patch of rock there he
Why dost Thou delay to dispel my mother‟s
rightly guessed that there must be a concealed
delirium? Is there any but Thee to watch as a
spring. This was released by digging and yielded a
Mother over one who has sought refuge in Thee
perennial flow of water, enough for all Ashram
and to rescue from the tyranny of karma?
needs, even for a small garden that was made in
Ostensibly a prayer for the mother to be saved front of the Cave. The mother began to prepare
from her fever, this was in reality a prayer to meals, and so began a new epoch in Ashram life.
save her also from the vaster fever of illusion
Wishing to draw her younger son also to the
and gather her back into Oneness with the Self
Ashram, Alagammal sent a devotee to summon
Continued on Page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
him there. He gave up the job he had at was what he attacked. In general he laid stress on
Tiruvengadu and went to live at Tiruvannamalai. At the importance of sattvic (pure) food. He did not
first he stayed in town, taking food at the house of often give any injunctions at all concerning outer
some friend or other and daily visiting the Ashram. activity; his usual method was to sow the spiritual
Before long he took the vow of renunciation and seed in the heart and leave it to shape the outer
donned the ochre robe under the name of life as it grew. The injunctions came from within.
Niranjanananda Swami, although he was more One Western devotee was an out-and-out meat-
often known familiarly as „Chinnaswami‟, the „Little eater when he arrived, looking upon meat as the
Swami‟, through being the brother of the Swami. real substance of a meal as well as the most tasty
For a while he still went daily to beg his food in part, and, with no word spoken on the subject, the
town, but then it seemed incongruous to the time came when he felt an aversion to the very
devotees that the Swami‟s own brother should go idea of eating meat.
and beg when there was food for all at the Ashram There were other ways also in which the mother
and he was prevailed upon so settle there. was made to realize that he who had been born
To return to the mother: it was a severe training her son was a Divine Incarnation. Once as she sat
that she received. Often enough Sri Bhagavan before him he disappeared and she saw instead a
would ignore her, not answering when she spoke, lingam (column) of pure light. Thinking this to
although he took notice of others. If she mean that he had discarded his human form, she
complained he would say, “All women are my burst into tears, but soon the lingam vanished and
mothers, not you only.” One is reminded of he reappeared as before. On another occasion she
Christ‟s saying when he was told that his mother saw him garlanded and surrounded with serpents
and brothers were standing at the edge of the like the conventional representations of Siva. She
crowd, waiting to speak to him, “Whoever does the cried to him: “Send them away! I am frightened of
will of my Father Who is in heaven is my brother them!” After this she begged him to appear to her
and sister and mother.” At first Sri Bhagavan‟s henceforth only in his human form. The purpose of
mother would often weep with vexation but the visions had been served; she had realized that
gradually understanding developed in her. The the form she knew and loved as her son was as
feeling of superiority in being the mother of the illusory as any other he might assume.
Swami fell away, the sense of ego was weakened In 1920 the health of the mother began to fail. She
and she devoted herself to the service of the was able to work less in the service of the Ashram
devotees. and was obliged to rest more. During her illness Sri
Even now, he would still make fun of her orthodox Bhagavan attended on her constantly, often sitting
scruples. If her sari happened to touch a non- up at night with her. In silence and meditation her
Brahmin he would exclaim in mock consternation: understanding matured. The end came in 1922 on
“Look! Purity is gone! Religion is gone!” The the festival of Bahula Navami, which fell that year
Ashram food was strictly vegetarian, but on May 19th. Sri Bhagavan and a few others waited
Alagammal, like some very devout Brahmins, went on her the whole day without eating. About sunset
still further and considered some vegetables also a meal was prepared and Sri Bhagavan asked the
unsattvic (impure), and Sri Bhagavan would say others to go and eat, but he himself did not. In the
mockingly: “Mind that onion! It is a great obstacle evening a group of devotees sat chanting the
to Moksha (Deliverance)!” It should be said here Vedas beside her while others invoked the name of
that Sri Bhagavan did not disapprove of orthodoxy Ram. For more than two hours she lay there, her
in general. In this case there was excessive chest heaving and her breath coming in loud
attachment to the forms of orthodoxy and that gasps, and all this while Sri Bhagavan sat beside
Continued on Page 4
Page 4 Saranagathi
her, his right hand on her heart and his left on her she had been absorbed into the Self and not remained
head. This time there was no question of to be reborn to the illusion of ego, but some doubt
prolonging life but only of quieting the mind so was felt whether the body of a woman Saint should be
that death could be Mahasamadhi, absorption in given burial instead of being cremated. Then it was
the Self. recalled that in 1917 this very point had formed part
At eight o‟clock in the evening she was finally of a series of questions put to Sri Bhagavan by
released from the body. Sri Bhagavan immediately Ganapati Sastri and his party and that he had answered
rose, quite cheerful. “Now we can eat,” he said; affirmatively. “Since Jnana (Knowledge) and Mukti
“come along, there is no pollution.” There was deep (Deliverance) do not differ with the difference of sex,
meaning in this. A Hindu death entails ritualistic the body of a woman Saint also need not be burnt. Her
pollution calling for purificatory rites, but this had body also is the abode of God.”
not been a death but a reabsorption. There was no
disembodied soul but perfect Union with the Self
and therefore no purificatory rites were needed.
Some days later Sri Bhagavan confirmed this: when
someone referred to the passing away of the
mother he corrected him curtly, “She did not pass
away, she was absorbed.” Describing the process
afterwards, he said: “Innate tendencies and the
subtle memory of past experiences leading to
future possibilities became very active. Scene after
scene rolled before her in the subtle
Sri Bhagavan with His Mother
consciousness, the outer senses having already
gone. The soul was passing through a series of
Sri Bhagavan stood silently looking on without
experiences, thus avoiding the need for rebirth and
participating. The body of the mother was interred at
making possible Union with the Spirit. The soul
the foot of the hill at the southern point, between the
was at last disrobed of the subtle sheaths before it
Palitirtham Tank and the Dakshinamurti Mantapam
reached the final Destination, the Supreme Peace of
(shrine). Relatives and friends arrived for the ceremony
Liberation from which there is no return to
and large crowds came from the town. Sacred ashes,
ignorance.” Potent as was the aid given by Sri
camphor, incense, were thrown into the pit around the
Bhagavan, it was the saintliness of Alagammal, her
body before it was filled up. A stone tomb was
previous renunciation of pride and attachment,
constructed and on it was installed a sacred lingam
that enabled her to benefit by it.
brought from Benares.
Often when devotees suffered bereavement Sri
Later a temple was raised on the spot, finally
Bhagavan reminded them that it is only the body
completed in 1949 and known as Matrubhuteswara
that dies and only the I-am-the-body illusion that
Temple, the Temple of God Manifested as the Mother.
makes death seem a tragedy. Now, at the time of
As the coming of the mother had marked an epoch in
his own bereavement, he showed no grief
Ashram life, so also did her departure. Instead of
whatever. The whole night he and the devotees sat
being checked, the development increased. There were
up singing devotional songs. This indifference to
devotees who felt that, as Shakti or Creative Energy,
his mother‟s physical death is the real commentary
her presence was more potent now than before. On
on his prayer at the time of her previous sickness.
one occasion Sri Bhagavan said: “Where has she gone?
The question arose of the disposal of the body. She is here.”
There was the testimony of Bhagavan himself that
Page 5 Saranagathi
Vijay Krishnasamy‟s email from Sydney, Australia.
I have been living in Sydney for over a decade now. I have a loving family with two beautiful little
children by Bhagavan‟s blessings. I have been contemplating for a while on writing my thoughts and
experiences on Bhagavan in the Ashram Newsletter. Although I love reading spiritual literature, I
haven‟t written such articles before. What inspired me today is an article in one of the newsletters
about Sri Niranjanananda Swami (better known as „Sarvadhikari‟, the task master, to many of us) and
Sri Muruganar‟s writing from the Garland of Guru‟s sayings, which reads, “Those on whom the Guru‟s
Glance of Grace Has Fallen Are Like the Deer Caught in a Tiger‟s Jaw..”. I know there are so many
religious scholars and sincere Bhagavan devotees, who are better qualified than me to write about
Bhagavan as a „Jnani‟. Many can explain better that he is „Antharyami‟, „Ati ashrami‟ or a „Jivan-Muktha‟
who lived in mortal coil. To be honest, I have done little bhakti or yoga so far, even though I respect
and admire such sadhakas. In spite of my materialistic desires, shortcomings and vasanas in this birth,
I dare to call Bhagavan, „Appa‟, from the bottom of my heart. May be that is the only merit I had and
have.
People may laugh at me or call me „dushta‟, if I tell them that as a young lad I used to walk around our
colony in Madras, with a long stick (silambu) in one hand. I used to call myself „Lakshmana‟, who is
here to protect my father, family and friends, from anyone who comes to harm them in any way (even
though love and friendship has been my basic nature). As an adult I have always considered myself a
strong person and I worked hard to reach where I am, until August 2005. What happened to me then in
terms of my personal experiences, associated mental turbulence and emotions for the next one year,
were too much for me to bear. It was proved to me that one of my most trusted and intimate friend had
been betraying me badly for 4 continuous years. I shared quite a lot of this with my wife, but still
couldn‟t tell everything. During this time I have stood in front of Bhagavan‟s photo alone and cried
many times. I spoke to Him and asked Him many questions while driving, walking in the streets and
around my office building in Sydney, as if He was coming next to me (don‟t know how many took me
for a lunatic). I even fought with Bhagavan in my mind, got angry few times and refused to see His face
in any of His photos in my house for a week until one day I came to pick up the phone hearing it ring.
My eyes fell on a book about Bhagavan, kept next to the phone by my wife. She didn‟t know about the
hard „viradham‟ I was keeping for the last one week by not looking at Bhagavan‟s photo. That book‟s
cover had my favourite photo of Bhagavan. There He was, looking at me with His most compassionate,
radiant and loving look, which I can never get in any life time from any earthly father. I broke down,
took his book and locked myself in my room kissing His forehead in the photo. Next thing I heard was
my wife shouting that I don‟t even pick up a phone call at home. My stress level was high by then.
After a month or so, one night I was feeling exhausted. It was around 11:30 pm on a week day. I was
sitting alone in my lounge room on my couch in the dark. My wife and children were asleep. It was
raining heavily outside and I could hear the thunder and see the lightning in the sky through my
house‟s French doors. I got up, went forward and stood in front of Bhagavan‟s photo kept in the pelmet
of my lounge room (which I couldn‟t see clearly in the dark). I closed my eyes and stood there with
folded hands for some time (maybe I went into a micro sleep or something, I don‟t know). Suddenly I
felt as if a cloud of mist or something similar crawling through my back from my leg to the shoulder.
Continued on Page 6
Page 6 Saranagathi
My body started to tremble. I think I half opened my eyes and saw (a kind of) snow white light or rays
filling a portion of my lounge room. My mind took it for the light of lightning spreading through the
gaps of my home‟s entrance doors into my lounge room. All I remember after that was that I went
straight to bed and slept peacefully until next morning. Honestly, I don‟t know what exactly happened
that night, but the cloud of disturbances started to clear slowly from then on. After that I got many
answers and memories as thoughts and picture patterns in my mind. Deep inside me I felt that what I
had thought of as my achievements so far in life were all because of Bhagavan‟s grace and blessing. All
the turmoil I went through by then were because of my prarabdha and it was Bhagavan‟s grace all
through which reduced the heat of the consequences. It could have been worse for me, for instance
many years ago when I met with a head-on collision, instead of dying, I walked out with a couple of
bruises because of Him. I understood how many times in the past from my childhood till today His
saving Grace has protected me. All my problems got resolved one by one sometime after that. Bhagavan
didn‟t perform any explicit miracles while in His body, but His love and compassion for His devotees is
so intense, that the Divine Will comes into play automatically and protects us or rewards us at the right
time. This happens and will happen beyond time and space for those who take solace in Him
irrespective of their merits.
I took my wife and children to Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, at the end of 2006. I stayed in the
ashram accommodation given to me for a week or so. While I was in the Ashram I felt as if I had come
back home. My energy levels were very high. I felt like a 20 year old. I went and kissed the big ashram
tree next to the present ashram parking lot, which is standing as a witness to many epics that happened
and are happening in the ashram by Bhagavan‟s grace. I went around every nook and corner of the
ashram, as if I was looking for Bhagavan who went around the ashram grounds for His daily stroll.
Suddenly a thought flashed in my mind as to how fortunate were the people who had lived with
Bhagavan, who saw His loving and radiant face every day and spoke to Him like talking to one‟s father,
even though He was God himself. Then I went to the goshala looking for Lakshmi. I went to the kitchen
looking for Santhamma, Lokamma, Sampuranamma, Subbulakshmiamma, Gowriamma, Ramaswami
Pillai, Krishnaswami and other devotees. I was looking for Kavyakantha Muni, Muruganar, Viswanatha
Brahmachari, Bose and others in the old hall. I found the courage to stand outside the old office building
to see whether Chinnaswami, the Saravadhikari was sitting there, writing dutifully. I was looking for
Annamalai swami, Rangaswami, Sivananda and other sincere attendants of Bhagavan as I walked up to
Skandasramam. I was looking for Madhava Swami, Devaraja Mudaliar, Subbaramayya, Balaram Reddiar,
Major Chadwick and many other sincere devotees in the darshan hall. I looked for the present ashram
president, Mr. V. S. Ramanan, playing there as a small boy, but later found him walking in front of me as
an older man. I did this until Bhagavan told me in my mind, “To look for the one, who is looking for him
and all others there”. Then I sat quietly inside the old hall for some time. As disobedient as I am to my
Appa‟s divine words, I went out again and sat next to the Mahanirvana room and cried for some time.
After the few wonderful days I spent in the ashram, I thanked Dr. Srinivasamurthy and other ashram
authorities with my whole heart for having me there. I then left the sacred shrine and grounds of my
divine father‟s ashram with a sad heart. I know he said, “Where have I gone, I am here, I am with you all”.
But I felt weak within my heart. I now think that I am not as mature or mentally strong as many other
Bhagavan devotees may be. Appa, “please give me the courage to go through the ups and downs of this
and any other life I have, to fulfil my prarabhdha karma, until I reach Your abode by Your Grace”.
Page 7 Saranagathi
„Linga Pratishta‟ at Swami Ramanananda‟s Samadhi

The Samadhi of Swami Ramanananda who was

Absorbed in Arunachala on 26th December 2007,
which is situated adjacent to the Samadhi-Shrine
of Niranjanananda Swami, received its final
touches on the 20th May 2008. Installation
(Pratishta) of the Sivalinga was done by Sri Madhu
Stapati, the architect of the Shrine, on 22nd May
and consecration was done on Friday, 23rd May
Homam Rituals Being Observed.
2008 with due rituals such as Sri Ganapati
Homam, Sri Rudra Homan, Mahanyasa
Rudrabhishekam and Maha Mangala arati, lasting
about two hours.
A large number of Bhagavan‟s devotees were

present and partook of the Prasadam at the end
of the solemn event. A book entitled “In the
Service of Bhagavan” recognizing Sri
Niranjanananda Swami and Swami
Ramanananda‟s service was earlier released at Sri
Bhagavan‟s Samadhi Shrine.
Preparing for Linga Pratishta.
Aarti at the Samadhi of Swami Ramanananda. Lingam, Nandi and Bali Peedam.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya J ULY 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, I SSUE 7
Saranagathi
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

This Issue
This Issue 1
The Essence of Instruction 1
Dear Sri Bhagavan Devotees,
Cow Lakshmi 2-6
Report from Sri Ramanasramam 6
According to the Tamil calendar this is the year
of „Sarvadhari‟, which occurs every 60 years.
Devotees will be reminded of Sri Bhagavan‟s
composition in June 1948, mentioning
„Sarvadhari‟ as the year Cow Lakshmi attained
Sri Ramanasramam to cover three letters that chronicle
„mukti‟ and had the epitaph inscribed on her
Cow Lakshmi‟s biography, liberation and burial.
samadhi.
We look forward to hearing from you, about your

At the ashram, on 18th June there was a
satsangs and experiences. Please send your emails to
celebration at Cow Lakshmi‟s samadhi
us at saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
observing the 60th anniversary of her „liberation‟
and devotees participated in the function to
receive her blessings.
Editorial Team.
This issue‟s main focus is on Cow Lakshmi. We
have included reminiscences of Smt. Suri
Nagamma from Letters from & Recollections of
The Essence of Instruction
Action yields fruit,

For so the Lord ordains it.
How can action be the Lord?
It is insentient.
- Upadesa Saram by Sri Bhagavan (Verse 1)
Page 2 Saranagathi
Cow Lakshmi
An extract from Letters from & Recollections of Sri Ramanasramam by Smt. Suri Nagamma
The History of Lakshmi the Cow. (195) “Hearing this Ramanatha Brahmachari was piqued
and said with great zest that he himself would look
24th June, 1948.* after the cow. „All right. Hang it round your neck!‟ I
said. As the calf came to us on a Friday, we named
At 4 O‟clock yesterday afternoon, a Tamil youth her Lakshmi. Ramanatha somehow tended the cow
came into the hall. On seeing him, a devotee said and the calf for two or three months.
that the youth was the grandson of the man who Lakshmi was very playful, jumping about as she
had presented Lakshmi the cow to the Ashram. “I pleased and, while so doing, she ruined all the
see,” said Bhagavan. “Does he know that Lakshmi vegetable plants we were growing. If anyone chided
passed away?” That youth said, “I have just heard her, she used to come to me for protection. I used to
it, Swami. When I went to the cowshed to see tell the Asramites that if they so desired, they could
Lakshmi I was informed of it. I have come here put up a fence to protect their plants. Poor chap!
after seeing the tomb.” Ramanatha could not put up with all these troubles
from the other inmates of the Ashram and so handed
On enquiry, the youth said, “I belong to a village over the cow and the calf to a keeper of cattle in the
called Kannamangalam. It is about forty miles town with some stipulations. I do not remember his
from here. My grandfather Arunachalam Pillai name.”
wanted to present a good milch cow to Bhagavan
and so, in 1926, he brought Lakshmi here along A devotee said, “His name is Pasupati. He is a
with her mother. Lakshmi was then barely six Kannadiga (from the state of Karnataka). Lakshmi‟s
months old. I also came along with them. I was mother passed away after a short time. The
quite young then. From that time onwards I always arrangement was that if Lakshmi gave birth to a male
look up Lakshmi whenever I come to this place on calf, it should be given to the Ashram and if it were a
business. I have now heard this sad news.” After female calf he should retain it.” Bhagavan said, “That
he left, Bhagavan told us the following story: “You might be so. About a year after that, he came here
know what happened when they came here with with Lakshmi and her calf for a bath on an eclipse
the cow and the calf. „Why all this for us?‟ I asked. day. He saw me first, had a bath in the Pali Tank
Arunachalam Pillai replied saying, „I have for a along with the cow and its calf and then they went
long time been thinking of presenting Bhagavan home together. At that time Lakshmi saw the whole
with a cow. I am now in a position to do so. I have of this Ashram. Remembering the route carefully she
brought it after a good deal of trouble on boat and began coming here everyday. She used to come in
rail. Please keep it, Swami.‟ I said, „You have done the morning and go away in the evening. She used to
your duty in presenting it to us. Who is there to lie down by the side of my couch. She insisted that I
look after it? Please keep it with you on our myself should give her fruit. She would not take any
behalf.‟ The owner of the cow replied, „I will not other than the hill plantain.” Someone said, “Before
take it away even if you cut my throat.‟ leaving every evening she used to go round the hall,
it seems?”
*
The letters have been rearranged in the order of events
to cover Cow Lakshmi‟s biography, liberation and burial. Continued on page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
Bhagavan replied, “That is the thing. We had no bell in Lakshmi came, cattle and dairying became
the dining hall then. We do not know how she did it established. Subsequently, for three or four years
but everyday exactly at the appointed time for meals Lakshmi was presenting us with a calf every year on
she used to come and stand before me. We used to the Jayanthi day. Afterwards, that practice stopped.
look at the clock and find that that was just the time Altogether she had nine deliveries. After Lakshmi
for meals. Her coming was the signal for us. She used came here to stay, cows from different places were
to return to town daily most reluctantly.” brought by devotees and left here. So the cattle shed
grew in size. In the beginning, they were tied up here
On further enquiry, I came to know that Lakshmi came and there under a thatched shed. When Salem
away permanently to the Ashram in 1930, that she had Sundaram Chetty (Judge) came here, he decided to
three calves by then — all males — and that, as per construct a Gosala (cowshed) and fixed an auspicious
agreement, all the calves had been given to the time for the laying of the foundation stone. Half-an-
Ashram. When she was pregnant for the third time, hour before appointed time, when everything was
one evening she was unwilling to leave Bhagavan and being got ready, Lakshmi broke loose from her tether
go home, like Nandini1 of Vasishta; she was shedding and came to me running as though to tell me that a
tears and lay close to the couch. Bhagavan was visibly house was being constructed for her and that I
affected and softly passing his hand on her face said, should be there. When I got up, she led me to the
“What! You say you can‟t go away, and want to stay spot. She did the same for her housewarming
here alone? What am I to do?” and, looking at the ceremony also. Somehow she used to understand
others, said, “Look, Lakshmi is weeping saying she everything. Very smart indeed!”
cannot go away. She is pregnant and may have
confinement any moment. She must go a long The Deliverance of Lakshmi the Cow. (193)
distance and again come here in the morning. She
cannot refrain from coming here. What is she to do?” 20th June, 1948.*
At last Bhagavan somehow coaxed her and sent her
away. That very night she delivered. About the same In my letter to you under the caption “Worship of the
time Pasupati had some domestic difficulties. Unable Cow,” I described to you the grandeur of Lakshmi, the
to bear the burden of this Lakshmi with all her queen of the cows, and the amount of love Bhagavan
vagaries, he brought her and her three calves and had for her. To that queen, as for his own mother,
presented them to Bhagavan. Lakshmi lay at Bhagavan on Friday the 18th of June gave Videha
Bhagavan‟s feet and would not rise. Placing his right Mukti (liberation). That morning when I went to the
hand on her head and pressing it, he asked if she Ashram, I was told that Lakshmi was seriously ill and
would not survive the day. So I went straight to the
would like to stay here permanently. She closed her
cow shed, without seeing Bhagavan even. The room
eyes and lay still as in a trance. Noticing that,
built for the calves was vacated, cleaned and Lakshmi
Bhagavan pointed out to the others that she appeared
was given a bed of straw to lie down upon. As it was
as though her responsibility for her calves were over,
Friday, she was as usual decorated with turmeric
for they had been placed in Bhagavan‟s charge.
paste, vermilion mark on the forehead and a garland
of flowers round the neck and horns. Venkataratnam
When I narrated this story to Bhagavan he agreed.
was sitting by the side fanning her. Lakshmi was lying
“Yes,” he said, “that was so. After Mother came to stay
down with her majestic look spreading lustre all
with me, regular cooking and meals started, and after
round. She reminded me of Kamadhenu going to
*
The letters have been rearranged in the order of events to cover Cow Lakshmi‟s biography, liberation and burial.
1 Nandini was the wish fulfilling cow who lived with the Sage Vasishta.
Continued on page 4
Page 4 Saranagathi
Kailas to do abhishekam with milk over the great

Bhagavan got, we do not know but he got up and
Lord Siva.
went away saying, “See that the flies do not get
into the mouth.” I assured him that we would take
When I went to Bhagavan and prostrated before him
due care of Lakshmi and Bhagavan left the place
and got up, he looked at me with a divine look.
very reluctantly.
Taking it as an order, I said I would go and stay with
Lakshmi. He nodded his head in assent and I went
With the divine touch of Bhagavan, the outer breath
immediately. Venkataratnam gave me the fan and
of Lakshmi began subsiding and the movement of
left. Sitting in that place I began repeating Ramana
the body began to decrease. When the doctor came
Dwadasakshari (twelve letters of Ramana Mantram),
at 10-30 and gave an injection Lakshmi remained
Ashtotharam (108 names of Ramana), etc. and
unaffected as if the body was not hers. There was
Lakshmi appeared to hear them attentively.
no death agony. Her sight was calm and clear. The
doctor turned her over into the posture of Nandi,
When Bhagavan came to the cowshed at 9-45 a.m.
put some medicine on the boils and went away
as usual he came to see Lakshmi. Bhagavan sat on
the hay by her side, lifted her head with both his instructing us to keep some support for the head.
hands, and passing one of his hands lightly over her As it was 11-30 by then, Venkataratnam came
face and throat, and then placing his left hand on back after having his meal. He asked me to hold up
the head and began pressing with the right hand the head saying he would bring some more hay.
fingers her throat right down to the heart. After The tongue touched me and it was icy cold; the life
pressing like that for about a quarter of an hour he of Lakshmi reached the feet of Sri Ramana and was
said, addressing Lakshmi, “What do you say, absorbed in Him.
mother? Do you want me to stay here alone? I could
stay, but what to do? All people could be around you Ten minutes later, Bhagavan came into the shed
as in the case of my mother. Even so, why? Shall I saying, “Is it all over?” and squatted by her side,
go?” Lakshmi remained calm, devoid of all the bonds took her face in both his hands as though she were
of this world and of the pains of her body as though a little child, and lifted it and said, “Oh Lakshmi,
she were in samadhi. Bhagavan sat there unwilling Lakshmi,” and then, to us, controlling his tears, he
to move and with a heart full of compassion. I was said, “Because of her, our family (the Ashram) has
overwhelmed at the sight and exclaimed grown to this extent.” When all were praising
involuntarily, “Oh! Mother Alagamma had the Lakshmi, Bhagavan asked, “I suppose the doctor
greatest luck. So has Lakshmi now.” Bhagavan has not troubled her much, did he? How did her life
looked at me with a smile. Subramaniam came and cease?” We told him all that had happened. “That is
said, “It seems the doctor will not be coming till 10- all right. Did you notice this? The right ear is
30 as there is no immediate danger to Lakshmi.” “All uppermost now. Till yesterday she was lying down
right. So Doctor will not be coming now. Have you on her other side. Because of the boil she was
brought the medicine for injection?” asked turned over to this side. So this ear had to come
Bhagavan. Turning towards Lakshmi and gently up. Look, in the case of people who die in Kasi,
stroking her head and neck, he said, “What do you people say Lord Siva will whisper into the right ear.
say? May I go?” Subbulakshmi said, “She will feel Lakshmi too has her right ear up,” said Bhagavan,
happy if Bhagavan is by her side.” “That is so, but and showed that ear to all people there. By that
what to do?” So saying and looking into the eyes of time, crowds gathered. After a quarter of an hour,
Lakshmi, Bhagavan said, “What? May I go? Won‟t you Bhagavan got up and said, “Ramakrishna has been
tell me?” Lakshmi looked at him proudly. What reply
saying for the last ten days that a good tomb
*
The letters have been rearranged in the order of events to
cover Cow Lakshmi‟s biography, liberation and burial. Continued on page 5
Page 5 Saranagathi
(samadhi) must be built for Lakshmi.” Bhagavan then

When the time comes people spontaneously take
went away to the hall.
up the work and all the required articles come in
automatically. The work is done in a trice.
Sadasiva Iyer came here the day before yesterday;
Burial of Lakshmi the Cow (194)
perhaps he has come specially for this purpose.
18th June, 1948.* He knows the full details of erecting a tomb. He is
there now on the spot, giving all the directions.
Thinking of Lakshmi all the time today we had our He says he will go away tomorrow. It is individual
usual meal and some rest. When at 2-30 p.m. I went to luck; what can we do? Were it an ordinary animal,
the cowshed Bhagavan was already there. We went and the butcher would drag it away. For this (Lakshmi)
saw the body of Lakshmi. The face did not show any the tomb is going to be erected on a scale equal
sign of death. We came back to the hall and sat down. to that of a Mahatma. Look at this white peacock.
Till evening Bhagavan was telling us stories about How many peacocks have come and gone? They
Lakshmi and was giving instructions to the people are different from this one. This goes about
concerned about the arrangements for the burial. “It meekly and mixes freely with all people. Where is
was the same thing in the case of Mother. Until the Baroda and where is Arunachala? It was born
abhishekam (pouring of the holy water over the body) there and has come here. Who wanted it?” said
was done, the lustre of the face did not fade. The body Bhagavan.
could hardly be seen from under the garlands and

camphor that were thrown upon it by people from time Towards the hill side and near the dispensary, the
to time. There were bhajans, Nagaswaram music, etc. tombs of a deer, a crow and a dog were erected
all around. We brought the body down at night and long ago. Now a pit was dug near them and the
kept it under the pipal tree with the intention of work for the construction of the tomb was begun.
burying it somewhere near the Pali Tank before

daybreak. There was, however, some delay in bringing All was ready by 6 p.m. People had come in large
bricks and slaked lime for constructing the tomb. numbers. Some of them even sat on the
Meanwhile many people gathered round and put up a compound wall. The Sarvadhikari brought the
big show. On the tenth day, even shops were newly body of Lakshmi in a wooden cart. Bhagavan
opened. Just see what all will happen now.” Always came and sat on a chair. Lakshmi‟s body was
hearing and feeling that Bhagavan was giving undue placed opposite to him. Devotees brought water
importance to Lakshmi‟s burial, one of the devotees, in pots and poured it over the body of Lakshmi.
Govindarajula Subbarao, said, “We see many instances After that, abhishekam was done with milk,
here of animals getting deliverance more often than curds, ghee, sugar and rose water. Incense was
human beings. Bhagavan has told us several times that burnt, a silk cloth was covered over the body, the
they come here to work out the balance of their karma. face was smeared with turmeric powder and
It looks as if they are better looked after by Bhagavan vermilion and the body was covered with flower
than ourselves.” garlands. Sugar candy was offered and arati

(waving of lights) was performed.
Bhagavan remarked: “Will it be possible to say so in all Lakshmi‟s face beamed with beauty and charm
instances? Is anybody making all these arrangements when she was thus decorated.
deliberately? And do we have the money for all that?

By about 7 p.m. devotees lowered the body of
*
The letters have been rearranged in the order of events to
cover Cow Lakshmi‟s biography, liberation and burial.
Continued on page 6
Page 6 Saranagathi
Lakshmi into the grave with cries of “Hara Hara Mahadev.”

Bhagavan was visibly affected. After Bhagavan had
touched the holy leaves, they were thrown on to Lakshmi
by the Sarvadhikari. After that, devotees sprinkled
turmeric and vermilion powder, camphor, holy ashes,
sandal paste, flowers and salt, and finally, earth was
thrown in to fill the grave. After the burial was over,
Bhagavan came back to the hall. The Prasad was then
distributed. The whole thing ended like a marriage
Cow Lakshmi’s samadhi.
festival. Lakshmi the cow is no longer in the cowshed. She
has been freed from the bonds of the body and now is
merged in the lustrous Atman of Sri Ramana. In the early
morning hours of the night Bhagavan wrote a final epitaph
in Tamil on Lakshmi. At our request he wrote it in Telugu
and Malayalam also.
It is hereby recorded that Lakshmi the cow was liberated

under the star of Visakha, on Friday the twelfth day of the
bright half of Jyeshta, in the year Sarvadhari.
Arati being performed after Puja.

18th June, 2008.
Devotees gathered around Cow Lakshmi‟s samadhi at Sri

Ramanasramam to observe the 60th Death Anniversary of
Sri Bhagavan‟s dear child and foremost of devotees
whose „mukti‟ was confirmed by Him.
The priests conducted a solemn puja, during which the Special song commemorating the occasion being sung.
song composed by Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer about

Lakshmi and a song specially composed for the occasion
were sung. Both songs highlighted the unique place of
Lakshmi among Bhagavan's countless devotees. After
arati, prasadam was distributed among those present.
Photos from the event are shown to the right.
As per the Hindu calendar, Aradhana celebrations for

Cow Lakshmi will be performed at her samadhi on 14th
July, 2008.
Devotees seeking blessings of Cow Lakshmi.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya A UGUST 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, I SSUE 8
Saranagathi
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Note from the Editor
Note from the Editor 1
Dear Sri Bhagavan Devotees,
Sri Muruganar 2-4
Report from Madurai Ramana Kendram 5
In this issue of Saranagathi we have begun
serializing the life story of Sri Muruganar, a
remarkable devotee of Sri Bhagavan.
link photographs and videos of recent Ashram
Sri Muruganar was a great Tamil scholar and a activities can be accessed. The 2008 Ashram calendar
poet whose poems can be compared only with marking important events and some new additions to
those of ancient Sangam literature. After he the list of centers, are things to look out for in the
came to Sri Bhagavan he surrendered website.
completely and composed poems only about Sri
Bhagavan and his sayings. We look forward to hearing from you, about your
satsangs, experiences and feedback. Please send your
We would like to bring to your notice some emails to us at saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
recent additions made to the Ashram website.
Past issues of „The Mountain Path‟, (a quarterly Ever Truly In Sri Bhagavan,
journal published by Sri Ramanasramam) can
Editorial Team.
now be viewed through the eLibrary link on the
Home page of our website. Through the same
The fruit of action passes.

But action leaves behind
Seed of further action
Leading to an endless ocean of action;
Not at all to moksha.
Page 2 Saranagathi
Sri Muruganar
Extract from Arunachala‟s Ramana - Boundless Ocean of Grace. Volume-2
Sri Muruganar was born in the district of Ramnad of the royal family. At that time, the renowned Tamil
in August 1890, His father was Krishna Iyer and scholar, Raosahib Mu. Raghava Iyengar was
his mother was Subbulakshmi Ammal. He had a the court poet of the Royal Court of
sister named Kamakshi. Krishna Iyer passed away Ramanathapuram. There was another great poet in
when his son was just a young boy. Thus he lost the same court and, by a strange coincidence; he was
his father early in life, and had his education at also called Raghava Iyengar! With the patronage of
Coimbatore. Though known as C. K. Subramania the royal family, these two poets made a significant
Iyer, originally his parents named him contribution to Tamil literature. Thanks to his
Sambamurthi. association with the royal family Muruganar had the
opportunity to work with these great scholars.
Sri Muruganar joined some other scholars in making

a critical study of the five great Tamil classics,
namely, Silappadhikaram, Manimekalai,
Seevakachintamani, Valaiyapathi and Kundalakesi.
This was followed by research into other Tamil
literary works like Thirukkural, Nannool and
Naidadham. He had an especially remarkable
understanding of Tiruvalluvar‟s immortal work,
Thirukkural.
For the first five years of his life, the child did not
utter a single word. Maybe he was saving all his Muruganar specialized in Tamil and was a scholar-
speech to be poured forth in a torrent of exquisite member of the Tamil Lexicon Committee presided
poetry in his later life! over by Dr. Chandler. He became a great Tamil pundit
and served some years in the Norwich Girls‟ High
Sri Muruganar attended the Christian Mission School, Madras. There he was reputed for proficiency
School in Ramanathapuram. After passing the and spotless character. He was not merely a noted
sixth form, he went to Madurai and stayed with a scholar in his chosen language but also an ardent
relative for two years, completed his Matriculation nationalist and reformer. Great was his interest in
and returned home. Upon his return to Mahatma Gandhi‟s national liberation movement. His
Ramanathapuram, he was approached by one many songs in praise of Gandhiji and his constructive
Veluchami Thevar, a member of the royal family, activities appeared in various Tamil periodicals of the
with a request to teach him the Thirukkural. The time and were later on collected into a volume
entire family had a deep love for the Tamil entitled Swatantra Geetam.
language. When they came to know about Sri
Muruganar‟s ability as a teacher, many members Several of the Tamil scholars of the day had joined to
of the family approached him for clarification of compile a Tamil Dictionary. Muruganar was one of
their doubts. As a result of his association with the members of the Committee. As a result of his
them, he gained the respect and the good wishes
Continued on page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
involvement in this project he got the opportunity to handed when going to meet a Sage. Immediately, he
work closely with great scholars like Raosahib Mu. sat down and wrote a decad of verses in praise of Sri
Raghava Iyengar, Mahamahopadhyaya, Dr. U.V. Bhagavan. This poem, titled Desika Pathikam, was to
Swaminatha Iyer, Rao Bahadur V.S. Chengalvaraya Pillai be Muruganar‟s first offering to his Master. They were
and Sachidanandam Pillai, etc. All these scholars had inspired verses in the pattern of Saint
great regard for Muruganar. It was this group of Manickavachakar‟s Thiruvachakam. Even before he
scholars that wrote the Special Preface for his book, Sri saw Sri Bhagavan he was totally entranced by
Ramana Sannidhi Murai. Raosahib Raghava Iyengar Bhagavan. With this hymn he reached the Asramam,
had a special affection and regard for Muruganar. It and Sri Bhagavan. He did not know how to meet the
was he who persuaded Sri Muruganar to take up the Sage, not knowing the regulations, observed in mutts
job of Tamil teacher in the Norwich High School for and asramams. In those days there was only a
Girls, in Madras. While he was working in Madras, his thatched shed in which Sri Bhagavan and others lived.
wife, Meenakshi, and mother were staying with him.
Discerning the predicament of this potential devotee,
Muruganar‟s father-in-law, Dhandapani Swami, was a as it were, Sri Bhagavan Himself came out of the
devotee of Sri Bhagavan. On one of his visits to cottage when Muruganar reached its entrance. Sri
Madras, Dhandapani Swami gave Sri Bhagavan‟s Bhagavan looked straight at him. A miracle took place!
Arunachala Stuti Panchakam and Who Am I? to his The look of the Master on that day kindled the fire of
son-in-law and asked him to read the books. poesy in him which glowed in him ever after. “What?”
Sri Bhagavan asked. Muruganar was totally absorbed in
Muruganar was captivated by these two books, which him and the vichara brought him back to life. He
are treasure-houses of devotion and philosophy. Upon started singing (in the particular specified tune) the
reading the books, Muruganar developed the desire to verses composed by him at the Temple. Tears welled
go to Tiruvannamalai and have darshan of Sri Ramana up in his eyes and he could not proceed. The tune of
Maharshi; but the pressures of work made it his singing was obstructed. “Can‟t you read? Give it to
impossible for him to go at once. me. I shall myself read it,” said Sri Bhagavan.
(Muruganar narrated this with tears and added that
During the mid-term holidays (in September), though he had specified tunes to each of his
Muruganar was determined to make a visit to Sri thousands of verses, that was the only occasion and
Ramanasramam. With God‟s Grace, he was able to put the last one too, when he read out to him his poem
his plans into action immediately, and he reached attuned to its raga: never afterwards could he sing!)
Tiruvannamalai on the 21st of September, 1923. Upon
reaching Tiruvannamalai, he saw the tall towers of the During his stay one evening, Muruganar joined the
Arunachala Temple. Devout Siva bhakta that he was, others for dinner. After dinner, all the devotees were
he went in, where, bowing down to the Lord, he sitting in Sri Bhagavan‟s presence. Muruganar was
wanted to proceed to the Asramam. He stood in front seen to be very much perturbed. “Within two or three
of the shrine of Lord Arunachaleswara and His Divine days after coming to Tiruvannamalai I noticed that
Consort, lost in adoration. It was an extremely thrilling some change was taking place within me. I could not
experience for him. His excitement reached an even pinpoint what exactly was happening to me.
higher pitch when he thought of the visit to Sri Dramatically I was immersed in a sort of bliss. I sat
Ramanasramam. He suddenly realised that he had not before the Maharshi and focused my mind entirely on
brought any offerings to lay at the Maharshi‟s feet. him. After a few minutes I saw an effulgence
While about to start, he felt he should not go empty- surrounding the Maharshi‟s person. I do not know how
Continued on page 4
Page 4 Saranagathi
long this lasted. I was completely absorbed in that

silent, but soon he started talking about the
vision. I totally lost my individual personality. At that
strange experience that made him rush out of the
time, Kunju Swami, Dhandapani Swami and
Asramam. He said that he had suddenly felt an
Arunachala Swami were there with me. An
overpowering excitement that was frightening in
Adhyatmic Sakti rose like an ocean and devoured
its intensity and that this sudden rush of emotion
me. Although I was fully conscious of what was
was too much for him to handle, and so he had
happening yet it seemed as if it was a dream. It
decided to return home immediately.
appeared as if I was losing my individual
personality, world consciousness, etc. I suddenly got
To calm him and to reassure him, they started
frightened.”
talking about Sri Bhagavan‟s infinite compassion,
the concern and kindness he showered on his
“I was frightened that I would be made to reside
devotees, as also the all-encompassing love that
permanently at Tiruvannamalai and that my mother
Sri Bhagavan gave to every creature, animal and
who is solely dependent on me would lose my
human alike. However Muruganar could not get
support. I gave vent to my feelings at that time as
over his fear and so he roamed around on the
follows:
Chengam road till three in the morning. All his
efforts to leave the Asramam were futile. It
“‟There is a large crowd of thieves here led by the
appeared as if his whole being was tied to
Maharshi. The sole intention of this crowd is to
Tiruvannamalai. For him Maharshi and
ensnare the unwary visitor and make him one of
Tiruvannamalai were one.
their own. It is impossible either for my mother or
anyone to release me from this manacle. Hence I
Gradually, Muruganar calmed down, went back to
should immediately leave this place.‟
the Asramam and stayed for two more days. After
that, he often came to Tiruvannamalai and stayed
“I addressed the Maharshi thus: „Even for a short
in the Asramam for two or three days each time.
while, I could not bear your effulgent being. I
Ever since his first darshan of Sri Bhagavan,
wonder how a lady, your mother, was able to bear
Muruganar was totally won over by him and he lost
this effulgence for ten months. How wonderful!‟
interest in everything else.
After this I suddenly got up, prostrated to Sri
Bhagavan and rushed out.” (To be continued in the next issue)
Seeing that Muruganar appeared greatly agitated, Sri

Bhagavan signaled to Kunju Swami and Arunachala
Swami to follow Muruganar. Soon, Muruganar and
the two others were on the bank of the Agni
Thirtham. Muruganar did not seem to have any
intention of slackening his speed. Kunju Swami
approached the hurrying form in front of him and
gently suggested, “Sir, the moon is shining brightly
and the night is cool and beautiful. Why don‟t we sit
on these steps and relax for a while?” Muruganar
responded to this suggestion and sat down on the
steps with his two new friends. At first, he was
Page 5 Saranagathi
Enlightenment Day celebrations at Sri Ramana Manthiram

A report from Madurai Ramana Kendram.
Natarajan delivered spiritual lectures. Smt.
Sulochana Natarajan and Ms.Radha performed
bhajans. RMCL, Bangalore presented audio
cassettes to the participants and devotees
gathered for the occasion, as Sri Bhagavan‟s
“arut prasadham”.
In the workshop, Sri Bhagavan‟s unique

teaching of „Atma Vichara‟ was elaborated.
The significance of His teaching and how to
practice it, was elaborated by discussions
around „Why to - ‟, „How to - ‟ and „Benefits to
- ‟ individuals & society in day-to-day life.
The participants expressed that they were very

much inspired by the workshop and that they
Sri Bhagavan's Decorated Picture. have realized the importance of following the
path of Sri Bhagavan and their individual
commitments towards it.
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi‟s
enlightenment day was celebrated on 17th
Late Sri A.R.Natarajan, Founder President of
July with usual fervor at Sri Ramana
RMCL, Bangalore was gratefully remembered,
Manthiram, the place where Sri Bhagavan
for this workshop was his brainchild.
became enlightened through his death
experience at the age of 16 during his stay
at Madurai.
A 2 day „Spiritual workshop‟ between 9 a.m.

and 5 p.m. is conducted on this occasion
since 1996 jointly by Madurai Ramana
Kendram situated at Sri Ramana Manthiram
and Sri Ramana Maharishi Centre for
Learning, Bangalore. This year, the 13th
workshop was conducted on 17th & 18th of
July.
Professors Dr. Niranjan, Dr. T.N.P. Haran and

Dr. Kalarani Rangasamy and Dr. Sarada
Devotees at the Workshop.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya SEPTEMBER 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, I SSUE 9
Saranagathi
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Note from the Editor Note from the Editor 1
Dear Sri Bhagavan Devotees, Sri Muruganar (Continued) 2-3
Sri Kunjuswami and Sri Muruganar’s Aradhana 4
The month of September holds a special interest Bhagavata Saptaham at Sri Ramanasramam 5
for all of us, as it was on the 1st of September in
1896 that Sri Bhagavan arrived at
Tiruvannamalai. Upon His arrival at Arunachala Venkataraman‟s „Bhagavatha Sapthaham‟ was a joyous
as a 16 year old boy, he retains only a small „satsang‟, for all devotees. Details of these are on
piece of cloth as „kaupinam‟ while throwing pages 4 & 5.
away the rest of his dhoti and the little money
He had, in an act of total „surrender‟ to
We continue to modify our website (Timeline) and there
Arunachala.
are many more ideas in the offing. We look forward to
hearing from you, about your satsangs, experiences
In this issue of Saranagathi we continue with the
and feedback. Please send your emails to us at
focus on the life story of Sri Muruganar, a
saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
remarkable devotee of Sri Bhagavan, which we
started serializing from the last issue.
At the Ashram, we celebrated Sri Kunjuswami Editorial Team.

and Sri Muruganar‟s Aradhana. Sri Nochur
Disinterested action
Surrendered to the Lord
Purifies the mind and points
The way to moksha.
Page 2 Saranagathi
Sri Muruganar
Extract from Arunachala‟s Ramana - Boundless Ocean of Grace. Volume-2
(Continued from last issue)
In 1926, on the Mahasivarathri day, Muruganar urge to see Bhagavan, he would immediately catch
came with his mother for Bhagavan‟s darshan. the train and come to the Asramam. When it was time
They were kindly welcomed by the inmates. to return to Madras, he just could not bear to leave
Muruganar engaged himself in deep meditation. Bhagavan. He would somehow force himself to leave
Whenever he could he came for Bhagavan‟s the Asramam and would set off for the railway
darshan. Once he brought his students too for station. With his characteristic perception, Bhagavan
Bhagavan‟s darshan. understood Muruganar‟s difficulty, and arranged for
someone to go with Muruganar, just to make sure he
Muruganar was a staunch Gandhian and wore only reached the station! Someone would accompany
khadi garments. As he believed in the principle of Muruganar to the station. Once his companion had
ahimsa (non-violence) he would not travel in left him, however, Muruganar would completely
vehicles drawn by horses or bulls. He therefore forget the reason for his being in the railway station.
walked to the Asramam, all the way from the He would wander up and down the platform,
railway station in Tiruvannamalai Town. oblivious to all the activity around him. The train
would arrive and then leave, amidst the ringing of
Being a spiritually oriented nationalist, he was bells and the blowing of whistles. Muruganar would
active for a few years as teacher, scholar and not notice all the noise and the bustle, but would
inspired bard and then was drawn to the august continue walking up and down, lost in thoughts of
presence of Bhagavan Ramana, which at once Bhagavan. Long after the train had left, Muruganar
became his exaltation and spiritual captivity. From would suddenly emerge from his reverie. He would
that moment onwards, Muruganar realized that in look around in obvious confusion and, after a few
his heart and mind, there was no room for anyone minutes, would make his way back to the Asramam.
or anything other than Ramana, who was his God,
Guru and his All. The muses started coming to Upon his return to the Asramam, Bhagavan would ask
him at a greatly superior level; and he dedicated Muruganar, “Didn‟t the train come on time?” When he
them, all his life, to the Lord who was his Saviour. heard that the train had arrived on time, Bhagavan
Thus the sole theme of the poems which have would ask, “Then why did you not board the train?” In
welled forth in profusion from Muruganar‟s heart a dazed tone of voice Muruganar would reply, “I just
is Ramana: the glory of the great Master and his didn‟t feel like getting into the train, Bhagavan!” The
matchless teachings. next time Muruganar made preparations for going to
Madras, Bhagavan would make it a point to send
Since then he was made a non-entity, losing his someone with him, to see that Muruganar actually
separate individuality. He then became the boarded the train! They would come and report to
„shadow of Bhagavan”, as a devotee put it so aptly. Bhagavan jokingly, “We have deported Muruganar!”
Muruganar was totally captivated by Bhagavan, In this fashion, Muruganar carried on with his life,
and could not stay away from Bhagavan and travelling between Madras and Tiruvannamalai
Ramanasramam for long. Every time he felt the frequently. He wanted to wind up the household in
Continued on page 3
Page 3 Saranagathi
Madras and settle down in Tiruvannamalai, but principle was very strong. Every morning, he would set
circumstances were not favourable. His mother was off on his rounds, with a white towel in which he
old and infirm, and Muruganar had to stay in Madras collected the food he received as alms. Then he would
for her sake. come to Palakothu, lay the bundle of food on the bank
of the pond, and wade into the water to clean his
Within three years Muruganar‟s mother passed away. hands and feet.
He performed the last rites as prescribed. He took his
mother‟s ashes to Dhanushkoti and dissolved a major Muruganar was very fastidious, when it came to
portion of it in the sea there. Then, with the balance of personal hygiene. He could scrub his hands and legs
his mother‟s ashes in an urn, Muruganar came to with mud several times, till he was satisfied that they
Tiruvannamalai. He placed the urn at the foot of a tree, were quite clean. Naturally, this took a lot of time. The
had his bath, and went into the hall. When Bhagavan monkeys in the area would come and devour all the
saw Muruganar, he enquired with touching concern, food that Muruganar had collected. Finally when he
“Were you able to complete the last rites for your came out of the water, he would find that all his food
mother, without any trouble?” Bhagavan‟s gentle tone was gone. He had no choice but to go without food
and compassionate words shattered Muruganar‟s that day.
composure, and he broke down completely. Kunju
Swami, who was nearby, said to Bhagavan, “Muruganar Sabhapathi Pillai, who was in charge of the Vinayaka
has brought his mother‟s ashes in an urn.” Bhagavan Temple in Palakothu, once saw the monkeys
said, “That is good. The Agni Thirtham is a suitable plundering Muruganar‟s food. Out of concern for the
spot for dissolving the ashes.” Muruganar took hapless Muruganar, Sabhapathi Pillai offered to stay
Bhagavan‟s advice and dissolved the ashes in the Agni within the temple premises, and asked Muruganar to
Thirtham. Muruganar expressed his deep gratitude to stay in his room.
his master in two of his verses (Keerthi Thiruagaval,
Peytru Padhikam) in Ramana Sannadhi Murai. During the time of Muruganar‟s stay in Palakothu,
Kunju Swami, Munagala Venkatrama Iyer, Viswanatha
After his mother‟s passing away, Muruganar resigned Swami, Ramanatha Brahmachari and Ramasubba Iyer
his job in Madras, wound up the household there, and were also staying there. All of them being Bhagavan‟s
came to Tiruvannamalai for good in 1926. Before he staunch devotees, they enjoyed each other‟s company
left Madras for good it appears that he made greatly. Kunju Swami often spoke of those days with a
arrangements for his wife‟s maintenance through one lot of nostalgic feeling.
Nagarathar, viz, Melaichivapuri Subramania Chettiar.
This same Chettiar got Bhagavan‟s darshan once when
meditating on him at his home. This incident is
mentioned by Muruganar in Keerthi Thiruagaval
(Ramana Sannadhi Murai).
First, he stayed at Palakothu. He lived on alms, going

into the town to beg every morning. On several
occasions, he went without food for the entire day,
Sri Muruganar
because he had missed the trip into town. Bhagavan
used to say that by begging for one‟s food one can
easily conquer the ego. Muruganar‟s faith in this
To be Continued in
Next Issue.
Page 4 Saranagathi
Sri Kunjuswami‟s Aradhana : August 7th 2008.

Sri Kunjuswami came to Sri Bhagavan in 1920,

while still in his teens, and served Him till His
nirvana in 1950. Kunjuswami lived a simple and
austere life at Sri Ramanasramam, rendering
invaluable service by sharing his experiences
with seekers until the ripe age of 95 when he
was absorbed at his Master‟s Feet in 1992.
His Samadhi day was observed with puja and

chanting of Malayalam works of Sri Bhagavan. It
was only at the request of Sri Kunjuswami that
Sri Bhagavan composed his Malayalam works.
Arathi being performed at
Sri Kunjuswami's Samadhi.
Devotees in large numbers participated in the Sri Kunjuswami
Puja and Parayana.
Sri Muruganar‟s Aradhana : August 30th 2008.

Sri Muruganar first came to Sri Bhagavan after

reading Sri Arunachala Akshara Mana Malai and
'Naan Yaar?' rendered by Sri Bhagavan. On seeing
Bhagavan's exalted state, he was attracted to Him
and finally he settled at Tiruvannamalai and the rest
of his life was one of complete surrender to Sri Devotees at Sri Muruganar's Samadhi.
Bhagavan.
Special puja and chanting were held at his Samadhi.

Homage to Sri Muruganar was also paid at Sri
Muruganar's birth place 'Sri Muruganar Mandiram'
in Ramanathapuram on his Samadhi day with
special puja and talk on Sri Muruganar by Sri
Ramana Kumar of Pollachi.
After Puja, Arati was offered.

Page 5 Saranagathi
Bhagavata Saptaham at Sri Ramanasramam

Sri Nochur Venkataraman held a Bhagavata

Saptaham (a week of discourses on Bhagavatam) at
Sri Ramanasramam from the 20th to the 27th of July
2008. It was a masterly exposition of Bhagavatam
which is a devotional masterpiece of all times, during
which the young spiritual sadhaka and scholar won
the hearts of the listeners by lacing his recounting of
the story and analysis of the philosophy of this great
work with copious apt quotations from Bhagavan
Ramana‟s works and references to anecdotes from
his life.
They were struck by the raconteur‟s stupendous

scholarship and memory, his firm grasp of the
essence of Bhagavatam and the teachings of
Bhagavan, to whom he is deeply devoted, and the Sri Nochur Venkataraman
effortlessly adroit way in which he frequently held a
mirror before them to the strong Advaitic undertones
of a supreme work of devotion. It was a week of
immense joy as much to lovers of jnana as to those
of bhakti.
At the New Hall
Devotees listening to the discourse

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya Saranagathi
OCTOBER 2008
V OLUME 10, I SSUE 2
Saranagathi
In this Issue
By Publisher
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Dear Devotees,
1. In this Issue
2. Sri Murugunar (Concluding excerpt)
Navarathri celebrations have begun at Sri 3. Sri Mastan Swami
Ramanasramam in a grand manner. The Ashram 4. Sri Bhagavan’s ‘Arunai’ arrival day on September 1st
(A report from Ramana Kendaram Madurai)
website will have regular updates of the
festivities.
dates as Sri Bhagavan did. The report from Ramana

In this issue we conclude the article on Sri
Kendaram Madurai describes their inspiring voyage
Muruganar‟s biography and devotion to Sri
this year.
Bhagavan which we started serializing from the
August issue of Saranagathi.
Our earnest request to all devotees, satsangh
Sri Mastan swami‟s samadhi at Desur was
renovated by Sri Ramanasramam recently and the
consecration ceremony was held on September
14th. We present a short biographical sketch of Sri
Mastan Swami along with a report on the function.
President
Since 1996, every year a very earnest group of
devotees retrace Sri Bhagavan‟s journey in 1896
Sri Ramanansramam.
from Madurai to Tiruvannamalai, on the same
This is certain:
Worship, praise and meditation,
Being work of body, speech and mind,
Are steps for orderly ascent.
- Upadesa Saram by Sri Bhagavan (Verse 4).
Saranagathi
Sri Muruganar
Extract from Arunachala‟s Ramana - Boundless Ocean of Grace. Volume-2 (Continued from last two issues)
Of all Bhagavan‟s devotees, Muruganar and Muruga‟!” Everyone present was very much
Pudukkottai K. Lakshmana Sarma were privileged to entertained by this incident.
learn Vedanta directly from Bhagavan.
In addition to practicing Self-enquiry prescribed by
Natesa Swami, the Head of the Eesanya mutt, had Bhagavan, his devotees also gave a lot of importance
heard about Muruganar‟s capabilities as a teacher. to giripradakshinam. Giripradakshinam is a potent
He therefore requested Muruganar to stay in the way of attaining Self-Realization. Muruganar
mutt and teach him Manickavachakar‟s performed giripradakshinam for 48 consecutive
Tiruchitrambala Kovai. Accordingly, Muruganar went days.
to stay in the Eesanya mutt. Every morning, he Once during the pradakshina, between the Nirudhi
would take class for Natesa Swami and, in the Lingam and Adi Annamalai, he had no body-
afternoon, he would come to Ramanasramam. consciousness.
In those days, Sadhu Natanananda was staying in Now let us recall some incidents connected with
the Guhai Namasivaya mutt on the Hill. Muruganar.
Natanananda would time his own visit to
Ramanasramam in such a way that he would meet One of the advantages that the devotees enjoyed
Muruganar near the western tower of was that they could benefit from Bhagavan‟s
Arunachaleswara Temple, every afternoon. From conversations with various people. Someone or the
this spot, both of them would walk to other would ask a question. Bhagavan‟s answers
Ramanasramam together. Muruganar used to were always short and to the point. Yet Bhagavan‟s
compose some verses and bring them along every words seemed to be addressed directly and
day. During their walk, the two friends would personally to every member in
discuss Muruganar‟s latest composition. One day, it the gathering. Sometimes, a devotee would have a
so happened that Muruganar was able to compose doubt or a problem which he was reluctant to
only the first four lines of a verse. Try as he might, discuss in the presence of strangers. In such
he could not complete the verse. Natanananda read situations, somebody else would ask Bhagavan a
the four lines, and wrote another four lines, thus question, and Bhagavan‟s reply would answer the
completing the verse. reticent devotee‟s unasked question too! This is
indeed the greatest miracle of all.
When they reached the Asramam, they showed the
poem to Bhagavan, and told him the story behind it. A disciple of a reputed Swami of South India,
Bhagavan smiled at Natanananda and said, Vilakshananda, came to Bhagavan to have his
“Tomorrow, you should write the first four lines of a darshan. With some hesitation he started telling
poem, and get Muruganar to complete the verse Bhagavan about his guru‟s strict injunction that each
for you.” Natanananda did just that, and the second one of his devotees should do so many thousands of
poem was also shown to Bhagavan. After reading japa daily and surrender the phala to the guru as
the poem, Bhagavan said, “Good! It looks like we their offering and that they were following it without
have twin poets here! You should name the first fail.
poem „Muruga Natana‟ and the second one „Natana
Saranagathi
Bhagavan smiled and observed: “Is it so? It is to be and told him, “Thank you, Sir, for directing me. I
appreciated. So much gain for the guru with no looked at Bhagavan and saw Lord Subrahmanya with
strain on his part!” While Bhagavan was saying this, His two Consorts. Bhagavan Sri
Muruganar entered the Old Hall. Turning to him Ramana is none other than Lord Subrahmanya!”
Bhagavan said: “Do you know? His guru commands
each one of his disciples to perform so many Bhagavan was particular that no visitor to the
thousands of nama-japa and surrender the phala Asramam should go away hungry. At meal times, be
(merit) to him, as guru kanikkai (offering). After that it breakfast, lunch or dinner, Bhagavan always
will there be any balance for the disciples? It looks insisted that everybody should take food. If, for
like one keeping the principal and surrendering the some reason, someone happened to miss a meal,
interest to the guru as offering. How do you Bhagavan used to feel bad about it. If he noticed that
appreciate this?” someone was absent at meal time, he would
personally check up on that person and see to it that
Muruganar with tears in his eyes replied: “Bhagavan! he had something to eat.
Their guru is far better. He at least leaves the
principal and demands only the interest. But this Once Muruganar entered the Old Hall. Prostrating to
guru here (pointing to Bhagavan) is worse. He takes Bhagavan he noticed that worship had been offered
away the principal itself; then where is room for to some books decoratively heaped, garlanded and
interest? He demands the devotees‟ mulam placed in front of Bhagavan, near the sofa. He
(principal) and vaddi (interest) all at once!” Bhagavan realised that it was the Saraswathi Puja day. As he
gave a benign smile enjoying the poet‟s joke with glanced at the garlanded books and then at the
deep meaning! serenely seated Master, his face broke into an
amused smile. Noticing this, Bhagavan gestured
What Muruganar meant was that Bhagavan wipes out enquiringly. Muruganar‟s relationship with Bhagavan
the mind and the ego of his devotees. was unique. He knew he was in the presence of the
Reality clothed in human form, available to all as the
An incident occurred a few days later. A new visitor spiritual guide. Containing his amusement with
to the Asramam was telling Bhagavan that he had great effort, he said: “Bhagavan! To have offered
been worshipping Lord Subrahmanya with great puja to the sacred books in your presence amuses
devotion for ten years, but the Lord had not chosen me. Imagine that a bunch of the best variety of
to appear before him. The devotee was obviously in sugar-cane was squeezed; crystal sugar of the
anguish, and might have expected Bhagavan to give purest quality made out of the juice and a human
him some advice. But Bhagavan merely nodded his form was made with it. Now, picture the superb
head and said, “Is that so?” Muruganar who was human form made of this best sugar on one hand
sitting in the hall became emotional and said to the and the sugar-cane-waste on the other! Bhagavan,
devotee, “Sir! Your prayers have been effective you are the essence of Truth. These books, however
indeed! Look before you! Who is this, in front of your sacred they may be, are just like the sugar-cane-
eyes?” The devotee opened his eyes wide and gazed waste. They have offered puja to the juiceless canes
at Bhagavan. Within moments, his eyes filled with while the most beautiful sugar-form, YOU are seated
tears of ecstasy and he exulted, “Yes! My prayers just here!”
have been granted! My Subrahmanya is right here! I
am fortunate indeed!” Saying this Muruganar laughed. Bhagavan too had a
hearty laugh.
Later in the evening, this devotee went to Muruganar
Saranagathi
Sri Mastan Swami
While it is true that every devotee who came to Sri Bhagavan was unique, one may perhaps
rightly say that Mastan Swami was especially unique. Bhagavan Himself once said of Mastan
Swami that, “the most advanced are ripe fruits, just waiting to fall. They only have to come
into the presence of a jnani in order to plunge into a deep experience of the Self. One such
devotee was Mastan. Mastan was in an entirely different category to most of the people
who came. He was highly spiritual, although outwardly he looked like an ordinary man.”
When Mastan, the weaver, first came to Sri Bhagavan, along with Desur Akhilandathammal (Desur Ammal),
another ardent devotee, all his earlier sadhana came close to their fruition. He was already conversant with
advaitic texts, was imbued with intense dispassion and was prone to fall into trance-like states even as he
worked on the family loom. Born a Muslim, he was utterly devoid of any caste, class or communal feeling. In
fact, he said that liberation was his goal and it was not through any formal religion but through non-dual
experience. And Mastan came to Ramana, the pure non-dual essence. The moment he had the darshan of
Bhagavan, the supreme jnani, Mastan stood transfixed for several hours in deep samadhi. The word Mastan
in Urdu means „(God) intoxicated‟ and our Mastan, true to his name, became inebriate with divine ecstasy by
the grace of his Master. However, Mastan was not content even with the samadhi experience and sought and
obtained from Bhagavan initiation into Nirguna upasana (Worship of the Formless, Attributeless Supreme).
That put an end to all his doubts once and for all.
It was Desur Ammal who brought Mastan to Bhagavan. They would come all the way from Desur, which is
about 70 kms away from Arunachala, carrying provisions for Sri Bhagavan and His devotees. Mastan would
stay with Bhagavan till the provisions lasted and then go back to Desur. Mastan and Desur Ammal founded
in 1914 Sri Ramanananda Matalayam, at Desur, the first ever centre in the world to be started in the name of
Sri Bhagavan. Bhagavan‟s devotees, like Kunju Swami, Viswanatha Swami and Ramanatha Brahmachari, used
to go there for rest and convalescence after illness. This Centre continues to serve Ramana devotees till
today. Mastan wove towels and loin-cloth for Bhagavan on his loom. Bhagavan once said, “Mastan‟s craft,
though it did not give food either to him or his parents, gave me clothes.”
Mastan Swami was absorbed in Sri Bhagavan on 8th November, 1931. His body was taken in procession in
the local Siva temple‟s chariot (chapram) and given a burial worthy of a great sadhu. At Bhagavan‟s
biddance, Kunju Swami went to Matam and participated in the Samadhi ceremonies. A Samadhi (tomb) was
built where Mastan was laid to rest. Over the years, it has come to be treated as a shrine by the villagers.
Mastan‟s Samadhi, built over 70 years ago, needed renovation. Re-building was started on behalf of Sri
Ramanasramam, on 6.12.2006 and donations came from devotees of Sri Bhagavan. Kumbhabhishekam
(Consecration) of the renovated Samadhi was performed in a befitting manner on 14th September 2008.
Devotees came in large numbers from Sri Ramanasramam including President V.S.Ramanan and Susila
Ramanan, Desur, Matam, Salem and Coimbotore. After a sumptuous breakfast at the Ramanananda
Matalayam, Desur, the devotees proceeded to Matam. Arunachala Akshara Manamalai and Ramana Stuti
Panchakam were sung and the Priest of Sri Atulyanatheswarar Temple of Arakandanallur (where young
Continued on next page

Saranagathi
Continued from next page
Venkataraman had a brief halt on his way from Madurai to Arunachala in August 1896) performed
Ganapati, Navagraha and Chatur Rudra homams as arranged by Sri Ramanasramam. A song specially
composed for the occasion was sung, which was well received.
Sri Ramanasramam distributed Bhagavan‟s Prasadam and food and gave away prizes to the boys and girls
who sang Arunachala Akshara Manamalai.
Consecration function of Sri Mastan Swami’s Samadhi
Sri Bhagavan‟s „Arunai‟ Arrival Day on September 1st

A Report from Ramana Kendaram, Madurai.
30th August – 1st September, 2008.
Tracing Bhagavan‟s footsteps from Madurai
Bhagavan, after attaining enlightenment on 17th July 1896 at the age of 16 at Madurai, proceeded to
Tiruvannamalai on 29th August 1896 in accordance to the divine call of his Ordainer Sri Arunachala.
Bhagavan‟s devotees of Madurai Sri Ramana Manthiram carry out a Yathirai from Madurai to
Tiruvannamalai tracing the footpath of Bhagavan every year on the same day, since 1996 with lot of
reverence and devotion.
This year nearly 54 devotees took part in this Yathirai. They started from Sri Ramana Manthiram on 30
August night 9 O‟clock. They had hired a bus for all the three days for conveyance. After a brief stay at
Vilipuram on the next day morning, they reached Mambazha pattu Railway station at 7.30 am. Bhagavan

Saranagathi
Continued from next page
b
actually started walking from there along the railway track upto Thirukovilur. Devotees too crossed this
distance by walk. On their way, they constantly chanted Bhagavan‟s works like Acharamana malai and
Arunachala Sthuthi Panchagam and works on Bhagavan too. Sweets were distributed to children and others
as Prasatham whom they met on their way. The devotees reached Arankantanallur Rock-Temple at 12
noon, from where Bhagavan got His first Dharshan of the great Thiruvannamalai, the „Mountain of Light‟.
Acharamanamalai chanting was carried out there with lot of reverence by all including few local people.
Then they moved to Muthukrishna Bhagavathar‟s house, where Bhagavan had stayed for a while.
Acharamana malai parayanam and Pooja were carried out there. They started from there and reached
Thiruvannamalai Sri Ramanashram at 7 O‟clock in the evening. On 1st September, at the early morning
hours, the devotees gathered in the New Hall, in front of Bhagavan‟s Maha Samadhi, expressed their
respect and devotion, sung holy songs and took part in Poojas. Then they were taken to Sri
Arunachaleswarar Temple for Swami Annamalaiyar Dharshanam. After that, the devotees assembled in a
place inside the Temple and facing and gazing at the great „Hill of Arunachala‟ sung Sri Arunachala Sthuthi
Panchagam and Acharamanamalai.
In the evening, places, where Bhagavan stayed at different point of time, like Patchaiamman Temple and
Guru murtham were visited. At night 8.30 pm, the devotees undertook Girivalam singing Bhagavan‟s songs
all through their path. On 2nd September morning, a small group of devotees visited Sri Kanthashram and
Virupacha Cave, where too Bhagavan used to stay for years together.
At 12.30 pm, the Thiru Arunai Yathirai arranged by Madurai Ramana Kendram came to the concluding part.
The President and other Ashramites of Sri Ramanashram gave a heartfelt hospitality in all the three days.
With hearts filled with peace, gratification, blessings and grace of Bhagavan, devotees reached Madurai at
10 O‟clock night.
It is sure that this Yathirai has helped the devotees a lot in the pursuit of realization of the Self and
attainment of the True Nature through Bhagavan‟s Upathesas.
Devotees at Mambalapattu Station The group reaches Sri Ramanasramam

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya N OVEMBER 2008
Page 1 Saranagathi
Saranagathi
VOLUME 2, I SSUE 11
CONTENTS
In This Issue In This Issue 1
Dear Sri Bhagavan Devotees, ‘Narakasura – Dipavali’ from Letters 2

During a Recent Satsangh 3
The month of October was busy one at Sri Bhagavan‟s A Report from Sri Ramanasramam 4
Ashram in Tiruvannamalai.
Diwali extracted from the book, Letters from
After the Navaratri Celebrations, in early October, Sri Ramanasramam by Suri Nagamma. This is followed
which was covered extensively at our website, Diwali by a recent satsangh reading of Ramana Puranam and a
and Vishwanatha Swami Day were celebrated in a report on „Vishwanatha Swami Day‟ and Diwali
grand manner. There was some much needed rain, all celebrations at the Ashram.
over South India and Tiruvannamalai, which led to
tanks and wells getting replenished at the Ashram, Please lookout for recent „updates‟ to our website:
thanks to the „rain harvesting‟ methods adopted. Ashram Calendar for 2009, Special Days in 2009,
additional issues of Mountain Path and more „Devotees‟
We are saddened to report the demise of „Tirupattur‟ Interviews‟ of their experiences of His Presence.
Balasubramania Sastrigal, who was part of the „puja‟
team at the Ashram and pray for Sri Bhagavan‟s grace We look forward to hearing from you, about your
on the departed soul. The Ashram Management satsanghs and experiences. Please send your emails to
appreciates his dedicated service to the Master and saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
His devotees and will miss his ever smiling face.
Yours in Sri Bhagavan,
The focus of the November issue of Saranagathi is on
Sri Bhagavan‟s explanation of the significance of Editorial Team.

Editorial Team.
Ether, Fire, Air, Water, Earth,

Sun, Moon, and Living Beings-
Worship of These,
Regarded All as Forms of His,
Is Perfect Worship of the Lord.
Page 2 Saranagathi
Narakasura – Dipavali (65)

An extract from Letters from Sri Ramanasramam by Suri Nagamma
20th August 1946. verses?” When I said that I did not know, he said,
“Is that so? One Dipavali day, Muruganar wanted
Ramachandra Iyer came here from Madras me to write something about Dipavali. „Why don‟t
recently. One day he was seated in the hall you write? Why should I?‟ I asked. He said that he
going through an old notebook and correcting would also write if I did. I agreed, and wrote these
some dates and numbers in it. Seeing that, verses. I did not write anything without reason.
Bhagavan asked what it was. He replied, “This is There is a story behind every verse that I wrote.” So
an old notebook written by Bhagavan. I am saying he showed me the verses (in Tamil). I give
looking into the numbers and dates in it, and them below with the meaning:-
entering them in the printed book.” “Give it to
me,” Bhagavan said, and taking it and turning Vrittam:
over the pages, said to me, “There are some
Dipavali padyams (verses) in it. Have you heard
them?”
When I said I had not, he read them out and Meaning:

gave the meaning thereof as follows: “He is He is the king of hell who says that he is the body
Narakasura (a demon) who feels attached in the which is hell itself. He is Narayana who ascertains
thought that he is the body. That attachment to who Naraka is, and destroys him with His vision of
the body itself is a Naraka (hell). The life of a wisdom, Jnana Drishti. That is the auspicious day
person who has that attachment, even if he be a of Narakachathurdasi.
Maharajah, is hellish. Destroying the attachment
to the body, and the self shining by itself as Self Vennpa:
is Dipavali. That is the idea contained in those
verses.” I asked, “Are all these verses in Nool
Thirattu?”* Bhagavan said, “These were all
composed extempore on the spur of the Meaning:
moment from time to time. Why include all The false belief that this hell-like house called
these in that book?” body is me, is Naraka himself. To destroy that
false belief and let the self shine as Self, is
After the first publication of the book, these Dipavali.
verses were read out in Bhagavan‟s presence,
and he asked, “Do you know why I wrote those
*Nool Thirattu is the title of the book in Tamil containing all the verses, songs and prose writing of Bhagavan. The Collected Works of Sri
Ramana Maharshi contains the English translations of these. Both these books have been published by Sri Ramanasaramam and available for
download from our website.
Page 3 Saranagathi
During a Recent Satsangh

The following verses from Ramana Puranam1 were read out along with their meaning during a recent Satsangh
at Connecticut, USA. Ramana Puranam was jointly composed by Sri Muruganar and Sri Bhagavan.
Verses 305-306 of Ramana Puranam

Even if the most insignificant of your devotees come to possess a desire, you enable them to be enthroned in the
royal assembly of the king of the gods.
In the presence of the Guru, desires are automatically fulfilled, even worldly ones. The Guru does not pick and
choose which of his devotees' desires he is going to fulfill because he has no sankalpa.
No individual will that decides 'I will fulfill this desire,' or 'I will not fulfill that particular desire'.
However, by continuously abiding as the Self, the Guru generates a Sannidhi, a presence, that
Automatically takes care of the desires of devotees who come into this presence.
Footnote: Bhagavan explained in some detail how this process works in a conversation he had with Narayana Iyer
that was recorded in The Mountain Path (July, 1968, p. 236).
Mountain Path, Vol. 5, July 1968
Cry of the Destitute

By Vishnu (Narayana Iyer)
One day when I was sitting by the side of Bhagavan I felt so miserable that I put the following question to him: ''Is
the sankalpa of the jnani not capable of warding off the destinies of the devotees?''. Bhagavan smiled and said:
''Does the jnani have a sankalpa at all? The jivanmukta can have no sankalpas whatsoever. It is just impossible.''
'I continued: ''Then what is the fate of all us who pray to you to have grace on us and save us? Will we not be
benefited or saved by sitting in front of you, or by coming to you? What use is there then for family men like me
to gain by coming here to you?''.
Bhagavan turned graciously to me and said: ''Just as a trouble (or arrow) that comes to destroy the head, goes
away carrying with it only the turban, so a person's bad karma will be considerably reduced while he is in the
presence of a jnani. A jnani has no sankalpas but his sannidhi [presence] is the most powerful force. He need not
have sankalpa, but his presiding presence, the most powerful force, can do wonders: save souls, give peace of
mind, even give liberation to ripe souls. Your prayers are not answered by him but absorbed by his presence. His
presence saves you, wards off the karma and gives you the boons as the case may be, [but] involuntarily. The
jnani does save the devotees, but not by sankalpa, which is non-existent in him, only through his presiding
presence, his sannidhi.'''
I was filled with joy. Even today His presence is the most powerful thing and that alone, I am confident, saves me!
1
In the 1920s and 30s Muruganar wrote Sri Ramana Sannidhi Murai, an anthology of devotional poems in praise of Sri Bhagavan that was modeled on the
Tiruvachakam of Sri Manikkavachakar. In the first edition of Ramana Sannidhi Murai there was no poem corresponding to Siva Puranam. So Sri Muruganar started
composing a poem on the same lines. At this stage a doubt arose in his mind as to what would be the appropriate title for this work. The obvious title could be Siva
Puranam. But the verses were extolling the glory of the Lord as Ramana, so why not call it Ramana Puranam? Thus tossed by doubt Sri Muruganar left the place,
leaving the lines at Sri Bhagavan's feet. When he returned in the evening Sri Bhagavan handed back the poems. A great surprise was in store for Sri Muruganar. Sri
Bhagavan had distinctly written Ramana Puranam, not only at the top of the work, but also at the top of each and every page. He had but also at the top of each and
After
every a He
page. month
had notor so, one
stopped night
with that and Icomposed
was feeling exhausted.
three hundred more linesItand
was around
completed the11:30 pm
work. The on a week
concluding portionday. I was
of Ramana sittinga section
Puranam,
that runs approximately from line 233 to 540, contains teachings, written by Sri Bhagavan himself.
alone in my lounge room on my couch in the dark. My wife and children were asleep. It was raining heavily
Page 4 Saranagathi
„Vishwanatha Swami‟ Day

A report from Sri Ramanasramam
Vishwanatha Swami Day was observed at the ashram on 22nd October.
One of his most important contributions to Ramana Devotees was the

composition of Ramana Ashtottaram (The 108 Names of Sri Bhagavan)
which is chanted at His Shrine every day during daily puja. Devotees may
remember that these 108 names are being serialized in the Mountain Path.
All devotees gathered around his samadhi and chanted 'Aksharamanamalai'.

Arati was performed to the lingam on his samadhi and everyone received
the blessings of this great devotee, who incidentally was closely related Vishwanatha Swami
to Sri Bhagavan.
Diwali Celebrations at Sri Ramanasramam

A Photo Essay
Early morning arathi …arathi at ...some fireworks…

at the Ramaneswara Lingam… Matrubhuteswara Lingam...
..nagaswaram at His Shrine…

…devotees gathered for early morning …followed by breakfast.
Darshan around 4.30am…

Editorial Team: Ranjani Ramanan, Sivasubramanian, Ravi Ramanan.
December 2008
Saranagathi
Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya
Volume 2, Issue 12
Contents
In this Issue In this Issue 1
Dear Devotee, The Essence of Instruction 1
Ashram Kitchen 2
As we offer this issue of Saranagathi at Sri Bhagavan’s
‘Annamalai Swami’ Day 6
Lotus Feet we pray that it may lead to ‘satsang’ and
help in one’s ‘inner quest’. Bookstall Expansion 6
We are starting a new ‘series’ and want to introduce

various ‘teams’ within Sri Ramanasramam that enable
Please lookout for recent ‘updates’ to our website:
the proper functioning of the ashram. We have tried
old devotees’ interviews of their experiences of His
to give a historical-to-current-day perspective.
Presence and the Bookstall page.
First in this series is the ‘Ashram Kitchen’.

We look forward to hearing from you, about your
satsangs and experiences. Please send your emails to
The ‘ashram kitchen’ was started by Mother
saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
Alagammal at Skandasramam. Sri Bhagavan Himself
led, guided and participated in the preparation and
Yours in Sri Bhagavan,
serving of food. Devotees have experienced His grace
in this way and continue to do so.
Editorial Team.
This issue of Saranagathi also features two other

reports from Sri Ramanasramam: ‘Annamalai Swami
Day’ and ‘Bookstall Expansion’.
Better than singing hymns of praise

is repeating the (Lord’s) name;
better than (repetition of the name)
out loud is to do so softly;
but best of all is mental repetition or
dhyana (meditation).
Page 2 Saranagathi
Ashram Kitchen
Sri Bhagavan once reading from a newspaper article in the Old Hall said, “It is written here that in
Ramanasramam there are two fires burning.” The first being Sri Bhagavan and His Teachings and the
other, ‘the fire’ in the kitchen which feeds devotees. Here’s a write-up on the history and development of
the Ashram Kitchen.
The Background food for herself, her sons and visitors. The practice
Right from the time that Sri Bhagavan came out of of cooking food at the Ashram which began then
Patala Linga, food was being offered to him, perhaps continues up to this day.
scantily, but on a regular basis. Sometime later, the
sacred duty of offering food to him daily was taken up After Mother attained salvation her samadhi was set up
voluntarily and willingly by devout lady devotees like at the foot hills of Arunachala, near Pali Thirtham. It was
Keerai Patti, Desur Amma, Echamma and Mudaliar found difficult to return every day to Skandasramam
Patti. For Echamma and Mudaliar Patti not a day soon after the noon puja to the samadhi. Rice, dhal,
passed by without their sending food to Sri Bhagavan. etc., were carried downhill so that those who did
Even on the last day of their earthly life, they closed the puja could cook and eat there itself and return
their eyes only after hearing others announce: “Food to Skandasramam in the evening. A small thatched
has been sent to Sri Bhagavan.” hut was also put up near the samadhi to be used
as a kitchen. Dhandapaniswami and Chinnaswami
Early Beginning started staying there permanently. Chinnaswami
When Sri Bhagavan moved to Skandasramam in 1917, and Dhandapaniswami used to invite devotees from
his Mother Alagammal too came with him. In spite Skandasramam to partake of their cooking. Bhagavan
of Sri Bhagavan’s remonstrations she daily cooked would daily visit Mother’s samadhi either in the
morning or in the evening. One day Chinnaswami said
to Kunjuswami, “Please come down in the evening
itself. I will prepare some dosas tomorrow and you
can take them to Bhagavan and others.” He agreed.
Kunjuswami asked Ramakrishnaswami to look after
Bhagavan and came down to Mother’s samadhi.
Early in the morning, when Kunjuswami was washing
the dishes in the stream near Mother’s samadhi, he
suddenly heard a voice: “Any food for an athithi (a
guest)?” Startled, he looked up and was thrilled to see
Sri Bhagavan standing with a towel wrapped round his
head, a shawl round his torso and a stick in his hand.
It was a rare darshan.
In the meantime, Chinnaswami and Dhandapaniswami

came and were overjoyed to see Bhagavan there. They
requested him to eat dosas but he refused at first.
At their repeated requests, he agreed. He brushed
his teeth with a neem twig which Kunjuswami gave
him and washed his face in the stream. They had
with them the usual goat’s milk also and so Sri
Bhagavan ate some dosas and drank coffee. Looking
at Kunjuswami, Bhagavan said, “Everyone comes
over here because of the tasty food they get here,”
Sri Bhagavan and His Mother at Skandasramam

Page 3 Saranagathi
thus surrendered completely to Sri Bhagavan and

dedicatedly served in the Ashram kitchen. Lakshmi
Ammal of Tiruchuzhi was also of great help in the
kitchen whenever she visited the Ashram.
During their tenure, these lady-cooks were ably

assisted by Polur Srinivasa Iyer, Kadalur Madhava Rao,
Natesa Iyer and a few other male devotees.
Before the present huge dining hall and kitchen were

built, all the above, during different periods, served in
the kitchen and attended to food being served to Sri
Bhagavan and the devotees. After the completion of
Old Dining Hall Construction the present “Pakasalai” (kitchen) in 1938, Ranga Rao
an efficient cook, knowledgeable in traditional Indian
and laughed heartily. This was the beginning of medicine and in general an all-rounder, managed the
the present Sri Ramanasramam which grew around kitchen till Sri Bhagavan’s Maha Samadhi in 1950. His
Mother’s samadhi. Only a very few devotees stayed services were much appreciated by all, including Sri
at the Ashram on a permanent basis. During the early Bhagavan. Like the rest of the cooks, he too did this
days several lady devotees started serving in the service as a labour of love and with total dedication to
Ashram kitchen one after another. Santhammal of Sri Bhagavan. All of them experienced the presence and
Ramanathapuram, Tenamma from Thirumangalam, grace of the Guru, during every moment of their service!
Lokammal from Pattankuruchi, Sampoornammal from
Vathirairuppu, Subbulakshmamma from Nellore and In 1938, a Branch Post Office was installed inside the
Sankaramma from Sivagangai were a few who had Ashram premises. From its inception Raja Subramania
° Bhagavan Sitting on parapet wall with Alamelu Athai standing to His right.

Page 4 Saranagathi
Iyer was its Post Master. He was very popular among

the devotees who addressed him with fond affection
as ‘Raja Iyer’. In addition to serving as the Post Master
he was actively assisting in the kitchen, every day,
by making ‘iddlis’ for breakfast. He would get ready
very early in the morning and complete making iddlis,
whatever quantity was required for that day, before
6 a.m. The taste, texture and tenderness of the iddlis
made by Raja Iyer received the appreciation of one
and all! They were adored as ‘Ramanasramam iddlis’!
When the Ashram activities expanded, as more and
more devotees started flocking to the Ashram to bask
in the Supreme Spiritual Presence of Sri Bhagavan,
it became necessary to construct a Store Room to
preserve the food ingredients. Kumara Swami served
Store Staff
as the Store Keeper with great diligence, efficiency and
Left to right: Jayachandra Baba, Duraiswami, Selvaraj
thrift. He was also well known for making excellent
flower garlands.
with joy that the visiting guest-devotees as well as
Today some residents of Ramana Nagar daily assist in the
At present, Sri Rajamani, is in charge of the Ashram kitchen by cutting vegetables and other essential
Store Room. He is being ably assisted in that arduous activities like cleaning vessels etc.
task by Duraiswami, Selvaraj, Jayendra Baba and
others. Daily hundreds of visiting devotees are being The daily activities of the Ashram commences at
sumptuously fed at the Dining Hall. 4.30 in the morning. Preparation of iddlis and coffee
for breakfast is the first activity. By 7 a.m. the milk
The volume of work involved in gathering various offering puja is performed and after that breakfast is
ingredients for food preparation, their preservation served. Thereafter the kitchen becomes very active in
and diligent distribution is enormous. In addition, their efforts to prepare lunch which would be served
Sri Rajamani does the onerous service of disbursing at 11.30. This involves the Head cook paying his best
the wages for daily labourers. Daily requirement attention on preparing different types of vegetable
of vegetables and fruits are purchased from the sauces, sambar, rasam, sweets, pappad and rice.
market every morning and bulk quantities of rice,
pulses, grain and provisions are purchased from the
wholesale market at Chennai or Vellore.
Matching the increasing demands of serving food for

more and more Ramana-bhaktas, an extension of the
existing “Pakasalai” was constructed in 1997.
This spacious additional Dining Hall is an essential

necessity.
In the Ashram kitchen, the important work of cooking

is entrusted to Head cook Gopal and his dedicated
team consisting of Balasubramanian, Sundaram,
Sridhar, Ravi and Shankar. It should be recorded here New Dining Hall

Page 5 Saranagathi
Generally meals are served in two batches every

day. Usually the second batch is for the staff and
the labourers. But on crowded days like Punarvasu,
Jayanti, Deepam, Aradhana, Maha Puja, Sri Vidya
Havan, etc., three or more batches of devotees partake
of the prasadam. Along with the cooks, members of
the staff and some devotees take part in serving the
food.
Before serving lunch to the visiting guests and inmates

of the Ashram, at 10.30 regular ‘Narayana Seva’ is
attended to with reverence and a surrendered attitude
of service, to the sadhus, sannyasins, destitutes,
physically disabled and utterly poor people. Between
1 and 2.30 p.m. the kitchen is closed.
Kitchen Staff The ‘Pakasalai” is reopened at 3.00 and tea is served

Left to right: Sridhar, Gopal, Ravi, Sundaram,
to all at 4 p.m. Simultaneously, preparation of dinner
Balasubramanian
for the night would commence. Dinner is served at
When some devotee pays the required amount for 7.30 p.m. in the night. At 9 p.m. the kitchen is closed.
Biksha then on that day an extra dish along with sweet
pudding (payasam) are served. On Sundays and other This is the gist of daily activities at Sri Ramanasramam
important days pappads are served. Kitchen today!
Page 6 Saranagathi
‘Annamalai Swami’ Day

On 9th November 2008 the 13th Samadhi Day of Annamalai Swami was solemnly observed at Palakothu where the
Swamiji lived. Bhagavan’s Aksharamana Malai and Manikkavachagar’s Sivapuranam were sung by Bhagavan’s
devotees, including Sri V. Ganesan, and Pooja was offered at Swamiji’s Samadhi. At the end prasadam was
distributed.
Swamiji’s dedicated life is proof that distance can never separate a true devotee from his Sadguru.
Bookstall Expansion
The new extension building of the Ashram Bookstall was inaugurated by performing puja on Monday,
17th November (Punarvasu day) at 9.10 a.m. A built-in area of 10000 Sq. Ft. has been added to the existing
bookstall. The function was well attended by devotees.

Editorial Team: Ranjani Ramanan, Sivasubramanian, Ravi Ramanan
Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya JANUARY 2009
Page 1 Saranagathi
Saranagathi
VOLUME 3, I SSUE 1
In This Issue INSIDE THIS ISSUE

In This Issue 1
Dear Devotee, The Essence of Instruction 1
Deepam Day 2
May Sri Bhagavan’s Blessings be on all, to guide
Ashram Gosala 3-4
us in our ‘inner quest’ and towards the goal of
Report from Sri Ramanasramam 5-6
‘self-realization’, and thus a ‘Happy 2009’. We
hope one of the New Year Resolutions, is to
recommit to the ‘Ramana Way’, to attain our This year too, Karthigai Deepam drew huge crowds. We
‘Self’. continue our series on the different departments at the
ashram with a write up about the ‘Gosala’ (cowshed),
In this issue, we present an extract from S.S. followed by reports on several recent happenings at Sri
Cohen’s book Guru Ramana describing Deepam Ramanasramam.
day at the Ashram in 1949, in the Holy presence
of Sri Bhagavan. The spiritual significance of New additions to the website this month: Old
Deepam has been explained by Sri Bhagavan as Devotees’ interview and ‘What are Ramana Satsangs?’
follows:
We hope to hear from you, about your satsangs and
To make the intellect rid of the sense experience of Him. Please send your emails to us at
‘I am the body’, and to introspect saranagathi@sriramanamaharshi.org.
By fixing it securely in the Heart,
And so perceive the true light of the SELF, Yours in Sri Bhagavan,
The one ‘I-I’, which is the ABSOLUTE.
This the significance of witnessing Editorial Team.
The Beacon Light of Arunachala.
Better than spells of meditation

Is one continuous current,
Steady as a stream,
Or downward flow of oil.
Page 2 Saranagathi
Deepam Day: 1949

An extract from Guru Ramana by Sri S.S.Cohen Ten minutes before sunset, the time for lighting the
deepam, Sri Niranjanananda Swami came on the
4th December, 1949. scene. With bare breast and fresh from his bath and
the Shaiva marks prominently drawn on his arms,
This is Deepam Day - the full moon of the month of chest and forehead, he stood by the side of the ghee
Kartikai - most holy to Hindus in the South. The holy basin and received the ghee offerings brought
beacon will be lighted tonight on the top of mostly by the lady-devotees and poured them into
Arunachala, the Hill of Fire, which symbolizes the the ghee vessel. A minute or two before six, the
light of the Spirit in all hearts and in the universe. flame suddenly leapt up on the top of the hill and
Arunachala, another name of Shiva, enthralled Sri our Ashram flame immediately followed it,
Maharshi fifty-three years ago, when he was a mere accompanied by the reading of “nakarmana”, after
youth in his teens and made him substance of His which the series of chanting, singing, etc. began.
substance and indistinguishable from His Essence.
Arunachala, a mere hill of stones, remained for him
the blissful Universal Self and the Living Guru, both
in one. Every year, since the foundation of this
Ashram, this day has been celebrated in it with
illumination, prayers, reading of the Vedas, and
devotional songs, followed by distribution of several
kinds of prasadam.
Tonight Sri Maharshi sat in the north verandah of

the darshan hall from where he could directly see
the top of the hill. All around him hundreds of
devotees squatted, some on the cement verandah,
but the majority on the sandy ground. Not far from
his sofa stood the large brass vessel, three-quarters
filled with pure ghee, surmounted by a thick wick,
ready to be lighted at the right moment as the
Ashram beacon, making a sacred triangle with those
of the hill and of the big Arunachaleswara temple.
But this jubilation is not without a sting. Will the

health of Sri Maharshi favour us with another
Deepam day and be with us in the flesh, or is this to
be the last? As we see him seated fresh and bright
as ever, gazing expectantly at the top of his beloved
Arunachala, we cannot help being optimistic of his
recovery. The body which is stricken by a most
malignant disease, hacked on many occasions by the
surgeon’s knife, burnt by radium, and drugged by all
sorts of powerful drugs, bears no trace of the
agonizing ordeal in the brilliance of its eyes or in the
Sri Bhagavan closely following the lighting of the
joyful expressions of its face. What miracles are
deepam on top of Arunachala
being performed in it! What are its mysteries!
Page 3 Saranagathi
Ashram Gosala
The gosala (cowshed) primarily grew around Cow Lakshmi who came to Sri Bhagavan in 1926 (covered in July 08
issue of Saranagathi). This article proposes to cover the growth of the gosala since then and highlight the hard
work and diligence of the team working there.
The History came to me running as though to tell me that a house

was being constructed for her and that I should be
Sometime in 1926, four years after Bhagavan had there. When I got up, she led me on to the spot. She
come to live at the foot of the Holy Hill beside the did the same for her house-warming ceremony also.
Samadhi of the Mother, one Arunachala Pillai of Somehow she used to understand everything. Very
Kannamangalam, near Gudiyatham, entered the smart indeed!”
Ashram with a cow and her young female calf and
offered them to Bhagavan in token of his devotion. Today
‘Why all this for us?’ Bhagavan asked. Arunachalam
Pillai replied saying, ‘I have for a long time been These days the activities in the cowshed start as early
thinking of presenting Bhagavan with a cow. I am as 2.30 a.m. There are about nine men looking after
now in a position to do so. I have brought it after a the cows, a supervisor and a milkman. The persons in
good deal of trouble on boat and rail. Please keep charge of the Gosala take turns looking after the
it, Swami.’ Bhagavan said: ‘You have done your duty cows, washing them, cleaning the cowshed and the
in presenting it to us. Who is there to look after it?
Please keep it with you on our behalf.’ The owner of
the cow replied, ‘I will not take it away even if you
cut my throat.’ Hearing this Ramanatha
Brahmachari was piqued and said with great zest
that he himself would look after the cow and the
calf. ‘Allright. Hang it round your neck!’ Bhagavan
said.
Thereafter she remained one of the most prominent

of the Ashram residents. Bhagavan has recounted a
number of incidents in the life of Lakshmi testifying
to her almost human intelligence, “After Mother
came to stay with me, regular cooking and meals
started, and after Lakshmi came, cattle and dairying
became established. Subsequently for three or four
years Lakshmi was presenting us with a calf every
year on the Jayanti day. Altogether she had nine
deliveries. After Lakshmi came here to stay, cows
from different places were brought by devotees and
left here. So the cattle shed grew in size. In the
beginning they were tied up here and there under a
thatched shed. When Salem Sundaram Chetty
(Judge) came here, he decided to construct a gosala
(cowshed) and fixed an auspicious time for the
laying of the foundation stone. Half-an-hour before
appointed time, when preparations were being
made, Lakshmi broke loose from her tether and
Sri Bhagavan with Cow Lakshmi in the gosala
Continued on page 4
Page 4 Saranagathi
surroundings, feeding the cows and gathering green kumkum, flowers and their horns freshly painted. It
fodder from the fields. Early in the morning the four is the firm conviction of devotees that the Ashram
cowsheds are cleaned and the milching cows, the grew and prospered only after the Gosala was
dry ones, the heifers and the calves are fed rice established.”
bran, oil cakes, cattle feed, etc. After they are fed
the milking starts at about 5 a.m. and continues till
7.30 a.m. Partly manual milking and partly
mechanized milking methods are employed. The
cows are again fed at about 10 a.m. and a few cows
are taken around the Ashram for grazing. Some of
the men go for gathering the green fodder during
this time and bring it to the cowshed. Evening
milking starts around 3 p.m. and goes on till 5.30
p.m. after which the cows are tied in their respective
pens for the night. There are separate pens for
heifers, milching cows, calves, etc. The pens are
always kept spic and span. The veterinarian from the
local hospital visits regularly and as and when
required.
Gosala Staff
The milk from the Gosala cows is only used for
Ashram purposes and is supplemented by procuring
milk from outside during events like Jayanti,
Aradhana, Deepam, etc. The average daily yield of
milk is about 200 litres and there are at present 120
cows including stud bulls, heifers, calves, milching
cows, etc.
Interview with Sri V.S. Mani
“When a small cow-shed was proposed to be

constructed to house cow Lakshmi, Bhagavan
advised to build a larger cow-shed saying that he
expected the Gosala to flourish and proper. How
prophetic! Now we have more than 110 cows &
calves in addition to a 2 bullocks. So much so, we Milking the Cow
are self-sufficient in dairy products like milk,
curd/buttermilk and ghee. It is heartening to see
cows of traditional good Indian breeds like Gir,
Tarparkar and Sindhi doing well and holding their
head high alongside the cross-breeds. There are
separate pens for suckling calves and heifers. It is
ensured that balanced feed is given and service of a
veterinary doctor is available when required. Cow
dung from the Gosala is the main input for the two
Gobar gas (bio gas) plants producing methane gas
as fuel for our kitchen. During ‘Maatu Pongal’, which
is celebrated in January, the Gosala wears a festival
look with the cows gaily decorated with turmeric,
Tarparkar Cows
Page 5 Saranagathi
Giripradakshina of Annamalaiyar
Sri Arunachaleshwarar, the main deity of the

Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai, goes
around the Hill (Giripradakshina) twice a year viz., the
day after Karthigai Deepam and on the second day of
the Tamil month Thai which falls on January 16/17th.
This year on December 13th Sri Arunachaleshwarar

(Somaskandar) was taken around the Hill accompanied
by Apeethakuchambal Amman, the Arunachaleshwarar
and Amman from Adi Annamalai and Durgai Amman.
The procession passed in front of the Ashram at around
12.30 p.m. and devotees eagerly received the Lord.
Dhotis, sarees and garlands were offered to all the
deities and aratis were performed.
Sama Veda & Krishna Yajur Veda Ghana Parayanam
As in the previous years this year also Sama Veda and

Yajur Ghana were chanted at Sri Bhagavan’s Shrine.
Ghana Parayanam commenced on 2nd of December and
lasted till 11th December while Sama Veda commenced
on 3rd December and went on till 10th December. Ghana
Parayanam (chanting) was between 7 and 8 a.m. and
Sama Veda Parayanam was between 3 and 4 p.m.
Devotees gathered at the auditorium and listened to the
chanting of the Vedas.
Page 6 Saranagathi
‘Annadhanam’ on Deepam Day
Apart from the usual feeding of sadhus at 10.30 a.m.,

this deepam day, hundreds of devotees going round
the Hill were also fed with rice and sambar. Usually
only about 200/300 sadhus are fed. But on this day the
number of people exceeded 600.
Visit of Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji
Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Srimad Gangadharendra

Saraswati Swamigal of Shri Sonda Swarnavalli
Mahasamasthan (Sirsi), Karnataka visited the Ashram
on 26th December 2008. He arrived at 8.30 p.m. with
his entourage and was received with poorna kumbham
by the Ashram President. After pooja at the
Vedapatasala he paid his respects at the Shrines of
Matrubhuteswara and Bhagavan. He spent a few
minutes in the Old Hall and left at 11.30 p.m. Sri
Swamiji mentioned that he had visited the Ashram
about ten years ago and kindly enquired of Sri Swami
Ramanananda.

Editorial Team: Ranjani Ramanan, Sivasubramanian, Ravi Ramanan

Ramana Ashram Newsletters

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Special Days in 2009

Events @ Sri Ramanasramam

● Swami Ramanananda Samdhi Mantap Photos Video

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September 1st 1946

Extract from Day by Day with Bhagavan

September 1st 1946

Extract from Day by Day with Bhagavan

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10th October, 1948

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VINAYAKA CHATHURTI at Sri Ramanasramam – A Photo Gallery

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