Sri Ramanasramam, 100years

dakṣināmurti sārambhām śaṁkaracarya madhyamām
ramaṇācharya paryantām vande guru paramparām

Namaskaram to everyone

Mohanji wanted me to speak for a few minutes about Arunachala Ashrama, since at least some of you may be new to it. If you look at Hindu spiritual institutions in America, you will generally find that they were founded by great mahatmas who came here, Swami Vivekananda, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Swami Chinmayananda and so on.

Arunachala Ashrama was founded by a man who defies expectations. He was a householder and not a sanyasi. Further, he had a most unlikely personality for someone who would start an institution in America, rustic to the core and from the deepest rural Bihar. But what he had was boundless devotion to Bhagavan and his abundant grace. All he needed was a sincere suggestion from Arthur Osborne during a trip to India.

We can see Bhagavan’s grace in the unobtrusive way in which the institution grew. No fundraising for anything, Bhagavan will provide what is needed. From renting a room at two different locations for a few years, a storefront and two other locations before purchasing the current beautiful house 18 years ago. It somewhat similar to the growth of Ramanasramam itself, from patala lingam, gurumurtam, Virupaksha cave and Skandasramam to the current Ashram for which we are gathered here to celebrate the centenary.

Bhagavat ensured that the ashram functioned in the manner befitting Bhagavan’s ashram, as a meeting place for sincere aspirants who wished to deepen their spiritual lives in the light of the Maharshi’s guidance and grace. There are no regular talks or cultural performance except during special occasions such as today. Practice is the focus of this ashrama, “This is Arunachala Abhyasa Ashrama” Bhagavat would say. Bhagavan himself is the ever present guru and he was just the “doorman and doormat”

A lot of the ashram’s growth owes to our second president Sri Dennis Hartel. Those of you who know him would agree with me that he is a special blessing that Bhagavan bestowed on us. There will be a small video later of him walking through the ashram and talking about Bhagavan. A few years ago, he decided to retire into solitude in an undisclosed location in America.

During the 48 years that he served the ashrama, Dennis was the epitome of the sincere sadhaka, never missing a single day’s practice starting at 4:30 AM no matter what, setting an example for all of us. There was nothing in his outward life other than service to Bhagavan and his devotees .I think all of us can thank Bhagavan from the bottom of our hearts for the gift of his friendship and company.

On his departure, Dennis left the ashrama under the able guidance of our current president Mohan Ramaswamy. Dennis used to say that the most important requirement to manage the ashram is to have an attitude of selfless service. Mohan exemplifies that in many ways. He has spent half of his saturday feeding the homeless for decades now - without missing a single week. Today maybe the first saturday when he isn't physically doing this seva. It reminds me in a way of the dedication that Echammal had to bring food to Bhagavan.

These three leaders exemplify the values of humble devotion, sincere dedication to sadhana and selfless service. I’d like to think it beautifully represents what Arunachala Ashrama stands for. Dennis’ tapasya has also invoked Bhagavan’s presence in the ashrama shrine in a very palpable manner; That sannidhi is a powerful aid to sadhana for anyone who wants to spend time here in quiet study and reflection.

I will close with Bhagavat’s words again as something we all can aspire for. “Who knows, this body may go any day. What do I have to show for all these years? What will I leave behind? ‘Have I stopped serving, loving and worshipping all of you?’ Everyday I question myself thus and that is what I want you to remember when this body goes.”