Cherished Memories

Chapter 07 - Composition of Ramana Puranam

Ramana Sannidhimurai of Muruganar has been modelled on the Tiruvacakam of Manickavachakar. The very first chapter in Tiruvacakam is a very beautiful one, titled Siva Puranam. But the first edition of the Ramana Sannidhimurai did not contain an equivalent chapter. Muruganar wanted to correct this inadequacy, and so he started composing the same chapter. He had written some lines, when he was suddenly assailed by doubts regarding the appropriate title for this particular chapter.

As Muruganar had followed the model of Tiruvacakam, he should have given the same title for this chapter also. But he wanted to name it Ramana Puranam instead of Siva Puranam to signify that these songs were in praise of the living God, Sri Ramana. He also felt obliged to follow the original in every detail. Unable to come to a decision, Muruganar gathered up the papers of this unfinished chapter and laid the bundle at Bhagavan’s feet. He did not say anything to Bhagavan about the confusion in his mind and left the hall. It was evening by the time he returned to the hall again. As soon as Muruganar entered the hall, Bhagavan beckoned him close, gave him back the bundle of papers and said, “Have a look at the papers.” Immediately, Muruganar opened the bundle and started reading.

When the second edition of Ramana Sannidhimurai was prepared for publication, Muruganar added the Ramana Puranam. While checking the proofs, Muruganar made a mark in the text and added a footnote saying that only a portion of this chapter had been his own work and that the rest of the lines beyond the mark had been composed by Sri Bhagavan himself.

After correcting the proofs, Muruganar handed over the copy to Bhagavan and requested him to check it. Bhagavan noticed the mark Muruganar had made, and read the footnote. At once, he turned to Muruganar and said, “So! Only this portion is Bhagavan’s, is it?” These words had shattering effect on Muruganar. He fell at Bhagavan’s feet and sobbed, “Bhagavan! What a grave mistake I have made! Please forgive me. I have not done anything at all. It is all your work. Every single line of poetry owes its existence to your infinite grace.” The mark and the footnote were removed immediately. This incident is sufficient proof that the Ramana Sannidhimurai was composed only by the grace of Bhagavan Sri Ramana.

Upadesa Undhiar adorns the central portion of Ramana Sannidhimurai. The Bhagavad Gita, which is the essence of Sri Krishna’s teachings, is at the heart of the Mahabharata. Similarly, the Upadesa Undhiar (which was later translated into Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam by Bhagavan as Upadesa Saram), the essence of Bhagavan’s teachings, forms the central portion of Ramana Sannidhimurai. In this beautiful song, Bhagavan has condensed the lessons taught by all the Upanishads and set them down in one comprehensive poem. Incidentally Upadesa Undhiar is the only work composed in the form of a book by Bhagavan.

Ramana Sannidhimurai has yet another distinction. Bhagavan has stated that it is equal to Tiruvacakam in all respects. Bhagavan has given his endorsement in the form of a poem.

Visvanatha Swami, one of Bhagavan’s disciples, was also an intimate friend of Muruganar. Muruganar had a passionate love for the Tamil language. This made him change his original name of ‘Ramanathapuram Subrahmanyam’ to ‘Mugavapuri Murugan’. (Mugavapuri is the Tamil name for his birthplace — Ramanathapuram and ‘Murugan’ is the Tamil equivalent of his name — Subrahmanyam). Visvanatha Swami was amused by Muruganar’s fastidiousness and liked to tease him. Once, while he was in the hall with Bhagavan and a few other devotees, Visvanatha Swami kept repeating the phrase, ‘Mugavapuri Murugan’. Bhagavan noticed this and said to him, “Visvanatha! Instead of simply chanting it, why don’t you compose a poem using those two words?” Visvanatha Swami immediately took out a piece of paper and very enthusiastically began his poem with the words ‘Mugavapuri Murugan’. Try as he might, however, he could not think of anything beyond these two words. At last, in sheer frustration, he went out, leaving the paper with Bhagavan. By the time Visvanatha Swami returned, Bhagavan had a lovely poem ready. Apart from the two words, ‘Mugavapuri Murugan’, nothing had been written by Visvanatha Swami. Nevertheless, Bhagavan had signed the poem, ‘Visvanathan’, thus attributing its composition to Visvanatha Swami. A translation of the poem follows:

“Arunachala Ramana, the One who resides in the lotus of my heart, laughed at my foolish ego and destroyed it completely with a single glance. He then proceeded to shower His Grace upon me, Mugavapuri Murugan, to enable me to enlighten the entire world with the Murai (Ramana Sannidhimurai), which is comparable to the Tiruvacakam.”

Muruganar has composed more than 30,000 poems in sweet, pure Tamil and most of these works like Guruvachaka Kovai, Ramana Anubhoothi, and Sri Ramana Jnana Bhodham (in 9 volumes) have already appeared in book form.