Letters from Sri Ramanasramam

The Son is Beholden to the Father

Ch.1, 21 November 1945

...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.

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 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...