Sri R.Chandrasekhar

Visitors to the Ashram would not have failed to notice a young inmate enthusiastically mingling with all, though he could not speak. It is our Chandrasekhar. He is very efficient in his work and totally devoted to Bhagavan. He assists the Ashram in the Book Depot, packing section. His efficiency in packing has received unanimous recognition. We are happy to publish here his account of how he came to Bhagavan).

Sri R.Chandrasekhar

My father, Sri K. Ramachandra of Colombo (editor of The Religious Digest) is one of the oldest devotees of Bhagavan Ramana, who, by his books and articles contributed to weeklies and newspapers, has made known the Sage and His teachings in South India and Ceylon, even from the year 1934. The small size framed photo of Bhagavan sitting on a tiger-skin, brought by him as a memento of his pilgrimage all over India, aroused my curiosity. Though I was only a boy of 12 then, I felt that He was a great Sage with divine powers. I admired His having stuck on to the holy hill Arunachala, ever one with it.

A few years later - in January 1940 - I was able to visit Arunachala in the company of my father. I was introduced to Sri Bhagavan by my father. I was thrilled to see the Sage face to face at his Abode of Grace. The whole place breathed an air of sanctity and serenity. I was also amazed to see that all the visitors who came for Bhagavan's darshan were taken care of and treated most hospitably. Staying at the municipal bungalow, near the railway station, we went to the Ashram daily to have Bhagavan's darshan and - His prasadam for nearly a week. Bhagavan was sitting on His couch, reading letters received and writing something in a note-book now and then. He had a bookshelf by his side. We had no conversation with Bhagavan; only prayed to Him for His blessings and we had it in abundance in gracious Silence, the Language of the Infinite. Is that not the basis of His teachings to understand once forever?

In 1946, I came again in the company of my father and after a week's stay at the Ashram we put up in our own cottage, newly built nearby and stayed on for several months. It was really thrilling to sit in front of Bhagavan and meditate. Bhagavan sat on the sofa almost in silence and the atmosphere in the Hall was radiant and full of spiritual fragrance. The Sage thus blessed all who sat before Him in silence. He was gazing and gazing, spreading divine Grace all around. I was fortunate to receive such a look of Grace from Him, full of compassion. I felt blessed. It is the greatest and the most important moment and event of my life.

Those months of the year 1946 at the Ashram were never to be forgotten, for I had an insight of the mysterious spiritual power that had struck and laid my father bed-ridden for several months and made myself pulled here to stay along with him, suffering severe physical pains and shivers and experiencing a lot of untold troubles; all through this we had sought spiritual solace alone and with Bhagavan's Grace gained strength to overcome them all. Thus stricken souls survive purely by His Grace, when all medical treatment fails! Such physical debility and suffering did lead us in the end to spiritual redemption. So the invisible power of Grace had indeed showered its blessings on us all even without our knowing it.

I was moved to notice the attention bestowed by Bhagavan on animals as well. He was daily feeding squirrels at noon time, and was giving fruits to monkeys whenever they came to the Hall. Bhagavan was particularly fond of his Cow Lakshmi which used to come to the Hall daily and eat plantain fruits given by Him. The fortunate Cow was under His loving care right up to its last moments in 1948 and there is a likeness of her in stone in a specially built samadhi over her grave. I had the privilege of witnessing its burial with due religious rites in the presence of Bhagavan. He was visibly moved as the body of the Cow was lowered into the samadhi pit. Thus the noble Cow got absorbed in Holy Arunachala by His Grace.

Though I had worked elsewhere between 1946 and 1949, 1 managed to spend one year or so here again, doing sadhana and studying yoga. The Hill has always its attraction for me. Going round the Holy Hill was a regular feature of my sadhana and I have come to realise the deep significance of this circumambulation. I have come for good to this Abode of our Master and I am happy doing my bit of service and sadhana and meeting devotees coming with great spiritual fervour and devotional surrender to Bhagavan.

– The Mountain Path' Jan 1976, p.41