His Living Presence

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Introduction to Guru Ramana - His Living Presence

By Swami Ramanananda Saraswati

 

 

Swami Ramanananda Saraswati, formerly Sri T. N. Venkataraman,

President of Sri Ramanasramam, has provided the following

Introduction to the recently-released Guru Ramana video. On an

elevated spot, with the majestic Arunachala Mountain ascending in the

background, the Swami gives this modest summary of his own remarkable

life, overlaid with archival photos, movies and music.

It has been fifty years since the Maha Nirvana of Bhagavan Sri Ramana

Maharshi. I had the rare, good fortune of being present on the night

of April 14, 1950 when a brilliant star slowly sailed across the sky

at the very moment the Maharshi took his last mortal breath.

Even more than this, my destiny has been uniquely connected to the

Maharshi from my birth. My father, Nagasundaram Iyer, was the younger

brother of Sri Bhagavan. Not long after I was born my mother passed

away, and when I was three years old my father took sannyas and

joined Sri Bhagavan and their mother Alagamma, at Skandasramam.

I was then lovingly raised by Bhagavan’s sister, Alamelu, and her

husband, Sri Pitchu Iyer. Since they had no children of their own,

and none of my father’s brothers had any issues, I became the only

remaining descendant in my family’s line.

As a child I was brought to Tiruvannamalai two or three times each

year to see Bhagavan, my father, and Grandmother Alagamma when she

was still living. Sometimes I was left in the care of Bhagavan and

stayed overnight in the ashram. Like a mother, He would put me to

sleep at night and then wake and wash me in the morning.

My life flowed on smoothly. I was married in 1929. All my seven

children were brought to Bhag-avan soon after their birth and He was

pleased to bless them by giving them their names.

With Sri Bhagavan’s consent and blessings, I was requested in 1938 to

move to Tiruvannamalai and assist my father, Sri Niranjanananda

Swami, in managing the Ashram.

After my father was absorbed in Sri Bhagavan in 1953, I succeeded him

as the Ashram manager and President.

In all humility, I can say that Bhagavan has showered on me incredible

grace and blessings from my birth to this very day.

In 1984, my wife Nagalakshmi attained the holy feet of Sri Bhagavan. I

continued serving in the Ashram until 1994, at which time I resigned,

handed over the Presidency of the Ashram to my eldest son, Sri V. S.

Ramanan, and took the vows of sannyas.

I now live a quiet life in the Ashram, remembering the holy presence

of the Master and thanking Him for His innumerable blessings on me

and all His devotees the world over.

After the Maharshi’s Maha Nirvana, we published many reminiscences

about Bhagavan written by devotees who moved closely with Him. These

books are a valuable testimony to the ever-present, divine

personality of the Master.

What you are now about to see is yet another testimony to the living

presence of Sri Ramana Maharshi. You will hear from the lips of those

who had the wonderful privilege of living under the watchful, loving

eye of Sri Maharshi.

I have known these devotees since I came here in 1938. We were like

one family, and Bhagavan was our father, mother, our everything.

He continues to attract sincere devotees to Him from all over the

world as He lives, not only here in Sri Ramanasramam, but in the

Hearts of all.

 

 

 

THE MAHARSHI

July / August 2002Vol. 12 - No. 3

Produced & Edited byDennis HartelDr. Anil K. Sharma

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