Rajapalayam Ramani Ammal - Part II

August 10, 2005

Story of Harijan LadyI once remember a Harijan lady who for the past

twenty-five years was gathering honey to send to Sri Bhagavan. On

every occasion she was unable to bring the honey herself and had to

send it with someone. After waiting for twenty-five years, she

finally found the opportunity to come. The poor lady was in tattered

clothes, standing before Bhagavan. Her eyesight was poor and I still

vividly recall the unusual way she looked at Sri Bhagavan, calling

out "Oh Darling, where are you? I want to see you." Bhagavan in all

his graciousness said, "Grandmother, look this way. I am here."

Looking at the honey she had brought with her, he said to me, "They

are Brahmins, they won't eat this. We will share it, and eat it."It

is often said, Bhagavan did not give direct Upadesa (spiritual

teaching), but what else is all this? Although Bhagavan repeatedly

pointed out human frailty, people were not prepared to rectify

themselves. As if talking to himself, he looked at this poor old

woman in ragged clothes and said, "Poor lady, she must be hungry. And

where will she go for clothes? Who will offer her food and clothes?"

Upon hearing this, Ondu Reddiyar got up and said, "We will give her

food and also see that some clothes are purchased." Then Reddiyar

took the woman to the Dining Hall and fed her sumptuously. He also

sent someone to town to buy her a sari. As the old woman had no

money, she had walked a great distance to come here. Bhagavan knowing

this, said in an impersonal way, "Would anyone be interested in

getting her a bus ticket?" Reddiyar again came forward and said, "We

will provide her with a bus ticket and see her off." When this lady

returned from the Dining Hall she was touching the ground, and then

touching her eyes. That is a way of prostration and thanksgiving.It

is noteworthy that whenever the poor or untouchables came, Bhagavan

took a very personal interest in them, which was a moving sight to

see.

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