Mahasamadhi

[Guest guest]

At the end of 1948 a growth developed on Ramana's arm just below the left

elbow. Although an attempt was made to remove it, it returned. Because it

was a malignant tumour doctors from Madras suggested that amputation above

the infection would be a sensible precaution.

 

Ramana replied to this suggestion, "There is no need for alarm. The body is

itself a disease. Let it have its natural end. Why mutilate it? A simple

dressing on the affected part will do."

 

There were more operations on the tumour over the next few months and

homeopathic along with ayurvedic treatments were tried but to no avail.

Ramana, of course, sat unmoved. Although his health was ailing, He insisted

that the increasing number of visitors not be kept from Him. The devotees

beseeched Him to use siddhis to cure Himself.

 

He replied, "They take this body for Bhagavan and attribute suffering to

him. What a pity! They are despondent that Bhagavan is going away, but where

can he go and how?"

 

On the 14 April 1950, at 8.47 p.m. whilst the devotees reverberated with

Ramana's own hymn to Arunachala, with the chorus "Arunachala Siva,

Arunachala Siva", Sri Bhagavan, with a smile, and with a tear of bliss

trickling from the corner of His eye, stopped breathing. People witnessed,

from afar and near, a comet moving slowly overhead towards the summit of

Bhagavan's Holy Arunachala and then disappearing behind it.

 

His presence was at first missed at Arunachala but gradually from then until

today the number of devotees turning towards the great sage has continued to

grow and His presence is felt at Sri Ramanasramam and wherever Bhagavan and

Arunachala are truly, honestly turned to, even in the mind.

 

Sri Suryanarayan's post of a few days ago, for example, gives confirmation

of His presence at Arunachala.

 

Ever yours in Bhagavan

 

miles