Kinder far than on's own mother

[Guest guest]

This is from V. Ganesan's collection Moments Remembered, p. 62:

 

"Instances are many where Bhagavan encouraged those who could not walk short

distances to walk the entire eight miles of the Hill-route! The wife of D.S.

Sastri (brother of Suri Nagamma) would accompany her husband whenever he visited

Bhagavan. Invaribly Sastri, along with others, would go round the Hill, leaving

his wife at the Ashram, since being very stout she could not walk even a few

steps without grasping.

Once, she wept bitterly and addressed Bhagavan thus: 'Bhagavan! Why did you give

me this uncouth body; because of this alone I am not able to do giri pradakshina

(going round Arunachala).' She cried her heart out.

Next day, when D.S. Sastri wanted to go round the Hill, Bhagavan directed him:

'Take your wife also for the pradakshina.' He laughed thinking that Bhagavan was

joking. When he saw that Bhagavan was serious, he said: 'Bhagavan, you are

joking; she can't walk even from the guest-hous to the Ashram. How can she walk

eight miles? It is impossible to take her.'

Bhagavan did not leave it at that. He suggested: 'Take her. Also hire a cart.

Let the cart follow her at a distance. If she can not walk, let her get into it.

Don't stand in the way of her doing giri pradakshina.'

The party left for pradakshina, along with Mrs. Sastri; of course, the cart

following. It took them several hours to complete the circumambulation. But Mrs.

Sastri walked the entire distance and enjoyed it, not caring to look at the

cart.

Bhagavan gave her a gracious smile when she staggered into the Hall. Is not

Ramana 'kinder far than one's own mother?"