Sri Ramana's humour

[Guest guest]

When Sri Ramana was in His last illness, lots of devotees brought medicine.

Everyone was much disturbed and worried about Sri Ramanas health - but not so He

himself. Sometimes He consoled the devotees by making jokes about His bodily

weakness.

 

"The same evening, the Ayurvedic Doctor Ramachandra Rao came here from

Bangalore. Noticing his arrival at the hall, Bhagavan said to people near him:

'Look! Ramachandra Rao is coming in. He must have brought some medicines with

him. When I see him I do not feel that I am seeing a human being. I feel that I

am seeing the medicines themselves."

In the meanwhile Ramachandra Rao came in, placed before Bhagavan a big bottle of

medicine and prostrated. No sooner did he get up, than Bhagavan said with a

laugh: 'Did I not tell you all that the medicine itself has arrived?'

With folded hands and in a prayerful attitude, Ramachandra Rao said: 'It is not

a medicine, Bhagavan. It is an Arishtam (a distilled mixture, a tonic).

Bhagavan's body is very much emaciated. If you take this tonic it will give you

strength. Please use it.'

Bhagavan said: 'That is all right. If, by taking this, a person gets sturdy, why

do you not try it on yourself? See how lean and weak you are! First take it

yourself and become sturdy and strong. After that we shall think of my case.'

Turning toward us, he jocularly said: 'See how he is! He is not able to improve

his own health, and he says he will improve mine!'

The doctor could not say anything and so went away to the office.

The next day Bhagavan arranged to give an ounce of the Arishta (tonic) to each

and everyone of those sitting near him and, taking one ounce himself, said:

'Look. That Ramachandra Rao is leaner than any one of us. So give him one more

ounce. We will see if he becomes stout thereby."

 

(Nagamma: Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, entry 12th May, 1949, p. 416)