Atma Pradakshina (Going round the Self)

[Guest guest]

One morning last May, Sundaresa Iyer, who used to bring food to

Bhagavan while in Virupaksha cave by going about abegging came and bowed

before Him. Bhagavan asked him, "Did you go round the hill by way of

pradakshina?"

"No," said the devotee.

Looking at me, Bhagavan said, "Last night when people were going out

for giri pradakshina because of the moonlight, he also started to go. But

he felt he could not complete the round. When they were starting out after

telling me, he went round me quickly. When I asked him why he did so, he

said, 'I am afraid I cannot go round the hill. So I have gone round

Bhagavan.' 'Go round yourself. That will be Atman pradakshina,' I said,"

So saying, Bhagavan began laughing.

 

('Letters from Sri Ramanasramam' by Suri Nagamma, Letter 64)