Letters from Sri Ramanasramam 5

[Guest guest]

25th November, 1945

 

(5) ON TO SKANDASRAMAM

 

Tomorrow is the auspicious day fixed for Bhagavan to

 

go to Skandasramam with devotees and hold a feast there.

 

All the brother and sister devotees residing in and around

 

the Ashram were busy the whole day making a fuss about

 

arrangements for the trip. Bhagavan was however sitting as

 

usual, dignified, calm and unconcerned. If all ask him to go,

 

he may do so; if they say do not go, he will stay away. Is there

 

anything for him to pack up or worry about? The kamandalu

 

(water bowl), the karra (walking stick), the kaupeena (loincloth)

 

and the towel over him are all the things about him. The

 

moment he thinks of it he could get ready to start.

 

Sankaracharya has described only such sages as " kaupeenavantah

 

khalu bhagyavantah " (he who wears a loincloth is verily the

 

richest). This Ashram, this programme, these devotees and

 

this paraphernalia are all like a drama enacted on the stage

 

for the benefit of others, but does Bhagavan really need them

 

all? Out of his abundant mercy he is in our midst; thus bound

 

down. By a mere wish, could he not go away freely crossing

 

the seven seas? Remember, his staying with us is our special

 

good luck. I shall write to you again about tomorrow's

 

happenings.