Ramani Ammal

[Guest guest]

HARSHA Ramani Ammal (from the Ramana Maharshi Newsletters):I once remember a Harijan lady who for the past twenty-fiveyears was gathering honey to send to Sri Bhagavan. On everyoccasion she was unable to bring the honey herself and hadto send it with someone. After waiting for twenty-fiveyears, she finally found the opportunity to come. The poorlady was in tattered clothes, standing before Bhagavan. Hereyesight was poor and I still vividly recall the unusual wayshe looked at Sri Bhagavan, calling out "Oh Darling, whereare you ? I want to see you." Bhagavan in all hisgraciousness said, "Granny, look this way. I am here."Looking at the honey she had brought with her, he said tome, "They are Brahmins, they won't eat this. We will shareit, and eat it."It is often said, Bhagavan did not give direct Upadesa, butwhat else is all this ?Although Bhagavan repeatedly pointed out human frailty,people were not prepared to rectify themselves.As if talking to himself, he looked at this poor old womanin ragged clothes and said, "Poor lady, she must be hungry. And where will she go for clothes ? Who will offer her foodand clothes ?" Upon hearing this, Ondu Reddiyar got up andsaid, "We will give her food and also see that some clothesare purchased."Then Reddiyar took the woman to the Dining Hall and fed hersumptuously. He also sent someone to town to buy her asari. As the old woman had no money, she had walked a greatdistance to come here. Bhagavan knowing this, said in animpersonal way, "Would anyone be interested in getting her abus ticket ?"Reddiyar again came forward and said, "We will provide herwith a bus ticket and see her off."When this lady returned from the Dining Hall she wastouching the ground, and then touching her eyes.

 

From Non-Dual Highlights

Highlights #198