SRI RAMANA’S GRACE FLOWS TO A DEVOTEE – AN EPISODE

[Guest guest]

prof laxmi narain (prof_narain)

 

Source and courtesy: Sri Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad

This article was published in Sri Ramana Jyothi,

monthly magazine of the Kendram.

 

SRI RAMANA'S GRACE FLOWS TO A DEVOTEE – AN EPISODE

 

The following occurrence relates to a devotee at our Kendram – P.

Ramanna, formerly Chief Engineer (Constructions), South Central

Railway, who has recorded it.

 

As a student of 8th class at Madanapalle, I first heard of Sri Ramana

Maharshi from my illustrious teacher, Sri Krishna Sastry, who had

darshan of great masters like Sri Ramana and Sri Aurobindo at their

ashrams. He would go into raptures describing spirituality and inner

peace and the sanctity and serenity of the ashrams. He would say that

the Almighty, out of compassion, deputes preceptors and saints to

enable mankind to develop a taste of spiritual bliss, and to work for

their salvation.

 

I was inclined towards spirituality in a small measure, but most of

my time and effort went to studies and in efforts to acquire the

means of livelihood. I visited many places of worship during long

span of my career, but my desire to have darshan of Sri Ramana and be

in his presence, remained unfulfilled.

 

About three years ago, Prof. Laxmi Narain who lives in Habsiguda,

where I reside, mentioned that we missed each other for a few days as

he was away visiting Sri Ramanasramam. He gave me some details of the

life and the pursuit at the Ashram and mentioned about the existence

of Sri Ramana Kendram at the Sivam Road. Soon after I visited the

Kendram along with him. Later I have been visiting the place to enjoy

peace and tranquility, in Bhagavan's presence and in the company of

the devotees of the Kendram. I also acquainted myself with the life

and thoughts of Bhagavan through talks I heard and the literature at

the Kendram.

 

In March 2005, Sri Bhagavan's Grace drew me toTiruvannamalai, along

with my friend Kumba Chinnaiah. We stayed at the Ashram for a couple

of days. This aroused in us the query Who am I? and we found that

there is no easy answer for self-discovery except through constant

and intensive questioning and self-analysis.

 

During our stay we took the opportunity to pray at the famed

Arunachaleshwara Temple where Sri Ramana did tapas for many months

after reaching Tiruvannamalai. We also visited the Virupaksha Cave

and the Skandasram which were abodes of Sri Bhagaven for more than

two decades. In these places we felt an aura of spiritual fragrance

with everlasting memories of what is heard and seen of Sri Ramana.

 

From the Ashram book stall we purchased a few books, a CD and two

photos of Sri Ramana – one big and one small. At home, I put the

photographs in a brief case at a place where I do my little pooja.

Now I relate my experience of how my wife and myself were saved by

Sri Bhagavan's Grace.

 

On 6th June, 2005 evening, my wife and I went to Somajiguda for

shopping. Due to sings of likely rain I was not very keen to go, but

I agreed to save disappointment to my wife. Before getting out of the

house, for no particular reason, I happen to open my brief case

where Bhagavan's photos attracted my attention. As thoughts about

Bhagvan came to my mind, I respectfully kept the small photo in my

pocket. We started by car. On the way, when it started raining I

found it inconvenient to drive. I also wanted to avoid driving in the

rush hour traffic. So I parked the car in Railway Officer Rest House

near Sangeet theatre and took an auto for the onward journey.

 

While returning by auto we were caught in a heavy down pour. The auto

lost its balance and bumped straight into the back of a stationary

car parked by someone on the road. This happened despite my noticing

the car in front and cautioning the auto driver about the impending

danger. Due to heavy impact of collision the car went up and came

down on the road, the auto capsized and fell on its side. We were in

a state of shock. In the turmoil, my wife's head got stuck into the

gap under the protective rod on the ride side of the auto and struck

the road.Both my legs got entangled in some gap in the auto body.

When I looked towards my wife, the sight shattered me, as she was

bleeding profusely from the head.

 

A few minutes passed like that without any attention to our plight.

As the rain slowed down a bit, some good souls came to our help. The

auto was pulled up and we were retrieved. In spite of her bleeding my

wife was conscious.We were helped to reach the nearest hospital at

Secundrabad. My wife's face got badly swollen with visible cuts below

the eyes. A scan was taken, eyes checked and wounds cleaned. To our

great relief there was fracture in the skull or of the facial bones.

I had only superficial bruises. My son and daughter-in-law and my

daughters and son-in-laws, who were informed joined us. The cuts on

my wife's face were sutured. We stayed in the hospital only for two

days and came home with greatly reinforced faith in Sri Ramana whose

Grace flowed to us and saved us from serious injuries.

 

I know of many cases where in similar or graver situations, people

have come to greater grief. Recently, an aged friend of mine who was

in a road mishap and was apparently normal, went to bed happily after

dinner which was short-lived. He was found in coma the next morning,

which continues. Sri Ramana was on our side to take care of us. Glory

to Sri Ramana Bhagavan!