Inspiring!!!!!! Ramana Maharshi Devotee Mahalakshmi Amma

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The life of Mahalakshmi Amma is a heart-renting story. This is written by

Smt. T.R. Kanakammal, in Mountain Path issue of July -September 2008.

 

Mahalakshmi was the wife of Gangaraju Mallikarjuna Rao, from Vijayawada

region. They were Telugu Brahmins.Mr.Rao chanced to see a photo of Bhagavan

belonging to his friend, Balagopala Rao, a long time devotee from who was

living at Palakottu. Mallikarjuna Rao had a darshan of Bhagavan Ramana in

1931.Bhagavan Ramana became his Sadguru instantaneously.For Mahalakshmi, her

mother was the guru. It was a good fortune for Rao that he married

Mahalakshmi.Her first darshan of Bhagavan in 1933 was a deeply rewarding

experience for her.Both became bhaktas of Bhagavan and visited the Asramam

frequently, never missing Mahapuja and Jayanti celebrations. Bhagavan became

their family deity and they performed pujas daily with offerings of various

kinds, as well as regular recitation of Bhagavan's works.Mahalakshmi Amma

used to stay in the house of Alamelu Athai after 6 p.m.Once on a Sri Rama

Navami day, Mahalakshmi prepared panakam, neer mor and vadai paruppu and

after offering to Sri Rama and Bhagavan's pictures at the house, rushed to

the Asaramam, with bucketfuls of these items around 4 a.m! As she was not

conscious of the time, the attendants told her to go back. Bhagavan Ramana

who suddenly happened to see her, looked at her with compassion and

exclaimed: " Look! Lord Ramachandra has come to the Asramam so early. Come

and distribute the prasad to everyone! "

 

This was one of the incidents to bring to light the extraordinary purity of

her devotion, which was rewarded by Bhagavan Ramana.On another day,

Mahalakshmi Amma had a dream where Bhagavan was asking her to prepare some

mysorepak for Him! The next morning, Mahalakshmi Amma euphorically prepared

mysorepak, offered it to Bhagavan's picture in the house, and took it to the

Asramam. Before that the couple decided to make a fullfledged bhiksha also

to Bhagavan Ramana and His devotees in the Asramam. During lunch, Bhagavan

and others were served by Mahalakshmi Amma herself. Bhagavan Ramana, after

taking the mysorepak asked: " Will another piece be available to everyone? "

Mahalakshmi Amma who was in seventh heaven replied: " Why not Bhagavan!

Dhandikaundi! " (It is available in plenty). Bhagavan Ramana who never asked

for a second helping made an exception in her case, due to her pure

devotion!

 

Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao was in transport business and owned a fleet of

buses.The couple thus became prosperous, but were simple souls,living

virtuous lives with generous charitable dispositions.Theirs was a prolific

family too. Mahalakshmi always had a small baby to nurse.Despite a long

journey from Vijayawada, they desired to meet Bhagavan Ramana as often as

possible, with all their children.They had five daughters and four

sons.Unfortunately, all the four sons died young. The successive tragedy

broke their hearts and it was difficult for them to come to terms with this

tragedy.

 

When a fifth son was born, they brought the child to the Asramam in its

sixth month for Anna Prasanam. (Introducing the child to Anna or cooked rice

for the first time). When they brought the child, Bhagavan Ramana agreed

saying, " Good! " They arranged for a bhiksha with Pal Payasam (Rice boiled in

milk with sugar). When all sat for lunch, Chinnaswami brought a silver bowl

given by Mahalakshmi, with

Pal Payasam and placed it before Bhagavan.While Rao was holding the child in

front of Bhagavan, He tasted a little of Payasam and fed the child with

Payasam three times. The child was indeed blessed. But after reaching home,

this child too unfortunately died.

 

The couple wondered whether they were destined to have any male progeny at

all. They consulted astrologers and did various rituals. Sometime in

1947-48, a sixth male child was born to them. The couple decided to bring up

the child with begged food and begged clothes. The friends who knew this

peculiar " vrata " helped them. After a few months, they again desired to

perform Anna Prasanam in the holy presence of Bhagavan Ramana.

 

The family arrived in the Asramam one week in advance. They waited patiently

in front of the ladies' guesthouse for Bhagavan's return from the post

office. They prostrated and Rao told Bhagavan the reason for their visit and

then they held the child in front of Bhagavan. Bhagavan Ramana playfully

snapped His thumb and middle finger to attract the attention of the child.

The child, leaning towards Him and looking at Him fixedly, caught hold of

Bhagavan's hand and started to suck His thumb! Bhagavan Ramana was amused

and said to the child, " Won't you go? " Rao had to forcibly take away the

child. A bhiksha was arranged for the auspicious day. When there were just

two days to go before the function, the child became suddenly ill, with high

fever. Dr. M.R. Krishnamoorthy, a devotee of Bhagavan Ramana, who was then

at the Asramam, treated the child, but the fever did not subside.

 

Mahalakshmi Amma's heart became numb with fear. She was convinced that if

Bhagavan were to touch the child and apply 'vibhuti' to its forehead, the

child would survive. She carried the child with some 'vibhuti' and waited

for Bhagavan Ramana to pass by from gosala. When she prayed to Him, Bhagavan

Ramana remained silent for. She repeatedly begged and beseeched Him and

Bhagavan, just to satisfy her, applied 'vibhuti' and went on His way.

Unfortunately, the next day, the child died! Mallikarjuna Rao had been away

to Madras, and he was to return only the next day.

 

Bhagavan Ramana with great compassion and solicitude, sent someone to the

Railway station to fetch him, with instructions to break the sad news only

on approaching the Asramam.When he did hear the news, he threw down on the

road all the playthings

he had bought for his child and wept broken hearted.When this was reported

to Bhagavan Ramana, He narrated the happening of the previous day, how

Mahalakshmi had insisted on His touching the child to apply 'the

vibhuti'.Bhagavan Ramana said: " Wondering why I just kept quiet in spite of

her insistence, she begged and so I applied 'the vibhuti'. The next day, the

child died. Nayana used to tell all devotees, 'Do not allow children to be

touched by Bhagavan. If you do, He will liberate them at once!' "

 

But a slender hope lurked in Mahalakshmi Amma, who had boundless faith in

and devotion to Bhagavan. She hoped that the child might, by Bhagavan's

Grace, come back to life. Those were the days, when orthodoxy reigned

supreme and orthodox rules forbade her to bring the lifeless body of the

child into the presence of Bhagavan Ramana, although her maternal heart

yearned for His Grace.

 

A little distance away from the path to the 'gosala' was a huge haystack.

With great terpidation and hesitation, she brought the lifeless child and

laid it on the ground by the haystack and waited with abundant hope for

Bhagavan to pass by. Varanasi Subbalakshmi Amma, who was by her side

consoled her and gave moral support to the grieving mother.

 

When Bhagavan Ramana did come, Mahalakshmi was hesitant to come near and

prostrated from where she was. Bhagavan, the very embodiment of compassion,

stopped and rested His eyes on the child with a long look of grace. He stood

in silence for sometime and proceeded on His way. The desolate mother took

in the situation and stood speechless. She resigned herself to her

'prarabdha' from which she realized that there was no escape. Next day, they

bathed the child and adorned it with garlands from the Matrubhuteswara

Temple. Later that morning, they buried the child.

 

They then packed for the trip home. Their traits was leaving at 9 p.m. and

at 2 p.m. they came into the presence of Bhagavan Ramana, in the Jubilee

Hall in order to take leave of Him and avoid the crowd which would gather

around for Vedaparayanam in the evening. As if to do away with their grief,

the divine will prompted a devotee to pose certain questions to Bhagavan

Ramana, the answers to which brought soothing comfort to the sorrow stricken

parentss and lifted them from their despondency. Bhagavan's responses gave

them courage and fortitude and made them feel consoled at the thought that,

as the child had given up his body in the Holy Abode of Bhagavan, hsi short

prarabdha had been spent, he must have attained a high state of being in his

spiritual evolution.

 

Early next morning, when Bhagavan Ramana enquired where the child had been

buried, he was told, 'Somewhere outside.' Bhagavan Ramana remarked, " This

child could have been buried here, but if that had been done, this place

would become a general burial ground. "

 

When I (Kanakammal) narrated His comment to Mahalakshmi, during her next

visit, she felt tremoundously comforted and said: " The child's spiritual

future has been assured! "

 

Mallikarjuna Rao, was a tall, hefty and robust looking.Mahalakshmi was tall

as well, but slim and delicate. Her frail frame belied her mental fortitude,

resoluteness and indomitable inner strength. She wore a sari in the Andhra

Brahmin style, and like Suri Nagamma, was endowed with luxuriant, long, dark

hair. But she lived an austere and orthodox life with self imposed rules of

physical and mental discipline.She would get up at 3.30 am everyday and

after a bath,engage herself in puja and parayana and reciting her favourite

book, Grantha Mala (The Complete Works of Bhagavan, in Telugu). Her major

occupation during the day was telling the beads of a mala (rosary) with

Bhagavan's name. Even while engaged in household work, like cutting

vegetables, or cooking, she would be speaking mentally to Bhagavan, saying,

" Bhagavan!I am making such and such vegetable today, as per your command. "

Thus with her mind focussed on Bhagavan and with all her constant thoughts

and actions centred on Bhagavan, she created an atmosphere permeated with

the presence of Bhagavan and revelled in it, wherever she was.

 

Mahalakshmi Amma, had a large family to attend to and whilst doing so she

had the habit of executing all the household work as though commanded by

Bhagavan Ramana. Whatever was cooked, was eaten only after being offered to

Bhagavan. While, eating, whether at home or outside, she observed silence.

Even in the Asramam, due her strict adherence to orthodox rules, she used to

dine in the kitchen with the permission of the Asrmam management.When coming

for lunch,she would bring three small bowls in a bag. Receiving a small

quantity of side dishes in the bowls and rice on a leaf plate, she would

never acccept a second helping. Even the served food she ate only after

offering it to Bhagavan Ramana. She was to be found at all other times to

remain in dhyana in Bhagavan's Hall. Even after the traged narrated above,

the couple with their other children frequently visited the Asramam.

 

The entire family came to the Asramam for the 'kumbhabhisekham of the

Matrubhuteswara Temple. The children, especially the older ones who had for

some time not had the opportunity to sit with Bhagavan during lunch, longed

to sit beside Him. The day of their return home was fast approaching. One

day, Mahalakshmi Amma managed to bring all of them just in time for lunch.

Somehow she managed to find places for everyone except for herself and the

eldest daughter, who was very disappointed as she was unsure whether she

would accompany her parents the next time. Both stood at the threshold of

the dining hall from where they feasted their eyes on Bhagavan. When lunch

had been completely served to everyone, Bhagavan usually signalled its start

by nodding His head. But this time, He looked to His left and right, told

someone to lay two more leaves, between Him and the entrance of the kitchen

and asked Mahalakshmi and her daughter to seat themselves before these

leaves.He waited until they had been served and only then nodded, signalling

the start of the lunch. As their leaves were so near Bhagavan's leaf, with

great reverence mingled with awe, they took the greatest care not to scatter

any rice out of the leaves.They ate happily, enjoying the meal and the

profound grace of Bhagavan. They respectfully waited until Bhagavan finished

His food. Mahalakshmi often recalled this incident with tears, gratefully

saying how fortunate their family was to be blessed by Bhagavan again and

again.

 

When they heard of the impending operation on Bhagavan for the cancerous

growth, they immediately travelled to the Asramam.A throng of people had

gathered, however, darsan for that day was over. Early next morning,

Mahalakshmi arrived at the Asramam and sat at the entrance of the Mother's

Temple, in front of the closed doors behind which Bhagavan Ramana was

resting. As she was telling her beads, suddenly the doors opened and

Bhagavan emerged.Looking at her, Bhagavan said, " Um...Um... " , acknoweldged

her presence and walked to the now Mahanirvana Room. That every afternoon,

darsan re-commenced and they returned home after jointly seeing Bhagavan!

 

Later, when Bhagavan's health had deteriorated very badly, they were unable

to stay away and returned again to the Asramam, which was now swarming with

people. Mahalakshmi had brought with her a new towel, some raisins and sugar

cubes.She stood opposite the Mother's Temple and looked towards the Nirvana

Room.Her one longing was to preserve these items as relics, after wiping the

feet of Bhagavan with the towel and after a simple glance at the raisins and

sugar cubes by Him.Tears were streaming down her cheeks.Bhagavan the living

embodiment of compassion, sent a Telugu-speaking gentleman to find out what

she wanted. When she disclosed her desire, the gentleman taking the articles

with Him, informed Bhagavan of her desire. Then Bhagavan, the ocean of

grace, stretched His feet so that he would wipe both His feet with that

towel. Bhagavan, who could now eat practically nothing, ate a few of the

raisins. When all the three items were returned to her, Mahalakshmi Amma was

overwhelmed by great joy and profound grief at the same time. She preserved

these items as most precious relics in her puja room and worshipped them

till the end of her life.

 

Such a tranquil life, poised in joy and serenity, was now buffeted by

storms. Misfortunes befell,starting with the Mahasamadhi of Bhagavan. Soon

aferwards, Mallikarjuna passed away.In the absence of a competent person to

conduct the family business it soon fell into decline. Their affluence

faded.With only two daughters married, the entire responsibilty of marrying

the other two daughters, had to be borne by her, though she was assisted by

her elder son-in-law.Caught as she was in the tribulations of supporting her

family, her visits to the Asramam became few and far between.But her inner

poise and serenity remained untouched. At last, when all responsibilities

had been discharged by the grace of Bhagavan, she resumed her visits to the

Asramam. Though her husband had bought a huge plot of land on which to build

a house, for various reasons this did not materialize, so she rented a

room.Now she further tightened her self-imposed disciplinary rules.She at

only what she had cooked for herself -- a simple lunch in the afternoon and

a light meal at night.It was a spartan life, given wholly to devotional

practice and dhyana.With no more responsibilities weighing her down, she was

like a bird released from its cage. Unattached, independent, highly

dispassionate, and beaming with joy, her life reflected her inner peace.

 

Once she arrived back at the Asramam, after a long time.There was a

noticeable difference in her appearance.With the loss of her husband, she

had adoped the attire of a widow, white saris with a small coloured border

at the bottom. But now her long hair was gone and she was dressed in the

strict orthodox garb of a widow -- we saw a plain white sari with shaven

head.The only ornaments were a 'rudraksha mala' and a 'spatika mala'.She

looked the picture renunciation.I asked her why she had resorted to such an

extreme step of self-abnegation.She explained what had happened.

 

When things took a turn for the worse, she had needed spiritual reassurance

to steady her inner peace which was seriously threatened.The Paramacharya of

Kanchipuram [sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati Swamigal] and Abinave Vidya

Teertha of Sringeri Math,were both then touring Andhra Pradesh separately,

camping at various places. The high esteem in which she had held the revered

Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Math made her decide to meet him, but strict

orthodoxy stood in her way.Brahmin widows with unshaven heads [in those

days] could view him only from a distance. To have a private audience with

him or to get the 'prasad' of holy water from him, she had to shave her

head. The prospect of distant darsan did not satisfy her.Her tenacity of

purpose and her eagerness not to let the opportuntiy slip away, decided the

issue. Her hair, that was till luxuriant, was cut off and her head

shaved.Now she sought and got the longed-for private interview with the

Sage.The outcome was very positive. Her inner poise was restored and she

followed him thorughout his tour in Andhra.Thus reassured she was at peace

as never before, with all the composure of still waters.

 

When she became old, she could not come to the Asramam, as before and it was

through one of her daughters who came occasianally that I [smt. Kanakammal ]

got news of her. After sometime I heard of her passing away. The adversities

she had faced after the demise of her husband were innumerable. But she had

faced them with equqnimity. Because her heart was family anchored at

Bhagavan Ramana's feet, she emerged victorious from all struggles, with her

inner calm unruffled.

 

Thus ended the inspiring life of a pure and holy devotee who had to wage a

heroic battle with life, armed solely with the weapon of pure devotion and

the grace of Bhagavan Ramana and the kingdom of peace was her gain. This

echoes what the Lord said in Srimad Bhagavatam, in Skandam 10, Chapter 88,

Versses 8-9:

 

The meaning of which is:

 

" He on whom I am going to bestow My Grace, I solemnly deprive of him of all

his wealth. When his wealth has gone, all his friends,his kith and kin will

desert him, making him sink into the utmost sorrow and despair. When his

further efforts to gain wealth also fail, thanks to My will, he becomes

filled with dispassion and becomes

associated with My devotees. On such a one, I bestow My Grace. "

 

The story of Mahalakshmi Amma illustrates that a householder, amidst the

constant demands of family duty and the call of multifarious

responsibilities, through steadfast devotion to her guru, can rise higher in

esteem and greateness that ordinary ascetics and renunciates.

 

Source: Smt. T.R. Kanakammal's article in Mountain Path, as indicated above.

 

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