'Ananda Thandavam ' - these two words rush our thoughts to Thillai Ambalam widely known as Chidambaram, and waves of thrill and mirth encompass, in spite of our not having witnessed that proverbial dance. Some have had mental-view of this delightful divine performance and many more may hopefully have it in future.

Imagine the impact, of a direct vision of Parameswaras' blissful dance, in suddenness, without expectation.
Re-living of that experience, which defies description, is attempted in this write-up.

An unexpected thrilling event, happened at 10.30 A.M., on a day, in 1993, at Sannadhi Street, Sanctum Sanctorum, of Bhagavan Yogi Ramsuratkumar. That event defies full description but the experience remains ever green.

My brother Dr. T.S. Ramanathan and i were in the close presence of Bhagavan, inside the house, while many devotees inclusive of Devaki Amma (Not Ma Devaki then) were seated in the outer verandah chanting Nam Bhajans. It was from there, that Bhagavan had taken us inside, soon after our arrival and locked the dividing wooden door from inside.

Bhagavan's proverbial bronze sounding thunderous laughter which can reverberate in all worlds, was punctuated in between our conversation, most of which time, Bhagavan was holding my hand in His, and at times caught hold of my brother's hand. After a stunning silence for a short period, Guru Maharaj was seen searching for some thing, about which we were totally unaware. We held on to our seats.

Bhagavan picked up a letter, handed that over to me and asked me to read it aloud. That was a letter from an ardent long term, non Indian devotee of Bhagavan. After i completed reading it, he made me to repeat reading it several times. All of a sudden Bhagavan asked me. "You must have known the writer, Do you agree with his description of this beggar?" With a certain amount of fear-oriented devotion, i replied, i have known that devotee casually but, i had no occasion to move with him intimately, though i have been informed that he is a staunch and well known devotee of yours. i prayed i needn't have to be tested, in that background.

An infectious smile from Bhagavan which slowly turned into a very loud laughter, had an intertwined command to me. "This Beggar wants your frank opinion". i was non-plussed, since i was not able to agree, in full, of his description of Bhagavan. After praying to Bhagavan, i attempted to arm myself with feigned courage, before replying, " i am unable to agree with that friend in full." Before i could heave a sigh of relief thinking that the catastrophe was over, Bhagavan shot at me the next forceful question, " why are you notable to agree with that friend in full?" i requested Bhagavan, not to put me in a tight comer by testing me again and queried as to why i was being asked to give out reasons. Pat came Bhagavan's words " Because you are a Justice you have to give reasons for your opinion". Kanchi Mahaswamigal has vividly portrayed his having seen as a lad, a struggling polecat, with its head caught inside a vessel, attempting vigorously to wriggle out and my position then, was almost similar. i knew that i had no escape - i talked - nay i was made to talk - that of course will be truer. stated, " Bhagawan, that friend has described only a speck of you - an infinitesimal portion, for, to my mind, you are beyond description. You are all pervading as the Pillar of Fire, whose top and bottom could not be fathomed by Brahma and Vishnu. You are impossible of being fitted into any pattern of figuring you out. i remember, ali that i have read in School, about the Elephant and the five blind men, who chose to de- scribe each part of the animal, they came in contact with - the ears as windows, the legs as pillars and the trunk as python etc., - No full picture of course!

Even before i could complete these words, there was tremendous upheaval and trembling as though there was an earthquake. My brother and i were shocked and were in fright. Bhagavan by this time had got up from his seat and had commenced dancing wilh his left leg up and the right foot tapping to his own high pitched divine music, " Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama." This was the cosmic dance, as the one of Lord Natraraja, at Chidhambaram. Both of us were wonderstruck at the feast for our eyes and the prevailing peace around - filled with Bliss - if it is the happiness of the highest order. As i have stated at the commencement, this scene defies description, though the experience is vivid and fresh even today. Other songs too sprung out of Bhagawan's lips, including "Yogi Ramsuratkumara Jaya Guru Raya," " Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Aruna Jata " etc., with different dancing postures.

This pleasurable experience, lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes. Suddenly Bhagavan shouted, "Justice Arunachalam is right. This beggar cannot be described. He is ' all pervading '- who can describe this beggar. Nobody can describe this beggar." As though, He was in a hysteric trance, by speedily shaking His hands in all directions, His face radiantly red, staring at us Bhagavan continued "He is here, there everywhere. He is all pervading". The tone of Bhagavan got a little lower before He continued, "This beggar does not exist. He died in 1952. Father only exists. Nothing Else. Everything is Father." Even before the eyes could take a wink, raising His voice, while His face was splendoured with extraordinary radiance He added " There is no difference between this Beggar and God. You can, if you feel like, cail this beggar God. Father's Grace will be there for ever. If you surrender with absolute faith, 1 will protect and take care of you."

We had certainly seen God - Not only that, we were made to realise that God, Father, Bhagavan were all ONE. We were sure, that we stood redeemed in this Janma (birth).

Soon there was CALM - just like calm alter a storm. All of us were silent. There was no need to talk. We were glued to our seats, spell bound with stupor; We heard, the low voice bhajan, that was in progress outside. My watch showed it was 12.30 noon. i had a guilty feeling, that i was usurping so much of Bhagavan's time, while a large group of devotees were waiting outside, for His darshan. When i expressed this feeling of mine, to Bhagavan, He flared up "That is none of your business, Father knows what He should do'. i can never forget that chiding; my tongue became dry and parched up ; profuse perspiration wetted my apparel. The God incarnate saw my squirming uncomfortably. He rescued me from that situation with, a bright smile and many pattings, some very hard on my back, sending vibration waves throughout my body. The reward was a further 30 minutes glorious darshan. Then Bhagavan exclaimed, "Now this beggar will leave you my friends".

A few days later, on the Vinayaka Chathurthi day, as a continuation to this Episode, Bhagavan underlined. "Just like rivers merge in the ocean, this Beggar has merged in God. Ocean never gets dry and so Fathers' grace". Even on that day my brother was with me.