In the early seventies Bhagwan Yogi Ramsuratkumar spent the daytime under the Punnai tree (Alexandria Laurel) or in the nearby fields. Devotees who wanted his darshan would go near the Railway Station to the east of which were two punnai trees. Bhagawan might use either of them. Periasamy Thooran has immortalised this in his song 'Enna Punniam Seidheno - Ponnizhal Punnaiyin Keel en guru vaikana."

The Tamil savant A.Sa.Gnana sambandan one day brought the head of a famous Mutt of Tamil Nadu to have darshan of Bhagwan. The Thambiran Swamigal had heard of Bhagwan and wanted his darshan. The Mutt had become entangled in some legal problems. Another mutt had claimed the property and this Thambiran was facing problems. He was deeply troubled and came to Bhagwan with the fervent hope that Bhagawan would solve the problem. By this time many people had come to realise that the beggar like exterior hid a great sage whose grace spread far and wide. So this Tambiran Swamigal came, resplendent in ochre robes, kundalams in his ears, rudraksham everywhere, Jatamudi etc. and fell prostrate at Bhagwan's feet. It was a sight for the Gods!. -
Bhagwan was all sweetness and kindness. He listened patiently and kindly to the Swamigal. As he narrated the tale of the legal battle, Bhagwan noted the details on the palmyrah leaf fan and told the Swamigal not to worry and that Father blessed him. The swamigal thereafter frequently came to Bhagwan who told him that it would be sufficient if he came a day before the court hearing. Normally civil suits take quite a long time for their disposal but in this case somehow the hearings and disposal were to the wonder and gratification of the Swamigal!. The case was decided in his favour even though the opposing side was very powerful and claimed many powerful supporters.

The Swamigal, his heart welling with gratitude, came to Tiruvannamalai early, laden with gifts for Bhagwan. Taking out an orange silk dhoti, with red and green border on either side, richly woven with lace, he draped it around Bhagwan's shoulders and fell prostrate at his feet. He profusely expressed his gratitude. He continues to remain a staunch devotee of Bhagwan. He has displayed Bhagwan's photograph in his mutt premises prominently.

Later Bhagwan had the dhoti folded in two, draped it round the shoulders and knotted it in front to keep it in place. Attired thus, Bhagwan went to the Theradi Mantapam through the streets of Tiruvannamalai and his progress was marked by stares of surprise. Many raised their hands in Namaskar. Bhagwan asked his attendant Jagannathan "What, today it is a little different?"

Jagannathan - "They feel that you are looking different today, swami."

Bhagwan . "This beggar is the same .... is it because of the cloth?".

Jagannathan . 'Yes, Swami'.

Bhagwan : Is it silk? is it pure?

Jagannathan : Yes Swami, it is pure silk. Bhagwan : Sari (Alright) Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai! Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ki Jai! Gandhi has succeeded fully!. After 1 have got this silk, 1 have become successful! This beggar has become a big person after getting this silk!.

When Bhagwan and his attendants were returning they saw the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the Co-operative Bank building. Bhagwan said "Do you see who is there? It is Mahatma Gandhi. He is God for the whole world. The only God. Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai! come, let us go."

The next day also when Bhagwan proceeded to the Punnai tree in the morning, wearing the same attire, he again saw the people reacting differently.

" What Jagannatha, people are different, Has this beggar changed? What do you see ?

Jagannathan : Yes Swami!

Bhagwan : "The Swamigal gave this silk and this beggar has become a big person now.... there is a change like this for everyone ".

Then Bhagwan narrated a story.

Guru Nanak was visiting a village. He became hungry in the afternoon and requested for some food. The villagers said that there was a ceremony in the Nawab's house, being the anniversary of the Nawab's father. They said all of them were going there to have food and none had cooked anything in the house. They invited Guru Nanak also to the feast. Food was kept ready in the mosque where they entered to have food. When Guru Nanak entered a servant picked him by the scruff of his neck and pushed him out. Some very prominent guests had come, and here was Guru Nanak in his torn and worn clothes! (Like our own Bhagwan Yogi Ramsuratkumar). The employees felt it would not be appropriate to have this lowly guest. Guru Nanak saw everyone giving respect to expansive clothing. So he went out and got himself some dazzling clothes and came back to the mosque. This time he was received with great honour and the feast was spread before him. Guru Nanak said: "Dhoti you eat! Kurta you eat! The food is served for you!" Naturally the food and clothes remained mute witnesses to the drama. The food uneaten, Nanak left the mosque.

After food the assembly knelt and offered their prayers at the mosque. Guru Nanak looked up at the minarets on the mosque and said "Why are you standing upright? You also bend down and offer worship!". Promptly the minarets bent and fell, killing all the people underneath.

Bhagwan continued : "This beggar does not have powers like Guru Nanak but the pure silk dhoti given by the Swamigal has given this beggar power" - and laughed uproariously.

Through out the day he would repeat, chuck- ling, "Swamigal has given this pure silk dhoti and this beggar bas become pure". And again and again he would laugh at the reaction of the people beholding him in silken splendour.

(As narrated in Tamil by Sri. Jagannathan, on his expérience in Sannadhi Street)
Ra.Vijayalakshmi.