The Grace

Dr. G. CHIDAMBARAM

 

  • The God Child of Tiruvannamalai, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, is not with us in the physical form now, but the end of that physical form is by no means the end of his Divine presence. In fact, my first meeting with Him was an incident in which His grace transcended the barriers of this material plane.

    I am fortunate to be a devotee of Ramana Maharishi and I started visiting Sri Ramanashram, Tiruvannamalai from 1979, frequently every year since then. This is purely due to Bhagavan's grace only! In 1985, I visited Ramanashram with my doctor friends for girivalam and meditation at ashram and caves of Holy Mountain Arunachala! As a part of the girivalam, we reached theradi at about 12 noon. Dr. Ravi, one of us, an ardent devotee of Yogi Ramsuratkumar, wanted to have darshan of Him and asked me to get some lemons for Swami and he went to purchase a garland. Even though I purchased limes, I had no interest to meet the Swami. I was very tired due to the heat and I revealed my reluctance to meet the Swami - poor chap was standing at the gate with me. The outside gate as well as the inside door were closed. The sun was very hot outside. We tapped the door. A devotee of Swami, doing service to Him, came out and told us to go to Sri Ramanashram and place them to Sri Ramana Bhagavan! Dr. Ravi was heart broken. We then proceeded to Ramanashram and once we reached there Dr.Ravi asked me to arrange for placing the garland and lemons on the idol (Moolasthanam) of Sri Ramana Bhagavan. I ignored Him and went away to meditation hall. Normally, by noon, the sanctum sanctorum is closed with grilled gate in those days, but on that day, at that time, the Ashram priest was waiting there to receive the garland. He received the garland and placed it on idol and showed karpoora arathi. I did not witness that, but, Dr.Ravi was very happy as he witnessed; Swami's play and felt blessed! Dr. Ravi happily told me that.

    That suddenly brought a change in me, my heart was full of devotion for Him! I thought Swami with His Divine vision has understood that we were staying at Ramanashram and showed me that He and Ramana are not different. On that day itself we returned to Chennai, but throughout the return journey my mind was occupied by this incident and I realised that devotion to Ramana is devotion to Him and devotion to Him is devotion to Ramana! Later, during my subsequent visits, He encouraged me to listen to Krishnaji (J.Krishnamoorthi) and read his teachings!

    Three months after this incident, we went to Tiruvannamalai again. We stayed at Ramanashram for meditation and girivalam. We went for Girivalam and when we reached theradi, we had the darshan of Swamiji -- my first face to face contact with Swami! It was an extraordinary sight to see Swami coming down the steps to receive us. He was smiling at us and there was a rare glow on his face. With tilted head, he looked at me. I touched His feet. He took us inside and made us to sit in a line. He touched various topics with rare ease and blessed us. While departing, Dr. Ravi prayed for His photo. Swamiji told him that He would give it at a later date. At that point, I felt that I was in possession of one photo of Him. It was that of the one, published in Balajothidam (Fortnightly astrological magazine in Tamil, edited by Vidwan Sri Lakshmanan), with a brief biography of Swamiji.

    On returning home I searched for that particular issue of Balajothidam thoroughly and I could not find it anywhere! I did not make any further attempt and I kept the bundle in the almirah and I forgot the entire matter!

    A few months later, I pulled out one issue at random from that bundle for reading. It had a cover photo of Lord Vinayaka. Just as I was looking at it, suddenly, Swamjii's face appeared on the cover as if a pencil sketch was drawn -- first His head with His turban, then the face in meditation! I was totally alert at that time. This vision lasted 15 to 20 seconds! When I opened that book I found the issue I was searching for, had got stuck into that book somehow. I framed that photo at once and have it to this day. Later I mentioned this incident to Swamji. He told me that it was Father's will!

    Swamiji used to touch those topics, which we had discussed during our girivalam, when we met Him later at his theradi abode enroute to girivalam. How He could do that, had astonished us!

    Each time I met Him, my belief that He is a perennial force stood reinforced. I have always found peace in what He told me,


    • "Chant the mantra :

    YOGI RAMSURATKUMARA,
    YOGI RAMSURATKUMARA,
    YOGI RAMSURATKUMARA
    JAYA GURU RAYA!

    My Father will come to the help of my devotees".

    Pranams to His lotus feet!