From the book “Bhagavan Ramana” by T. M. P. Mahadevan.
Sri Ramanasramam, where Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi lived and taught his Eternal Message of Advaita Vedanta, is situated in a picturesque spot on the western end of the sacred town of Arunachala – Tiruvannamalai – and the air of calm, peace and beauty that prevails in the noble buildings that constitute the Asramam, where several activities are carried on, has to be experienced to be believed.
The entire Asramam is an ideal spot for calm and quiet meditation. People of all nationalities look upon it as their own home.
Devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who have not been in touch with the Asramam since His Mahanirvana, have been making constant enquiries about the work of His Asramam ever since. In response to such enquiries, we bring to their notice that Sri Ramanasramam is functioning as in the days prior to Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Mahanirvana. The normal activities of the Asramam are as follows:
- Sri Ramanasramam is saturated with the Benign Grace of Bhagavan Sri Ramana; and the greatestbenefit that it has been conferring on his devotees of all religions is Mental Peace, Bliss andHappiness. The chief aim of the Asramam is to give every possible aid to devotees who seek the said benefits. Many devotees gather in the morning and evening for silent meditation and prayer and they get allthe help and convenience they need.
- Puja is performed at the Mahasamadhi of Sri Bhagavan both in the morning and in the eveningand also to that of Sri Bhagavan’s mother, Sri Mathrubhuteswarar.
- Veda Parayana (Chanting of Vedas) is done regularly every day both in the morning and evening.Devotees gather both times at the Shrines at the time of Arathi (Waving of Lights).
- The old Hall in which Sri Bhagavan used to sit, is a very inspiring place and devotees gatherthere for meditation.
- The room in which occurred the Brahma Nirvana of Bhagavan is a very sacred place for oneand all of His devotees.
- Study groups meet in the new Hall and discuss Sri Bhagavan’s teachings.
- To give wider publicity to the teaching of Sri Bhagavan the Asramam is publishing a quarterlyThe Mountain Path. which goes to distant parts of the world.
- The devotees of Sri Bhagavan visit the Asramam from far and near and they are accommodatedat the Asramam and every effort is made to make their stay comfortable, so that they may enjoy thepeace of Sri Bhagavan’s Being that pervades the Asramam.
- The Veda Patasala is a limb of the Asramam and the boys who study there have free education, boarding and lodging. They are taught the Yajur Veda, Sanskrit literature and English, Tamil, Mathematics and General Knowledge.
- The SRI CHAKRA (Meru Prasthara) which Sri Bhagavan consecrated by His Touch islocated within the precincts of the Mother’s Shrine and is offered special puja on all Fridays, thefull-moon day and the Masa Pravesa Day (The 1st day of Tamil Month). The devotees of SriBhagavan are very keen in participating in these pujas and obtaining the benefit of the worship.
- The Gosala is maintained as of old in an ideal condition. Milk supply for the needs of theAsramites and the visiting devotees is made adequate and self-supporting.
- The Asramam kitchen functions as of old, catering to about 75 inmates and visiting devoteesand a number of poor people.
- The Free Dispensary runs as of old and the doctor gives his unstinted honorary services threedays in a week.
- The Asramam is also active in bringing out new publications and reprinting the old, in alllanguages. The spoken words of Sri Bhagavan, which were recorded then and there, are beingpublished. Price lists on application.
- The Asramam has an excellent Library of 4,000 to 5,000 books in various languages onphilosophical and religious subjects for the free use of the devotees.
- Every effort is being made to make the Asramam a centre wherefrom the message of SriBhagavan will radiate.
- The Asramam is run purely out of the voluntary contributions of the devotees.