This part is written by Atmananda Giri

We never had a dull time when we were in Bhagavan Ramana’s presence. There was much mirth and laughter. Bhagavan used to talk as much as would be necessary and he would be gay or grave as the occasion demanded. Some people write that Bhagavan never spoke and such writings may surprise those who stayed in the Ashram for a while. When anyone put a question, he would answer. He narrated the lives of saints and his own reminiscences whenever he was requested to. Often he would dramatize according to his feelings. The word ‘dramatize’ may not be correct, but what I mean is that his feeling and expression would go together. I have seen him behave childlike, and at other times be grave and poised like a king.

One day the Sarvadhikari came accompanied by a man who was limping, whom he introduced to Bhagavan. He brought an electric lamp with a big mother of pearl shade and presented it to Bhagavan. Bhagavan said that he had been reading an illustrated Tamil encyclopaedia just an hour before, and a doubt had come whether a big mother of pearl could exist. He was surprised at the coincidence. Some people took it and examined it and it was sent to the office. Suri Nagamma came and Bhagavan asked her whether she had seen it. Then it was sent for. Bhagavan was saying: “Let her see, let her see!” At that time his mood and expression were like those of a child exhibiting his toys to another child.

Another day Prof. Subbaramayya told Bhagavan that Mauna Swami of Kuttalam used to say that longevity depended on food and asked whether that was so. Immediately Bhagavan asked whether the Swami who said that was still alive. His answer lay in this counter-question, since the Swami was no more.

Mr. Mudaliar began to narrate that the same swami stayed for some time with Echammal. The swami had some extraordinary powers. One day he told Echammal: “You see, I have some powers. I can get whatever I like. But your swami has none.” Echammal told him: “You have desires, my swami has none.” Bhagavan did not like the trend of the conversation, with its implicit belittling that swami, so he narrated another incident. The swami in his purva asrama (previous station in life) was known as Sivayya. One day when they were going up the Hill, Bhagavan saw Mr. Sivayya carrying a pot of water on his head. Bhagavan asked him why he was carrying it. He told him: “Bhagavan may feel thirsty and water may be needed.”

Narrating the incident Bhagavan’s eyes brimmed with tears. From this I learnt that we should not speak ill of anyone. We must bear in mind the good qualities of others.