An old, lame man of Arunachala

Here is another anecdote narrated by Bhagavan: An old, lame man of Arunachala wished to leave his family in disgust and began walking with the help of a stick. He took the giri pradakshina road to leave the town. He had earlier performed the pradakshina several times but as he was about to leave the town, he felt very sorry. Suddenly a Brahmin youth appeared from nowhere and took away the stick from the old man saying: “Do you need this still?” and disappeared. From that moment the old man became normal. At the time of this story Bhagavan was on the hill but he never said that it was he who set right the old man’s foot. A similar story can be found in Arunachala Purana.

That current of peace still flows there

Bhagavan Ramana’s sanctitiy was enveloped by the physical body composed of the five elements, that is now buried at Ramanasramam. Even now the vibrations which were experienced during Bhagavan’s lifetime can be felt there. A moment’s dhyana at Ramana samadhi or in the meditation hall can make one experience Bhagavan’s force even now. That current of peace still flows there. It is also the place where the dust of Bhagavan’s feet is available and is it not enough if that dust envelops us? So also this is the place where the dust of the feet of Ramana bhaktas is available which again is sacred. The Ramana teertha owes its origin to Ramana himself. This is the air Bhagavan breathed. This is the sky which reflected in his heart. Like Krishna at Mathura, Bhagavan Ramana is very close here.

“Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva….”

At eight o’clock Bhagavan wanted to be kept in the sitting posture and this was done by propping him against the pillows. A little later his breathing became difficult. Dr. Krishnaswami wanted to give oxygen but Bhagavan declined it. Half an hour passed this way during which Bhagavan could breathe through his mouth with great difficulty. Outside, the devotees began reciting Aksharamanamalai with the refrain “Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva. . .” A few tear drops trickled from his eyes on listening to it.

“It will go if you do not need it”

Bhagavan said on a number of occasions, “This (the body) has come into being according to your desire.” He meant the devotees’ desire. He also added, “It will go if you do not need it.” This meant that Bhagavan’s life was entirely dependent on the wishes of others. If that be so, another question could arise – “Who is it that says the body’s work is no longer needed?” There can be no answer to it.