Saturday, November 27, 2010

"Ramana is him, he is Ramana" - (By Dr.Mithin)

I returned to Arunachala in the month of December just two days after the MahaDeepam. My stay was in Nannagaru Ashram. There was a good crowd still lingering in the ashram despite the conclusion of the Deepam festivities. The main reason though was that Sri Nannagaru was still there in the ashram.

The MahaDeepam would be lit for a few more days on Arunachala peak and I wanted to see it.

I arrived by afternoon in the car and went around Girivallam road capturing some pictures of Arunachala. Then on returning to the ashram I was informed that Sri Nannagaru would be leaving to Ramana Ashram at three in the afternoon.



I went to the ashram with some local friends and found Nannagaru surrounded by devotees. He first went to the Mother shrine and then to Ramana hall. I first tried to see him through the windows of the Hall. A few elder devotees seeing me gestured to me to come nearer and see the master.

"Ramana is Him, He is Ramana. There is no difference" one woman told me. I nodded not knowing what to say.

As the master entered the Ramana shrine, I saw devotees take strategic places around the samadhi so that they can come in line when the master sees them.

I too decided the same and hoped that the Sadhguru would remember me from our meeting in Hyderabad.

And so I stood with bated breath as the great man circumbulated Ramana Samadhi. Finally when he came close to me he looked at me. I watched him and willed him to smile at me. There was no hint of recognition from him. And then he walked past.

I chided myself for having a 'Vivekananda Complex'...that is hoping for the Sadhguru to smile at me and say with love "Where were you all these years my beloved disciple? I have been waiting for you.":)

I decided to meet the master later in the ashram in the evening.

I respectfully saluted him and left the place for a car girivallam.



I met the great man in his chambers that evening after returning from pradakshina (by car).

I was introduced to him by a common friend and the saint smiled and asked me to come in.

He asked me to sit beside him and enquired about my well being and my profession. Knowing that I was a practising joint replacement surgeon at a young age he expressed surprise and joy.

"Are you happy then with your life?" he asked

I did not know what to say but blurted out a 'yes'. His question was more of a prod for me to introspect rather than a question searching for superficial confirmation.

He looked at me.

His eyes were reputed to be piercing, purifying.

But as I gazed into his eyes I felt a different emotion. I could see a little surprise, a little enquiry and a little mirth in them. I could also see changes in them due to old age.

What was he seeing in me? Was he seeing in me all the sins I had ever commited? All the people I have cheated? All the people I have lied to?

What was he seeing in me?

The very thought was scary.

Finally the saint smiled at me.

And in that moment I knew that, despite my sins, my shortcomings, I had been accepted.



"Manasa Bhajore guru charanam, dusthare bavasaagara taranam.

Guru Maharaj, Guru Jai Jai. Sri Sadhguru Nannagaru Jai Jai."

( O mind chant the glories of the Guru's feet, they take you across the ocean of phenomenal existence, the Guru is Emperor, Victory to the guru, victory to Sri Nannagaru."





Dr.Mithin Aachi is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He is a star-gazer, painter, and writer. He is an amalgamation of all kinds of arts and activities. He is a happy go lucky person, who just sees love in everything. From the very tender age, he had an quest to know the truth. He admires and worships Rama Krishna and believes Nannagaru is an avatar of Rama Krishna and worships him in this form. He is a simple person who is an embodiment of love.

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