A real guru brings about a change

Ramana Maharishi may not look like Dakshinamurti or Sri Krishna. He looked like an ordinary man. He opened his eyes and gave self knowledge. Even if you have not recognized him, he was not affected. There was no loss or gain for him. A real guru never craves for recognition. He works from inside. He works in such a manner that even if you have no regard or love for him, he will turn your thoughts towards him. He will carve you out in such a way that you will begun to love him. A guru never uses any actions when he works. He is world-less, mindless and body-less. He is Godless also. He does not require a samsaram. The guru laughs, eats with you, behaves as if he does not even know as much as you know and walks with you just like an ordinary person. All the while the guru is bringing about a great change within you. This is how a real guru brings about a change.

Anugraham (grace) may not be seen or heard by the ears. He does think that the outside world should know what he is doing, as he has no conscious of his body. A guru need not be liberated from samsaram. When he is not conscious about his body, then where does the question of he being released from the bondage of family arise. A guru need not necessarily sit on a throne like Lord Rama. Remember, you may be very intelligent. But however intelligent you are, you can never break away from the bondage of life using our intelligence.

"Joyful Journey" - (By Gopika)

It was Dasara holidays time during second year in college. For the first time felt I had to visit Nannagaru in his home town Jinnur. I had to travel from Chidambaram to Chennai and from Chennai to Palkol. I didn't know where exactly Jinnur was, with the help of friends I booked tickets and managed to travel to Palakol. I took an auto and went to Jinnur which was a 10 minutes drive by auto. I dint inform anyone about my arrival, I didn't know what time I would reach there either. By the time I stopped at Guruji's place, Guruji was eagerly waiting for my arrival, for there was nothing he did not know.

As soon as I stepped in he said - "You are late by 1 hour. I was waiting for you."

I didn't book my return tickets. I knew only today, tomorrow would be taken care of. Nannagaru asked me to rest at nights in a devotees house opposite his house and asked me to stay with him whole day. That was the only conversation we had in 5 days. Whole day I would sit beside him just watching him, reading news paper, oiling his head, having food and reading books before going to sleep. It was as if he forgot my existence and in fact I forgot mine!!

Many a times when I would be overwhelmed by love and reverence I would gently touch his feet and tears would roll down. I felt, do I need anything apart from his presence? He was so divine and serene. At times he would just do nothing & gaze into nothing. By keep observing him, he made me thoughtless and silent. I was with the timeless and didn't know how were days passing, when one fine day afternoon railway station master came to visit Nannagaru.

Nannagaru gladly received him by saying - 'I was waiting for your arrival. We need to book a ticket for Gopika for tomorrow. She has to go to Chennai. From there she will board a bus to Chidambaram. The station master nodded and said he would pick me up the next day'

Tears flowed for I didn't know four days flew by and I had to leave. That evening after his food during sunset, he came to the backyard of the house and started gazing endlessly into the sky. I kept watching him, he was so powerfully peaceful. Navaratri days in Nanna's presence was like spending my time in the lap of divine Mother.

Time had come for my departure. After spending five days with him, he finally spoke again 'Gopi, you are a blessed child' and looked straight into my eyes with tremendous compassion. 'Grace will follow you.'he said.

I took leave of him in silence, touched his feet and walked away looking back many times before his presence disappeared physically but to be continued..with me & Always!!!!