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A
Devotees's Perspective
Om
Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya |
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There
is no place like Sri Ramanasramam. That
is all that has to be said about this most
sacred spot in the Universe, saturated with
the powerful presence of Bhagavan Ramana
and Arunachala. Not only is Bhagavan’s
presence so potent, but also it is unbelievable
how well the Ashram is managed – in
the absence of any mandatory requirements,
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hierarchy,
rigid rules, other than the total freedom
for each devotee to be the recipient of
the peace that floods the Ashram. |
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A
typical day at the Ashram - there is a set schedule
for the pujas, the chantings, the Parayana times,
and of course the meals served in the dining hall;
however what is more typical, though imperceptible,
is the natural manner in which one follows one's
Heart in abiding in the inner silence.
Devotees take advantage of the quiet, early morning
hours at the Ashram, to meditate in the Old Hall
(which is accessible throughout the day). The
milk prasadam distributed after the morning Milk
Offering at Bhagavan's Samadhi is reverentially
received by all devotees. Right after breakfast,
one resonates with the Vedic mantras chanted in
the Samadhi Hall by the young Vedic scholars of
the Veda Patashala.
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In the time between breakfast and lunch,
many devotees hike up the Hill to pay homage
at Skandashram, Virupaksha Cave or at the
Arunachaleswara Temple in town. Before lunch
is served, there is Narayana Seva in which
the local sadhus are fed outdoors. This
is a tradition that has been followed for
many decades.
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Often
the higher temperatures in the afternoon encourage
one to stay indoors resting, meditating or losing
oneself in the spiritual and intellectual treasures
at the Ashram library. In the evening, the Samadhi
Hall glows with the arati and resounds with Veda
Parayana and the full-throated Tamil Parayana.
Almost all devotees visiting the Ashram undertake
the giripradakshina (going around Arunachala),
a practice highly recommended by Bhagavan. |
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There
is nothing at Sri Ramanasramam that is kid-friendly
to the modern child, i.e. no electronic
entertainment, play-structures, classes
etc., but paradoxically this is where kids
are happiest! They feel totally free to
have fellowship with the animals of the
Ashram - peacocks, dogs, cattle, monkeys,
squirrels etc., to have the
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run
of the vast grounds, to browse in the Children’s
section of the Ashram library, and enjoy the spontaneous
affection of the Ashram residents! Children, uncomplicated
as they are, seem to soak in the grace of the
invisible, powerful Presence of Bhagavan. |
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It
is a mighty blessing to know of Sri Bhagavan,
an incomparable privilege to visit His Ashram
at the foot of the Hill that He adored! Everyone
who visits the Ashram returns, to find his or
her life spinning on a new axis centered around
Sri Bhagavan! |
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