Anecdotes by Devotee K.K Nambiar


Devotee K.K Nambiar in his book of reminisences 'the Guiding Presence' writes :

 1. Journey to Vellore and flood on Polur causeway

To cite an instance of how Bhagavan Ramana's all pervasiveness protects the devotees. 

One evening when it had rained cats and dogs, the Sarvadhikari had to go to Vellore urgently to meet a lawyer with some papers in connection with a case in the court to come up the next day. There was no suitable bus to Vellore that evening. I volunteered to drive him in my old Austin car. Chinnaswami (as the Sarvadhikari was called then), 

T. P. Ramachandra Iyer and another swamiar, in ochre robes, whose name I cannot recollect, got into my car with myself at the driving wheel. As we reached Polur about 20 miles from Tiruvannamalai, it was quite dark and the Polur causeway on the Vellore Road was overflowing. 

From the markings on the guard rail posts on the causeway I gauged roughly that the level of water overflowing the causeway could not be more than eighteen inches. I thought I could make a successful crossing. The flow appeared to be increasing with the incessant rain. We had to get across somehow. There was nobody to assist us at that time of the night. 

Relying on Bhagavan's help I moved on to cross the river. When I was at the bed level of the causeway, the water level appeared to be rising further. There was every chance of water splashing on the ignition equipment of the engine, to make it stall. The situation was frightening. There have been instances of cars being washed away due to the force of the water current in similar circumstances. The swamiar travelling with us prayed, chanting aloud "Vasudeva sarvamiti". Thereupon T. P. Ramachandra Iyer said "Sarvamidamaham cha Vasudevah". 

I pushed forward concentrating my mind on Bhagavan and safely crossed over to the other side. All heaved a sigh of relief and felt Bhagavan was with us on that mission. We reached Vellore about nine o'clock at night and met the vakil who was anxiously awaiting us.

2. Ramana Gita - Malayalam Manuscript

 Bhagavan had completed writing the Malayalam Translation of Ramana Gita in the note book which I had given to him, Finding that some more pages were available in the note book, Bhagavan added as appendices, Skanda Sapthakshari mantra, Sri Arunachala Pancharatnam, Sri Ramana Chatvarimsat and Sri Ramana Vibhaktyashtakam also. 

At this stage, I mentioned to Bhagavan that I would get this Malayalam book printed at Vidyavilasam Press, Tellicherry at my cost and donate the copies to Ashram.

Bhagavan suggested that I might write a preface to the book. Being new to such editorial work, I discussed the problem with Paul Brunton and on the basis of some tips obtained from him contributed a three page 'Prasthavana', which was also shown to Bhagavan for his approval.

Now Bhagavan had another idea. He mentioned that if this octavo sized notebook, brought to him as instructed in my dream, was sent to the press they would dismantle and separate the sheets for composing the printing matter. The book had to be preserved in the Ashram Archives as it had a history behind it.

Saying this, He asked the attendant Madhavan to get another notebook or writing pad. When a new writing pad was brought, Bhagavan again copied in his own handwriting all that was written in the original notebook. The excellence of his handwriting, resembring print, and sometimes even excelling it, has to be seen to be believed! 

That is the case with his writing in Telugu language as well; the facsimile of such writings are still available at the Ashram bookshop.

When the copying of Ramana Gita was completed, he handed over the manuscript to me for getting it printed. On taking it home, another idea struck me which I discussed with my wife. I went to the bazaar and purchased a good Silver Cross writing pad with a view to copying the manuscript again for sending to the press, as I felt that I should preserve the book in Bhagavan's own handwriting as a Sacred Relic, instead of its being torn asunder in the printing process at the press. I wasted no time in copying it, in which effort my wife also joined me, as I didn't want to delay it much before sending to the press, which was done on the third day after it was received from Bhagavan. 

By the time the thousand printed copies were received from Vidyavilasam Press, I had sent the writing pad in Bhagavan's handwriting to Basel Mission Press, Mangalore (well known for their exquisite binding work) for binding it in morocco leather cover with gilt edges. 

This book when received was taken to Bhagavan, who, after perusal, gave it back to me with his blessings. 
*OM NAMO BHAGAVATE SRI RAMANAYA!*

Who can speak about his Love towards his devotees! I am keeping it locked up as a sacred relic to be taken out only on important occasions. For daily parayana, only printed copies of the book are used.

By this time I had been drawn more and more towards Bhagavan's philosophy. The quest for the self within and that the belief that God is seated in my own Heart, etc. made a deep impression within me. 

A sloka which I casually came across at the Ashram during conversation with some devotees, attributed to Sadasiva Brahmendra, was constantly on my lips. 

Yace nabhinavamte candrakalottamsa kincidapivastu/ mahyam pradehi Bhagavan madeeyameva swaroopamanandam 
"Oh Lord (Siva)! I am not asking for us anything new from you.Give me my own Blissful State".

Temple worship and stotra parayana became less and less important. More and more time was spent in the company of Bhagavan's devotees e.g., Yogi Ramiah, Paul Brunton, Major Chadwick, Duraiswamy Iyer, Sundaresa Iyer and others. Also I was very often required by Sri Niranjananandaswami, the Sarvadhikari, to help in matters connected with the management of the Ashram. 

Source:
The Guiding Presence
By Sri. K.K.Nambiar

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