FACE TO FACE WITH SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI

Enchanting and uplifting reminiscences of various persons. The text offers an insight into the myriad dimensions of the life at the Maharshi's ashrams on the Arunachala hill and in its vicinity. It also helps us to understand the Maharshi's philosophy, which is to achieve Self-realisation through persistent and intensive introspection on the basic question – Who am I?

Compiled and edited by Professor Laxmi Narain.

REMINISCENCES

The following provides a first-hand account of the perceptions, experiences and feelings of persons who had an opportunity of living, serving, interacting, or just being in the presence of Sri Ramana Maharshi. In the write-ups below, many speak of the Maharshi in awed tones, which stir and overwhelm the reader. The text also provides glimpses of the Maharshi's divinity and a peep into his philosophy.

Justice K. Sundaram Chettiar, B.A., B.L., of Madras High Court
wrote a foreword to the first well-known biography of Sri Ramana by B.V. Narasimha Swami entitled Self Realization (1931).

The years 1909 and '10 and the earlier part of 1911, when I was
the District Munsif of Tiruvannamalai, I deem it to be auspicious in my life for the only reason that I had the privilege of sitting at the feet of Sri Bhagavan.The more I came in contact with him, the greater was my devotion to him. Sri Bhagavan is a mine of Wisdom. Questions on abstruse subjects have been answered with clarity and directness, which would not
be possible except for a realized soul or jivanmukta. He sees everything in himself and himself in everything. Whatever seems to happen in the
world is incapable of affecting his peace, which passeth understanding.

He has gone beyond the pair of opposites and looks at events in the light of the Absolute. At no time the Sage has done anything on his own initiative as if he has a particular desire for something, nor he has directed
others to do anything in fulfilment of any purpose. He has all the characteristics
of a sthitaprajna described in the Gita.

His very presence generates an atmosphere of peace which
is felt by devotees visiting him with sincerity and faith. Some of those who approached him with a few questions in their mind found that the answers
were given anticipating their questions. Some find their doubts cleared while sitting silently within his aura, without any speech by him.

To be continued...

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