The Master Shows The Path!

Ramana Maharshi

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 17:57

The ways of a Master is astounding in drawing His folks to His feet. Every disciple is specially chosen by the Master and pinned to His feet in eternal bliss.

The story of Sundarammal is hard for a rational mind to believe, but a soul that is soaked in the Master's unconditional love and care is sure to melt on hearing it.

Ramana's care for His devotees is not rare or unusual as when once one is under His fold, things unfold themselves in the most natural way.

Sundarammal belonged to a wealthy family in Madras. She was early to get married and widowed. One day on visiting a nearby temple to listen to the talk of a Sadhu (Holy man), who happened to be a devotee of Bhagavan Ramana, came to know of Ramana for the first time. Ever since she heard of Bhagavan, her heart started yearning for Him. She begged of her father to allow her accompany a pilgrim group travelling to Thiruvannamalai. Her plea was rejected but her father promised to take her to Ramanashram, Thiruvannamalai. However, her father's busy schedule did not permit to escort Sundarammal to Thiruvannamalai.

Sundarammal in constant yearning for Bhagavan, started wasting away like that of the moon that wanes and waxes. She lost appetite and sleep and was continuously thinking and of Ramana and praying to Him.

As days rolled by, one afternoon she saw Bhagavan descending the mountain and telling her, “Sundarammal, have no fear!" It is I. Enough of this weeping and not eating or sleeping. Come, I am expecting you."

It was a moment of joy for Sundarammal and her heart fluttered on the assurance from Bhagavan Ramana. She once more revealed her wish to be accompanied to Tiruvannamalai to her father, but the trip never seemed to happen.

A few weeks later, Sundarammal in her room was weeping and calling on the Maharshi. Tired, she soon dozed off , only to be startled out of her sleep owing to a blow on her side. She woke up with a start to find the Maharshi standing by the head of her cot. All that He said was, “Come"

Sundarammal followed Him downstairs and on reaching the verandah she found herself alone, for Ramana had vanished. As she sat there puzzled, a rickshaw-driver walked up to her and said, “Is this number 12 and are you Sundarammal? A sadhu asked me to drop you at the bus stand" On reaching the bus stand, both Sundarammal and the rickshaw-driver were shocked not to find the Sadhu. However she managed to get into a bus leaving for Thiruvannamalai.

On her way to Thiruvannamalai, her bus passed another bus out of which alighted a person who got into the bus where she was seated and asked her, “Are you Sundarammal?"

“Yes, I am," she replied.

“Good! Bhagavan has asked me to look for you!"

Sundarammal reached Thiruvannamalai at dusk and was accommodated in the large hall meant for pilgrims. She prepared a cake as an offering for Bhagavan and went to sleep joyfully.

The next morning, she met Her Master for the first time, for whose darshan her heart had yearned continuously.
Ramana said, “Here you are at last!"