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YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR

Life

Yogi Ramsuratkumar was born in a village near Kashi (Varanasi) in North India. He was fascinated by the sacred river Ganga and playing along its banks gave him immense joy. Even as a young boy, he longed for the company of the many holy men who thronged to Ganga Mata. His association with them ignited the spark of spirituality in his heart. Soon, this spark grew into a flame of urge for inner peace.

A seemingly ordinary incident - the death of a bird right in front of his eyes – drove home the message of life’s transitory nature. One of the monks he met at that time, specifically guided him saying that his Guru lived in South India. In due course, he went to the Himalayas. There he came across the book, Light on Yoga, by Sri Aurobindo. Inspired by the book, he went to Pondicherry in South India to meet Sri Aurobindo. He was disappointed when the darshan did not happen. A wandering sadhu on the beach there told him about a great Mahatma in nearby Tiruvannamalai who was accessible all twenty-four hours of the day.

He came to Tiruvannamalai and had the glorious darshan of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. After drenching himself for a few months in the all-pervading Grace of Sri Bhagavan at Sri Ramanasramam, he went to the Himalayas once again. This time around, his heart was overflowing with the bliss of Sri Bhagavan’s silence.

With the passage of time, the divine fervour that he had experienced in Sri Bhagavan’s powerful presence began to wane. So, he returned to Sri Ramanasramam. But, Sri Bhagavan had by that time dropped the body and the absence of the physical presence of Sri Ramana Maharshi affected Yogi deeply.

He expressed his anguish to Pundit T.K. Sundaresa Iyer, an Old Devotee of Sri Bhagavan. On expressing his need for a guru living in the body, TKS guided him to Swami Ramdas living in Kerala. Swami Ramdas told him to chant the name of Lord Rama – ‘Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’, continuously for twenty four hours. In response, Yogi chanted it for seven days, uninterruptedly !

This brought back his divine madness. Subsequently, he wandered all over India for seven years from 1952 to 1959. His spiritual journey culminated in his setting the feet again in holy Arunachala!

“…..set his feet again in holy Arunachala…..”

Some Quotes of Yogi Ramsuratkumar

Yogi Ramsuratkumar never claimed to be a Guru. On the other hand, he would repeatedly say, “This beggar died in 1952 at the holy feet of his master, Swami Ramdas. Father alone exists now, as this beggar.”

“My Father alone exists. Nobody else, nothing else. Past, present, future – only my Father – all-pervasive, everywhere. In Him, everything is included. Every object – man, animal, bird, tree, stone – all is nothing but my Father.”

“Father has not given the work of teaching and preaching to this beggar. Father has given the work of preaching and teaching to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Ram Tirtha Sri Aurobindo, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and Swami Ramdas.

“Father has given this beggar only the work of alleviating the physical, mental and spiritual suffering of the seekers. It is all only the Father! Father and Father alone!”

One of the earliest photos of Yogi Ramsuratkumar standing under the ‘Punnai’ tree

YOGIJI AND ME

Several years back, at this same venue, I covered Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s life extensively. Those who are interested, may please go to the AHAM website and download those details. It was mostly on Yogiji as a devotee of Bhagavan Ramana.

This time, I felt, we could concentrate on how Yogiji helped spiritual aspirants to overcome their suffering. Yogiji’s method of dissolving their suffering, pain and problems was very unique. All of us know that the most difficult stumbling block to spiritual progress, is the suffering that is inflicted by oneself, by others or by circumstances.

My long association with Yogi Ramsuratkumar of more than forty years is studded with precious pearls of soul-melting incidents that reveal the extreme kindness, love, care and compassion that ‘Swami ’ -- as we fondly addressed Yogiji -- exuded.

During the holy festivals of Karthigai Deepam and Maha Sivaratri, many visiting sadhus used to walk into my Ashram office and perform the ‘miracles’ like producing images of Gods and objects from nowhere. Though I did not know how these ‘miracles’ were done, I was never impressed by them. Sri Bhagavan’s assurance that all such “miracles are comparable to incidents taking place in one’s dream”, was my support!

Lots of miracles had happened around Yogi Ramsuratkumar too. But they were very different – they invariably happened to relieve people of their physical and mental suffering. But, Yogiji never claimed that he did them. On the contrary he would always insist, “Everything is happening by Father’s Grace!” In some rare cases, when his prayers seemed to have failed, Yogiji would say that too was Father’s will!

“…..Yogiji blessing devotees at the entrance to his house in Sannidhi Street…..”

Even if what they prayed for did not happen, people who came to Yogiji went away happy, because of the love, compassion and care that the Sage poured unconditionally on them. Asking nothing of anybody and taking no credit for himself, one can only guess the enormous influence and help that he brought into the lives of innumerable persons.

“…satsang with Yogiji…”

Once, Anuradha and I were searching for Yogiji inside the big temple. Suddenly we heard our names being called out aloud, “Ganesa! Radha!” We turned and saw Yogiji seated on the inner steps of Brahma Tirtham, a tank inside the temple, calling us to join him. “Have you anything to say to this beggar?” We started telling him about some major problem at the Ashram. Yogiji suddenly called out to a poor sadhu, “Swami! Swami!” The sadhu approached him with reluctance and with an attitude of indifference. Yogiji enquired after his broken arm. The sadhu gave a big account of how despite all the various treatments, including one by a bone setter, the pain persisted. Yogiji looked at him with compassion and touched his hand with delicate tenderness. The sadhu continued to ignore Yogiji.

Yogiji asked Anuradha to bring water in his coconut shell and poured it on the sadhu’s arm. He did this a few times. Even when it was going on, the sadhu continued to complain angrily about all those who couldn’t heal his arm. Yogiji gently told him, “Shake your arm, Swami!”

The sadhu did so and was surprised - the pain in his broken arm had vanished! Instantly realizing Yogiji’s greatness, the sadhu fell prostrate at Yogiji’s feet and thanked him. And what did the Sage do? He gave the poor sadhu some money to have tea and snacks!

Yet another time, Yogiji was seated near the magizha maram - a tree inside the big temple, where we usually gathered around him. Swami was approached by a young couple with their year old baby. Yogi’s face lit up as he blessed the child. The parents said, “Swami! A few months ago we brought our baby to you, and begged you to cure its bent and contorted leg. You blessed the baby saying the leg would become all right. Now, we ourselves do not remember which leg was bent. The cure is so perfect!” Raising his hands to the sky, Yogiji said, “This beggar does nothing, Amma! It’s all Father’s glory! Father alone blesses, Father alone cures! It is Father who protects all! ”

Though he had brief periods of privacy, Yogiji was usually engaged in fielding a seemingly endless stream of visitors who came for his darshan at his home or in the spacious flag stoned courtyards of the big temple.

Once, Mrs. Gangu, the wife of a retired Major General and belonging to a rich family, came with her son Vivek to the Ashram to seek the blessing from Sri Bhagavan’s shrine for the success of Vivek’s soon to start an advertising agency. After puja was done at Sri Bhagavan’s shrine, she said that she had heard a lot about a Saint living in Tiruvannamalai named Yogi Ramsuratkumar. She wondered whether they could meet with him. I took them to Sannidhi Street. Swami received them, “What can this beggar do for Gangu Ma?” She showed Vivek and prayed for Swami’s blessings on Vivek for his new advertising agency.

Yogiji ignored him and asked, “Does Vivek have brothers and sisters?” She replied, “Yes, Swami! An elder sister…But Swami, what about Vivek?” Again, Yogiji ignored her pleading and asked, “What is her name?” “Kalyani, Swami! Swami, about Vivek…” “Is she married?” “She is married, Swami! Vivek needs…”

But no matter what, Yogiji persisted asking about the sister, “Where is Kalyani? Tell this beggar, how is Kalyani now?” That broke the dam of resistance in Gangu Ma!

She started crying profusely, “Swami! Kalyani is now living only with us in Mercara. Her marriage was a failure. She was ill-treated by her husband’s family. My husband and I tried our level best to patch up matters, but could not succeed. Her in-laws are stubborn.”

With abundant compassion, Yogiji said, “Amma! Kalyani should lead a happy life. This beggar pleads with you and your husband too. Please go again to them, apologise. Make amends. Make Kalyani live happily with her husband. Next time, you should bring the good news of Kalyani living with her husband to this beggar! Father’s blessings are on Kalyani and on every member of your family!”

Gangu Ma did as told. Within a few months, she came back, this time with her husband, and gave the good news to Yogiji – surprise of surprises, not only was Kalyani happily back with her husband, but she had conceived. Every member in her family was happy! When both the parents thanked Yogiji profusely, Swami raised his hands and said, “It is Father, Amma! Father alone blesses. This beggar does nothing. Father alone exists!”

Another time, I was seated alone with Swami. A worried looking lady came and prostrated to him. It was obviously her first visit. Yogiji asked her, “What can this beggar do for you, Amma?” She replied, “Swami! I have come from a far off place near Coimbatore. For the past seven or eight years, I have been trying without success to get my daughter married. It has been many years since her father passed away. I would like you to bless her so that she gets married soon!”

Yogiji asked, “What is the name of your daughter?” She replied, “Kamala, Swami! We live in a very remote village and life is very burdensome. Swami, if Kamala doesn’t get married, I don’t know what I will do.”

Yogiji was visibly moved. He went into silence. He then looked up, looked down, looked over the lady’s head…all the time gesturing with raised hands. This went on for some time. Though the lady sat restlessly, it was a divine sight for me to see Yogiji go into mystical ecstasy. I started offering prayers to Yogiji within my heart. Suddenly, Yogiji spoke, “Amma! Kamala will get married on February 7^th. Father says everything will be all right and that the marriage will take place in a grand manner.” He gave her fruits and I could see that she was very pleased. The lady took leave and left - immensely satisfied and smiling widely. This happened sometime in November or December.

Next April, when I was seated with Yogiji, the same lady came in and happily prostrated. She said, “I came to do puja to Arunachaleswara. After finishing, I hurried and came to prostrate to you, Swami! I am rushing to catch the bus.” Yogiji looked at her with recognition and asked, “How is Kamala, Amma?” The lady answered, “Kamala got married and is happy, Swami.” “When did the marriage take place, Amma?” “On February 7^th, Swami!” She was restless and in a hurry to rush out. Yogiji gave her fruits as prasad .

After she went away, Yogiji turned to me and said, “Look at this strange thing, Ganesa! People come and ask this beggar for favours. This beggar sends their prayers to Father. It is Father who answers their prayers and not this beggar. When their prayer is fulfilled, they do not even have the courtesy to inform this beggar so. Does not the beggar have the responsibility to thank Father! What to do, Ganesa!”

It was then that I recollected what had happened on that day when Swami specifically told the lady that Kamala would get married on February 7^th. And that was exactly what had happened. A doubt rose in me, “Did Swami through his power make it happen on that specified day, or, did he foresee that it would happen on that day?” I put this doubt before Yogiji. He asked me, “Ganesa! Have you read the works of Shakespeare?” I replied, “No, Swami! Antony and Cleopatra was a non-detailed text in my B.A. course. Except that, I have not read any other works of Shakespeare.”

“You have not read Othello, so you do not know in which Act of the Play, Othello kills his wife. Now, this beggar has read it. This beggar therefore knows that in the Sixth Act, Othello kills his wife. That’s all. Don’t ask me any more questions, Ganesa!” His answer surprised me and at the same time satisfied me. Yogiji then went into deep silence. To see him in that state was truly a divine sight indeed! He smiled and gave me prasad !

One day, I was seated in the presence of Yogiji along with the famous music director Ilayaraja. No one was permitted to come in, though there was a large crowd waiting outside. Yogiji commented, “They have all come not to see this beggar but to see the king, the raja - Ilayaraja!” He asked Ilayaraja to stand at the entrance and give darshan to the crowd and come back, which he did.

After some time, Yogiji noticed a lady standing some distance away and hesitating to come closer. Yogiji looked at me and said, “Ganesa! Nagamma is standing outside. Will you go and call her in?” She was a sweeper working at the Ashram. Though the society of those days treated her as a low caste, untouchable woman, I had no hesitation in calling her in. She was reluctant and so I went out and brought her in. I told her to prostrate to Swami which she happily did. Yogiji asked her what she wanted. Nagamma, with tears in her eyes, appealed to Yogiji to give protection to her family members. Yogiji made her sit in front of him and looked steadily at her. It so happened that she sat near Ilayaraja.

Like a lightning flash, the scene took me years back to the experience that Balarama Reddiar once had in the Old Hall in Sri Bhagavan’s presence. Balarama Reddiar had told me, that one day when he entered the Hall, he was wonderstruck to witness a Ruler of a small state in North India and a retired old sweeper seated together. It was a festival day and the Hall was filled with devotees. Reddiar remembered a sloka in the great epic Ramayana wherein King Rama was extolled, “Lord Rama did not distinguish between a King and a low caste person. His heart treated them all equally!” Reddiar concluded, “Sages come and live in our midst only to prove the import and truth of the ancient texts!”

How true! I too was witness to the same splendour in the presence of Yogi Ramsuratkumar that day! This, of course, was from my point of view. From Nagamma’s view point, Yogiji instantly lifted and dissolved her sorrow, sadness and suffering by making her sit, looking at her and giving her his blessings and plenty of fruits as prasad.

Smt.Vijaya and Janarthanan doing ‘Pada Puja’ to Yogiji (Anuradha is seated to the right of Yogiji and Ganesan, left)

As I have narrated earlier, my good friend, the late S.P. Janarthanan, bought a small printing machine from me and relieved me of my financial strain. He was also the owner of a huge printing press complex in Bangalore worth millions of rupees. The small machine cost only a few hundred thousands of rupees. His business partners and family members fiercely opposed Janarthanan buying the small machine as they had no use for it. Janarthanan responded firmly, saying, “Swami asked me to buy it and give relief to the grandnephew of his Guru Bhagavan Ramana. No one can ever stop me from obeying my Guru. You say it will incur loss. Maybe! I ask you, ‘Does Guru’s Grace mean only profit and gain? Cannot the Guru’s Grace be also in the form of loss and strain? Guru’s Grace is Supreme!” Strangely, the name of the machine that he bought from me was ‘SRI RAM’.

After a few months, there were riots in Bangalore. It was stirred by politicians and it created a wedge of hatred and vengeance between the local Karnataka population and the Tamilians who had migrated there from Tamil Nadu. As a result, there was looting and arson of the Tamilians’ properties. In that sad situation, Janarthanan’s huge printing complex was totally burnt down. But the miracle of miracles was that ‘SRI RAM’ was the only press untouched by the fire and in perfect condition! Not only that, but, for the next six months – the period they had to wait for getting compensation from the insurance company – it was ‘SRI RAM’ which sustained the entire families of Janarthanan and his partners!

There was yet another incident where Yogiji’s Grace helped Janarthanan in a financial crisis. Once, Janarthanan urgently needed a huge inflow of funds. A finance company in Chennai asked him to come for discussion. When he reached Chennai, they told him to go back as they would be coming to Bangalore the next day. Janarthanan felt that as the transaction involved a huge amount of money, he would do better to go to Tiruvannamalai, get the blessings of Yogiji and take the night bus to reach Bangalore the next day.

The close devotees of Yogiji who were permitted to stay with him in the night, never did anything without Yogiji’s permission and blessing. In keeping with this, Janarthanan did not utter a word about his plan; nor did Swami ask him. Before breakfast, lunch and dinner, Swami would command Janarthanan to go to the nearby eateries and bring them both food to eat. One day passed, two days passed…On the third day, there arose a thought in Janarthanan about the financial company visiting Bangalore. That day, after lunch, Yogiji looked sternly at Janarthanan, for some time. Suddenly, Yogiji roared, “Janarthana ! One, two, three ! Stand up, run to the door, go back to Bangalore.” Janarthanan, literally ran to the door. Again, a roar, “Stop, Janarthana ! Look at your watch and tell me the time !” Janarthanan, “Swami it is 1.23 p.m.” “Yes, Janarthana ! It is one, two, three ! Father blesses you !”

When he reached Bangalore, Janarthanan received an apology from the financial company as they could not come to Bangalore as scheduled. However, they had arrived at an unanimous decision to sanction the full amount needed by him, even without any form of security or surety ! Janarthanan said, “It was nothing but Yogiji’s Grace, as the company has never released money without documents and securities. Swami detained me, poured his blessings on me and also helped me, financially !”

The darshan of Yogiji was always an informal affair. Clutching a worn, coconut shell begging bowl and palm leaf fan in one hand, the other raised high in benediction, Yogiji was brisk, even businesslike. The deep sensitivity, empathy and compassion radiating from this angelic figure is matched only by the trust, admiration and sheer reverence of the supplicants – the many families, mendicants, farmers, professionals, children, businessmen. While some are content with paying their respects, others relate their problems and wait for answers.

S.P.Janarthanan with Yogiji (in front of Arunachala Temple )

One day, an old village lady came to Yogiji. She looked like a beggar woman. Swami was very kind to her, received her and made her sit in front of me. “Amma! You have come to visit the temple?” he asked her. She replied, “No, no Swami! I came only to see you! Govindasamy’s marriage has to take place, Swami!” Yogiji, smilingly asked her, “Who is Govindasamy?” “He is my son, Swami! I came all the way from Salem to see you and appeal to you to make the marriage of Govindasamy happen!” “Is he your only son? What is he doing?” asked Swami. “Govindasamy is my sixth son, Swami. He is a night watchman in a company.” “What is his age?” “He is thirty six years old. Govindasamy should get married, Swami.”

At that time, Yogiji turned to me and said, “Look at her, Ganesa! What love a mother has for her son! What deep love!” Swami was emotionally moved and his voice was choked.

“Amma! Do you ever go to any temple and offer prayers?” “No. Swami! I would not be permitted, Swami! Govindasamy should get married, Swami!” “Are you staying with your children?” “No, Swami! All the six sons drove me out and I am begging in the streets and sleeping in a mantap where no one stays!” “Do you offer worship to any God?” “No, Swami! I do not know any God.” Yogiji persisted, “In the mantap where you sleep, there should be some image of some God on one of the pillars. Have you noticed any?” “Oh, yes Swami! But, I do not know what God it is!” “If you light an oil lamp every night at that pillar for thirty six days, Govindasamy will surely get married!” assured Yogiji.

The lady excitedly got up and said, “Swami! I shall leave for Salem right away and start lighting the oil lamp from this evening itself.” Yogiji compassionately asked her, “Amma! Do you have money for your return journey?” The lady replied, “I have a few rupees, Swami! But, not enough for the bus fare.” “Shall I give you…?” Before Yogiji could finish his sentence, she interjected, “No, no, no! I am confident I can somehow get the balance amount by begging at the local bus stand. I cannot accept money from you, Swami! But, please bless Govindasamy so that he gets married soon, Swami!” Yogiji thrust some fruits into her hands as prasad. As she hurried out she added, “I start lighting the lamp for thirty six days from this evening itself, as I am very eager to see Govindasamy married at the earliest.”

Yogiji was all smiles, “Ganesa! This is true love of a mother. Can anything equal a mother’s love! Father’s blessings on her and on Govindasamy! Father blesses them both!” He raised both his hands and happily turned them towards the direction in which the lady had disappeared.

“…..Father says there is no problem…..”

There was a wealthy couple (Riaz Padamsee and Behroz Padamsee) from Bombay. They had a lucrative business in America. They are staunch devotees of Sri Bhagavan and had come to Arunachala from USA for a few days. I took them to Yogiji. It was their third visit to Yogiji. The photo taken by Behroz Padamsee of Yogiji raising both his hands in benediction still adorns many homes of Yogiji’s devotees!

The lady asked Yogiji, “Swami! Can I express a very personal anguish of mine ?” “Yes, yes ! Tell this beggar !” “My mother-in-law wants me to give her a ‘grandson’, as there are no male descendants in the family. I am 40 years old and a mother of two daughters. The doctors in America have strictly advised me against having another child because of medical complications. But, mother-in-law insists on it.”

Looking intently at her, Yogiji raised both his hands, and said, “Father says there is no problem in your getting a son. So, without hesitation, conceive !” The couple was overjoyed and returned to the U.S. A few months later, I got a call from this pious lady. Sadly she told me, “Ganesan! In obedience to Yogiji’s command, I conceived – much to the displeasure of my doctors ! And sure enough, a miscarriage took place. I am in intense sorrow. Will you please inform Swami and get me his blessings ?”

When I reported this to Yogiji, he firmly said, “Father says there is a son ! Father’s blessings are fully on her. Assure her !” She conceived again. Most unfortunately, this time too, there was a miscarriage. The doctors were furious with her. She called me in a state of panic. I ran to Yogiji. Strangely, Yogiji too expressed anger, “What ? Father says there is a son for her. Where is the room for doubting ?” This time, I got jittery. How to convey this message to a lady who was so deeply affected ? Praying to Yogiji in my heart, I relayed the message. For several months, I did not hear anything from her. After more than a year, I got a call. It was from her. She joyously told me that she had given birth to a ‘baby boy’; and, both she and her son were in good health ! I reported it to Yogiji ! Now, that ‘baby boy’ has completed his college education !!

“.…a fully surrendered devotee : Behroz Padamsee….”

When I was sent to live for a year in Kashi by Yogiji, he was very specific that I should not write to anyone else except him. That was the period when Yogiji was not talking directly to Anuradha, though she went regularly to sit silently in his presence. I was writing often to Yogiji, but not at alI to Anuradha. She got worried about me and wanted to know how I was faring in Kashi.

She went to Yogiji and prayed silently to him to give her news about me. Within a short time, a young couple came from Chennai, carrying with them a tiffin carrier filled with lunch that they had prepared that morning exclusively for Yogiji. Though they were well known to Swami, he enquired, “May I know your names !” The gentleman replied, “My name is ‘Ganesan’ and my wife’s name is ‘Ganga’. Swami, she takes good care of me, as advised by you !” Yogiji burst out laughing, “So, ‘Ganga’ is taking good care of ‘Ganesa’ ! Oh, Ganesa is being well taken care of by Ganga Ma !” Yes, indeed ! At that time, I was well taken care of by Krishnamurti Foundation of India, Rajghat, Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges. Moreover, Mother Ganga had blessed me by initiating me into a Mantra !

Once, when he was in Chennai, Ilayaraja got some excellent good apples from Kashmir. He rushed to Arunachala with a basket full of these apples. We both went early in the morning with the basket to Yogiji. After graciously receiving the basket and making us sit with him for half an hour he sent us away, saying, "Ganesa will have Ashram office work. He has to go. Let us take leave, friends." He gave us two apples each and told us to go back to the Ashram. It was 7.30 a.m.

My office work commenced at 9 o'clock and my assistant Anuradha would report promptly at 9.30. When, after doing giri pradakshina with Jnanasundari and prostrating at Sri Bhagavan's shrine Anuradha entered the office, she saw the Kashmir apples on my table. I said that I got them from Swami and that one of them was meant for her. She refused to accept it, saying, "I go round the Holy Hill, accompanied by somebody or the other, almost every day. Today also, while we reached the big temple, both of us felt like going to Yogiji's house, prostrating to him and seeking his blessings. He blessed us and gave us a banana each as prasad. You both casually visit him. You get good Kashmir apples, because you are the grandnephew of Sri Bhagavan and you are running the Ashram. And Ilayaraja? Well, he is very famous in the music field. While Jnanasundari and I are just ordinary folks. So, we get only the humble, local bananas. Is it fair?" I was aghast since I knew Anuradha didn't even like apples. I reminded her that Swami was hearing everything that was being talked about him and that she was making a very unfair comment. She left for her home, ‘Savithri’ across the road, to get ready for the office in a hurry....

When she reported for work at the office at 9.30, I came to know from her that Jayaraman - a devotee of Yogiji who worked in the local LIC office - came to ‘Savithri ’ with a sense of urgency as it was time for him to be at his office. Hurriedly placing an especially fine specimen of Kashmir apple in her hand, he told her, "Swami called me at 8 o'clock and gave this apple and told me that I should hand it over to you. He also insisted that I should not go to the office before giving you this apple!"

That evening, I pleaded with Anuradha that we should go to Yogiji and she should thank him for sending her the apple. Her sisters too had arrived from Chennai and were eager to meet Yogiji and receive his blessings. And so, off we went, in a group.

Swami appeared to be in a serious mood. There was already a small crowd waiting outside. He opened the door, stood at the entrance and as was usual for him, gave specific directions as to who should sit where. Anuradha was seated in her place and her sisters were seated next to her. He turned to me and said very sternly, "Thambi (Boy), you stand at the entrance and allow the visitors who come, one by one, inside." So, happily I stood guard. He went and sat in his place. Anuradha's sisters had brought bananas. Swami distributed a banana each to every one seated, except me. He also ordered them to eat it. Then, he called me and said, "Thambi, collect the banana peels from everyone and throw them out." I did as bid and was about to throw the peels out when he roared, "Thambi, you should not throw them near the house. You have to take them and throw them in the big waste bin kept there by the roadside!"

‘Ganesa ! This beggar is always with you !’

Noticing all that was taking place, Anuradha felt that Swami knew everything that had happened earlier and was demonstrating to her that he had no partiality. At that time, I was the de facto chief of the Ashram and yet, Yogiji was treating me like an ordinary office boy or rather, like a servant, while the crowd there was watching it! The moment Anuradha mentally apologized to Yogiji, immediately there was a complete change in him. He turned to me and said, "Ganesa! Come! Come and sit down in your usual place!" Then, laughing uproariously, he gave me a few blows on my back. And when Anuradha stood up and prostrated to him, Yogiji bent over and gave a few blows on the back of the prostrating Anuradha as well! What a 'sound' blessing it was!

Now, let me share with you how this incomparable Siddha Purusha helped me to transcend the two major hurdles of ‘body’ and ‘mind’ in my spiritual sadhana.

For thirty-eight years Yogi Ramsuratkumar had lived and played the role of a homeless beggar with the panache of a carefree millionaire. ‘Swami’ as he was affectionately called, was well known, not only in Tamil Nadu but also farther afield in India and abroad - sometimes in the most unexpected quarters! The gentleness of his speech – English, Tamil and Hindi – belied the force of his personality.

And, he gave freely of his life essence. If the gift was under-valued by the sophisticated, it was only because Yogiji was offering the fruit of his hard-earned experience for a price far less than what he had himself paid. However, for the unlettered soul – on the other hand – this process of give and take was an uncomplicated exchange!

I was twenty-three years old when I came to stay at Sri Ramanasramam. For more than thirty years of my stay inside the Ashram, I had the unique privilege of associating myself very closely with all the Old Devotees of Sri Bhagavan. They guided me, not by preaching to me but by their exemplary living. Until the age of fifty, I was treated and nurtured like the child of the Ashram. I was even fondly addressed by the Old Devotees as ‘Kuzhandhai Swami’, meaning ‘Child Swami’.

But, it was Yogi Ramsuratkumar who commenced my Ashram life in 1959, when Pundit T.K. Sundaresa Iyer drew my attention to the presence and greatness of this Siddha Purusha! It was also Yogiji who wrote the closing chapters of my Ashram life, by truly guiding me and moulding my life with specific spiritual instructions. I share the following moving incident, with a surrendered heart and with an overwhelming sense of profound gratitude to Yogiji.

The eventful day when my friend Anuradha took me to Yogi Ramsuratkumar was a marked milestone in my spiritual life. My life took a ‘U’ turn, a right-about-turn, on that day! I have dealt in detail about the whole event in Ramana Periya Puranam ( p.450 ) Look at Yogiji’s powerful guidance:

“Swami! Ganesan is going through a lot of stress with a printing press issue and he wants to commit suicide,” Anuradha blurted out with pain to Yogiji. Pat came the response from him, “Ganesa! What did our master, Bhagavan Ramana, teach us? You have to enquire into the source of thoughts and kill the ‘mind’ and not the ‘body’. The ‘body’ has served you well, all these years. Why take it out on the ‘body’?” I felt cornered and murmured, “Let me then run away from Arunachala.” With a spark of inquisitiveness in his eyes, Yogiji asked me, “Where will you go if you leave Arunachala?” Without taking time to think, I spontaneously replied, “To Kashi, Swami!” Seizing the opportunity, Yogiji asked me with intense enthusiasm, “Will you promise to go to Kashi if the problem is solved?” I expressed full consent.

“…..will you promise to go to Kashi if the problem is solved ?.....”

As assured, I spent a whole year in 1988-89, very peacefully at the Krishnamurti Foundation of India, Rajghat, Varanasi, the sacred land where Mother Ganga flows. When I returned to Arunachala after that serene period I noticed a marked change in me - I had developed an attitude of detachment to managing the Ashram. Meanwhile, my younger brother, Mani, was managing the Ashram as its administrator. On my arrival, however, Yogiji sent me to Mataji Krishna Bai as she was on her death-bed. Mataji blessed me profusely and made me stay with her for two months in her peaceful presence.

After those two months of spiritual bliss, when I tried to settle down again at the Ashram, a thunderbolt hit me out of the blue: Someone had sent an anonymous letter to all my close and respected friends, which included Swamijis of different Ashrams, in which I was accused of various misdeeds and abused roundly. This totally disturbed my mental poise. An Ashram worker took me to Yogiji. After listening to all the details, Yogiji said, “This is pure poison. Our Lord Siva became immortal by swallowing poison. You too have to do it. Swallow this poison, Ganesa! This beggar is with you!” He held my hand with deep affection throughout the time he spent with me. He got a cup of tea, covered it with his hand for a long time and then made me drink it. His words, his touch and his overflowing love, quietened my agitated mind. I returned to the Ashram with a clear heart – with an attitude of indifference to whatever happened in and around me, and determined to serve the Ashram no matter what.

“…Devaki Ma would make a garland of flowers, Yogiji would enjoy wearing it…”

Yet, after a few days, I had to face much bigger and deeper attacks. I started receiving letters of disapproval and reprimand from reputed people. My mind was so deeply disturbed that I ran to Yogiji again, taking with me all those letters. After listening to the details, Yogiji said, “You remember, this beggar requested you a few days back to swallow the poison. You were kind enough to oblige this beggar. Now, this beggar begs of you, Ganesa, to digest the poison! Digest it! Father’s blessings are fully on you!” He held my hand for two full hours! All the while I was shedding tears. I appealed to him again that I was still deeply upset and disturbed. Yogiji replied, “Adverse situations do afflict sadhakas. Lot of insults are hurled upon them. Our ancient works, like Periya Puranam and Thiruvilayadal Puranam abound with such stories and how when they patiently bore them all, Lord Siva blessed them and merged them with Himself!” Yogiji continued his tender and affectionate attention on me and added, “You are not the mind, Ganesa! Mind is only a phantom. It is only a bundle of thoughts. Our master, Bhagavan Ramana, guided us to only enquire into the source of thoughts and not to entertain the mind’s wandering thoughts. There is no mind, at all. Enquire and it will disappear. Release yourself from the clutches of the mind. You are never the mind, Ganesa!”

Yogi Ramsuratkumar offering his obeisances to the Sacred Samadhi Shrine of Sri Bhagavan. [Yogiji would pointedly draw my attention to Sri Bhagavan’s sacred declaration : “The only purpose of life is to realize the Self. All other activities are waste of time ! “]

It is an amazing fact that using the pretext of my ‘press problem’, Yogiji piled many trials and tribulations on me. And it was he himself who removed them all, then guided me to leave the Ashram and settle down in my house, ‘Ananda Ramana’. He was and ever is Vighna Vinayakar, the god who creates and removes obstacles. Indeed, it was Yogiji who helped me release myself, free myself, from the bondage to my body and mind. I became calm, like a clean slate!

It was Yogiji who also helped me to settle down at ‘Ananda Ramana’. While I was still in the Ashram, he would come early in the morning, take me to ‘Ananda Ramana’ and give me exclusive satsang the entire day. On all those occasions, Yogiji would insist on taking Anuradha too with us to ‘Ananda Ramana’. He would tell her, “Ganesa needs help and protection. Let us extend it to him.” Soon, Yogiji started bringing famous and reputed persons, like Ilayaraja, the daughter-in-law of a newspaper magnate, famous artists, Maniyam Selvam, Lee Lozowick and Ma Devaki along with him to spend the whole day. Sometimes, he would even spend two or three days at a stretch in ‘Ananda Ramana’.

He got me accustomed to living alone at ‘Ananda Ramana’. He himself loved ‘Ananda Ramana’. He adored its serenity and kept commenting on how the air there was unpolluted, how the water in the well was like the Holy Ganga and how the birds in the garden were always singing! The way he would pick up a flower, inhale its fragrance, hold it over his eyes, his heart, ask Ma Devaki to make a garland and then, enjoy wearing it around his neck, was always a divine sight!

He would make me read passages from Sri Bhagavan’s Talks, Day by Day and Letters and would pointedly draw my attention to Sri Bhagavan’s famous declaration: “The only purpose of life is to realize the Self. All other activities are waste of time!” To stay with Yogiji at ‘Ananda Ramana’ was a true spiritual experience, indeed.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar not only guided me spiritually but also, since I was very naive in matters of the world, he guided Anuradha to take care of me and attend to my mundane needs and activities. He fully approved of her building a house – ‘Ananda Vana’ -- behind ‘Ananda Ramana’ for her son, Sankar. He even insisted on her staying in it for the exclusive purpose of pursuing her spiritual sadhana and more especially, for taking care of me.

Soon, Yogiji started building his own ashram. As was his wont, he was intensely involved in it. Whenever I went and stood in front of him, he would say, “Ganesa! We have spent a lot of time together. Go back to ‘Ananda Ramana’ and put Sri Bhagavan’s teaching into practice all the time.” It was Yogiji’s constant prodding to share the teaching and put it into continuous practice that reshaped my spiritual life!

There was always the Grace of Sri Bhagavan and the blessings of the Old Devotees, but it was Yogi Ramsuratkumar who moulded my life in many ways. All the travelling and sharing I have done on Sri Bhagavan’s Teaching in the U.S.A. and elsewhere, was done on Yogiji’s instructions.

“Wherever you go, Ganesa, this beggar is always with you!”

He blessed me, one day, saying, “For everyone else God is everywhere. But, for Ganesa, God is only at ‘Ananda Ramana’!”

Thank you, Swami !

Repeated Prostrations At Your Feet , Swami, From This “Child of Yours” !

“…..entrance to ‘Ananda Ramana’…..”