Sadhu Brahmaniam
Bhagavan had already undergone four surgeries under the best of doctors. How did all these doctors come? That is the beauty of Bhagavan’s direction. Dr. Subramanian who was named Sadhu Brahmaniam after he took sannyas, went abroad in 1930 at the request of the Government of India. His mother, an ardent devotee of Bhagavan, stayed in Arunachala during this period. When Dr. Subramanian returned from his stint abroad, he came to Arunachala to meet his mother. Being an intellectual, he first visited the ashram bookstore and bought whatever books were available. On entering the hall, he placed the set of books before Bhagavan and prostrated. Bhagavan bent forward and touched each and every book. Before returning the books to Dr. Subramanian, Bhagavan turned to the doctor’s mother and enquired, “Is this your son?” Then, he looked at Dr. Subramanian. With that one look of grace, a doctor who had no spiritual aspirations and who had just returned from abroad got the realization, “Here is God! Here is the satguru.” Soon, he started coming to Bhagavan every week.
I became closely associated with Dr. Subramanian, especially after he took sannyas. He told me that this one look of Bhagavan transformed him radically. The set of books that he placed before Bhagavan became very precious to him because Bhagavan had touched them. He no longer regarded them as mere reading material. He placed these books in his pooja room and offered worship to them, not as a ritual but because he believed that they were special. He bought another set of books to read and started practicing Self Enquiry.
I asked Sadhu Brahmaniam, “Did you ever ask Bhagavan any questions?” He looked at me, patted me on the back and answered, “Ganesan, there was no need. Bhagavan’s one look established me in that state of inner felicity. In order to make myself firm and steady in that state, I have his books. These books give you all the intellectual elucidation you need to go to that state. Bhagavan already gave that state to me. That look of Bhagavan and these books are more than enough. There was no doubt in my mind.” After this experience, Dr. Subramanian was made the Director of Medical Services and Public Health, the highest post in the Government Health Department. Referring to this, he would often laugh and comment, “Do not worry. Bhagavan will not only give you the highest spiritual state but also look after your physical and mental needs.”
He continued, “How beautifully Bhagavan gave me that post! On account of my position in the government, I was able to procure all the necessary instruments for Bhagavan from the various hospitals in Chennai. When the small tumor on Bhagavan’s arm recurred after its removal in April 1949, S. Doraiswamy Iyer asked me to bring a specialist from Madras. I acted immediately. Dr. Rajan, the Minister of Health, was a good friend of mine, and he gave me a free hand. I was able to operate within the framework of the rules and regulations laid down by the government. Radium treatment, the best treatment for cancer at that time, was offered to Bhagavan at the ashram. The best of surgeons came, and I felt blessed that I could offer this kind of service to Bhagavan, my one and only God and satguru. I was able to continue this service till his mahasamadhi on April 14, 1950. He was ever so compassionate! He gave me an opportunity to serve him because I prayed for it. He gave me this opportunity till the last breath of his life.” Sadhu Brahmaniam could continue no longer because he became emotional on narrating his experience.
After Bhagavan gave up his physical body, Dr. Subramanian too retired. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of Self Enquiry. He built a cottage and named it Ramana Kutir. When I entered the cottage the first time, he said, “Ganesan, come, come!” He led me to the pooja room and ordered me to prostrate. And before what did I prostrate? Yes, the books that Bhagavan had touched and given him! Two days before Bhagavan was to give up his body, many ardent devotees, led by Muruganar approached Bhagavan. Muruganar was the spokesman of the devotees. They wanted to find out from Bhagavan how they should continue living once he left them physically. They could not say this in so many words, so they asked him, “Bhagavan, please shower your blessings on us.” Would the master not know what they meant? He gave them a beautiful smile and said, “Put the teaching into practice.” He did not refer to which teaching, and neither did he talk about it as his teaching. He only said, “Put the teaching into practice.”
So, what are we all waiting for? Bhagavan will take us to the peak as he did with his attendants because everyone is included in his fold. God has no partiality and neither does the satguru. Bhagavan was gracious to the physicians who attended on him. Bhagavan stretches out his hand to one and all, no matter at which altitude the person is standing. He will take us to the peak in order to give us that spiritual elevation. Are we ready to reach out to that extended hand of Bhagavan?
Last photo of Sri Bhagavan, inside the ‘Nirvana Room’ (ten days before His Mahanirvana)
Sri Bhagavan – Yogi Ramiah