Tirupati

ONE early morning at about 4 a.m., descending from the mountain, Ramdas walked straight to the railway station, and finding a train waiting, got on to the platform without being obstructed, and entered a compartment. A few minutes later the train moved. Where was the train taking him? It was none of his concern to try to know this. Ram never errs and a complete trust in Him means full security and the best guidance. The train ran up to the Katpadi junction. Here, Ram brought him in touch with a Sadhuram to guide him. He promised to take him to Tirupati, in which direction the train was running. O Ram, Thy plans are, indeed, always mysteriously worked out. The new Sadhuram and he travelled together, and in due course both alighted at the Tirupati station. After refreshing themselves with some food prepared by the kind-hearted Sadhuram, they directed their steps towards the Tirupati hill. Both commenced ascending the stone steps of the hill. It was climbing “higher still and higher up the mount of glory!” About 700 steps were covered and the Sadhus reached the top of the hill at about 8 in the evening. Then, they had to walk about three miles over almost level ground. It was a moonlit night but the cold up there was intense, while, at the same time, Ram’s grace was correspondingly very great.

A little before midnight the temple of Balaji was reached. At the entrance to the temple was a fire, around which a number of people were sitting. The shivering Sadhus hastened to the spot, pressed themselves in among these friends and warmed their hands and feet. Ram was indeed kind! A short time later, the doorkeeper of the temple commanded all at the fire to leave the place and get out since it was time to close the main door of the temple. So, all had to give up the fireside most reluctantly. The Sadhuram requested the watchman to permit himself and Ramdas to spend the night inside the temple, which request was not granted. It was all Ram’s will. To come out of the temple meant complete exposure to the strong and extremely cold breeze blowing over the hills. It was dark now and they had to search out a place to rest for the night. There were some massive buildings – Dharmashalas – all open. However, the Sadhus scrambled into one of these and settled themselves down. The Sadhuram began to grumble at the cold, and said:

“Swami, it is impossible to think of sleep for the night. The cold will not allow us a wink of sleep”.

“So much the better,” replied Ramdas. “All the time can then be devoted to Rambhajan – the Bhajan of that All-powerful and All-loving Being.”

“That is all right for you,” remarked the Sadhuram, “but I should suggest a move from this place as soon as the day breaks. One more night in this plight shall certainly stiffen us into sheer logs of wood.”

Receiving no reply from Ramdas who was then engaged in the meditation of Ram, the Sadhuram laid himself down, and twisted himself into the shape of the figure 8, at the same time, covering his body with a thin cotton cloth, the only spare cloth he had. This cloth was too small to fully cover him in spite of his assuming a position, in which his bent knees were drawn up to touch his very nose.

“Sleep is quite out of the question,” again said the Sadhuram.

Poor friend, Ram was sorely testing him, all for his good and good alone. The night passed. Early morning, when the day was breaking, the shivering Sadhu proposed a climb down the hill. But Ramdas suggested that they might go farther on about three miles, and visit the waterfall called “Papanasini”. The general belief is, that the person who takes bath in this waterfall, will be washed of all his or her sins; hence the name. The Sadhuram agreeing, both proceeded to this spot and bathed in the waters falling down a rock with great force. Since it was broad daylight now, the top of the hill in all directions was seen clearly. The beautiful landscapes and valleys that met the eyes were simply entrancing. Bath over, the Sadhuram hastened down the hill, followed by Ramdas, and before evening they reached the city below. The same evening, both boarded a train running northwards.