Prabhavati Raje

Rajkumari Prabhavati Raje belonged to a royal family. Her parents were deeply spiritual and as such she was drawn to spirituality from her very young age. She was a scholar in many systems of philosophy and knew several languages. Her chosen God, Sri Bhagavan, bestowed affectionate attention on her. Munagala Venkataramiah and Jagadeeswara Sastri were her teachers; the former was her guardian whom she fondly addressed as 'Nayana' (father).

It is interesting how Sri Bhagavan looked after her needs — one who had left her parents, kith and kin only to live in the presence of her Master — not only spiritual needs but also those in her mundane life. Though initially she stoutly refused to get married, marriage was arranged for her with a member of another royal family in Kerala. She had to go to the would-be bridegroom's house in Kerala. She did not permit any of her relatives to accompany her and preferred to go alone. Sri Bhagavan, however, called Kunju Swami and directed him: "Prabhavati Raje is going to Kerala. You would be the fit person to accompany her as you are also from Kerala. Take her." Rajkumari Prabhavati was exceptionally fortunate indeed to draw such pointed 'attention’ from Sri Bhagavan, her chosen Sat Guru.

When she reached Kerala, she was drowned in the company of relatives and friends. Kunju Swami felt out of place in such family gatherings and hence wrote to Munagala Venkataramiah stating that it had become necessary for Prabhavati to stay there for a few weeks and that during that period he would take a short pilgrimage to holy places in Kerala.

By return of post Kunju Swami received a reply. In the reply Munagala Venkataramiah stated that he had read out Kunju Swami's letter to Sri Bhagavan and saw visible signs of disapproval in Sri Bhagavan. Sri Bhagavan also said: "He was to be with Prabhavati." Kunju Swami did not stir out of the Rajkumari's house; he stayed with her till he could accompany her back to Sri Ramanasramam! Sri Bhagavan was stern in emphasising that duty entrusted to one should not be transgressed under any circumstances. His love for the devotee's welfare was equally emphatic.

Princess Prabhavati Raje, immediately after her marriage, came along with her husband to receive blessings from Sri Bhagavan. She brought two beautiful rose garlands and wanted that she herself and her husband should place them around the neck of Sri Bhagavan. Such things were strictly forbidden. Yet, out of her intense love, she persisted in her request and took the garlands to Sri Bhagavan seated on the couch. Sri Bhagavan, while refusing the garlands, suggested: "Place them in the Shrine of the Mother". She was disappointed and, before leaving, deposited the garlands on the couch as she bent low to prostrate. She got up, took the garlands and left the hall, bitterly crying. After some time, Sri Kunju Swami by way of consolation showed her from a distance a remarkable sight. Sri Bhagavan was picking one by one the petals that had dropped from the rose garlands on the couch and was slowly putting them into His mouth one after the other! Said Kunju Swami to the Princess: 'Look! How lucky you are! You were disappointed that Sri Bhagavan did not accept the rose garlands, but now your roses have served as His food. Is not this real acceptance?'

She was immensely pleased and her tears of anguish turned into tears of joy!

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Another incident narrated by the Rajkumari thrilled me; I want to share the same with you.

Long before Rajkumari Prabhavati Raje got married she presented Sri Bhagavan with a pair of book-ends with a specific request that Sri Bhagavan should keep it Himself and not give it away to the office or to any one else. Beside Sri Bhagavan was a rotating book-shelf, and He often referred to the books kept there. Above the book-shelf also books were placed pell-mell. Seeing this Prabhavati Raje brought the book-ends and insisted that they should be used there. Years passed. She was married; she had to live away from Sri Bhagavan.

Those were the last days of Sri Bhagavan's bodily existence. Prabhavati came to offer her homage to the illustrious Master. She also stood in the queue and waited for the darshan of her Master. Sri Bhagavan was very weak. He insisted on giving darshan to devotees in spite of the medical advice against it. Each devotee could have only a glimpse of Him before moving on to make room for the next. When Prabhavati stood transfixed Sri Bhagavan was compassionate enough to shower His gracious look on her and simultaneously He directed the look towards the inside of the room. Since she did not understand His gesture He took the trouble of raising His right hand (His left hand was affected by sarcoma) and stretched the hand towards the book-shelf in the room, or rather above the book-shelf. The book-ends presented by her was there fully utilised by Him though so many years had rolled by. She was thrilled. How the Master fulfilled even the simplest wishes of the devotee! Not only that. The incident assumes great importance when we take into account Sri Bhagavan's very bad state of health and the effort it would have cost Him to move and point to the book-ends. Prabhavati burst into tears and sobbed. Sri Bhagavan blessed her profusely through His joyful look!