Old Devotees

photo of Sri Venkatesa Shastri, an old man with vibhuti marks, hands raised

Sri Venkatesa Shastri (known as ‘Sastrigal Mama’ – refer to page 93 in the book ‘Ramana Periya Puranam’)

Droplets from the Cascade of Sri Ramana Jnana

“புணர்ந்த பாவமெலாம்பரி பூரண முணர்ந்த ஞானி விழிபட வோடுமே.”

- சசிவன்னபோதம்

(பதசாரம்.) தனது சங்கற்பத்திலுண்டான ஜீவ ஈஸ்வர ஜகத்து முதலிய கற்பித மனைத்தினின்கூடுதலைப் ‘புணர்ந்தபாவமெலாம்’ எனவும், அச்சங்கற்பந் தன்னிற் கரைந்து யாவுந் தானாக விளங்குவதைப் ‘பரிபூரண முணர்ந்த ஞானி’ எனவும், இவ்விளக்கப்பார்வையாற் சகல கன்மமும் நசித்தலை விழி பட வோடும் எனவுங் கூறினார்.

When Venkatesa Sastrigal, later known as ‘Sastrigal Mama’, first came to Skandashram after living many years in the deep South, he felt he would be looked upon as a ‘stranger’. But, no, at once recognised by Mother Alagammal! The lingering doubt whether Sri Bhagavan would recognise him, also vanished when Sri Bhagavan in reply to His mother’s question, “Does Bhagavan recognise this person who has just arrived?” answered, “I saw him and recognised him right away, even while he was climbing up! Is he not our Subbukutti’s son?” Sri Bhagavan’s recognising meant that His Grace had been bestowed on Venkatesa Sastri with “one look”.

The purpose of Venkatesa Sastri’s visit was to receive Jnana from Sri Bhagavan. Sastrigal Mama later used to say “Sri Bhagavan erased the sins of the devotees accrued through many, many births in just one moment, with a single Glance of Grace.” He remained with Sri Bhagavan for the rest of his life. There is something interesting to be noted here. Sri Bhagavan often used to speak highly of Mathruthva, the Greatness of the Mother Principle. Here, though Jnana was transmitted to Sastrigal Mama through a ‘single gaze’, the actual credit goes to the Mathruthva of his mother, Subbukutti!

Many more are the illustrious devotees who were blessed by Sri Bhagavan through his Glance of Grace! Sat-Guru Sri Ramana treated all equally — pundits, scholars, ignorant and illiterate villagers, uncared for widows and the least of spiritual aspirants. And, He blessed them with the highest spiritual attainment of Inner Perfection. Many of them were those who were unrecognised, unnoticed and not referred to even by their names! Yet, the Fullness of His Grace flowed, unreservedly towards them. Like bees finding nectar, seekers are sure to benefit by reading about how they were transformed into fully “Blossomed Flowers”.

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