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Ammani Ammal

It is very interesting as to how AMMANI AMMAL came to Sri Bhagavan. She neither remembers her age nor the year it took place! She was born and brought up by affectionate parents; and, her father was owning a Cloth Store. After marriage too she proudly claimed that she was blessed with an understanding husband and a compassionate mother-in-law. Her husband was owning a paan-beedi shop and was quite affluent.

After marriage — coming to know of Ammani Ammal’s deep devotion to visiting Temples — her husband would take her once in a year to a Kshetra, like Madurai, Chidambaaram. That year, all the three, visited Arunachaleswara Temple. While having darshan inside the sanctum sanctorum the Chief Priest (an old man) looking at their devotion, asked them: “Have you come to Arunachala to have darshan of Sri Ramana Maharshi?” The word “Sri Ramana Maharshi” went straight into Ammani Ammal’s Heart! When they came out of the Shrine, she asked her husband as to what was the strange word the Priest uttered! He repeated it: “Sri Ramana Maharshi”. Ammani Ammal lost instantly body-consciousness and stood like a stone. Her mother-in-law shook her up and brought her to normal Consciousness.

Ammani Ammal requested her husband to take her to the Maharshi, which he did with pleasure. When she stood before Sri Bhagavan — as He sat on the couch in the Old Hall — she asked for upadesam. He turned His Glance of Grace on her and smilingly said, "Oho! You want upadesam? Where is the big vessel to take it away in?" Ammani Ammal was ripe enough and hence took it as Sri Bhagavan’s upadesam to her. She deeply understood in her Heart that upadesam was not an ‘object’ either to be given or taken away. It was the ‘subject’ of physically staying with the Guru and living in His presence!

Look at her husband’s generosity! When Ammani Ammal made a request to her husband ‘to leave her there and allow her to do service to her Guru Ramana’! With great joy he turned to his mother, enquiringly! And, see the magnanimity of the elderly lady! “Leave Ammani with her Guru! You send her money every month for her stay here comfortably and do seva!

The pious lady stayed, initially, at the small ‘Manakkula Vinayakar’ temple (which had no gate or doors for protection). When she expressed it to Sri Bhagavan, He got a photo of His framed and gave it to her, saying: “Keep it with you. I will always be with you!” She had this photo, all her life intimately devoted to it.

In her last days in her hut in Ramana Nagar, Ammani Ammal was bed-ridden, waferthin and toothless, but there was an arresting quality and nobility in her clear-cut features and that showed in her speech as well. She remembered every little incident and every devotee of Sri Bhagavan. Since some years food was being sent to her hut from the Ashram, which she ate after offering it in worship to the picture of Sri Bhagavan near her saggy little cot.

When asked if at this bedridden state she thought of Sri Bhagavan, she quipped, "Do I have any choice? What else can I think of?"

Ammani Ammal is one more proof that it is far easier to have Sri Bhagavan with the Heart than with the Head.

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Being a great ascetic, she never demanded for anything — not even a maid servant to be with her and help her. Ashram was supplying a carrier — her lunch. She was content with one meal. However, in her last days, her weak state of health made her make a request to me. She said early morning she felt deeply hungry and wanted “Idlis”.

Brave and compassionate as she was and still is, Anuradha came forward to supply morning breakfast of “Idlis” through a Brahmin family, living in Ramana Nagar. Ammani Ammal’s physical need was fulfilled! When we met the next day, she expressed her gratitude through affectionate hugs, to both of us!

What a great Blessing from such a great devotee !

In the midst of the cows. Notice Cow Lakshmi offering her ‘namaskar’ to Sri Bhagavan