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“Jai Gurunath!”

‘August, 1989’ - a special month and year in my life. Yes! This is the time that I had my first darshan of Sri Swamiji. This special moment was brought about through a close relative of mine who lived quite close to Sri Swamiji’s residence. What drew me to Sri Swamiji was His way of enquiring after His visitors’ welfare and the picture of Maha Periyava placed on a swing. From then onwards whenever I came here I went over to have Sri Swamiji’s darshan. But, it was only after some five years that I had the opportunity of moving closely with Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji’s way of listening to the woes of the devotees, His way of handling it, the beauty of His walk holding the dhoti, His style of sitting - all these caused a deep impact in me as do the modern day movies and television in the minds of children!

I was trying to change over my job. When I consulted Sri Swamiji in this context, He asked me to stick my present one. But, my mind would not listen to Sri Swamiji and I kept trying for the new employment and this resulted in heavy monetary loss. I went back to my old job. After sometime when I received a call from the new company the ghost of a desire took hold of me once again and I dialed Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji asked me, “You have just joined your service. Will you be able to obtain leave of absence?” I said, “They would send me within 24 hours if I say that my father or mother or wife or child, one of them, is seriously ill.” Sri Swamiji laughed and asked, “Whom shall we throw into a serious condition?” Immediately I said, “My father!” But, there was only silence at the other end. After what seemed ages Sri Swamiji said, “Yes!” At that time I could not comprehend this silence of Sri Swamiji. My mind was being deeply tempted by the job offer in the new company. At the same time I felt ashamed by this and thought, ‘Is not a bird in hand worth two in a bush?’ However, within a few days my father’s health was seriously affected and he was admitted in hospital. I felt that my playful talk had come true. When I spoke to Sri Swamiji about this, He said, “It is not as you think. Whatever is deemed to happen will occur.”

It was ‘dhanur mãsa’ time. Devotees used to participate in the early morning puja. That day something drew me to participate in this early morning puja. As Sri Swamiji walked out after the puja, He said to me, “Come! We will go meet Ãravamudan!” I said to Him, “I do not know any Ãrvamudan!” I did not know that Sri Swamiji was then leaving for Kumbakonam. Within a few minutes I learnt that Sri Swamiji was going to Kumbakonam with some devotees to have darshan of Lord Ãravamudan! I left for Kumbakonam with Sri Swamiji. As we reached Madhurãnthakam, Sri Swamiji asked me, “Did you by any chance inform your father that you will visit him today?” I said, “No. I have not said so. Moreover, my father will be discharged from the hospital today.”

Enroute to Kumbakonam we stopped at Vadavãmbalam where the ‘adhishtãna’ of Sri Ãtma Bodendra Swamigal is. Spending some twenty minutes here, we reached Kumbakonam after noon. In the evening, we visited Sri Bodendrãl’s Jiva Samadhi at Govindapuram. Even without my knowledge I performed Rama japa here for some time! Sri Swamiji said to me, “If you visit this place, the Mahan (Sri Bodendra) will bless you with some thousand Rama Japa. He is still performing incessant Rama Japa!” We then visited Thiruvidaimarudoor. Sri Swamiji explained, “If anyone said to Maha Periyava that he has had darshan of this or that linga; Kedarnath ice linga, Periyava would ask, ‘Have you had darshan of the Mahalinga of Thiruvidaimarudoor?’” Sri Swamiji then briefed us all with the history of this Holy Place. From here we proceeded to Uppiliappan temple.

On the way to Uppiliappan temple, Sri Swamiji said to me, “Yama (Lord of Death) is strongest during this month. This month his strength lies in the tooth. Each month his strength lay in different part (of the body). Therefore, this month many will meet with death.” Later, when I returned to Chennai I learnt that it was right at this time, when Sri Swamiji was explaining to me about Yama’s strength this month, that my father had attained the Lotus Feet of the Ãchãrya! There are two reasons for explaining this in detail. One is that, though I was far away from my father on the day of his death, Sri Swamiji brought me back to Chennai at the right time! Secondly, on the day of my father’s death I had the blessing of visiting several Mahatmas’ samadhis along with Sri Swamiji!

Another incident that touched me to the core is the ‘Shradhãnjali’ conducted for Maha Periyava. It was decided to conduct the ‘Shradhãnjali’ in our Madhurapuri ashram. We at the Mission had invited several great ‘spiritual’ speakers and had printed invitations. But, meanwhile Sri Swamiji opined, “This is not the way to perform ‘Shradhãnjali’ for Maha Periyava. But, the function has been organized. Let things take its own course.” All of us thought that this function would take place as planned but Sri Swamiji remained quiet though He had known that it would not take place.

On the eve of the function the sky was covered with thick dark clouds. Due to heavy downpour that night the roads were cut off. The function had to be cancelled in the last moment. I felt totally disappointed and sad, as I had involved myself in organizing this ‘Shradhãnjali’. I thought, “I do not deserve to participate in the ‘Shradhãnjali’ for Maha Periyava. This work has to be done by those who conduct their life in the dharmic way. How will this function take place if attempted by someone like me who has not followed ‘Brahmin’ dharma?” And I left for my place of job.

But, as if to say that it was not so and to my surprise and pleasure I was blessed with participation in Maha Periyava’s ‘Shradhãnjali’ that was later conducted on the date of Maha Periyava’s Siddhi. This came about only due to Sri Swamiji’s Grace because otherwise to return to Chennai within five weeks of joining my service would have been an impossible task!”

- P.S. Ranganath

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