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Title: "Sri Jnãnãnanda Darshanam"
Author: Swami Nityãnanda Giri
Publishers: Tapovanam Sri Jnãnãnanda Niketan

"Sri Jnãnãnanda Darshanam" is an excellent work - an interesting collection of articles portraying the divine life of Sri Jnãnãnanda Swamigal, words of wisdom from his own lips, and anecdotes of astonishing incidents that have happened in his presence. Published by Tapovanam Sri Jnãnãnanda Niketan, it is an exposition of Smt. Padmãsani Gopalakrishnan's central theme by Swami Nityãnanda Giri. It is no exaggeration to say that every reader would vividly witness the divine plays ('lilas') of Sri Jnãnãnanda Giri Swamigal, initially in Siddhalinga Mutt and later in the Tapovanam at Tirukkovilur.

It was the third Thursday of the tamizh month of 'Panguni' of 1960, when Sri Sivavadivel Udayãr, along with his friend Vadivel Pillai, is on a routine 'Guruvãra' (Thursday) darshan to the Siddhalinga Mutt. He thus writes his experiences -

"After the darshan, we prostrated to Swamigal, seeking permission for our return. Gurunatha introduced us to another devotee, Thiruvenkatam Pillai and asked us to partake the Prasãd together before leaving. Sri Ranganathan said that only half a 'padi' (a unit of measurement) of rice, two 'mãvadu' (a variety of mango), two-three unripe bananas, a drumstick and a few chilllies are left. Swamigal said that was enough and asked him to give it to the concerned person to have it cooked and that it had to be ready before we leave by 10 in the morning.

It was about 9:00, when the person preparing food humbly told Swamigal that the food was ready. At the same time, a village woman came to have Swamigal's darshan, and presented him with 50-60 plantain leaves, and a vessel full of curd, as a thanksgiving for her prayers of her buffalo's healthy progeny being fulfilled. Swamigal remarked, smilingly, "All our requirements are met. Can we now satisfy our needs?"

Presently, a jeep arrived on the street and about 6-7 people got out. They claimed to be doing spiritual campaigns in the village. Swamigal invited them too for lunch. The food contained just the same ingredients that we witnessed in the morning. We were bewildered as to how that which was just enough for 5-6 people, grew into such volume!

In a few moments, a bus arrived and about 50 passengers alighted. It was a marriage group and the bride was physically handicapped. It seemed that they had come for Swamigal's darshan earlier and prayed for her marriage and Swamigal, giving prasãd, had said, "Pity! The handicap saddens her. Not to worry! Let's pray for an early marriage for the girl!" Now they had come back for darshan immediately after the wedding!

Swamigal then blessed the couple, "Let us pray for their long lasting married life! Steadfast confidence and perseverance has led us to success. You have come here at the right time, and we host a party - a normal party for the newly-wed, and everyone shall participate!" We looked at each other in confusion - "what food is left to serve this huge group?"

The kitchen door was half-open. And the elderly person who prepared food stood right outside. In a few moments, Swamigal opened the door and emerged out of the kitchen. He told the former, "Nothing to worry! Let us use whatever we have" and went away. Everything was a mystery to us. We slowly approached the elderly person and asked him about where the food was being cooked for the new guests.
"Here, right here", said he.
"How about raw materials for the food?"
"Did we not receive the ingredients this morning?"
"But you prepared food with them and served all of it to us."
Then the elderly person said, "So what? Do we really need new raw materials? Does it not suffice when the Lord himself visits the kitchen once?"

We too gave a helping hand in serving for the marriage troop. Again, the same vegetables were seen, and nothing new. The lunch was complete. Swamigal bade farewell to everyone. We were perplexed. How did those dry vegetables suffice for such a huge crowd? Where did the food for so many people come from? Did Swamigal's divine blessings verily bring them? Is Swamigal verily an 'akshayapãtra' (incessant source of food)?
Such thoughts are cherished even today."

Thus he narrates very many experiences that make us really ecstatic.

-Dr.A. Bhagyanathan

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