The Guiding Presence of Sri Ramana (An Old and Rare Book)

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In The Guiding Presence of Sri Ramana, Sri K. K. Nambiar, an ardent devotee, has given us an intimate glimpse into his life as guided by his Master, Bhagavan Sri Ramana. We are grateful to the Ramana Kendra, Madras, for requesting its Chairman, Sri K. K. Nambiar, to give a series of talks on his reminiscences of Sri Bhagavan. These reminiscences which span over five decades of service and devotion to Sri Bhagavan and Sri Ramanasramam, have now been collected to form this book.

The instances of Bhagavan's Grace abound through these pages. The fatuous instance in which Bhagavan appeared to him in dream and demanded of him a bound note-book is well-known to Ramana-bhaktas. It is vividly recorded in Day by Day with Bhagavan, p. 246 and My Recollections of Bhagavan Sri Ramana, p. 129.

Sri Nambiar's professional work took him abroad, to England and America. He gives us a vivid description of his meeting with two very sincere devotees of the Master. The first is Mrs. Victoria Doe of U.K. who had never seen Bhagavan but was devoted to Him in thought, word and deed. The second was Mrs. Eleanor Pauline Noye, a devotee living in California, who had been to India and sat at the Master's feet; and was living in constant thought of Him. These are but two of many interesting instances related by Sri Nambiar portraying the grace and guidance of Sri Bhagavan in even the smallest details of a devotee's life. It is always a pleasure and joy to read and ponder such reminiscences which make the presence of Sri Bhagavan vivid and enduring.

Sri Nambiar has proved to be a pillar of strength to the Ashram administration from the days of Bhagavan; he is now serving in the Editorial Board of the Ashram journal, The Mountain Path. He, along with his wife, Smt. Janaki Nambiar, always participates in all impor- tant functions at the Ashram.

We are grateful to Professor K. Swaminathan for going through the MSS and giving useful suggestions. Mrs. loan Greenblatt deserves our appreciation for the attractive cover design.

I was seriously ill in July 1982 and it was only through Sri Bhagavan's Grace that I got a fresh lease of life. Throughout the period of my illness, Arunachala Ramana was constantly shining in my Heart, never giving any room for anxiety or fear. Discharged from the Jaslok Hospital, Bombay, when I came back to Madras, it was almost a re-union for the Ramana devotees to meet me at the Kendra. Several of them suggested that I should give a few talks at the Sunday Satsungs, about my reminiscences of Sri Bhagavan. Accordingly a series of six talks were delivered at the Ramana Kendra, Madras in July and August, 1983.

By now, there were demands from various quarters including Sri V. Ganesan, Ramanasramam, Managing Editor of The Mountain Path that the reminiscences should be published in a book form to be available for all those interested. I too felt an inner urge to record them in writing. A friend of mine an IAS Officer, Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu called on me most unexpectedly and mentioned that he had an inner mystic urge to come and tell me that I should, without further delay, publish all my reminiscences about Ramana Maharshi, either in a book form or through a series of articles in the journal The Mountain Path. I too had a dream on 14.9.83 that I should commence writing the reminiscences and that Bhagavan would help me to see it through.

This book contains a list of the series of talks given by me at Ramana Kendra, Madras. It gives an authentic record of events during Bhagavan's life time (as personally known to me) with which I was connected in some way or other.

Events subsequent to Mahasamadhi, equally relevant to show Bhagavan's continued presence amidst us, have also been briefly recorded in my diaries. It is hoped that an appendix or a second part could be brought out in the near future to make them available to Ramana devotees.

I should crave the indulgence of the readers for the frequent references to my work and career, which were unavoidable, while explaining the background of the events narrated.