Ramana Smrti (A Birth Centenary Offering - 1980)

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There are four fascination parts to this book. The first contains insightful writings by many devotees who had personal contact with the Maharshi and received his grace. The second provides thirteen intimate accounts of those fortunate souls – women devotees, in particular – who lived and served alongside the Master, receiving invaluable spiritual guidance and practical counsel for daily living. These memorable stories and be read repeatedly with enduring delight.

The third part consists of offerings by sincere devotees, many of whom had not met the master physically, but had otherwise imbued direct guidance and inspiration from him. They are a pointed reminder of how the power of the master’s personality continues to shine through those who turn to him with sincerity and faith.

The fourth and final part lays out a concise outline of the town of Tiruvannamalai, the great temple, the holy Arunachala Hill, ancient festivals of the town, places of interest to all visitors to this holy place of pilgrimage. Although written for this publication 30 Years ago by a prominent devotee, the descriptions remain perfectly relevant today.

Interspersed throughout this volume are numerous ‘fillers’, uplifting quotations and revelatory selections of the Maharshi’s teachings, which provide spriritual nourishment to all who contemplate their meaning.

Bhagavan Sri Ramana’s Realisation is unique and unparalleled in the annals of history. He realized in his boyhood the Eternal Truth, the Self Supreme, without the aid of initiation by any external Guru, without the need for a theoretical knowledge or study of the Sastras and scriptures, and without having resorted to any kind of ritualistic form of worship, nay without any kind of Sadhana other than his spontaneous realization of the eternal nature of the ‘I’ the Self Supreme. January 3, 1980 is being celebrated as the Centenary year by devotees around the world.

Before he left the body, to allay the fears and anxieties of devotees about their continuing without his physical presence, Bhagavan said : “Where can I go ? I am here. “Since that time, countless devotees who had walked and sat and talked with him have felt the strength of his continued presence in all facets of their lives, and many others who were not blessed by his physical presence continue to be drawn within his aura of grace. Articles and tributes by some of these devotees have been gathered together here as an offering to him on this special occasion. In addition, a number of articles that were originally written in Telegu by Sri G. Venkatachalam, popularly known as ‘Chalam’, and published in a book, Bhagavan Smrti, have been translated into English and included here. Most of them are reminiscences that span a period of many years, and they shed new light on various aspects of Bhagavan’s life especially his role in the kitchen. We are pleased to be able to make them available in English.

The Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Birth Centenary Committee is very grateful to all who have had some part to play in bringing out this souvenir. Our thanks go to the Board of Trustees of Sri Ramanasramam for their over-all – support, to the Centenary Financial Committee for their work in collecting the souvenir’s advertisements. Special thanks go to Prof. K. Swaminathan and Jim Grant for their editorial work, to all who contributed articles and advertisements, and to specialty Printers, Madras, for their care in printing.

My he who has transcended all limitations, broken all bonds of separateness and selfishness, ever shine in our hearts and lead us to the perfect peace of his abode, which is our true self.