GURU KRIPA

For as long as I can remember my paternal side of the family have been devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi, introduced to the maharishi through his devotee, Gurudevi Janaky Matha.

Despite this blessing, my spiritual focus has been more off than on. My first real spiritual immersion happened in 1991 while climbing the Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai (from the Ramanashramam side), it was a divine experience. No wonder this red hill has drawn to itself so many sadhus and rishis. It was also the year I first got to experience Guru Sri Raghavendra Swamy in Mantralayam. 

Over the years I had been drawn to Sri Raghavendra Swamy many times. I am sharing an amazing incident that happened in late 1990s when I was living in Tambaram, Chennai and working for an American software company. 

In the summer of that year, I had decided suddenly that I would visit Mantralayam and booked a weekend train ticket a few weeks ahead. As it turned out, we got into a tight project delivery schedule, and I worked days and nights right into the week of the intended travel with a go-live approaching. It was Friday and I had made no arrangements whatsoever beyond buying the basic tickets, concluding I will have to postpone the visit to some other time. 

Finally, I was done with my work around 7:30 PM that Friday evening. I decided out of a whim that I will make a late attempt to catch that night train! I bolted to my residence, packed a few clothes and took an autorickshaw. It was nearly 9 PM. The kind driver, who had a Raghavendra swamy picture in his vehicle (!), drove godspeed and dropped me at Chennai Central just after 10 PM assuring me mostly night trains are delayed. He even charged a very nominal fare for the ride! 

To my relief, the train was delayed and was just leaving so I could catch it (only just about). It took me a bit longer to get to my coach via the vestibule and, when I finally settled in, it was close to 11 PM. When the adrenalin rush was over, it dawned on me that I had not had lunch or dinner and was starving with only a small bottle of water to go. Sensing the futility of expecting any decent food at the next major, I proceeded to my upper berth trying to catch sleep, when my fellow passenger – a young man of roughly my age – opened his bag and took out a few packets. A waft of nice aroma filled the air. I closed my eyes trying not to get tempted when I heard the young man ask “Neenga saapteengala?” (have you had dinner?). I was startled and sheepishly said I had eaten a little bit and would get some more at the next stop. He said “Boss, next stop will be way past mid night, and you will not get anything palatable. As such I have quite some extra packed. I will get off in the morning so do not need them. Please join me.” I thanked swamy mentally, jumped at the offer (literally from my upper berth)! I ate some of best chappatti with sabzi I have ever tasted. We chatted a bit longer when I recounted my exciting day and the purpose of my travel. He quietly listened, offered me water and did not say anything. We hit the bed around midnight. Sated by the sumptuous dinner and exhausted mentally and physically, I slept quite soundly that night. When I woke up late in the morning, the young man had already disembarked. To me the whole experience felt surreal!

That afternoon, I got down at Mantralayam Road and went straight to the place where the shuttle vehicles to Mantralayam town ply to pick up travelers. I noticed both at the station and waiting at this pick-up point that it was quite busy, may be a special day at Mantralayam. Amidst the waiting crowd, I could pick up a couple of young men talking in beloved thamizh. My ears pricked up and I walked up to them with the familiar opening “neengalum thamizha?” (Are you also Tamil?). Mutual introductions and a light conversation followed when we decided we will wait a bit longer for the crowd to subside and take a later shuttle auto. Both Mukundan and Guru were from Chennai and Mukundan was originally from Srirangam, Trichy (my beloved!) and we found more topics to connect on.  When I told them that I must first book myself a room in a private hotel, they said it was quite a busy weekend, and chances were slim I would get a decent accommodation at any reasonable rates. They then offered “Why don’t you stay with us as we have a place reserved at the official guest house that can accommodate more guests”. Again, I went with the flow and decided to check this out. 

The shared auto arrived then and we got in. Their pleasant company and the serenity of Mantralayam made me forget the bumpy ride. They said they visit Mantralayam every year and knew the place inside out. They normally come in a group of 3 but the third member could not join that time. I spent am amazing 2 days in Guru Si Raghavendra swamy’s presence with two ardent devotees. The bath in Tungabhadra River, the morning darshans are all still etched in my mind! 

What was remarkable was when they told me that night over a conversation: “Our close friend Ramana (yes, that was their friend’s name!) would have joined us this time as well but unfortunately could not do so. You, his namesake, joining us makes us so happy”. Some may call it coincidence but for me it is Guru Kripa.

I am reminded of these lines from Gurudevi Janaky Matha in her Sri Ramana Dhyanam:

பக்தர்கள் இஷ்டப்படி பலவித ரூபமாக

தரிசனம் அளித்திடும் சர்வசக்தன் என்று..

உரைத்திடுவாய் ஜிஹ்வே ரமணர் மகிமை தன்னை…

(The all-powerful who manifests to his devotees in whichever form they wish…let the tongue state the glory of Bhagavan sri Ramanar…)