your own

On the eve of Dasarah I was asked to translate into Telugu an article on Sri Bhagavan by his English devotee, Major A. W. Chadwick, who after rendering distinguished service in the first World War turned spiritual and was drawn to Sri Bhagavan and has since remained at His feet permanently. When I went to the Ashram during Dasarah vacation, I learnt that my Telugu rendering was felt to be somewhat prosaic. It was suggested that I might try to put the same ideas in Telugu poetry. The article and its translations in different languages were meant to be used for the coming Shashti-purti (Diamond Jubilee) celebration of Sri Bhagavan. So the Ashram authorities were in a great hurry to get them printed. On the morning of October 17th, in the inspiring presence of Sri Bhagavan, I read them out in the Hall. When I came to the fifteenth verse which stated:

"On this occassion (Shashti-purti) as we gather at the feet of Sri Bhagavan, we should neither discuss philosophy nor estimate our individual progress in spirituality, but simply pour our hearts out for His gracious condescension in living with us and befriending us these sixty years".

My voice became choked with emotion, and failed. Sri Bhagavan also shed tears. With great difficulty I somehow completed the reading. With Sri Bhagavan's approval, those verses were sent to the press that very day under the title Karuna Purna Sudhabdhi (Nectareous Ocean of Grace).

The next day Sri Bhaagavan casually narrated the story of Mira Bai's visit to her Guruji. The disciples refused permission for darshan on the ground that their Guru would not see the face of a woman.

Mira Bai expressing surprise observed: "I thought that there is only one Purusha (Man) and all the rest of us are women."

When these words were communicated by the disciples to their Guru, he at once realised that Mira Bai was a Jnani and he himself came out and saluted her.

Some time after Sri Bhagavan told this story, as Subbalakshmamma, an old devotee, and myself were discussing it, the idea struck us that according to Mira's saying, Sri Bhagavan is the sole Purusha (Man) and therefore His Shashti purti (completion of sixty years) is specially significant. Subbalakshmamma suggested that I put this idea in a poem. Accordingly, soon after I returned home, I wrote two verses which ran as follows:

1. "Men do marry their own wives at their shashti-purti celebration. Truly we the so-called men and women on earth are all women, and you, Ramana, are the only Purusha (Man)! So at your shashti-purti, you must marry us all who are your own."

2. "For this wedding, O Ramana, you are the bridegroom, you are the priest, you are the congregation, you are the ritual, and the mantra is Silence!"

~ G. V. Subbaramayya, Sri Ramana Reminiscences