Letter From A Holy Man

 When I was in twenties, some one told me of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Then and there I left Kashmir and went to South India. From Madras I took another train for Tiruvannamalai. There I took a cart and reached the blessed Sri Ramana ashram.

 As I entered the Hall I saw Bhagavan seated on a sofa with his legs stretched. I was thrilled with joy on having darshan of Bhagavan, who asked me to sit in front of himself. I sat and gazed on the Feet of Bhagavan and entered the blissful state of samadhi.

 I felt those golden days were indeed divine. I used to go on Arunachala Hill with Bhagavan. Bhagavan used to sit on a rock and I would be seated at his Feet.

 One day I was overjoyed by the nearness of Bhagavan and composed these slokas to offer them to Bhagavan:

 "There are four kinds of body: the gross (sthula), the subtle (sukshma), the causal (karna) and the void (sunya). For Sages (achalanam, lit. those who are motionless) as well (there are four kinds of body).

 "Transcending these (four kinds of body) is the great Hill Arunachala, which is praised as the form of the all­knowing Supreme (lit. the form of the supreme Knower).

 "We worship Sri Ramana, who blissfully abides in His own true nature (swarupa), which is named Arunachala, the foremost among the foremost of Hills."

 I take refuge of a great personage Maharshi Ramana who had realized his identity with the Lord. I utter the name of accomplished yogi Maharshi Ramana ceaselessly. I always contemplate on Maharshi Ramana the realized soul. I offer my salutations to celestial being Maharshi Ramana whole heartedly.

 When these slokas were placed before Bhagavan. He was so pleased that he explained them to the devotees who were seated in the Hall.

 Some of His devotees took a camera to take a picture of Bhagavan on Arunachala Hill. At that time Bhagavan addressed me: "Lakshmanjoo! Lakshmanjoo! Sit here by my side. This man is going to take a picture of us. "I cannot express how Divine were those days of my stay at Sri Ramana ashram and how kind was Bhagavan to me.

 I have received the copies of The Mountain Path and also the issue of April }83 (p. 105) in which I am seated at the Divine Feet of Bhagavan Ramana.

 Eleanor Pauline Noye, who is seen in the picture of Bhagavan's group, shed tears of joy when I was seated in front of Bhagavan. Those were golden days for me when I was near Bhagavan, my Divine Lord!
 

 Yours as ever,

 In the name of Bhagavan Ramana

 Swami Lakshmanjoo