Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

Would Bhagavan tolerate all this? He was always
considerate even to his personal attendants and would never
say emphatically “No” to anything; so he said in a casual
way, “All of you please wait for a while, I will also massage
these legs a little. Should I too not have some of the punyam
(merit)?” So saying, he removed their hands and began
massaging his own legs. Not only was I very much amused
at this but what little desire might have still been lurking in
me to touch Sri Bhagavan’s lotus feet and thus perform
pranam (salutation) was completely obliterated. Bhagavan’s
words have a peculiar charm of their own! Look! He too
wants a little of the punyam! What a delicate hint to those
who have the intelligence to take it!
It was about that time that a retired judge of ripe old
age said, “Swamiji, I should also be given my share of service
to the feet of the Guru.” To this Bhagavan replied. “Oh,
really? Atma-vai guruhu! (Service to Self is service to Guru.)
You are now 70 years of age. You to do service to me? Enough
of that! At least from now onwards, serve yourself. It is more
than enough if you remain quiet.”
When one comes to think about it, what greater upadesa
(teaching) is there than this? Bhagavan says it is enough if
one can remain quiet. It is natural for him to do so, but are
we capable of it? However much we try we do not attain that
state. What else can we do than depend upon Sri Bhagavan’s
Grace?