Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

Lakshmi is the queen amongst the cows, is she not?
You should have seen her grandeur! Her forehead was
smeared with turmeric powder, and adorned with Kumkum.

Around her neck and horns were hung garlands made of
roses and several other flowers, as also those made of edibles,
and sweets. Besides these, garlands made out of bananas,
sugarcane pieces and coconut kernels were put around her
neck. Not satisfied with these, the person in charge of the
animals brought from his own house another garland made
out of some savoury preparation like murukku and placed it
on the neck of Lakshmi. When Niranjananandaswami asked
him what it was for, he replied with justifiable pride that that
was his mamool (yearly custom) to do so. When I saw Lakshmi
thus decorated like Kamadhenu, I was overjoyed and felt
extremely happy.

Bhagavan, who went out at 9-45 a.m., came to the Gosala
(cowshed) at 10 a.m. to shower his blessings on his children
there. While he sat on a chair by the side of Lakshmi, enjoying
the sight of the beautiful decorations on her, the devotees
did arati with camphor, chanted Vedic hymns such as “Na
Karmana” etc. Some devotees said that they would take a
photo of Lakshmi. She was then led into the middle of the
Gosala after asking the devotees who had gathered into a big
group, to step aside. Lakshmi stood there, tossing her head
in a graceful manner. Bhagavan also got up, came, and stood
by the side of Lakshmi, patting her head and body with his
left hand. And when he said, “Steady, please, be steady,”
Lakshmi slowly closed her eyes and remained absolutely quiet
as if she were in a samadhi (trance). Sri Ramana then placed
his left hand on her back, and with his walking stick in his
right, stood in a dignified manner by the side of Lakshmi,
when the photographer took two or three photos. One must
see that sight to appreciate its grandeur fully. Another photo
was taken when Bhagavan was feeding her with his own
hands fruits and sweetmeats. You can see the photos when
you come here. I was reminded of Lord Krishna in Repalle
when I saw the grand spectacle of Bhagavan standing in the
midst of the cows in the Gosala. Not only this, in the Brahma
Vaivartha Purana it is stated that Krishna is the Paramatma,
the Lord of the cow world, and that Radha is Prakriti. The
theory in that Purana is that Radha and Madhava are Prakriti
and Purusha — the inseparable pair. Standing with his body
bent slightly to the left, and with his left hand on Lakshmi,
and with the walking stick in his right hand, looking as if it
was a flute, with a sparkling smile on his face like the foam
on the waves of the ocean of ananda, with a compassionate
look towards the group of devotees that had gathered along
with the herd of cows. It is no surprise if in Sri Ramana, the
embodiment of grace, one were reminded of Lord Krishna
Himself, standing with crossed legs, resting on his toes and
playing exquisitely on the flute. If that Krishna is Ramana,
what are we to say of our Lakshmi who appears to have
been completely oblivious of this world with her ears hanging
down, with her eyes closed and enjoying transcendental bliss
caused by the touch of Bhagavan’s hands on her body? Shall
I say that she is the embodiment of Prakriti in the shape of
Radha? Otherwise, how could she understand human
language?
It is no exaggeration to say that we, with human eyes,
saw in that congregation what is beyond human sight — a
world of cows, and its overlords, Prakriti and Purusha. You
would perhaps laugh at my foolish fantasies, but take it from
me, that sight was so lovely. Every year this worship of the
cow is being performed, but this year Bhagavan gave us this
blissful darshan by standing by the side of Lakshmi, because
the devotees said that they would take a photo of Lakshmi.

What a great day! I am writing to you, because I just could
not contain my joy.