II
His Divine Excellence

"SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI has kept India's spiritual glory
alive in our generation. He has in his own way made the name
of India respected by wise and enlightened men spread all over
the world......"

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Thus spoke Sri C. Rajagopalachari when declaring open
the Pathala Lingam Shrine, once the abode of Sri Ramana
Maharshi.

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi encapsulated the whole
of the Vedas and Upanishads into a simple formula -- his famous
`Who am I??' enquiry. He was too humble to claim any originality
for this. Such enquiry goes beyond the realm of seemingly
impenetrable mysteries. But by the grace of Sri Ramana his
followers unmistakably reach the goal.

During the period of his illness Sri Maharshi appeared
visibly unaffected in spite of the ailment which gave him
excruciating pain. The doctors and other devotees were baffled
by the utmost unconcern demonstrated by Sri Maharshi for
the cruel ailment. The total detachment with which he looked
on his suffering body was unique. By this he demonstrated
practically for our benefit that only the body suffers and the
Atman (Self ) has no share in it.

His radiant face did not show even the least trace of pain.

In fact his eyes sparkled with more divine brilliance than usual.

Despite the pain he was rigidly attending to his daily routine,
like going to the bathroom, attending to important letters, etc.,
without deviating from his characteristic punctuality. "Let the
disease run its course and let the body suffer, but I am ever
immersed in unbroken Bliss" -- such was his attitude.

"A man established in the Self is liberated while in the
body, the fate of the body does not matter": this is the Vedic
truth. Sri Ramana had entirely forgotten all consciousness about
his occupancy in the human frame and automatically the
authorship had no existence at all. He was full of bliss indicating
exuberance. The following episode, which occurred during the
same period was a thrilling sight to witness.

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An old teacher of Sri Bhagavan came to see him. He was
87 and very feeble. Nevertheless an overmastering desire to see
the God-man whom he had once taught in second form, urged
him on to Tiruvannamalai. In Bhagavan's presence, he recalled
an incident from that time with great emotion. Once he had
asked young Venkataraman to stand up on the bench for a
minor misdemeanour. But Venkataraman gazed at him for a
while with such steadiness and power that his (teacher's) will
withered rapidly and he reversed his decision.

It was a touching sight to see the old teacher meet his Seer-

pupil. Then the teacher asked Sri Bhagavan whether he
recognised him. Sri Bhagavan smiled broadly and graciously
and answered: "Why not?" The teacher was visibly moved at
this and he again asked Bhagavan about his health. Sri Bhagavan
replied that he was feeling all right. Throughout this very moving
but short interview Maharshi displayed such graciousness and
cordiality that neither the old teacher nor those who were close
by felt that there was anything wrong with the Maharshi.

These things make us feel that Bhagavan Sri Ramana
Maharshi is a perfect divine incarnation, whose divine excellence
was lying dormant till he left his home.

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