Ramana and the monkeys

Perhaps now I can understand why Ramana loved monkeys so much. While reading a book recently (Aghora-III), I was repeatedly educated about Anjaneya (aka Hanuman). Hanuman was born to a langur (a kind of monkey) who was a devotee of Shiva. Let me quote here:

He symbolises the pinnacle of bhakti, and is considered to be the eleventh Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva.

Hanuman is the epitome of wisdom, brahmacharya, bhakti (devotion/faith), valour, righteousness and strength. He is symbolized in Hinduism for his unwavering dedication to righteousness, unstinting performance of entrusted duties, and unfailing talents in serving his chosen master.

Monkeys have always been tolerated, nay revered, in India, as descendants of Hanuman. Hanuman is Shiva, and Hanuman represents bhakti. No wonder Bhagavan loved and respected them!

He is easily reachable — just by chanting the name 'Ram'. Conversely, it is also held that the easiest way to attain Lord Rama is to worship Hanuman — verse 33 of the Hanuman Chalisa begins, "Tumharae bhajan Ram ko paavae", which means "by singing hymns about You, Rama is reached".

Arunachala's Child

2006-09-13 9:59 PM

One fine moment, Lord Arunachala rubbed one foot on the other. Some dust flew off, and settled earthward. Of that dust, was I born.
Arunachala saw that, and exclaimed 'Oh Dear!' in Tamil. Tears trickled down from His gentle eyes, down his cheeks, moistening his white beard, and one fell on earth. It became my heart, which has always beaten for Arunachala.
For many years, i lived in abandon, frolicking, uncaring. But then one day, when the tides turn against one, i looked up searchingly.

And that was when i saw You Father, You who were always with me. You were always mine, always inseparable.

I am Arunachala's child, frolicking on Mother Earth. I am full of joy since I arise from His Holy Feet. I am of Him.

All that I am, belongs to the Glorious Arunachala, my Mother and Father.

A reader blesses us with advice

A kind reader leaves this advice for me

Namaste,

I bless you in remembering Ramana in all activities. 

 

There are many beautiful ways to approach Ramana's love.  Self enquiry happens naturally after offering loving actions and serving him. 

 

The ways of serving a master are nearly infinite, but love is the simplest and most direct way. 

 

There is no need to listen to the cows waiting to be milked at Ramanashram.  Why not proceed to the summit directly? 

 

If you go to Arunachula and serve Ramana with love that is nice also.  And if you are interested in puja and worship then that is something else wonderful.  And singing, and dancing for Ramana is nice if you are lucky to get that. 

 

When you pray to Ramana you are praying to Siva in the form of a certain mountain, Arunachula.  So if you want to learn how to serve Ramana, go to Arunachula and worship the mountain completely, and the mountain will be you direct guru. 

 

It is best not to worry or consider what others do on their path to liberation too much and take what is your path and do it totally and completely, based on love.  If that happens you will go to Ramana personally.

 

I am blessed to hear of your sweet love of Ramana, and I wish you a happy journey to his divine inward gaze.

 

Namaste,

 

All that i really have

Guru,
Your Holy Feet are my treasure, my worldy belongings,
all that i really have,
they are my most beloved,
the song of my heart,
the life that flows in me,
they are the secret of my joy,
of the light in my eyes,
of the smile on my lips,

they are my only belief,
my only religion
they are the only medicine that takes away
the pain of existence

your Holy Feet are all around me
and within, in my heart

your Holy Feet are the sole protector
of all that live
of this world

they are the sole sustenance of this world
they are sunshine, rain, and the mother's milk

O Guru,
Who are You
whose Holy Feet even the devas and Gods,
even Brahman,
gaze at with love and reverence
with tears in their eyes,
Who are You, loving Lord?
 
(2006-09-01 1:06 PM)
--
On this day, August 29, in 1896, sixteen year old Venkataraman Aiyer left Madurai for the sacred Arunachala Hill. He caught a train for Tindivanam but got off at Villupuram. Travelling by foot for 2 days on almost no food, He reached Tiruvannamalai in the forenoon of Sept 1, 1986.

Many years later Venkataraman would be known to the entire world as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and September 1st as the Advent Day. He was destined to be the most respected and beloved of saints and sages, along with Mahatma Buddha.

http://end-to-suffering.blogspot.com/2006/09/bhagavan-reaches-arunachala.html