Published by
V. S. RAMANAN
President, Board of Trustees
SRI RAMANASRAMAM
Tiruvannamalai 606 603
S. India
Typeset at:
Sri Ramanasramam
Offset by:
Kartik Offset Printers
Madras - 600 015
PREFACE
The mind seeks to define the infinite. In doing so it has
used its own resources to bring down Supreme Truth in a simple
and yet potent language. Scattered throughout the religious
scriptures of India, parables and stories abound, weaving a
colourful thread around the most profound spiritual truths of
mankind. Handed down from parent to child these religious
treasures of India remain a relevant force today. Sivaprakasam Pillai, one of the earliest devotees to recognise
the spiritual greatness of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi,
commented “Sri Ramana Bhagavan has attained the state of Brahman without knowing the word Brahman.” For it was not
until years later, that books were brought to Sri Bhagavan by
devotees, describing the very state he himself had intuitively
experienced. With his pure and retentive memory, he retained
the essence of all these books at a glance, and brought forth at a
moment’s notice, the perfect story or parable suitable to the
occasion. In Sri Ramana’s own words the beauty and wisdom
contained in such stories are made ever more beautiful and the
essence made even clearer.
Sri Bhagavan would not only tell the story but would act
out the part to the delight of his devotees. If the story was
particularly moving, tears would flow freely from his eyes. “Such
was the attraction of these stories”, Kunju Swami related, “that
when we heard Sri Bhagavan beginning a story, even if we had
heard it numerous times before, we would literally stop whatever
we were doing and run to his side to hear it again!” S. S. Cohen
in Guru Ramana relates, “Bhagavan was reciting from memory
a poem of a Vaishnava Saint, in which occurred the words,
‘Fold me in Thy embrace, O Lord’, whereupon the arms of
Bhagavan joined in a circle round the vacant air in front of
him, while his eyes shone with devotional fervour and his voice
shook with stifled sobs which did not escape our notice. It was
fascinating to see him acting the parts he related, and being in
such exhilarated moods as these.” On another occasion while
Bhagavan was reading and explaining a story about Tara Vilasam
his eyes became full of tears and his voice became tremulous. It
looked as if the whole drama was being enacted in his presence.
Noticing this Suri Nagamma remarked, “Bhagavan appears to
have been transformed into Tara herself.” Pulling himself
together the master said with a smile, “What to do? I identify
myself with whosoever is before me, I have no separate identity.
I am universal.”
At the suggestion of Mrs. Lucia Osborne, we have included
the incidents which inspired Sri Bhagavan to relate the story. A
few new stories have been added, along with a glossary of
Sanskrit and Tamil words. Special thanks must be made to
Sri S.Tyagarajan who with great care went over the entire
manuscript with Sri Kunju Swamigal. Sri Kunju Swamigal’s
unfailing enthusiasm and keen interest helped us greatly.
With deepest salutations this little work is offered to
Sri Bhagavan, whose guidance, grace and love has prompted
this collection of stories. We pray for the grace and blessings of
Bhagavan Sri Ramana. May his words inspire us to turn within.
Sri Ramanasramam
Joan Greenblatt
August 5, 1984
FOREWORD
Everyone knows that Sri Bhagavan Ramana was a master
story teller! Sri Ramanasramam publications, like Letters, Day
by Day, and Talks, abound with marvellous accounts of how
Bhagavan picturesquely narrated, rather enacted, incidents that
took place in the lives of sages and saints and traditional stories
of great spiritual content, like the story of Sage Ribhu.
Seeing how the first edition of this book was serving
devotees, the compiler, Mrs. Joan Greenblatt, worked one-
pointed to enlarge and improve it; the result is the excellent
second edition now in your hand!
We hope all seekers will find this book both interesting
and enlightening and partake of the Spiritual Presence which
lies within its pages and the abundant grace of the narrator Sri Ramana Himself!