The Anchor Of The Alarmed

Add as a preferred source on Google

A Guru's abounding Grace is the only refuge for the one drowning in the maladies of life emerging from the matrix of destiny. He is the only ally who allays the worries of his devotees. There is no measure for His magnanimity in stooping down from His elevated state to rush to the cause of His devotees' troubles that in truth are just elements of illusion. Episodes from the life of Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer, a devotee of Ramana Maharshi bring in fresh hopes in the hearts of those who are distressed desperately waiting for His protection.

Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer first visited Ramana in 1907 when He was staying in the Virupaksha cave. Ramaswami Iyer was then suffering from dyspepsia and had come there expecting a cure for his ailment by Ramana. Ramana as usual brushed it away by telling that He was neither a magician nor a doctor! But Ramaswami Iyer would not take 'no' for an answer. Ramana hence told him that the disease is for the body and not for his real 'self' and to have confidence in the fact.

Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer hence threw the burden on Bhagavan and settled down in Thiruvannamalai, on the hill of Arunachala and began visiting Ramana everyday. Once he broke down to Ramana imploring whether there was no hope for him. Bhagavan's heart melted for is He not the only one who is aware of the measure of our strength as to how far can we bear the suffering? Bhagavan replied that there was hope for him as well!

Overwhelmed by Ramana's assurance Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer composed his first song about Bhagavan. Though he knew music and could play the veena, he was not a lyricist. Bhagavan gave him tips with regards to the meter and rhyme and that marked the beginning of his skill in writing songs. The cure to the impending disease came to an end when Ramana and His devotees set out on a picnic to a waterfall near Virupaksha cave. Bhagavan sent Vasudeva Sastri to fetch Ramaswami Iyer. Ramaswami Iyer denied to join and replied that his health would not permit him to savour the eatables prepared by Echamma for the picnic. This time it was Bhagavan's turn to not take 'no' for an answer! As the group ascended the slopes of Arunachala, Bhagavan signalled to Ramaswami Iyer beckoning him to join them.

Ramaswami Iyer also joined the group and relished almost every dish surrendering his fate to Bhagavan. The next morning he woke up afresh with an undisturbed stomach and that was the end of his dyspepsia!

Bhagavan's grace played an active part in different phases of Ramaswami Iyer's life. Once when Ramaswami Iyer reported to Bhagavan about his manager teasing him about him being over paid, Bhagavan remarked what would the manager do if his salary was increased by another fifty rupees? The very next month Ramaswami Iyer's salary was increased miraculously!

Bhagavan once graciously enquired about Ramaswami Iyer' daughter's wedding. He replied that he had deliberately postponed in want of funds. Soon the wedding took place well with the money that arrived from unexpected quarters!

The song 'Saranagati' sung by devotees devotedly to invoke Bhagvan's interference in times of trials was composed by Ramaswami Iyer. Ramaswami Iyer was living in Berhamour, Orissa when some painful sores appeared on his feet which did not heal to any treatment. Out of desperation, he kept praying to Arunachala. One day two men called on him telling that they were from Thiruvannamali and were on a pilgrimage. They further said that Bhagavan Ramana had specifically asked them to visit Ramaswami Iyer on their way. On seeing his feet with sores, they treated them with some simple home remedies that brought about a miraculous cure. There was not a single sore present the next morning. He thus felt that the two men were Ramana's messengers to heal him. He hence spontaneously composed the song 'Saranagati' (My Refuge)

Hence surrendering to Him is the only hope for the afflicted and surrender does brings about miraculous changes, for He is the benevolent boon giver!