The Arrival of the Head of Sivaganga Mutt

After the Puri Sankaracharya left, the conversation naturally turned on his visit.

After the Puri Sankaracharya left, the conversation naturally turned on his visit. A devotee asked Bhagavan, “Amongst the Heads of the various Sankara mutts, is he the only Head that has come here?”

Bhagavan: “When I was in the Virupaksha Cave, the Head of the Sivaganga Mutt1 came there. He is the grandfather of the father of the present Head. Between him and the present Head of the mutt there have been two other Heads.”

Devotee: “Did he ask Bhagavan any questions?”

Bhagavan: “What was there to ask? He was also a wise man and a great Pandit. On seeing me, it seems he told one of those near him, ‘If there is anyone that is happy, it is Ramana’.”

1

Sivaganga Mutt is a branch of the Sringeri Mutt.

Devotee: “Did he stay at the same place as Bhagavan?”

Bhagavan: “No, No. That was a special meeting. He came to town with his disciples, took his lodgings in the choultry (a free lodging house) and invited me to that place. I declined the invitation saying that I had not the required learning to deserve such an honour. Hearing my reply, he himself came to me with his disciples, bringing with him a big platter containing a laced shawl and Rs. 116/- in cash.2 While he was climbing the hill to come to me, I happened to be returning to Virupaksha Cave from Mulaipal Tank. We met midway at a place where there was a tree. He placed the platter before me and requested me to accept the contents but I would not do so. At last, he took back the money and saying that the shawl would be useful to me during the winter, pressed me to accept it. As an outright refusal would not have been quite proper, I accepted the shawl. Subsequently I tore away the lace, got the borders stitched and used it for covering myself whenever necessary. That lace was here till recently. He went away immediately after that. He was very old even by then and passed away within a few days of coming here.”

Devotee: “Did not any of the Heads of the Sringeri Mutt visit you?”

Bhagavan: “No. Narasimha Bharathi tried to come here several times, but did not succeed. It seems he always used to enquire about me.”

Devotee: “Was he an Andhra?”

Bhagavan: “Yes. But why?”

Devotee: “One by name Narasimha Bharathi has written in Telugu a number of beautiful, philosophical songs on Devi

2 It is a custom for Heads of a Mutt to present learned people with money, shawls, titles and the like.

(Devi Nakshtramala). I wanted to know if he were the same and hence the query.”

Bhagavan: “May be. He was a Pandit and a poet also.”

Devotee: “Why could he not come here?”

Bhagavan: “You see, he was the Head of a mutt. They have several regulations. Moreover, people around will not ordinarily allow such things.”

Devotee: “What can the people around do if he is really intent on going?”

Bhagavan: “What you say is something strange. You say what can the people around do? See my own condition. They have put bars around me, though wooden, as in a jail. I may not cross these bars. There are people specially deputed to watch me and they keep watch on me by turns. I can’t move about as I like; they are there to prevent it. One person goes and another comes according to turns. What is the difference between these people and the police except that the former are not in uniform? We are under their protection. Even if I want to go out to answer calls of nature, they must follow me to protect me. Even my going out must be according to the scheduled time. If any one wants to read anything to me or talk to me, they must obtain permission from the office. What do you call all this? What is the difference between this and the jail? It is about the same thing for him (Sankaracharya) too. The headship of a mutt is also a sort of a jail. What can he do, poor man?”

Devotee: “It is perhaps because of that, Ishwara got the name ‘Bhakta Paradheena’ (in the hands of the devotees)?”

Bhagavan: “Yes. That is so. When there is trouble for Swamitvam itself, how much more it should be for Ishwara? He must respond to whosoever calls and by whatsoever name he calls. He must appear in whatever form he is asked to come. He must stay wherever he is asked to stay. If he is

asked not to take one step forward, he must stay wherever he is. Being so dependent on others, what liberty or freedom has he?”