Residing in the Front Hall

Bhagavan spent the whole day time in the new hall of the temple on the Mahapuja day and returned to the Golden Jubilee hall for the night. The work in the new hall was finished a week later.

Bhagavan spent the whole day time in the new hall of the temple on the Mahapuja day and returned to the Golden Jubilee hall for the night. The work in the new hall was finished a week later. Some devotees felt that the Golden Jubilee Hall would be more comfortable for Bhagavan and pointed this out to the office people. The Sarvadhikari, however, desired that Bhagavan should be seated only in the front hall of the temple. So, he approached Bhagavan one morning with his attendants and told him that on Jyeshta Suddha Panchami (the 5th day of the lunar month of Jyeshta), i.e., on Wednesday, 1-6-1949, at 10 a.m., he would make all the arrangements for Bhagavan to sit on the Yogasana (couch) in the new hall and would Bhagavan be pleased to occupy that seat. Bhagavan in his usual disinterested manner, said, “What have I to say in the matter? I will sit wherever all of you want me to sit.” “That is why we have all come here to beg of you to come to the new hall,” they said. Bhagavan nodded his head in assent.

On the morning of the first instant, decorative designs of lime powder were drawn on the floor around the front

hall and strings of green leaves were tied in a row to the doors and windows. On the Yogasana, a mattress of silk cotton with a covering of satin cloth was spread and at the back a broad pillow was laid. A silk bed sheet covered the mattress. It was also prettily decorated. Abhishekam and other Pujas were being performed in the temple, the bells were ringing, arathi (light) with camphor was being waved, when at 9-45 a.m, Bhagavan, who was returning from the Gosala, was led with Purnakalasa (vessels full of water) and with brahmins chanting the Vedas, to the front hall and was requested to sit on the Yogasana. After the recital of ‘Nakarmana’ and other mantras, and the waving of camphor lights, and after all the devotees had prostrated before him, Bhagavan sat on the couch arranged for him.

I sat in the hall reflecting on the whole scene as follows: Vidyaranya began the building of a city in the shape of a chakra (wheel) but did not succeed. He had, however, written about it, saying that in the future some emperor would do it. Ganapati Muni had that in mind and so wrote in “Arunachala Ashtakam” (Eight verses in praise of Arunachala), beginning with: “Sree chakrakriti shona shaila vapusham”.

In accordance with that sentence, he said, “This hill itself is in the shape of a chakra, so this is the place meant by Vidyaranya. Bhagavan is the emperor and the only thing that remains is to build houses around.” So saying, he drew up plans for the proposed kingdom but disappointed us ultimately as he passed away before the plans could be executed. The Sarvadhikari, however, built a temple over the Samadhi of his mother, made the front hall the chief place of the empire, constructed a stone seat like the throne of Vikramarka for Bhagavan to sit on; all according to Ganapati Muni’s great dreams. His desires have been fulfilled and the Emperor amongst Yogis, Sri Bhagavan, is seated there, like real the Sadasiva.

While I was thus absorbed in my own thoughts, the Stapathi and others came with a plate containing fruits, flowers and other auspicious articles and got them touched by Bhagavan; they then went out through the southern doorway. I did not understand what it was all about. Bhagavan was looking with steadfastness in that direction. With a desire to know what it was about, I went out and saw opposite the doorway and in the open courtyard a huge stone. They smeared on it turmeric powder and kumkum, placed on it a flower garland, broke some coconuts on it, lit some camphor and began chiselling it. When I asked somebody what it was, I was told that it was for making a statue of Bhagavan. My heart throbbed with misgivings. You may ask, why? I felt disturbed because it is known to us all that Bhagavan is sick. Under these circumstances I began to wonder why a statue was being thought of. Comforting myself with several explanations, I came to Bhagavan’s presence and sat down. Bhagavan noticed all my misgivings and my troubled mind. In the meantime the function relating to the statue was over and they all came in. The bell in the dining hall rang and all dispersed. But somehow my mind continued to be troubled. When I entered in the afternoon at 3 p.m. Bhagavan told us some stories and made me forget the matter. I will write about all those things in another letter.