Incidents from Bhagavan's Life

Sri Ramana Maharshi

From Annamalai Swami's Diary Extracts

One evening, while we were all sitting on the hill, Bhagavan told us about two incidents which had happened at Virupaksha Cave. 

'In my early years here I was once sitting on a rock on the hill when a boy came up to see me. He was about 8 years old. 

Seeing me he said with great pity, 'Swami, why did you come away like this to live alone without any clothes?' 

I gave him an answer which would satisfy his mind. 'The elders in my house became angry with me. So I left and came here.' 

The boy asked, 'Swami, what do you do for food?' 

I replied, 'If somebody gives me some, I take it. Otherwise I don't eat.' The boy was shocked that I had to live such an arduous life.

 'Aiyo' he exclaimed. 'You come with me. I will talk to my boss and get you a job. If you work just for food for a few days, he will give you a salary later.' 

I responded to his offer by remaining silent. 

On another day, as I was sitting on a bench at Virupaksha Cave, a small boy came up to me and stared at me for a long time. Then he cried and sobbed violently. 

Palaniswami, who was inside the cave, came out and asked him, 'Why are you crying?' 

'I feel a great pity when I look at him.', said the boy. And then he carried on sobbing. 

Sri Bhagavan, as he often did when he told stories, enlivened his narrative by acting out the parts of the people in the story. In this particular case he gave a good imitation of the boy's words and sobs.