Mum Lioness was hanging up the tiny kaupinams to dry in the sun (though the cubses usually scampered away if she suggested they wear them) when she saw a surprising sight. Creatures of every description were walking and galloping and flying and slithering along, as far as the eye could see.



"Cubs!" she called, knowing they would want to see this beautiful and unusual sight.

Where were those cubs? She had left them in the cave, practicing spelling. When she peeked in for them, there were a few papers on the cave floor, one with jammy pawprints, but no cubs to be seen. She turned and scanned the landscape. Ah ha! Her sharp eyes picked up the glint of Spotty's binocs, high up in a tree.

Quickly, she covered the ground to that tree. Sure enough, all four scamps were up there, exclaiming with delight over the various creatures they could see right to the horizon.

"What about that spelling?" Mum Lioness started with.

"Oh, it is laid down in an ancient text that no one is supposed to study spelling if the shadows of feathered creatures fall over striped creatures ... and through Spottykins' binocs we could see that the shadows of some sparrows were falling on some white tigers.

"Which ancient text is that?" asked Mum Lioness, trying not to smile.

Tiru pretended to be concentrating too hard on something in the distance to hear Mum Lioness' question.

"So many creatures!" she exclaimed.

"They are all bringing poems to Bhagavan for His Jayanti," explained Omcub.

Spotty let Mum Lioness borrow the binocs, and sure enough she could see that every creatures of every size was carrying a piece of paper or bark with something written on it.

In the distance she could see the Gurunathans giving directions to a group of elephants.



A raccoon family who were practicing reciting their poems pointed some tigers toward Virupaksha Cave.



Spotty, who was trying to be helpful to some lost giraffes, got carried quite a distance.



He was finding the ride so exciting he could not hear Mum Lioness and his brothers calling for him to come back. Luckily Uncle Annamalai found him where the giraffe set him down and dashed him back him home.



"We must compose some poems ourselves!" exclaimed the cubs. Paper and pencils were found and the cubs all stretched out in the sun to write.

Bhagavan pours His love on Jayanthi

All had been peaceful on the hill for some time. Uncle Stripes, aka Meditator Tiger, was getting deeper into Self-enquiry. He and Mum Lioness had recorded some of Bhagavan's talks and teachings on Self-enquiry and the mind and the Self, and they would listen to these as they went about their work. It helped them keep their minds on the Self.

At the same time, they had also recorded the Marital Garland of Letters (in Lion language, needless to say) and Bhagavan's other verses to Sri Arunachala, and found that listening to these pressed them deeper into their beloved Bhagavan.

Meanwhile, the various swamis (little Spotty reported) who always had their eyes on what was going on on the hill (through their spies) had noted this and taken appropriate action.

At Swami Treechopananda's ashram, in another part of South India, devotees went about with iPods listening to the swami droning on on various subjects. Many found this to be an unfailing cure for insomnia. The swami himself spent most of his time doing, what Spotty called "podcast-sadhana" (to the delight of the other cubs). Spotty said that every now and then Treechopananda would send his attendant to check if his devotees were doing "iPod-sadhana" or not, and were they doing it just like Bhagavan's lion and tiger devotees do on Arunachala or not.

"What about MiracleAnanda, or whatever his name is now, what is he doing?", asked little Tiru cub impatiently.

Spotty concentrated. Then he said: He has changed his name from EnlightenmentAnanda to ... 2012Ananda!
WHAT !!!?, exploded the cubs.
Yes! He has declared that by 2012, he shall usher in the Age of Enlightenment and then shall be known as SatyugAnanda.

WOW!!, exclaimed the cubs.
Spotty continued: He says he is giving deeksha (transmission) through his podcasts.

Wasn't 'Phone Deeksha' funny enough? laughed one cub.
That we should have 'Podcast-deeksha' now!, added another.
So the iPod shall be the means of global enlightenment, is that it ? asked little Om cub, wrinkling his nose in disapproval.

Mum Lioness peeped in.
What's all the merriment, she asked, and then sat down between the cubs.
"Spotty says that Swami Treechopananda is podcasting for his devotees to do ipod-sadhana," said one cub summarizing.
His devotees have begun calling him "PodcastAnanda", said Spotty seriously.

Little Om cub then went scampering off and came back with Collected Works of Sri Ramana. The cubs wanted to hear Mum Lioness reading the verses Bhagavan had composed to Sri Arunachala.

The cubs gazed at Bhagavan's picture as Mum Lioness read Bhagavan's words of love for Sri Arunachala.

It was Bhagavan's birthday today, and Bhagavan's pictures were pouring with even more love than they normally did, or so it seemed.
Bhagavan is pelting us with darts of love, exclaimed little Om cub.

It truly was so.

As Mum Lioness read Bhagavan's verses to Sri Arunachala, it seemed as though Bhagavan was pouring more and more love onto them. The words (once spoken by Bhagavan) were touching Bhagavan's heart again, Bhagavan's heart was overflowing with love for His Beloved Arunachala, and for His dear devotees.
Bhagavan IS sitting with us and listening, whispered Arunacub, as Mum Lioness finished one composition.
The others nodded. Bhagavan's presence among his devotees was evident.

The cubs silently wished that the verses would never end, that Mum Lioness would keep reading forever, and they could look into Bhagavan's eyes forever, feeling His unending love.

Discipline on the Hill

Mama Hippolyta had actually lost a lot of weight and was looking healthy. The cubs had verified this fact.
Earlier, little Spotty had been telling them how this happened, and since it was very hard to believe, therefore they had to go bouncing over to Rumple and Crumple's to see if this had actually happened.

Spotty had talked of how Mama Hippo had sat in Bhagavan Ramana's presence praying to Him to help her lose some weight. And one point, Bhagavan looked into her eyes. She felt something at that moment. When she returned she found her appetite had reduced considerably. And she had confided in Spotty that with losing weight, her devotion for Bhagavan was increasing by leaps and bounds. The more her mind focussed on Bhagavan, the less interest she had in bingeing.

Spotty then said he told Mama Hippo that if we focus our minds on Bhagavan with love, our attachments and longings will reduce. And at the same time, Bhagavan will be able to take over and look after the things we release and surrender to Him.

Mama Hippo had said she had never heard such a beautiful thing, but Spotty was quite sure that it was only that she was now more receptive. Spotty then told the cubs that Bhagavan is always shining, it's up to us not to cover Him with our egos.

Bhagavan does not hide from us, we hide from Him, Spotty said quite emphatically.

Then Mum Lioness announced that is was time for all little cubs to have their nails clipped and filed or else she might have to have a word with Bhagavan!
There were groans and excuses. (Some cubs possibly wanted this matter to be escalated to Bhagavan, so they could sit on His lap and get a loving scolding from Him!). But then Spotty told his brother cubs that if they did not cut and file their paw nails some "innocent cweechers could get scwatched", and hearing that all the cubs immediately lined up and put their little lion paws forward.

Spotty shares his dream with the other cubs

Mum Lioness peeked outside to see what the cubs were up to. Spotty was speaking in hushed whispers. Seemed he was recounting a dream to the other cubs.

I was going past this big house. There were signs outside. One said "Instant Enlightment -- 5 days for Indians". The cubs giggled at the "Instant Enlightenment".
Another sign said "Enlightenment - only 21 days for foriegners"
There were huge sums of money mentioned.
On the gate was a sign saying "Swami Enlightenmentananda".

Om cub asked, how much money.
Oh, they were really large figures, i can't count that much. But there were many zeros.
Oh, that's big, said Tirucub.
The one for Indians said rupees, the other one said dollars.

Then i went past a window, and the Swami was sitting in front of a safe. The safe was open,
(The cubs' eyes opened wide).
There was a lot of money inside, but there was something different about the notes. This was ego money.
What!!!! asked the cubs, what's ego money?"

Well, explained Spotty, it sort of had ego written all over it. Like the money paid by the seekers gets converted to ego. It inflated the ego of the Swami!

Then I peeked into the other rooms where the participants were sitting. I could see that they were looking quite happy.

Arunacub interjected: Yes, the ego is getting happy, since it is getting inflated.
Om cub added: Participants come to these programs for Instant Enlightenment, but their egos get inflated, and they feel happier.
Tiru asked: So they are paying to have their egos inflated? Then the programs should be called: Instant Ego-inflatenment !

The cubs laughed at this.

Then Spotty continued:
The Swami was charging more for giving the participants the ablity to heal others and pass bliss onto others.

Ah, a big ego trap, observed little Omcub sagely.

Some sort of special connection to some divine force, added Spotty.

A neat way of getting more people to hear of this Swami, so they can come to him for Instant ego-inflatenment, remarked Tirucub.

You mean like whenever you see someone unhappy or unwell you offer healing, and then start telling them about Swami EnlightenmentAnanda, asked Arunacub

Precisely. Subtle is it not, asked Tirucub. As against just going around stopping people and telling them about him.

So what else happened in the dream, asked Om cub impatiently.

Oh, yes I just remembered. These people were going in for instant enlightenment and their heads were swelling up. I just knew that their heads were getting filled up with --

EGO, the other cubs shouted.

Spotty: Some were shouting, I am enlightened, I am enlightened.
Others were looking sad, and were being told that they have to submit to Swami EnlightenmentAnanda in order to get enlightened. Only if they accepted him as God would they be enlightened.

How did Swami Enlightenmentananda look, asked Omcub.

Well, if you took ego-stuff and made a human being out of it -- that's how he would look. But the people around him were saying how handsome he is looking, and how beautiful his wife was.

Wife!!! shouted the cubs.

Yes, did i not say there was a wife, too. Really filled out, like Mama Hippolyta.

The cubs laughed.

Truth to tell, I thought it was Mama Hippo wearing a saree.

(At this, even Mum Lioness, preparing idlies, burst into laughter).

They were very fancily dressed up - aspensive clothes, jewelry, sitting on a throne.

A THRONE!! shouted the cubs.

Yup, did i not say so earlier. Everything there was stinking of ego.

Ego has an awful smell, observed little Omcub wrinkling his tiny nose. Worse than poo.

Only Bhagavan Ramana can destroy the ego, stated Arunacub. Those who surrender to Him, will be realized. Maybe one or two more can, too. The rest will only inflate the ego.

Spotty said: In the dream there was talk of Swami Enlightenmentananda causing global enlightenment.

Omcub almost choked on this. It looks like he is preventing it!

Bhagavan Ramana is the only one who can bring about global enlightenment. But He never speaks about such things. He is the highest power, way way above and beyond a jnani, said Arunacub.

Bhagavan sees all as realized, explained Tirucub.

There was one very disturbing thing about the dream, said Spotty. There was a constant fighting of animals going on. Dogs barking at each other ferociously and biting each other. Monkey fighting viciously.

Bad energy over there, observed Om cub.
Very bad energy! added Arunacub.
A clear sign, said Tirucub, Humans can be hypnotised and brainwashed, but animals can't. This shows that the energy at this Swami Egoananda's -- (the cubs burst into fits of laughter) -- was not good energy. Had it been, the animals would have been living peacefully like they do on Arunachala, especially in the vicinity of Bhagavan Ramana.

At that moment, Uncle Stripes appeared, and sat down along with the cubs.

Unca Stripes, is there anyone other than Bhagavan Ramana who can help people realize the Self.

I sure hope so, cubs. But it seems that most poeple are only amassing a fortune at the expense of others. Some may be realized, but can they help others ? Bhagavan certainly has, and can.

People say Self-enquiry is difficult, is that true, Unca Stripes, asked Arunacub.

Maybe for those who are not devoted to Bhagavan. I think they will find it harder to disengage from the mind and be by themselves. The ego is a very attractive thing. However, there is only one thing in this world that is more attractive than the ego. And that is our Father Arunachala Ramana. If you love Him, you will believe and follow his words. When he says you are not the mind, you will be able to disengage from the mind. If devotion is not there, the ego will keep pulling you, and the instruction "I am not the mind" will fail.

When deep devotion is there, we will do anything to find the real Bhagavan, even detach from thoughts. If that longing to be one with the real Bhagavan is not there, what incentive have we, to detach from the mind which can be so attractive.

What if we have devotion, but can't do Self-enquiry? asked the cubs.

That's okay. Since your aim is to defeat the ego and be one with Him. He is clearly guiding your life already. He is already holding your hand and carrying you. Keeping one's thoughts on Bhagavan, or in silence seeking the Self, are both ways that allow Bhagavan's grace to flow in, although like sunlight, His grace is always there.

So you little cubs are doing just fine -- melting lovingly into the Self.

The sadhu with healing powers

Little leopard cub Spotty had just come from a long walk. He had come across a strange new sadhu and was telling his lion cub brothers about the sadhu in hushed whispers lest Mum Lioness hear.

The sadhu had formidable healing powers. He claimed he could heal by just placing his hands on people. That is great said little Arunacub. He could go around the country healing everyone. Soon everyone in the world will be healed.
Tiru suggested that the sadhu could join them at their Hopsibal for Animals and heal patients sitting in one place. He would get all the idlis and sambar he could eat in exchange.
Then Spotty told the cubs that there was one problem -- the sadhu charged a great deal for his healing.
Immediately, little Omcub got annoyed and asked (or said), why do people charge for something like that?
Yes, added Tiru, what does it cost him to heal a patient, he just puts his hand on them. How did he get this power, anyway?
Spotty replied that it was some divine power that came to him suddenly. I cant rememeber the details, he said, a lot of big words, but in a nutshell, he said it was something divine.
Then he must not charge, said Tiru.

Maybe there is some reason for charging, thought Om cub aloud. Can you guys think of some valid reasons? Ok, lets play a game.

All the cubs' ears perked up at the mention of a game. They all looked at Om cub.

Tiru, Arunacub and Spotty will pretend to be sadhus or swamis who charge money. You have to give me reasons why you wish to charge money. I will try to counter your reasons.
The cubs peeked to see that Mum Lioness was out of earshot. And then the game began.

We swamis need to earn so we can eat and live, said Arunacub.

It is said, said little Om, that the universe takes care of those who are realized or enlightened. You do not need to take money from people. Bhagavan does not.

What if we are not realized?, tried Aruna.

Oh, that's like the blind leading the blind, replied Omcub.

Tirucub remembered Swami Miracleananda and said, We gurus need to ensure that only serious aspirants come to us. If we don't charge then the whole world will come, and the serious person will never get a chance. In the beginning our deekshas were free but people did not take it seriously, so we had to charge.

Omcub: If you are what you claim you are, then the serious will find their way. The universe or God will ensure that. Even in Bhagavan's case, the serious are finding their way from near and far. Some take months to reach here by ship. A few oddballs do come, but they disappear and don't come back.

Arunacub: But we need money to conduct programs so people know what we are talking about.

Omcub: Wait, there is the internet. If you put your content on the internet the whole world can read it, without having to travel large distances.

Tirucub: But a website costs money, does it not?

Omcub: er ... Isn't our blog free? Mum said it was free! There are free websites. If you have good content, a free website will attract serious seekers. However, its when you don't, that you need to make expensive websites. That's just a marketing gimmick to cover up for lack of real content.

Spotty: There is that karma thing, too!

Omcub: what karma thing?

Spotty: One healer said that healing transfers karma from the patient to the healer. To offset that transfer the patient should pay money to the healer.

Omcub (suppressing laughter): A jnani has NO karma. So what karma transfer are we talking about.

Spotty: But that healer said that if no charge is taken then the healer would have to be born again many times so that the patient can repay him!

Omcub: That way every act of kindness would result in a person having to come back again and again. I think, but we will have to ask Mum Lioness, that if the healer heals without expecting any result, then he need not worry about any karmic baggage.

Even the Buddha never took money. Nor did Jesus. The Buddha walked all his life in the heat and cold spreading his message free of cost. So did all his followers. They took his message to most of Asia on foot!

Arunacub: Yes, but nothing is free today!

Omcub: You mean things were free earlier? You mean in the times of the Buddha things were free?

All the cubs got thoughtful, then Tirucub broke the silence saying, "I guess not. There has been money for several thousand years, so I doubt anything would have been free in the Buddha's time."

There was more silence, then Arunacub spoke: But some swamis and gurus do furlandthropressed work

(Mum Lioness suddenly peeked in the door and corrected Arunacub: philanthropic work)

Aw, Mum Lioness, you were listening! Come on in and join us!, shouted the cubs racing into her lap.

Omcub: But most of that goes in grand temples built in their name

Arunacub: Not all of them. One or two ackshlly do good furl ... flir .. philandthropressic work

Omcub: Still ... one need not charge for healing and just having darshan. If a jnani ackshlly does phil ... good work for others, won't the universe bring him money through donations to do his or her good work.

Tirucub: that's a point. When Bhagavan requires anything for His devotees or visitors, it just arrives. Mum Linoess and Unca Stripes say that Bhagavan never had to ask.

At that moment they heard a sound and turned. Unca Stripes came in wiping his brow.

Unca Stripes, shouted Omcub, if you become enlightened will you charge people money?

Unca Stripes behaved like he had been hit by a storm. He sat down took a deep breath, and then asked: What for, my dear?

Tiru explained: For you know, healing people, giving darshan, letting people see you and stuff like that.

Unca Stripes exploded: Good Lord NO! Perish the thought.
But first of all, should i ever become enlightened, and i have hardly the foggiest idea what that means ... I should just spend my life at Bhagavan's dear Feet. As a matter of fact, all I want is to melt into our Father's dear Feet! Oh, what a delicious thought!

Mum Lioness smiled in agreement.

Unca Stripes burst into laughter. He said, how hilarious, if enlightenment means the ego is dead and gone, should I tell people something like: Hey people, come and see me, my ego is gone, and by the way, you will have to pay to see my egoless self.

The cubs laughed. Then Unca Stripes continued, little cubs, I know very little about anything, but I do know this, that our Father Ramana is the standard, the gold standard, by which I would judge enlightened beings.
If Bhagavan does not do something like charge money or perform miracles or conduct enlightenment programs, then I see no reason for anyone else to.
If Bhagavan does something like meet anyone who comes, day or night, then I see no reason why other sages cannot. That's just my way of looking at it. Of course, Bhagavan cannot see anyone as apart from Himself, so He would never talk like this.

Mum Lioness then said, Annamalai Swamy sent some delicious fruit over, the one that Bhagavan loves. I put them in the milkshake. Anyone ready for some?

They all made a mad dash for the kitchen. As always they first prayed to Bhagavan to bless the milkshake before having it. When little Omcub gave the signal, they knew that it had been blessed, and began.

Sivaprasad tells his tale

Luckily when the cubs got back to the cave, Mum Lioness was so touched by the gift of the stone Bhagavan Ramana's foot had touched that after she had lifted it and kissed it, she could find no fault at all with the cubses or with any part of their story.

When they described Sivaprasad's expression when they had given their first roar, Mum Lioness just smiled and the cubses went on with their story. They told about Spotty, unable to hold back his Father's name.

"Ah, Bhagavan appeared just then, did He?" Mum Lioness asked, licking each cub to freshen them up (and also because they all tasted of Bhagavan).

"I wonder what happened after Sivaprasad followed Bhagavan down the hill," said Arunacub.

"I just want to peek and see if he is still with our Father," said Spotty. He ran to get his binocs, which Tiru had borrowed recently for some birdwatching.

The other cubses followed along behind Spotty, who scrambled up to a special spot where he knew he could sometimes see Bhagavan. He lifted the binocs and peered in, and then a huge smile spread across his face.



"What? What?" the other cubs asked, eager to know what was going on.

Spotty was smiling too happily and hugely to talk, but he passed the binocs to each of his brothers.



"I didn't know Bhagavan had binocs!" exclaimed Omcub.

Mum Lioness, who could hear cub conversations very clearly, even when the cubs were quite a distance away, came bounding up the steep hillside to take a turn as well.

After a while, Bhagavan set the binoculars down.

"No sign of Sivaprasad," said Tirucub.

Mum Lioness could see the cubs would not be able to concentrate on their writing now, so when they turned to her with wistful expressions, not needing to say a word because Mum Lioness could always recognize the look that said, "Oh please let us go and gaze at Bhagavan a little!" she gave a small purr of assent.

The cubs did a small joyful dance and then scampered down the hill. In case Bhagavan was resting, they approached quietly.

Tirucub put his paw to his lips and the others stepped even more quietly, careful not to snap any twigs.

There was Sivaprasad, pouring out his tale to Bhagavan.



"First," he was saying, "I was just trying to get the names and addresses of some monkeys who were not taking the matter seriously when I heard a most alarming sound. I looked up and saw in the distance a huge crowd of lions that were not of normal lion size. They were seventy or eighty feet tall! I could not count them, but there must have been ten or twelve, maybe more. Just when I was trying to decide if it would help at all to climb a tree, I saw a lioness of regular size who appeared to be IN CHARGE of these giant terrifying other lions. I heard her address them sternly and they vanished! All I could see then was the cubs of the lioness whom I had met earlier. A very nice little family indeed, and very generous. I am surprised their little hearts did not stop when those vast and towering other creatures were looming over them. What if the tiny cubs had been stepped on! No wonder the lioness got so fierce, though how she dared to, I can't imagine! Then, just when I thought the lioness had got the situation under control, there was further growling from a tree!"

The cubs were stuffing their paws into their mouths in a desperate attempt not to burst out laughing.

Bhagavan kept his loving gaze on Sivaprasad until he had come to the end of his harrowing tale. Then Bhagavan nodded but did not comment. Sivaprasad prostrated at His feet and offered the Ramana Munch. Bhagavan took a little taste and said, "Take the rest to your little daughter. Oh, and perhaps a piece each for the cubs." He turned to the bushes where they had been hiding and smiled, then reached for the binoculars and gestured for the cubs to come forward and take turns looking through them.

Sivaprasad is ambushed

Sivaprasad, the official from the Census Bureau, thanked the cubs and Mum Lioness for the Ramana Munches, and took their leave.

As he turned the bend, the cubs ran out and immediately Om'ed themselves into huge 17 foot tall lions. Mum Lioness came running outside and scolded them and told them to instantly return to their normal selves.
(Truth to tell, she was probably quite frightened of them herself)

The cubs looked dismayed and Om'ed themselves back to their original tiny selves. As Mum Lioness went out of sight thinking this was the end of the matter, little Spotty insisted that the cubs at least try something in between, like 2-year old lion cubs. Spotty insisted he would take the responsibility if Mum Lioness got to the end of her tether.

So all four gave a glance cave-ward and then Om'ed themselves into 2-year old lions. Omcub went in for a really bushy set of whiskers, Arunacub decided on a large dark mane, and Tirucub on a large bushy tail with spikes. Spotty opted for two extra large teeth like the sabre-toothed cat. The four cubs loped across the hill. They spotted Sivaprasad walking slowly adjusting his sheets of paper looking as important and busy as he could when he walked past anyone.

Staying downwind they ran around him and got ahead. Then they stood behind a bush awaiting him. Om decided they would look larger if they sat atop a tree, so they took their positions on a tree.

(Huge terrifying lionses)

As Sivaprasad approached Tiru roared. Sivaprasad looked up, and dropped his papers out of fright.

"We are the huge terrifying lions!", announced Om cub in a daunting voice.
"You cannot proceed!", roared Spotty bearing his fangs.

Sivaprasad stood rooted and speechless. Then he laughed and said, "I know the magic word."

"There is no magic word", said Arunacub.

"Ah, i remember it. It is ......"
"Yes?" said the cubs.
"It is ...... got it .... Arashaboom!"
"NO!"
"A ..... A .... Agapanthus!"
"No!", laughed the cubs.
"A ... Arkansas? .... Australia? ..... Ar ... Ar ... Argentina? ... Alaska?"
Every name he could think of was rejected by them.

"It's on the tip of my tongue -- what was the name of those cubs? er ... Spotty something, Om something ....Let me check my sheets."

But Spotty pounced on the sheets and grrr'ed at Sivaprasad and would not let him come closer.

(Tiru roars at Sivaprasad)

"What is that in your other hand?" enquired Spotty.
"That I cannot give you. It's the most delicious thing in the whole world!"
"If you hand that over, we may let you leave!", said Tiru.
"Under no circumstances. I am saving that for my little daughter."
"A noble thought", observed Omcub.
"Its somethig called ... er ... yes Ramana Munch", said Sivaprasad.

Then suddenly Sivaprasad said, "Yes, that's one name - Ramana! I was told you would let me pass if I said Ramana! Tell me what is your name ?", he asked Spotty.
"Well, I don't really have a name" said Spotty.
"Who is your father?" asked Sivaprasad triumphantly.
"er .. er"
"Yes, who is your father? -- quick!"
"I can't lie. My father is Lord Aru--"

As he said that they heard a rustle in the distance. They all looked in the direction of the sound. It was Bhagavan Ramana coming for a walk!

Quickly Tirucub jumped down and explained to Sivaprasad, "Sir, we were not troubling you at all. We were testing whether you remembered the name or not. Now you will never forget the Lord's name."
"If we had not tested you, you would have forgotten the name, and let's say you really ran into a problem like say ... you got a blister or stubbed your toe... what would you have done then?" added Arunacub, a little nervous with Bhagavan approaching.

Spotty was thinking of hiding behind a bush but it was already too late. Bhagavan had spotted them and was coming close.

As Bhagavan came near, the four cubs fell at His Feet saying "Beloved Father!"
Perhaps Bhagavan knew what was going on, for He did not call their names. He winked and asked "How are you, huge terrifying lions?"
The lions were speechless.

"May I pass?", asked Bhagavan with a smile. "I do know the password. It is Arunachala, is it not?"

Then He turned to Sivaprasad and said, "Come with me, I will show you the way". Turning back, He said to the cubs "Give my regards to Mum Lioness Arunachala!"

Sivaprasad was a little confused. Maybe in a few days the truth would strike him. He quietly followed Bhagavan down the hill.

The cubs watched Bhagavan intently as He walked down till He went out of sight. Then they sniffed and kissed His footprints.
Tiru picked up a pebble saying Bhagavan had put His foot on it. "This is for Mum" he said. "Mum must be waiting, let's get back fast. And take this for Unca Stripes, Arunacub."
The cubs sprinted back to the cave each wanting to be the first to tell Mum Lioness what had happened, even if it meant a scolding.

Mum, Is it Bhagavan's birthday ?

Everyday the little cubs would wake up and the first question they would ask Mum Lioness was "Dearest Mum Lioness, is it Bhagavan's birthday today?"

Mum Lioness would say, "No, little cub. Bhagavan's birthday is on the 25th"

Then they would ask, "Mum Lioness, is it the 25th today ?"

"No, it's ... " she would glance at the calendar and say " about two and a half weeks from now".


The cubs were looking forward to Bhagavan's birthday. Each of them was born on Bhagavan's birthday and so it was their birthday, too.

Then the little cubs would get a little annoyed. It was hard for them to believe how long two weeks could take to come. And so then Mum Lioness would tell them a story about Bhagavan and the cubs would be happier.

She would also tell them the poem Bhagavan composed about birthdays.

1. You who wish to celebrate a birthday, inquire first who
was born. One's true birthday is when one enters into the
Eternal Being which shines forever without birth or death.

2. Of all days on one's birthday one should mourn one's
fall (into samsara). To celebrate it as a festival is like
adorning and glorifying a corpse. To seek one's Self and
merge in it is wisdom.

The Father's name

The cubs were sitting quietly studying math. Then suddenly one raised his nose and sniffed. Immediately, the other two also sniffed the air.
A stranger, said Tiru cub to the younger ones.
Someone whom we have never seen or met before, added Arunacub.


Little Om cub, the littlest ran to the cave door and opened it. Outside stood a large bear about to knock on the door when it opened. He was quite surprised at seeing a little lion cub opening the door and almost dropped the bunch of papers he had in his hand.

Does Lioness Arunachala still live here?, he asked Om.
Yes, Mum Lioness does.
I am Sivaprasad from the Census Bureau. You, young sir, were not here when i came last!


And when was that? inquired Om cub.
Ah, that would be about ten years back, Sivaprasad replied.
I was not born then, said Om cub.
Sivaprasad stepped in and pulled out a sheet of paper and asked, "Your good name, young sir?"
"Omcub."
Full name?
"Om Arunachala."
Of course, Om Arunachala.
And what is your age?
"A few months."
The official slowly scribbled on his sheet and spoke slowly as he wrote. "A f-e-w m-o-n-t-h-s."
Then he looked up and squinted at Arunacub.
"And you, Sir, even you were not here when i last visited."
All three cubs giggled, then quickly covered their mouths.
"Arunacub. Ommst a year old."
The bear then wiped his brow and sighed. "You will not believe the day i have had. I visited Mrs Hippolyta a short while ago. When i came here ten years back she was a slim calf."
(the cubs elbowed each other and giggled again)
"And now look at her..... Not to mention those --"
Arunacub knew from his look that he was about to say "awful brats".
" --- boisterous kids of hers, Rufus and Dufus".
"Rumple and Crumple", corrected the cubs together.

Mum Lioness got him a glass of water.
"Mum Lioness, you have done well.", he said, eyeing the cubs, sitting quietly in a row with vibhuti striped on their foreheads.
He sniffed the air. A lingering aroma of Ramana Crunch no doubt, thought little Om.
"Then i met this nice leepard cub on the way. He whispered into my ears that I should beware of some huge, terrifying lionses!"
(the cubs kept a straight face, somehow)
"But he was kind enough to tell me a secret! If i utter 'Arunachala' in front of them, they will leave me alone".

At that moment there was a light knock on the door, followed by a thud.
"Ah, and who are you?" he said to the person at the door, as he pulled out a fresh sheet of paper.
"Spotty"
"Full name, please"
"Spotty Arunachala, of course, also known as Meditator Leopard, although not much any longer."
"Age?"
"Newly born."
"Address?"
"Next door."
"He means at The Tigers", corrected Mum Lioness before he could write down "Next Door".
"I am Stripes. Stripes Arunachala, also known as Meditator Tiger."
"Father's name?"
"Arunachala."
"Full name?"
"Lord Arunachala."
"Forgive me for asking, but is Arunachala a common surname here in these parts?"

"All those who live here are children of Arunachala Ramana. He is our Father.", said little Om cub.
"Arunachala Ramana is the father of all living creatures.", stated Arunacub.
"However, all living creatures don't know that. The ripe ones do.", explained Tirucub.
"There is really no separation from Bhagavan", said Om cub.
"All separation is only imagined.", added Arunacub.

The official was looking quite lost. Tiru cleared his throat and told the bear to put down his name, too. "Tiru Arunachala. About a year old."

As the bear got up to leave he looked sadly at them and said, It has been so nice to meet all of you. I certainly hope i come by this way sooner. He sniffed the air again.

Om cub got onto Aruna's shoulder. Aruna got onto Tiru's shoulder. Tiru stood up and Om reached out for a jar. Some Ramana Munch was offered to the bear who had never eaten anything like this before.
Om and Aruna wrapped the rest neatly and gave it to him to eat along the way.

"And if you meet any huge terrifying lions on the way", said Spotty, "be sure to give them some!"
"And I should say 'Arunachala', if ever in danger?", the bear asked.

"Yes, the Father's name, Arunachala or Ramana. If ever in pain or danger or hurt of any kind, take the Father's holy name and He will protect you." said little Om.

In the end everyone must come to Arunachala

All the excitement over Deepam had put the cubs into a state where they insisted on doing math even when Mum Lioness turned out the light and made threats that there would be no fresh batches of Ramana Munch made unless the cubs would stop solving equations for long enough to fall asleep. But when it came to their other subjects, the cubs would just scamper away swishing their tails and wiggling their ears and laughing and claiming they had never heard of words like social studies and could not do things they had never heard of. Med Tiger was getting concerned because Spotty had perfected the little tail swoosh and chuckle that Tirucub had shown him was the best response to an instruction like, "Sit down and get cracking on that social studies!" And in Spotty's case it really was true that he had no idea what those words meant. "How will he learn?" worried Med Tiger.

To make matters worse, Mama Hippolyta dropped by to say her little darlings Crumple and Rumple were writing one hundred page long essays, one a day. "They will never settle for a page less than that!" she boasted. "And their pencalfship is just superb!"

Tirucub threw a skeptical glance at his three younger brothers and whispered, "More likely they are eating a hundred rava ladoos!"

After Mama Hippolyta had waddled away, Mum Lioness stretched out her paws in a way that showed a set of sharp claws, and said, "Now cubs! There can be no more excuses ..."



"Oh, but Mum Lioness, we heard no one is to write a word until all the ghee on the Hilltop is burned up," interrupted Tirucub. "And all the smoke cleared entirely."

"I don't know where that rumour came from," said Mum Lioness, casting a sharp glance at Spotty who quickly hid under his tennis racket, "but you all must write a full page this afternoon."

"I have a better idea!" said Arunacub. "Let's put on a play for Med Tiger and Mum Lioness! We can start practicing now. Maybe later we can write it down."

Mum Lioness quite liked the idea so she gave a small purr and settled herself on a sunny rock with a collection of Suri Nagamma's letters to her brother.

"What will the play be about?" asked Omcub.

"The origin of the Hill," said Arunacub. "Om, you can be Vishnu, and Tiru, you can be Brahma."

Knowing the story, Om and Tiru at once began an argument.

"Anyone can see I am greater!" announced Tirucub.

"That's rediclious!!" shouted Omcub in a deep voice.

The other cubs began throwing themselves around chaotically in response to this argument, and soon Crumps and Rumps came galumphing along, demanding to know what was going on. When no one would tell them, they decided to join in the chaos. Mama Hippolyta arrived, shrieking and wailing that the cubs were a bad influence on her sons, and her ruckus added tremendously to the effect. The cubs soon found the wildness of the hippos altogether too much for them and they climbed up above the cave where the hippos could not scramble and called out beseechingly, "Siva! Settle this dispute so things can calm down!"

Siva manifested as a column of light and they heard him say, from within the light, "Whoever can find my upper or lower end is the greater!"

Omcub quickly om-ed himself into a little boar. "Whew!" thought Mum Lioness, glancing up from the Nagamma letters, "Thank goodness the cubs can turn into whatever they need to be and I am not required to spend the next month sewing a baby boar suit, or trying to track down enough swan feathers to completely coat Tirucub with them."

Omboar (Vishnu) bagan scratching in the earth at the bottom of the column of light.



Meanwhile, Tiru had om-ed himself into a beautiful swan and was soaring up, sternly telling the hippo twins to address him as Brahma when they began shouting, "Tiru! Come back and play with us!"



Spotty was instructed to hit a bit of an alse plant way up into the sky with his tennis racket, and when it came floating down, Tiruswan (Brahma) caught it in his beak. "I found this as the summit!" he announced.



Vishnu had stopped his scrabbling and become lost in bliss in the Supreme light.

Then Vishnu admitted his failure and turned to the Lord in praise and prayer: “You are Self-knowledge. You are OM. You are the beginning and the middle and the end of everything. You are everything and illuminate everything.” He was pronounced great while Brahma was exposed and confessed his fault.

Because Siva was too brilliant to behold as a column of light, in his mercy he manifested as the Arunachala Hill.

Spotty and Arunacub scrambled back up above the cave, hid behind rocks, and called down in what they hoped were Siva-ish voices: “As the moon derives its light from the sun, so other holy places shall derive their sanctity from Arunachala. This is the only place where I have taken this form for the benefit of those who wish to worship me and obtain illumination. Arunachala is OM itself. I will appear on the summit of this hill every year at Kartigai in the form of a peace-giving beacon.”



Med Tiger, who had been watching all this from a sunny spot near Mum Lioness, felt moved to stand up and add, "This refers not only to the sanctity of Arunachala itself but also to the pre-eminence of the doctrine of Advaita and the path of Self-enquiry of which Arunachala is the center. One can understand this meaning in our Beloved Father’s saying, “In the end everyone must come to Arunachala."

The light on the hill-top

This was the first time that the little cubs were seeing the Deepam light on the top of the Arunachala Hill. They were all awe-struck at the sight.


The older cubs were telling the youngest one, six-month old Spotty, the story behind the fire on the hill-top.

Each one was telling his own version of the story and little Spotty was listening to each version with complete belief, unmindful of the inconsistencies.

Arunacub, who loved the Mahabharata, was telling Spotty of Vishnu and Brahma fighting with bows and arrows. Tirucub talked of Nandi the bull as Nandi the Hippo.

Mum Lioness had a difficult time controlling her laughter at this one.

Omcub with a very serious face told Spotty how the fire was brought every year by a great dragon that lived in the North Pole. He comes on a sleigh, added Tiru. Drawn by red-nosed reindeers, added Arunacub. If the sleigh breaks down, he takes the Polar Express, added Omcub.

All of them enjoyed the beauty of the fire and the aroma of camphor and ghee and other items.

Arunacub worried that the fire might frighten animals and decided he would write a note to Arunachala asking him. Tiru worried about the environmental issues and whether a forest fire could result out of this. When Om cub told them the fire would last for a week or so, little Spotty wanted to know how long a week was.
But won't little insects and other small animalses be hurt or inconvenienced by the fire, asked Arunacub. I must add that in my letter to Father Arunachala, he told Mum Lioness.

Tirucub explained to the younger cubs that people from far, far away had come for this special occasion. Bhagavan's grace, they say, increases during this period. Well, Unca Stripes certainly has been very silent this week, whispered Spotty to his brothers. Much less irritable than usual. Maybe he is finding some peace after all, added Tirucub.

Then the cubs stood silently gazing at the fire on the hill-top. Meditatively, thought Mum Lioness.

Some time later, the cubs got onto Mum Lioness's and Uncle Stripes's shoulders and they inched their way through the crowd towards Virupaksha Cave.

See how resplendent Bhagavan is looking today, remarked Tiru from a distance. He is shining like the sun, said Arunacub. He is looking soooo happy, said Omcub.


The thought never struck them that many, many decades later, in another life, they would look back and remember their moments with each other and Bhagavan on the hill, they would one day yearn for the days when they were in the physical presence of the Lord Himself.

But Lord Ramana will always be present as the Formless Self in everyone's Heart, and also as the Arunachala Hill till the end of time.

Arunacub has a strange visitor

Mum Lioness had just put the ingredients for Sooji (semolina) Upma in the pan. She called out, "Tiru dear, please get the do ---".
Before she could finish the word "door", there was a small thud, then a large one on the door.
Mum Lioness smiled.
Tiru cub raced to the door and opened it.
"Arunacub, see who we have here! Two hungry sadhus!"

Arunacub came sprinting to the cave entrance. "Please come in.", he invited the sadhus, "You must have something to eat."


Spotty and Meditator Tiger sat down quietly suppressing their smiles.
Then Arunacub served them food.

It was well known on Arunachala Hill that Uncle Stripes (and little Spotty) loved Upma. If they caught the aroma of Upma being prepared anywhere within a few miles they would be at the doorstep in an instant looking like they had not eaten in centuries. This practiced look got them a lion's share of the Upma.

When the two had finished second helpings, Arunacub asked them, "Sir, can you show me God?"

Mum Lioness smiled and little Omcub giggled. Arunacub was fascinated with the story of Papaji who had a darshan of Bhagavan in Punjab. Mum Lioness told him the story at least once a week, and often the story got enacted like was happening today.

"I can!", said Unca Stripes scratching his chin very gravely. "You will have to take this path round the hill, and ....". He explained in great detail the path from The Lionses cave to Virupaksha Cave, less than a mile away.

Arunacub folded his hands and thanked Uncle Stripes. Then he turned to Mum Lioness and said, "Mum Lioness, I will need two rupees as train fare to go to the swami in the cave there. He will show me God for sure!"

Mum Lioness looked at him sternly and exploded in anger, "How many swamis and babas have you gone to. You have wasted your youth running to holy places and holy people. You have spent so much money in your adventures and travels. And what have you got ?"

Arunacub looked totally crushed. Om cub sniffed to show support for his brother.

Then little Spotty cub picked up a paper from the floor and began looking at it. "Arunacub, I can't read. Can you tell me what this slip of paper says, please?"

Arunacub looked at the piece of paper with complete disinterest. Then his eyes lit up. "There is a job in Tiruvannamalai. Four young cubs are required to make plates out of leaves, make rotis and teach children math. They are to report two months from now. Their travel fare will be taken care of!"

"We can all go!", the cubs shouted.

"Wait!" called out Unca Stripes."Two sadhus are still feeling slightly hungry! Is there some Ramana Munch in the offing?"

Mum Lioness nodded.

"Not for us,", clarified Unca Stripes, "but when we ALL go down to see this swami who will show us God, we surely can't go empty-handed can we? What say we take some Ramana Munches with us!"

The Lord's darshan

The cubs stole away from Mum Lioness and went in the direction of Virupaksha Cave. Mum Lionesses sixth sense told her they were going for Bhagavan Ramana's darshan and so she did not worry.

In the neighbouring cave, Uncle Stripes (Meditator Tiger) was lost in the name of Bhagavan Ramana and did not notice Spotty and the three lion cubs bouncing off in the direction of the Cave. Mum Lioness had told them in the morning about how Bhagavan got His name and how beautiful it was, and Stripes was quite overwhelmed by the thought. In any case, he needed a little break from Self-enquiry and what better break than a bhakti break!

And so the little cubs skipped and jumped their way happily towards Virupaksha Cave.
A North Indian man was asking Bhagavan questions. We will have to believe he was North Indian because Tirucub said so, and he knows more than us, at least.

Tirucub's jaw dropped as he heard the question. The man was asking if he could have a darshan of the real form of Lord Krishna, and if so he would narrate all his woes to Him and be rid of all problems.

Tiru whispered to his brothers, how can people sitting in front of Bhagavan Himself not ask for Bhagavan's own darshan, a darshan of the Self!
I want only Bhagavan Ramana's darshan, said Om cub in a very matter-of-fact manner.
The other cubs nodded in agreement.

They were even more shocked at Bhagavan's reply.
Bhagavan said something like: Yes, what is the difficulty. It can certainly be done. After seeing Him all our burdens can be transferred to Him.
The cubs looked at each other unable to decide whether Bhagavan was being serious or not.

Then Bhagavan continued, "Even now why worry! Throw all your burdens on Him and He will take care."

The gentleman then asked Bhagavan how he could have a darshan of Lord Krishna's real form. Should he meditate in Vrindavan, or would meditating anywhere work?

There was then talk about realizing the Self which the little cubs did not follow.


When the others had filtered out, the cubs went up to Bhagavan. Bhagavan was overjoyed to see them, as though he had been waiting all along for them.

"O Father," said Tiru cub,"It is the darshan of your real form that we cubs wish for!"

"Others call you their spiritual father or guru or sadguru. For us you are our real Father", said Spotty. "That is all we know."

Bhagavan smiled and whispered to them: For those of you who know Bhagavan as your real and true Father, you will certainly have not just a darshan of Bhagavan's real 'form' but you will know that you are one with Bhagavan!

The cubs were overjoyed at this assurance. They saw Bhagavan looking above them and smiling. They turned around to see Mum Lioness sitting peacefully behind them. In the distance, Unca Stripes was saying Namaste (greeting) to a rhino from another continent. He saw them and came running over, hands folded.

After sitting for a while, Mum Lioness reminded the cubs that it was time to take over Uncle Annamalai's lunch, and so they prostrated and left.

On the way back Arunacub asked Tirucub to explain what Bhagavan had been saying about Arjuna and Lord Krishna.
Tiru cub told the younger cubs that Bhagavan had quoted from the Bhagavad Gita, in which Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: "I am the Self, seated in the heart of all beings."
What that means to me, continued Tirucub, is that Ramana Bhagavan is the Self, and He is within us all, in our Heart. To me it is Bhagavan's hint to us, who love Him and completely believe in Him, that He is in all of us, and can never be apart from us.

The younger cubs were overjoyed to hear this.

Arunacub then asked Tirucub: Do you think Lord Krishna and Bhagavan Ramana are one and the same?

Tiru cub answered with authority: Of course! There is only One. Can there be a second? Can there be anything apart from Bhagavan?

Om cub and Spotty vigorously shook their heads as though the possibility was inadmissible.

How Meditator Tiger met the cubs

The cubs wanted to hear a story from Meditator Tiger. Actually, it was a lot more complicated than that. The cubs could not put down their Math workbooks. Mum Lioness often had to scold them at bed-time or lunch time, to put the books down.

These were no ordinary Math books, certainly not the simple ones humans were taught with. For one thing they were Lion Math Books. Even leopards and tigers could not understand this level of Math. Spotty had tried spreading a rumor that Mum Lioness had written them.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Mum Lioness wanted the cubs to take a break from Math and so she told them that if they hurried over to Meditator Tiger's cave he would tell them an interesting story.

And so the little cubs thinking that Stripes was waiting with a story for them, a story that would have squares and cubes and right angles and polygons, went sprinting over to Stripes' cave.

Omcub had the idea that Stripes should tell them how they came to know the Lionses. This story had been told and relived many many times but Om hinted that it could be told "differently".

Meditator Tiger got the hint and thought a while.

I was climbing the Arunachala hill once, he said,
WE were, interrupted little six-month old Spotty (the leopard cub), rather annoyed at being left out.
Okay, WE were climbing the hill, wanting to reach the summit.

Spotty was feeling hungry.
YOU were, interrupted Spotty, his eyes almost red.
Okay, I was feeling a bit hungry, continued Stripes.

And just then, I .... er ... one of us smelled Ramana Munch.
We didn't know what it was but it smelt heavenly.
Spotty smacked his lips. My stomach started to rumble a bit.
"A bit", interrupted Spotty, it sounded like thunder!

And just then something fell out of the trees and pinned me down. When i opened my eyes I saw it was a little lion cub! He let out a whistle and two more sprung out of the bushes.
I was surrounded by these three lion cubs staring at me like they had never seen a tiger before.
Surprisingly, they were not the least afraid of me!

Spotty tried to be protective and frighten them off but they simply would not be frightened.
The one who tackled me and pinned me down then invited me in to their cave.
I felt a little embarrassed as we were not really in our Sunday's best.

As we entered Mum Lioness brought in a large hamper of this most divine looking and smelling thing I had ever seen. She behaved as though she knew me. No looking at me carefully, evaluating me and all that.

That must have been because I was there too, added Spotty. Surely they called you in because of ME.

Perhaps, mused Stripes.

We talked and talked and talked.

What did we talk of, asked the cubs.

Well, we talked of Bhagavan and Arunachala, for one thing. Mum Lioness showed us the poems you have written about Bhagavan. And she showed us the altar with Bhagavan's photographs.

All the Ramana Munch was finished in no time. Mum Lioness then got some idlis and delicious sambar which also disappeared very quickly.

When it was time to continue up the hill, we got up, realizing that you were kindred spirits. To me it seemed our meeting did not happen by accident. Bhagavan wanted it to happen.

Then what happened, asked the cubs eagerly.

Then we thanked Bhagavan for bringing His devotees together.

Well, you were living in the very next cave so we were bound to meet someday!, observed Tirucub. Everyone laughed remembering how the meeting had actually happened.


Tomorrow is a full-moon, Spotty reminded everyone.
Can we do pradakshina tomorrow, Mum Lioness, pleaded the cubs.
Of course, she replied.
Can we take Rumple and Crumple along? they pleaded.
Everyone laughed remembering Rumple's request that they do pradakshina seated on Mum Lioness's shoulders, which she had said was not going to happen!

The cubs talk about Bhagavan and grace

One of the questions that confused the four cubs was how it was possible that there were so many people who were unhappy, and unable to feel Bhagavan's grace and love.

They had asked this question to Uncle Stripes many time, but Stripes had never been able to answer them.

"Why is everyone not totally in love with Bhagavan?" one would ask.
"How can people forget Bhagavan !" another would say in amazement.

Uncle Stripes asked them to sit down. He said:

Once an engineer came from Bombay.
He asked Bhagavan: Does Bhagavan feel for us and show grace?
Bhagavan answered:
You are neck-deep in water and yet cry for water. It is as good as saying that one neck-deep in water feels thirsty, or a fish in water feels thirsty, or that water feels thirsty.

"Yes! That's it!" the cubs all replied.
"We feel we are neck-deep in Bhagavan's love and protection and grace, but why doesn't everyone else. Why is not everyone happy that Bhagavan is present, and within us always?"

Uncle Stripes thought for a while. He said:

Once Bhagavan told a visitor: When the sun rises, some buds alone blossom, not all. Do you blame the sun for that? Nor can the bud blossom of itself, it requires the sunlight to do it.

Bhagavan also said that the unripe mind does not feel His Grace. But this does not mean God's Grace is absent. That would mean that God is not gracious with some, and thus He would not be God.

Stripes added, "In my knowledge, everyone's time comes, everyone will ripen and be able to see God's love and grace sooner or later." He thought a while and said, "It's not like Mum Lioness or I knew Bhagavan or felt His Grace from the day we were born. All those who feel Bhagavan's love and grace have gone through many years not seeing it, alone, searching and struggling, feeling totally lonely and helpless, till somehow we saw His photograph, or heard His name and were instantly attracted.

I assure you, everyone's time comes. Every bud blossoms some day."

The cubs seemed satisfied for the moment, but Stripes knew they would come back asking the same questions a few days later.

Mum Lioness stepped in. Immediately Tiru cub updated Mum Lioness on what Uncle Stripes had been telling them. Then the cubs insisted that Mum Lioness tell them a story of Bhagavan's grace. Mum Lioness thought and then recalled one.

The story was about Echammal's grandson, named Venkataraman after Bhagavan.
Once when he was 11 years old, a little older than you, Tiru cub, he went for a bath in the temple compound. He did not know how to swim so he carefully went down the steps. However, he slipped and went into the deep part of the tank. He managed to come up several times and call for help but no one noticed. Then he went deep into the water. At that point, he saw a bright light in his head and Sri Bhagavan's face shone in the light. Then he felt someone catch his ankles and pull him out, and at that moment the same flash shone in his head.

Later he found himself lying on the side of the tank. He asked some people how he had come there. One replied to him that a sadhu had been doing pradakshina of the temple, and he came running to the tank, jumped in, pulled the boy out, and then run away as swiftly as he had come.

Later the boy went and prostrated to Bhagavan, and Bhagavan looked at him and asked him how deep the Siva Ganga tank was. The boy had no idea what Bhagavan meant. Much later, when he grew up, did he realize that it was Bhagavan Ramana who saved him.

Little Spotty then asked Mum Lioness the line Echammal once said about Bhagavan. Mum Lioness recited from memory:

"I revere, I adore, I worship this Swami" was all Echammal could say of Bhagavan

The cubs now insisted that Uncle Stripes say something, before they went for lunch.
Uncle Stripes recited:

He is beyond worlds all
Yet, here below, He bestows His grace abundant
On the good and the devout,
And in love works for salvation of all;
Thus is the Holy Guru
Whose praise is beyond speech
Like unto Siva, the Being Pure.

Swami Namechangeananda on tour

Meanwhile, in a distant part of India, Swami Namechangeananda had grown bored. His remaining devotees fawned over him night and day, but they were so busy praising him and writing down his new names that they had trouble rounding up interesting gifts for him. One day was much like the one before ... Namechangeananda decided he needed some excitement.

And what better excitement than a tour of the United States and certain European countries!

He wondered where to go first ... New York surely would have many thousands of people eager to see him, but he had heard people there talked with an edge and some were given to sarcasm, and that was the last thing he wanted rubbing off on his faithful devotees. Sante Fe, New Mexico might be nice, or San Rafael in California. He had Paramaprostration google the specs ... average house price, crime stats, weather ... yes, San Rafael it would be. Once Namechangeananda had settled on the place, he could not rest till he set out on his journey with his entourage.

Disappointingly, not enough people showed up at his first satsang. That night he paced around in his hotel room, chomping on items sent up by room service, and moaning that the western world was not appreciating him. Suddenly an idea came to him. Courses! He shouted at a devotee to take notes as he listed the offerings: The Spiritual Necessity of Eating A Raw Vegan Diet, Renunciation as the Path to God ... He paused. What if that drew a bunch of skinny people who worked for nonprofits? Ah! If he charged .... hmmm .... $850 for a little weekend seminar on these inspiring topics, that would filter out the impoverished do-gooders. "Ethics, Honour, and Humility," he added, but then began to fret again. The humility might offend the Westerners, specially in a town where a tiny one bedroom house went for a million dollars. He snorted and ripped at the carpeting, trying to think of something better. "Ethics, Honour, and Prosperity." There, that was it.



"Honour!!!" shouted Tirucub, when he heard of this. "Mum Lioness, isn't honour about telling the truth and stuff?"

Mum Lioness raised an eyebrow and said it was.

In case the readers of this blog are wondering how the cubs came to hear of Namechangeananda's satsangs in the West, that can be easily explained. In his entourage, there was one little bunny who the cubs had played with on the Holy Hill. Quite against his will, his father had dragged him off to follow Namechangeananda.

"Daddy, you will never realise the Self with him!" the little bunny had protested. "Just rest your ears for one second on Bhagavan's feet and you will know peace, and also you will know peace has nothing to do with grumpy fakers shouting for gifts."

"You're too young to understand the subtle points of Dharma and Bhakti," his father had snapped, smacking the little bunny's silken ears. "Now pack."

"What can I pack? You have given my few possessions to Namechangananda, and I have given my heart to Bhagavan. What is there left for me to take?"

Before they set out, though, there was one thing for the little bunny to take ... Med Rhino, fearful for the little bunny's wellbeing, gave him his iphone. "Keep it hidden at all times, and stay in touch," Med Rhino told him.

And it was on this phone that the little bunny called his dear friends on the Hill.

Uncle Annamalai narrates the story

The cubs were quite insistent with Uncle Annamalai Swamy. They wanted to hear about the time when Uncle Stripes fell at Uncle Annalamai's feet.

Uncle Annamalai tried hard to convince the cubs to ask Mum Lioness or Unca Stripes himself but the cubs were adamant. They had taken up their positions on his lap and were looking up at him expectantly.


And so he tried remembering the details, laughing as they came back to him. He said:

"I had seen this devotee a few times. Sitting quietly here and there, very shy, not speaking to anyone. One day as I was standing outside he came up. His eyes were focussed on me. I felt a slight fear, after all, this devotee was a seven foot long tiger, not counting the tail.

(He tickled a cub ear or two as he spoke)

But he was clearly making his way for me. I then thought, why be afraid, I have surrendered my life to Bhagavan, let Him handle it as He wishes. The tiger came closer and closer and then he lunged for my feet. Truth to tell, my heart stopped beating for a moment.


The tiger refused to move. I carefully put my hands down and lifted his face a bit. He looked into my eyes and I could see devotion in them, devotion for Arunachala. There was complete harmlessness in those eyes. I tried to lift him but it was quite clear that he had no intention of getting up!

I told him Bhagavan is in the hall, I pointed to the hall, but he just looked up at me as though he wished to stay planted at my feet forever. He even kissed my feet a bit.

He tried to communicate with me but I could not understand. Finally he did get up, very reluctantly and walked to the hall.

Later after lunch when I lay at Bhagavan's Feet not wanting to get up, I remembered the devotee and for a moment thought that that is how he lay at my feet. Bhagavan told me about Uncle Stripes then."

The cubs insisted that Uncle Annamalai tell them what Bhagavan said about Uncle Stripes. Swamy then told them that Bhagavan said that Stripes was a devotee from far away, but he had been with Bhagavan earlier, and had now returned. He loved Bhagavan's devotees and would touch their feet as though they were Bhagavan's own feet. He would serve devotees as though he was serving Bhagavan.

Over the years, Annamalai Swamy told them, he saw that Uncle Stripes has great love for him, and Andavane and all the other devotees.

Uncle Stripe reminisces

Mum Lioness was looking for some special herbs for making a batch of Broccoli Bunches. She had confided in the cubs that the herbs would help the Hippo family lose weight and be healthier. And they made the Brocolli Bunch a lot tastier.

And so the cubs, getting a tad bored, came over to Unca Stripes. The cubs were insisting that Unca Stripes tell them something funny.


Unca Stripes thought for a long while and then started laughing. He could hardly contain himself. Finally, he managed to start talking.

"Several years ago, when our dear Annamalai Swamy was busy looking after the construction work at the ashram, I went over to have his darshan. Knowing how much and how lovingly he serves Bhagavan, I wanted so badly for the touch of his feet.

(Uncle Stripes' eyes were filled with love as he thought of Annamalai Swamy)

I saw him in the distance, and my heart stopped for a minute. Bhagavan was inside at that time. I ran upto Annamalai Swamy and fell at this feet. Just as I was kissing his dear feet, he began pulling me up. He was pointing to the hall where Bhagavan was sitting. He thought that I had mistaken him for Bhagavan!
He kept pointing at the hall, and I kept trying to tell him that it was his blessings I wanted.

(At this stage, Unca Stripes did not know whether to laugh or cry, so he did a bit of both)

How could Annamalai Swami ever understand how indebted we are to him for serving Bhagavan with such love, and believing Bhagavan to be his own and true father. How could I convey to him that the feet of the servant of the Lord, are as dear and beloved and full of grace as the Feet of the Lord Himself.

(The cubs were wide-eyed, imagining the scene of Uncle Annamalai and Stripes misunderstanding each other!)

I wanted to tell him that Bhagavan does not let us touch His Feet, at least you have mercy on us and let us touch yours."

* * *
Then the cubs heard a rustle outside, it was Mum Lioness telling them it was time to take Uncle Annalamali's lunch to him. And for the cubs that meant getting to sit on Uncle Annamalai's lap and sometimes having a nap by his feet while he meditated.

The cubs were thinking they would ask Uncle Annamalai his version of the above story when they met him today.

Can Mum Lioness really resist carrying us?

Awwww !!! This is soooo sad. We really aspected to ride on Mum Lioness's back cos Mum Hippo does not have that soft furry back we have heard so much about. And Mum Hippo has to be pushed and nudged to complete pradakshina herself.

Also we wanted to ride on Mum Lioness because we have heard that Mum Lioness is in cahoots with Bhagavan! So piggy-backing on Mum Lioness brings extra grace of Bhagavan and Arunachala while doing pradakshina.

Yes, the servings you left for us were so large, we had to finish it on the spot. We were afraid we would have to share the iddlies with our cousins, Dodo and Frodo, who are larger than us.

Dear Rumple and Crumple,

We did catch a little glimpse of you picking up your treats ... we did not fall asleep quite as early as expected.



Now, about your doing piggy-back pradakshinas ... we cubs can attest that this is the best way ... to rest our tired paws on our mother's furry back part way along is quite irresistible. (Spotty and Om are laughing at that .... "part way along! right from the first second is best" they are saying.) But you did not say azackly whose back you were thinking of riding on. One thing we can say for sortan is that OUR mother's back is entirely taken ... booked ... reserved ... unavailable ... for years to come. Which leaves YOUR mother's back. And that brings us to another point. The Ramana Munches are really quite rich. The butter content is shockingly high. We are wondering if you might prefer Broccoli Bunches instead. We are not quite old enough to enjoy them, but you are older and might love them. Mum Lioness considers them delicious.

with much love from the cubs

The real identity of the "other animals"

Dear Mum Lioness,

We must admit, your lion cubs sortanly are sharp -- we mean sharp minds, not just claws. However, and we mean no disrespect, but had Rumps and Crumps asked, they would have asked not for two but about two hundred.

Okay, let us be honest. We are Rumple and Crumple. We asked for only 2 servings so you would think we were Spotty and Stripes. But our conscience has started acting up, so we are being honest.

Crumple is poking me in the side saying that for being honest, we should get two hundred Ramana Munches extra.

And that reminds us, last time you all went for pradakshina, we saw the cubses sitting on your shoulders in turns. I and Crumps thought about that a lot, and next time we wish to also piggy-back a bit. We will eat a little less the previous day so as to be lighter.

Another thing. Crumps has begun jogging a bit. Really ! He wants to have the same lean, six-pack abs like Mum Hippo used to have when she was younger. And he says to compensate for all that jogging, he will need an extra dose of ... you can see where this is going, surely.
We both in fact wish to be lean and trim like our lion brother Tiru. And run as fast as him!
Ramana Munches don't add weight, do they?

take care and much love,
Rumple and Crumple

who can those hot iddlies and the side of chutney for two be FOR?

Dear Concerned Animals,

Hmmm, now .... there has been considerable debate in our cave as to who exactly the "hot iddlies with a side of chutney for two" might be for. Tirucub thinks they are for Crumps and Rumps ... but then Arunacub suggested (in a very soft voice with his eyes quite wide) that maybe the food was really for Med Tiger and Spotty! Tirucub exclaimed (quite shocked at the suggestion) that this could not POSSIBLY be the case, and Omcub sided with Tiru on this matter.

We are quite sure your Plan A would backfire ... if Med Tiger were informed that chocolate might cause his stripes to fall off, he would just chuckle at the idea and take a little MORE chocolate to make up for the calories lost by laughing. And dear little Spotty, who still has days when he wants to look identical to his brothers, might increase his consumption too, thinking this would cause his spots to fall off.

We appreciate your efforts, though, and so we are paying up ... we could not cram all the iddlies into an unmarked envelope so you will find them in a ceramic pot, beside the Ramana Munches which will be in a barrel, just outside our cave entrance.

Do not give any thought to your identity being discovered, because we will likely all be sound asleep. Deeply so. Just come right over and collect your treats.