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.

About Spotty and Stripes

dear Mum Lioness,
I refer to your comments on the previous post.
Sorry to say this, but that Meditator Tiger and Spotty sound awfully suspicious.

I would keep a watchful eye on them, if I were you.

That kicking over the Ramana Munch pan sounds premeditated, and Tigers coming over in one bound.... i think the two are thick as thieves, they seemed to be planning to steal all the Ramana Munch in the world.

I hope they are not in cahoots with those hippos, what are their names -- Crimple and Dimple ? Or is it Dungus and Fungus ? Can never get it right !

We have an idea ... the idea costs a hundred Ramana Munches. Here it is: please tell Meditator Tiger that eating chocolate can cause stripes to fall off. Knowing how attached he is to his stripes, he might curtail his consumption. The Ramana Munches may be left outside your cave in an unmarked envelope tomorrow.

You may also pack in some hot idlies and a side of chutney for two animals.

If Stripes does not fall for the above plan, there is also a Plan B. But this costs two hundred Ramana Munches. Tell Stripes and Spotty that Bhagavan is always watching, always present with us and within us. This plan is sure to work. No, there is no Ramana Munch-back guarantee.

Love,
Concerned Animals

the birds, recovering nicely

The cubs scampered down the hill to Virupaksha cave in the morning to see Bhagavan and check on the two birds. Spotty insisted on bringing a tennis tennis racket that had mysteriously appeared near him when he was asleep. "I will hide it behind a rock before we get to the cave in case the birds are there and get scared by the racket," he explained to his cub brothers. (Whenever the racket was in Spotty's paw, he could not resist practicing very bold shots with it.)



As they approached the cave, Hobbler came up to meet them, the little bird on his shoulder.



"The bird looks so much better!" said Arunacub with joy.

"Oh yes," said Hobbler. "And she says I am her best friend because I brought her to Bhagavan." The bird pecked at Hobbler's ear in a very friendly way that made Hobbler laugh.

When they all reached Bhagavan, they found the crow feasting again on an iddli, looking glossy and happy. The little bird jumped down and began eating too. Hobbler stood nearby, looking very hungry but refusing to eat until Bhagavan fed him with his divine hands.



Soon both birds flew high up above some trees and the cubs beamed at Bhagavan for having nursed them back to health. He smiled at them and began popping bits of iddli into their mouths too. Rationalizing that they were doing Bhagavan a favour by keeping him clean, they licked his beautiful hands, and then they rested their heads on his feet. His peace poured into them and they lay very still, completely happy.

When Bhagavan got up for his lunch, they purred their goodbyes and ran off to find Spotty's racket.

"Are you not worried someone might have "borrowed" your lovely new racket?" asked a squirrel who had seen Spotty hide it behind the rock.

"Worry?" said Spotty. "How can I worry when Bhagavan is here?"

When they got to the rock where Spotty had left it, they found two baffled hippos. Upon seeing the cubs, the hippos' expressions changed from puzzlement to pride at being able to inform the cubs of something strange.

"You won't be able to pick up that racket," said Crumple.

"Oh?" said Tirucub, trying to keep a straight face.

"Why?" asked Omcub.

"It weighs more than our mother!" said Rumple. "We were going to take the racket to play mudball with it, but the two of us together could not budge it."

Spotty went right up to his racket.

"You, least of all!" Crumple told Spotty.

"Spotty may look little, but he could easily pick up your mother if he wanted to," said Arunacub.

Crumple and Rumple laughed, thinking of times they had tried to make their mother do things. If she sat down, there was no budging her! Imagine the tiny Spotty having any success! Crumple and Rumple worked themselves up into such hysterics that they were soon rolling on the ground.

"Watch," said Tirucub.

Spotty reached down a little paw and gracefully picked up his racket without the slightest strain. Crumple and Rumple's jaws dropped.

Serving imaginary balls all the way, Spotty led the other cubs home so they could get started on making Uncle Annamalai's lunch.

I am fully present with you, all the time

On the way back from Virupaksha Cave, the cubs were skipping along happily.
Arunacub asked Mum Lioness: Do you think the bird will fly ?
Mum Lioness looked at Tiru and asked him why he had been so insistent on going to the cave?

He told Mum Lioness that in the morning when they were scampering outside, they had seen this bird on a tree. Arunacub heard its call and was convinced it was crying for help. "We all prayed to Bhagavan to save it!"

But then why did you not tell me when you came back. The cubs were silent.
Then Tirucub said, "We forgot about it!"
Arunacub said, "We had prayed to Bhagavan, and then surrendered the bird to him. So we forgot!"
"Actually Spotty told me not to tell you.", said Om cub.
Mum Lioness looked back at Spotty who quickly hid behind Omcub.
"Spotty said that Mum Lioness would feel sad for the bird, so don't tell her. And we didn't want you feeling sad or hurt.", said little Om in Spotty's defence.

The next morning they were on their way to Virupaksha cave to check on the bird. On the way they saw an injured crow on the way. It was trying to fly. Om cub noticed that one wing was injured.
"Bhagavan, now what will you do about this crow?" asked one cub.
They again prayed to Bhagavan to save the crow. The cubs were not clear what they should do.
Picking it up may frighten it. When Om cub approached it, it immediately jumped and tried to fly a few feet away. So they decided to let it be.
"Take it into your arms, O Bhagavan", they all prayed. Little Spotty blew some kisses to the crow asking it to think of the Lord.

And then a few minutes later the crow moved, it lifted both its wings and flew to a nearby tree. The cubs felt a little better and moved on.

When they were nearing the cave, Tiru cub cried out, "Look, the bird!!"
The bird (injured yesterday) was hopping about near Bhagavan Ramana, flapping its wings. The cubs quickened their pace.
The attendants were smiling, everyone present was happy that the bird's wing was healing, something that seemed unlikely the previous day.

Then Bhagavan pointed to the window. The cubs looked there. The attendant told them that this crow has just reached here with an injured wing. Somehow it knew that this was the place to come! It came here and almost fell at Bhagavan's feet as though it had reached its sanctuary. Bhagavan picked it up like a mother would pick its newborn child. He then put some ointment on its wing and bandaged it with a little cloth.

The cubs could see the love and fatherly affection pouring out of Bhagavan's eyes. Each living creature was His own child. The crow looked up, into Bhagavan's eyes. The look was unmistakable -- how one looks into the eyes of one's savior. Om cub said it was a look of complete surrender. Arunacub nudged Tiru and said, "See, the crow has reached Bhagavan's embrace!"

As they got up to leave, Bhagavan fixed his gaze on the cubs. Again the cubs understood the look. The eyes clearly said:
Don't imagine, for a moment, I am not fully present with you, all the time.

Bhagavan saves a life

Tiru cub had been insisting on going for Bhagavan's darshan since the morning. Mum Lioness was asking him to wait a few minutes, so she could pack some idlis and chutney for them to take to the Virupaksha Cave where Bhagavan currently resided.
The cubs took turns peeping into the kitchen and clearing their throats by the door to remind Mum Lioness that they were still waiting.
Finally the idlies were properly steamed and ready for packing.

Picking up little brother Spotty from the neighbouring cave, they walked down to Virupaksha Cave. Mum Lioness was thinking, we have not been for Bhagavan's darshan for several days, her stride quickened slightly. Then she saw Bhagavan standing outside the cave.
"There stands my Father!", she thought, tears wetting her eyes.
"There He stands blazing like the sun."

The cubs broke into a sprint upon seeing Bhagavan, and Bhagavan broke into a wide smile.
Before Mum Lioness could warn them to be careful not to scratch Bhagavan, they were out of hearing distance.

They sat down in a corner along with some more devotees and visitors. Then they heard a rustle in the leaves of the trees outside the cave entrance. Everyone looked up.
"Hobbler!" whispered Om cub excitedly to his brothers. Uncle Hobbler had something in his hand which he was carefully carrying.
Bhagavan put his palm forward. Uncle Hobbler opened his paws and put something in Bhagavan's palm.
Tiru cub , the tallest, whispered to the others, "It's a bird!"

Bhagavan looked to His attendant and said, "Hobbler says one tiny monkey rescued it from a tree. It was stuck on a branch, and was crying out for help."

The attendant quickly got some medicine and cotton wool and water. Bhagavan carefully cleaned the bird. He wiped the wound, and then put a few drops of milk on its beak. The bird, almost dead, seemed to sip the drops. A few devotees said there was nothing that could be done for the bird, it was badly injured. Bhagavan did not reply, but tended to it carefully.

After the others went away for their afternoon nap, the cubs lingered on. They approached Bhagavan. The attendant tried to dissuade them telling Bhagavan that the bird would be frightened by the lions.

"Don't you know, Swami, that these are vegetarian lions!", said Bhagavan pointing at the four cubs, their complete attention on the birds. Unknown to the attendant, all this while the four little cubs had been praying to Bhagavan to save its life.

Bhagavan gestured to the cubs and they slowly made their way to Bhagavan. He held out the bird to them. Om cub came up and sniffed at the bird. Definitely injured, he thought. He gave the bird a little kiss on its wings. The bird opened its eyes and did not seem to be frightened at all. The other three cubs came up one by one and kissed the bird, and rubbed their cheeks lightly on it.

This time Bhagavan gave it little pieces of idli prepared by Mum Lioness. Surprisingly, the bird ate the little pieces. There was a deep look of compassion in Bhagavan's eyes.

"Even if the bird dies, it dies in Your Hands, Bhagavan", thought Mum Lioness.
One devotee peeked in and said something to Bhagavan that the bird would still not be able to fly, and what was the point of saving it.
The four cubs and their mother looked deep into Bhagavan's eyes so that He would not miss their silent prayer.

After kissing Bhagavan's Feet, and pressing their cheeks on Them, they slowly retreated, knowing that they would come the next day to see how the bird was.

in the Self there is no Space-Time

Spotty came bounding into the cave.

"Some devotees have just arrived! They came all the way from somewhere terribly far away. Maybe Pluto, or somewhere! Totally azausted, both of them." Spotty loved delivering exciting news.

"Have they seen Bhagavan?" asked Arunacub.

"Did they come on a spaceship?" asked Omcub.

"Are you sure it was Pluto?" asked Tirucub.

"It might have been even further!" said Spotty dramatically. "Peru."

"Oh, Peru!" said Tirucub. "That is on earth."

Omcub looked a bit disappointed.

"And they haven't seen Bhagavan yet. Let's go!"

The four cubs sprang up and dashed down the hill.

A few minutes later, Meditator Tiger came along looking for Spotty (so he said, but Mum Lioness saw him scanning areas that were much more likely to contain Ramana Munches than a little leopard cub, such as the kitchen counters and cupboards.) Just as he had feared, every last morsel had been distributed as prasad by Bhagavan's attendent, or given out as prizes at the Annual Games. He and Mum Lioness decided to lope down the hill to see if there was any truth to Spotty's rumour.

Sure enough, they found a couple from Peru telling the story of their long, arduous journey to Bhagavan. As the couple narrated all the hardships they had gone through, Bhagavan listened and then remarked, "You need not have taken all this trouble. You could well have thought of me from where you were, and so could have had all the consolation of a personal visit."



The couple appeared baffled by this remark. Bhagavan did not want to take anything away from their happiness at being beside him, so he said no more.

Later in the evening Bhagavan was asking about their day-to-day life, and incidentally their talk turned to Peru. The couple began picturing the landscape of Peru and were describing the sea-coast and the beach of their own town.

Bhagavan asked them, "Is not the beach of your town paved with marble slabs, and are not coconut palms planted in between? Are there not marble benches in rows facing the sea there and did you not often sit on the fifth of those with your wife?"

Bhagavan's questions astonished the couple. How could Bhagavan, who had never gone out of Tiruvannamalai, know so intimately such minute details about their own place?

Bhagavan only smiled and remarked: "It does not matter how I can tell. Enough if you know that in the Self there is no Space-Time."