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.