A golden day for thirst

Dandapani Swami was visiting his daughter and son-in-law. It was 1923 and C. K. Sambamurthi (later to be known as Muruganar), who had long been searching for his Guru, was taking a little break from his busy schedule of teaching and tutoring and Tamil dictionary compiling.

"You must take a look at this," said Dandapani Swami, holding out a slender text. Muruganar looked up with interest. What could this be?



Muruganar took the text into his own paws. Ah, the title! He had not even read the first line, and already, the magic was at work! Aksharamanamalai. He lost all awareness of the room and his family as he read the 108 verses. At last! None but his own longed-for Guru could have written THIS! And how obvious it was that this Bhagavan Ramana was none other than Siva himself.

His longing for Bhagavan's divine feet grew so intense that he resolved to set out as soon as possible for those feet. He began to plan his journey to Tiruvannamalai. He could feel that Bhagavan, in his infinite compassion had claimed him. To melt in that One was Muruganar's only wish. Bhagavan Ramana drew him like a magnet.

On his way to Arunachala, he stopped at the Arunachaleswara Temple and composed eleven verses to Bhagavan, addressing Him as Siva and pleading for His grace. And on he went, his journey almost complete.

~~~~~~~

That September, Bhagavan was still living in a little thatched hut on Mother's samadhi. Muruganar drew near. But how to greet the Lord of all? What exactly to say to that ocean of compassion?



Muruganar stood outside the hut, turning over possibilities and thinking, 'Oh what a golden day this is for the thirst I have endured for countless lifetimes!' But how to let Bhagavan know he had arrived? A tiny throat clearing? The gentlest tap on the door? He wanted to fall at the holy feet and wash them with his tears of gratitude. And never stand up again.

Meanwhile, up in a nearby tree, three young cubs were observing him. A fourth cub was about to climb up onto the platform of their newly built tree fort. "I smell a devotee!" whispered up the cub on the ground to the ones above, with tremendous joy. "Yes, yes!" whispered the others back. "Just jump into Bhagavan's lap!" Omcub urged under his breath, but Muruganar continued to stand outside the hut.



Suddenly Bhagavan came out of the hut. "Enna?" he said to Muruganar.

To explain why he had come, Muruganar began to sing the verses he had composed but soon he was too choked up with emotion and his eyes were too full of tears to go on.

Bhagavan took the poem from him and read it out himself.



"It's too beautiful for words!" said Arunacub in wonder.