The hill looks like any other hill. But just like today, it has beckoned millions to it since time immemorial. Mahatmas and siddhars and maharishis and seekers and sinners et al.
The Ramana Parayana that starts after the abhishekam and aarti breaks the enforced silence and self-imposed silences in the samadhi hall. Every once in a while, you could hear an air horn from a rickety, rusty bus. Or a peacock crows. The breeze is still but brings a waft of camphor and sambrani in distinct waves.
Ramana's piercing eyes stare at you from all four walls and like many others felt, you still feel his presence here long after his samadhi on April 14, 1950.
Behind the samadhi and the ashram, the hill looms as a great answer to all seekers of truth. Covered by low-hanging, rain-carrying clouds, its peak is invisible. Night dawns; lakhs of devotees circumambulate Arunachala during the full moonlit night...
Close your eyes and just sit. Chumma iri. Be as you are.
The aroma of mysticism and esoteric faith combine to give you a headiness at Virupaksha cave. If you're entitled, you may hear Aum vibrating all around you.
Just outside the ashram, bohemians, backpackers, and sadhus share tales and tea and lives. While cattle, dogs, monkeys, and peacocks are fed by few kind folks like Devraj, I sit and try to be still.
Still, I am not still.
This was actually written in October 2016 but posted only now. :-)
The Ramana Parayana that starts after the abhishekam and aarti breaks the enforced silence and self-imposed silences in the samadhi hall. Every once in a while, you could hear an air horn from a rickety, rusty bus. Or a peacock crows. The breeze is still but brings a waft of camphor and sambrani in distinct waves.
Ramana's piercing eyes stare at you from all four walls and like many others felt, you still feel his presence here long after his samadhi on April 14, 1950.
Behind the samadhi and the ashram, the hill looms as a great answer to all seekers of truth. Covered by low-hanging, rain-carrying clouds, its peak is invisible. Night dawns; lakhs of devotees circumambulate Arunachala during the full moonlit night...
Close your eyes and just sit. Chumma iri. Be as you are.
The aroma of mysticism and esoteric faith combine to give you a headiness at Virupaksha cave. If you're entitled, you may hear Aum vibrating all around you.
Just outside the ashram, bohemians, backpackers, and sadhus share tales and tea and lives. While cattle, dogs, monkeys, and peacocks are fed by few kind folks like Devraj, I sit and try to be still.
Still, I am not still.
This was actually written in October 2016 but posted only now. :-)
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