Gathered Blooms

This poem is a plea to Bhagavan Ramana in the form of the Arunachala Hill in a mood of surrender to do away with the false ‘I’, or the little ‘I.’  It is written, inspired by the talks of Brahma Sri Nochur Venkataraman on ‘Ulladhu Naarpadhu’ of Ramana Bhagavan, verse 2. Here he exposes one to a broader dimension of the ‘Fear of death’, by extending it to the changes that are constant in one’s life and not merely the death of the body. If we reflect our actions are towards steadying ourselves in order to encounter changes in future, the results of which are not in our control. There is a fear of flux starting from our own body, mind, relationships, status, prospects, fortune etc. Therefore, death is immanent in everything and a way of transcending it as per Ramana’s words is to surrender the false identity for which these changes are apparent. Furthermore, the plea is to beseech Bhagavan to hasten the process, for the fear of being entangled in any forthcoming pleasure, w...

This poem highlights the nature of the moving mind constantly looking forward for the pleasures of the future. Belief in astrology and planetary transitions are most sought after ways to know the future. Its a prayer to   the sacred Arunachala Hill worshipped as Arunachala Siva, the immovable Self to grant its immobility drawing the ever restless mind to merge in it in surrender to go beyond time. Year after year, when the (planet) transit happens, The Guru (planet) swaps positions, Spelling fortune to a few For others, distaste anew Joy eludes for some, While others refereshingly hum. The mind enjoys the rejuvenating change, Or sinks in sorrow sudden and strange! The changing Guru may cast the way of life, Interchanging upheaval of pleasure and strife, But can one rely for bliss eternal, When the mind lost in the ethereal? The true Sadguru full of Grace, The seamless unchanging reality, Leads the mind out of the dual maze, Spreading bliss unperturbed for etern...

Om Namo Bhagavate Shri Ramanaya! The womb of miracles is Grace, which is none other than the Self. Miracles here, may be defined as not the glaring ones as in Physic powers, Clairvoyance or materialising objects etc that bears the stamp of doership. They are simply divine interference in day to day life that are too very natural, and could often escape from even an alert eye. Such were those which took place in the presence of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. Any ardent seeker's life is peppered with miracles or divine interference. There are two common outlooks towards miracles. While most intellectual seekers on the path of Self realization often have a self imposed indifferent attitude towards miracles, seekers on the path of bakti or devotion often get lost in miraculous happenings. In my humble opinion, I guess focusing on Grace, the underlying factor of miracles than focusing on miraculous happenings themselves, or being aware of miracles rather than b...