Major A.W. Chadwick Says Ramana Maharshi Was Deeply Interested In Construction His Mother's Samadhi

BHAGAVAN WAS DEEPLY interested in the construction of the shrine built over his mother’s samadhi. He attended every function in connection with it, placing his hands in blessing on the various objects that were to be enclosed in the walls. At night, when no one was about, he would walk round and round the construction consecrating it.

That he should take such a demonstrative part in anything has a very deep significance. It was extremely rare and has been doubted by many, but I myself was an eye-witness to these things and can vouch for their truth.

He took a personal interest in the cutting of the Sri Chakra Meru in granite (pyramidal form), which was installed in the completed temple and is regularly worshipped. This is about one and a half feet square and proportionately high.

At the time of the kumbabhishekam on the penultimate night before the sacred water was poured over the images, he personally supervised the installation in the inner shrine.

It was an extremely hot night and with three charcoal retorts for melting the cement
adding to the heat. It must have been intolerable inside the airless cave of the inner shrine. Yet for approximately one and a half hours Bhagavan sat there telling the workmen what to do.

On the last night of the function he went in procession,opening the doors of the new hall and temple and passing straight up into the inner shrine, where he stood for some five minutes with both hands laid on the Sri Chakra in blessing. I happened that night to be at his side the whole time. This was unusual, as I deliberately avoided taking a prominent part in such things, preferring to watch from the back.

Strangely, something made me keep by him on this occasion and on account of this I was able to understand his deep interest in the temple and especially in the Sri Chakra. It was because of this knowledge that I was instrumental, after Bhagavan’s passing, in persuading the Ashram authorities to institute the Sri Chakra pujas six times a month.

The explanation for this unusual action on Bhagavan’s part may be found in the necessity of Siva always to be accompanied by Shakti. The world would stop otherwise.

On the only occasion when such a puja was performed, shortly after the dedication of the temple during the life of Bhagavan, he refused to go for his evening meal, but insisted on remaining a witness of it until the end.

Someone remarked how magnificent it had been and that it would be a good thing if such pujas could be performed regularly, “Yes, but who will take the trouble?” asked Bhagavan.Trouble is being taken now and it undoubtedly has the blessings of Bhagavan.

Source: The Silent Power Selections from The Mountain Path and The Call Divine