Suri Nagamma Recollects Guru Prasadam Given To Her By Guru Ramana

One afternoon in 1945-46, I went to the Ashram late in the afternoon. Devotees assembled there were munching something. When enquired what it was, I was told that some coconuts which were ripe had fallen on the ground, there was ripe copra within which was very nice and so they were eating it.

“Is that so?” I said and went to Bhagavan. He too was eating holding a portion of it in his left hand. As soon as he saw me he said, “There she is. Nagamma has come. Give her also a portion.”

“Ayyo! it is all exhausted,” exclaimed those near him.

Normally if anyone brings something to eat during the afternoons and it is over by the time I go to Bhagavan, it is usual for Bhagavan to offer me a portion of what he has in his hands, but as what he eats is usually very small quantity,I respectfully decline to take it and go to the kitchen and eat. I wanted to do the same thing this time also and looked towards the kitchen.

Noticing it Bhagavan called me and said, “Listen. You won’t get this there, as it is all being consumed here only. Come near. This is very tasty.” When I went there as desired, Bhagavan gave me all that he had in his hands. When I protested against his giving me away all that he had, he said, “Never mind. I have already eaten a lot. Your share only is the leftover.” I accepted it as a mahaprasadam — an invaluable gift — and ate it with great relish. To me it appeared like nectar.

My delight knew no bounds as it was a prasadam received unsolicited from Bhagavan’s own hands. My joy was indescribable.Guroruchistam (the leftover of a Guru) is really this and not what is left over from the guru’s plate or leaf after he eats.This is perhaps what Bhagavan wanted to teach us that day.

While residing on the hill and also during the early days of the Ashram, Bhagavan used to take part in kitchen work and so devotees were at the time receiving prasadam at his hands like this, but since my coming here this has not happened.

So on that day, when I received from Bhagavan’s own hands a portion of what himself was eating, all felt that it was my special good fortune — the result of my past births.

Source: Letters from Sri Ramanasramam VOLUMES I, II & Letters from and Recollections of Sri Ramanasramam By SURI NAGAMMA Translated by D. S. SASTRI