Part 2 - Ramana Maharshi Devotee Lokamma

Lokamma of Pattakkurichi is most remembered for her cooking and singing. The published chronicles of Ashram life during Bhagavan’s time are replete with reports of Bhagavan asking Lokamma to sing particular hymns to suit the occasion. Much of what follows is taken from the 1980 Souvenir entitled Ramana Smriti, p. 152-55.

I happened to meet Thenamma who had been coming to Ramanasramam for some time and who helped in the kitchen when there. Her accounts of Sri Bhagavan’s life and teachings sparked in me a deep longing to visit him. But my family members were dead against my going and, in time, this began to affect my health.

At last, the long-denied consent was given and I went to the Ashram with a group of pilgrims who were going to Tirupati. By a mere look, Bhagavan transmitted his power. I could feel it coursing through my veins.Forgetting to offer him the fruits I had brought with me, eyes brimming with tears of happiness, I kept looking at Bhagavan, who asked Muruganar,Is she the one about whom Thenamma was talking?

After this first visit I started coming to the Ashram regularly to stay for a month or two each time. One morning I was singing a Tevaram song in front of Bhagavan and sang a verse incorrectly.

Bhagavan noticed it and asked, “Is it written like that? You better read it again”. I read it wrong several times. Finally Bhagavan said sternly, “Find out where you made the mistake. I will not help you. If I do, you will not learn to see where you are wrong and will simply go on repeating the same mistake over and again”.

I went on reading the passage trying to find out where the mistake was, but lunch time was approaching. As I was supposed to serve, I started to get up to go to the
kitchen. But Bhagavan said, “No, you cannot go. Find your mistake first. You can’t just run away.” The bell rang for lunch and Bhagavan got up from his sofa and
went to the dining hall.

After lunch I went to Somasundaram Pillai who helped me. Then I went to Bhagavan and recited it correctly. “Who pointed it out to you”? he asked.“Only when you yourself have found out where you were wrong, will it remain fixed in your mind and you will have the knowledge and the capacity not to go wrong again.” I took this as his upadesa.

One day I was to cook some dhal and curry. I came early in thentil the man had been decently fed.

At first she would not yield but would weep and even go without food. But I was adamant; and she had to reconcile to my standpoint. What is the difference between man and man? Am I a Brahmin and he a pariah? Is it not correct to see God in all?”

Source: http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/pdf/Saranagathi_eNewsletter_March_2012.pdf