Ramana Maharshi Devotee Mahalakshmi Amma

The life of Mahalakshmi Amma is a heart-renting story. This is written by Smt. T.R. Kanakammal, in Mountain Path issue of July -September 2008.

Mahalakshmi was the wife of Gangaraju Mallikarjuna Rao, from Vijayawada region.They were Telugu Brahmins.Mr.Rao chanced to see a photo of Bhagavan belonging to his friend, Balagopala Rao, a long time devotee from who was living at Palakottu.Mallikarjuna Rao had a darshan of Bhagavan Ramana in 1931.Bhagavan Ramana became his Sadguru instantaneously.

For Mahalakshmi, her mother was the guru.It was a good fortune for Rao that he married Mahalakshmi.Her first darshan of Bhagavan in 1933 was a deeply rewarding experience for her.Both became bhaktas of Bhagavan and visited the Asramam frequently, never missing Mahapuja and Jayanti celebrations. Bhagavan became their family deity and they performed pujas daily with offerings of various kinds, as well as regular recitation of Bhagavan's works.

Mahalakshmi Amma used to stay in the house of Alamelu Athai after 6 p.m.Once on a Sri Rama Navami day, Mahalakshmi prepared panakam, neer mor and vadai paruppu and after offering to Sri Rama and Bhagavan's pictures at the house, rushed to the Asaramam, with bucketfuls of these items around 4 a.m!As she was not conscious of the time,the attendants told her to go back.

Bhagavan Ramana who suddenly happened to see her,looked at her with compassion and exclaimed:"Look! Lord Ramachandra has come to the Asramam so early.Come and distribute the prasad to everyone!"

This was one of the incidents to bring to light the extraordinary purity of her devotion, which was rewarded by Bhagavan Ramana.On another day, Mahalakshmi Amma had a dream where Bhagavan was asking her to prepare some mysorepak for Him! The next morning, Mahalakshmi Amma euphorically prepared mysorepak, offered it to Bhagavan's picture in the house, and took it to the Asramam. Before that the couple decided to make a fullfledged bhiksha also to Bhagavan Ramana and His devotees in the Asramam.

During lunch, Bhagavan and others were served by Mahalakshmi Amma herself. Bhagavan Ramana, after taking the mysorepak asked: "Will another piece be available to everyone?" Mahalakshmi Amma who was in seventh heaven replied: "Why not Bhagavan! Dhandikaundi!" (It is available in plenty). Bhagavan Ramana who never asked for a second helping made an exception in her case, due to her pure devotion!

Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao was in transport business and owned a fleet of buses.The couple thus became prosperous, but were simple souls,living virtuous lives with generous charitable dispositions.Theirs was a prolific family too. Mahalakshmi always had a small baby to nurse.Despite a long journey from Vijayawada, they desired to meet Bhagavan Ramana as often as possible, with all their children.They had five daughters and four sons.Unfortunately, all the four sons died young. The successive tragedy broke their hearts and it was difficult for them to come to terms with this tragedy.

When a fifth son was born, they brought the child to the Asramam in its sixth month for Anna Prasanam. (Introducing the child to Anna or cooked rice for the first time). When they brought the child, Bhagavan Ramana agreed saying, "Good!" They arranged for a bhiksha with Pal Payasam (Rice boiled in milk with sugar). When all sat for lunch, Chinnaswami brought a silver bowl given by Mahalakshmi, with
Pal Payasam and placed it before Bhagavan.While Rao was holding the child in front of Bhagavan, He tasted a little of Payasam and fed the child with Payasam three times. The child was indeed blessed. But after reaching home, this child too unfortunately died.

The couple wondered whether they were destined to have any male progeny at all. They consulted astrologers and did various rituals. Sometime in 1947-48, a sixth male child was born to them. The couple decided to bring up the child with begged food and begged clothes. The friends who knew this peculiar "vrata" helped them. After a few months, they again desired to perform Anna Prasanam in the holy presence of Bhagavan Ramana.

The family arrived in the Asramam one week in advance. They waited patiently in front of the ladies' guesthouse for Bhagavan's return from the post office. They prostrated and Rao told Bhagavan the reason for their visit and then they held the child in front of Bhagavan. Bhagavan Ramana playfully snapped His thumb and middle finger to attract the attention of the child. The child, leaning towards Him and looking at Him fixedly, caught hold of Bhagavan's hand and started to suck His thumb! Bhagavan Ramana was amused and said to the child, "Won't you go?" Rao had to forcibly take away the child. A bhiksha was arranged for the auspicious day. When there were just two days to go before the function, the child became suddenly ill, with high fever. Dr. M.R. Krishnamoorthy, a devotee of Bhagavan Ramana, who was then at the Asramam, treated the child, but the fever did not subside.

Mahalakshmi Amma's heart became numb with fear. She was convinced that if Bhagavan were to touch the child and apply 'vibhuti' to its forehead, the child would survive. She carried the child with some 'vibhuti' and waited for Bhagavan Ramana to pass by from gosala. When she prayed to Him, Bhagavan Ramana remained silent for. She repeatedly begged and beseeched Him and Bhagavan, just to satisfy her, applied 'vibhuti' and went on His way. Unfortunately, the next day, the child died! Mallikarjuna Rao had been away to Madras, and he was to return only the next day.

Bhagavan Ramana with great compassion and solicitude, sent someone to the Railway station to fetch him, with instructions to break the sad news only on approaching the Asramam.When he did hear the news, he threw down on the road all the playthings
he had bought for his child and wept broken hearted.When this was reported to Bhagavan Ramana, He narrated the happening of the previous day, how Mahalakshmi had insisted on His touching the child to apply 'the vibhuti'.Bhagavan Ramana said: "Wondering why I just kept quiet in spite of her insistence, she begged and so I applied 'the vibhuti'. The next day, the child died. Nayana used to tell all devotees, 'Do not allow children to be touched by Bhagavan. If you do, He will liberate them at once!' "

But a slender hope lurked in Mahalakshmi Amma, who had boundless faith in and devotion to Bhagavan. She hoped that the child might, by Bhagavan's Grace, come back to life. Those were the days, when orthodoxy reigned supreme and orthodox rules forbade her to bring the lifeless body of the child into the presence of Bhagavan Ramana, although her maternal heart yearned for His Grace.

A little distance away from the path to the 'gosala' was a huge haystack. With great terpidation and hesitation, she brought the lifeless child and laid it on the ground by the haystack and waited with abundant hope for Bhagavan to pass by. Varanasi Subbalakshmi Amma, who was by her side consoled her and gave moral support to the grieving mother.

When Bhagavan Ramana did come, Mahalakshmi was hesitant to come near and prostrated from where she was. Bhagavan, the very embodiment of compassion, stopped and rested His eyes on the child with a long look of grace. He stood in silence for sometime and proceeded on His way. The desolate mother took in the situation and stood speechless. She resigned herself to her 'prarabdha' from which she realized that there was no escape. Next day, they bathed the child and adorned it with garlands from the Matrubhuteswara Temple. Later that morning, they buried the child.

They then packed for the trip home. Their traits was leaving at 9 p.m. and at 2 p.m. they came into the presence of Bhagavan Ramana, in the Jubilee Hall in order to take leave of Him and avoid the crowd which would gather around for Vedaparayanam in the evening. As if to do away with their grief, the divine will prompted a devotee to pose certain questions to Bhagavan Ramana, the answers to which brought soothing comfort to the sorrow stricken parents and lifted them from their despondency. Bhagavan's responses gave them courage and fortitude and made them feel consoled at the thought that, as the child had given up his body in the Holy Abode of Bhagavan, hsi short prarabdha had been spent, he must have attained a high state of being in his spiritual evolution.

Early next morning, when Bhagavan Ramana enquired where the child had been buried, he was told, 'Somewhere outside.' Bhagavan Ramana remarked, "This child could have been buried here, but if that had been done, this place would become a general burial ground."

When I (Kanakammal) narrated His comment to Mahalakshmi, during her next visit, she felt tremoundously comforted and said: "The child's spiritual future has been assured!"

Mallikarjuna Rao, was a tall, hefty and robust looking.Mahalakshmi was tall as well, but slim and delicate.Her frail frame belied her mental fortitude, resoluteness and indomitable inner strength.She wore a sari in the Andhra Brahmin style, and like Suri Nagamma, was endowed with luxuriant, long, dark hair. But she lived an austere and orthodox life with self imposed rules of physical and mental discipline.

She would get up at 3.30 am everyday and after a bath,engage herself in puja and parayana and reciting her favourite book, Grantha Mala (The Complete Works of Bhagavan, in Telugu). Her major occupation during the day was telling the beads of a mala (rosary) with Bhagavan's name. Even while engaged in household work, like cutting vegetables, or cooking, she would be speaking mentally to Bhagavan, saying, " Bhagavan!I am making such and such vegetable today, as per your command."

Thus with her mind focussed on Bhagavan and with all her constant thoughts and actions centred on Bhagavan, she created an atmosphere permeated with the presence of Bhagavan and revelled in it, wherever she was.

Mahalakshmi Amma, had a large family to attend to and whilst doing so she had the habit of executing all the household work as though commanded by Bhagavan Ramana. Whatever was cooked, was eaten only after being offered to Bhagavan. While, eating, whether at home or outside, she observed silence. Even in the Asramam, due her strict adherence to orthodox rules, she used to dine in the kitchen with the
permission of the Asrmam management.

When coming for lunch,she would bring three small bowls in a bag. Receiving a small quantity of side dishes in the bowls and rice on a leaf plate, she would never acccept a second helping. Even the served food she ate only after offering it to Bhagavan Ramana. She was to be found at all other times to remain in dhyana in Bhagavan's Hall. Even after the traged narrated above, the couple with their other children frequently visited the Asramam.

The entire family came to the Asramam for the 'kumbhabhisekham of the Matrubhuteswara Temple. The children, especially the older ones who had for some time not had the opportunity to sit with Bhagavan during lunch, longed to sit beside Him. The day of their return home was fast approaching. One day, Mahalakshmi Amma managed to bring all of them just in time for lunch.

Somehow she managed to find places for everyone except for herself and the eldest daughter, who was very disappointed as she was unsure whether she would accompany her parents the next time. Both stood at the threshold of the dining hall from where they feasted their eyes on Bhagavan.

When lunch had been completely served to everyone, Bhagavan usually signalled its start by nodding His head. But this time, He looked to His left and right, told someone to lay two more leaves, between Him and the entrance of the kitchen and asked Mahalakshmi and her daughter to seat themselves before these leaves.He waited until they had been served and only then nodded, signalling the start of the lunch.

As their leaves were so near Bhagavan's leaf, with great reverence mingled with awe, they took the greatest care not to scatter any rice out of the leaves.They ate happily, enjoying the meal and the profound grace of Bhagavan. They respectfully waited until Bhagavan finished His food. Mahalakshmi often recalled this incident with tears, gratefully saying how fortunate their family was to be blessed by Bhagavan again and again.

When they heard of the impending operation on Bhagavan for the cancerous growth, they immediately travelled to the Asramam.A throng of people had gathered, however, darsan for that day was over. Early next morning, Mahalakshmi arrived at the Asramam and sat at the entrance of the Mother's Temple, in front of the closed doors behind which Bhagavan Ramana was resting. As she was telling her beads, suddenly the doors opened and Bhagavan emerged.Looking at her, Bhagavan said, "Um...Um...", acknoweldged her presence and walked to the now Mahanirvana Room. That every afternoon, darsan re-commenced and they returned home after jointly seeing Bhagavan!

Later, when Bhagavan's health had deteriorated very badly, they were unable to stay away and returned again to the Asramam, which was now swarming with people. Mahalakshmi had brought with her a new towel, some raisins and sugar cubes.

She stood opposite the Mother's Temple and looked towards the Nirvana Room.Her one longing was to preserve these items as relics, after wiping the feet of Bhagavan with the towel and after a simple glance at the raisins and sugar cubes by Him.Tears were streaming down her cheeks.Bhagavan the living embodiment of compassion, sent a Telugu-speaking gentleman to find out what she wanted.

When she disclosed her desire, the gentleman taking the articles with Him, informed Bhagavan of her desire. Then Bhagavan, the ocean of grace, stretched His feet so that he would wipe both His feet with that towel.Bhagavan, who could now eat practically nothing, ate a few of the raisins.

When all the three items were returned to her, Mahalakshmi Amma was overwhelmed by great joy and profound grief at the same time.She preserved these items as most precious relics in her puja room and worshipped them till the end of her life.

Such a tranquil life, poised in joy and serenity, was now buffeted by storms. Misfortunes befell,starting with the Mahasamadhi of Bhagavan. Soon aferwards, Mallikarjuna passed away.In the absence of a competent person to conduct the family business it soon fell into decline.Their affluence faded.With only two daughters married, the entire responsibilty of marrying the other two daughters, had to be borne by her, though she was assisted by her elder son-in-law.Caught as she was in the tribulations of supporting her family, her visits to the Asramam became few and far between.But her inner poise and serenity remained untouched. At last, when all responsibilities had been discharged by the grace of Bhagavan, she resumed her visits to the Asramam.

Though her husband had bought a huge plot of land on which to build a house, for various reasons this did not materialize, so she rented a room.Now she further tightened her self-imposed disciplinary rules.She at only what she had cooked for herself -- a simple lunch in the afternoon and a light meal at night.It was a spartan life, given wholly to devotional practice and dhyana.With no more responsibilities weighing her down, she was like a bird released from its cage. Unattached, independent, highly dispassionate, and beaming with joy, her life reflected her inner peace.

Once she arrived back at the Asramam, after a long time.There was a noticeable difference in her appearance.With the loss of her husband, she had adoped the attire of a widow, white saris with a small coloured border at the bottom. But now her long hair was gone and she was dressed in the strict orthodox garb of a widow -- we saw a plain white sari with shaven head.The only ornaments were a 'rudraksha mala' and a 'spatika mala'.She looked the picture renunciation.I asked her why she had resorted to such an extreme step of self-abnegation.She explained what had happened.

When things took a turn for the worse, she had needed spiritual reassurance to steady her inner peace which was seriously threatened.The Paramacharya of Kanchipuram [Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati Swamigal] and Abinave Vidya Teertha of Sringeri Math,
were both then touring Andhra Pradesh separately, camping at various places.

The high esteem in which she had held the revered Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Math made her decide to meet him, but strict orthodoxy stood in her way.Brahmin widows with unshaven heads [in those days] could view him only from a distance. To have a private audience with him or to get the 'prasad' of holy water from him, she had to shave her head.

The prospect of distant darsan did not satisfy her.Her tenacity of purpose and her eagerness not to let the opportuntiy slip away, decided the issue. Her hair, that was till luxuriant, was cut off and her head shaved.Now she sought and got the longed-for private interview with the Sage.The outcome was very positive. Her inner poise was restored and she followed him thorughout his tour in Andhra.Thus reassured she was at peace as never before, with all the composure of still waters.

When she became old, she could not come to the Asramam, as before and it was through one of her daughters who came occasianally that I [Smt. Kanakammal ] got news of her. After sometime I heard of her passing away.The adversities she had faced after the demise of her husband were innumerable. But she had faced them with equqnimity. Because her heart was family anchored at Bhagavan Ramana's feet, she emerged victorious from all struggles, with her inner calm unruffled.

Thus ended the inspiring life of a pure and holy devotee who had to wage a heroic battle with life, armed solely with the weapon of pure devotion and the grace of Bhagavan Ramana and the kingdom of peace was her gain. This echoes what the Lord said in Srimad Bhagavatam, in Skandam 10, Chapter 88, Versses 8-9:

The meaning of which is:

"He on whom I am going to bestow My Grace, I solemnly deprive of him of all his wealth. When his wealth has gone, all his friends,his kith and kin will desert him, making him sink into the utmost sorrow and despair. When his further efforts to gain wealth also fail, thanks to My will, he becomes filled with dispassion and becomes
associated with My devotees. On such a one, I bestow My Grace."

The story of Mahalakshmi Amma illustrates that a householder, amidst the constant demands of family duty and the call of multifarious responsibilities, through steadfast devotion to her guru, can rise higher in esteem and greateness that ordinary ascetics and renunciates.

Source: Smt. T.R. Kanakammal's article in Mountain Path, as indicated above.


Readers interested are requested to read below articles as well

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2010/01/mahalakshmamma-recollects-how-her-son.html

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2010/02/reason-why-ramana-maharshi-devotees-did.html

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2010/02/few-devotees-who-came-to-jnana-marga.html

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2009/09/sri-rama-krishna-tells-how-to-realize.html