Ramana Maharshi Devotee Padma Venkataraman Recalls Her Experiences

Padma went to the Asramam sometime in 1947, along with her husband. Since,it was noon and she could not see Bhagavan till 2.30 PM., she went to book shop
and purcahsed Who am I? - Tamil. She says that she must have read that at least 10 times and she did not know anything about Vedanta till then.

She and her husband had the darshan of Bhagavan in the afternoon.

She said: Bhagavan! I want Atma Sakshatkaram.

Bhagavan smiled said: Appidiyaa? Is it so? The way Bhagavan asked her, it took her breath away and it was so charming.

Then her husband said: She wants to stay here permanently.

Bhagavan did not reply but gazed at her steadily putting forth His grace in full measure.

She was left by her husband in T'malai and she used to sit in the Hall for hours in total peace and such was His presence. Her husband came and met her at frequent intervals and took care of her financial needs.

One day she told Bhagavan: My vasanas overpower me sometimes.

Bhagavan said: You be the Object instead of being the subject. Then vasanas won't trouble you.This answer completely satisfied her.

She used to starve only taking milk at intervals during the days. One day, she got some palmyra fruits and submitted them to Bhagavan. Bhagavan gave her some nongus (fruits) first and then said: Srimad Bhagavad Gita says: Too little eating and too much eating are both cannot attain the yoga sadhana.

From that day, Padma stopped total starving and took to regular food.

There were too many Padmas in the Asramam those days. Bhagavan used to call her as Starving Padma.

Source: Arunachala's Ramana Volume VII Book