Ramana Maharshi Does Not Tolerate If Any Special Attention Is Shown To Him While Eating

Servers in the kitchen usually devote special attention to Bhagavan by serving him something more than they serve to others. He notes such undue discrimination and tries to dissuade them.

Once post master Raja Iyer did so and Bhagavan looked at him disapprovingly but did not say anything at that time; and so Raja Iyer was continuing the practice off and on.

One night palpayasam (milk pudding) was prepared and Chinnaswami finding it particularly delicious, appeared to have hinted to Raja to serve a little more than usual to Bhagavan. So Raja served a little more. Bhagavan could not tolerate it and burst out, “There! Again the same nonsense.

The same monkey tricks. Why do you serve me more than what you serve others? When it comes to serving Bhagavan,the ladle is immersed fully while it is immersed only half when it is served to others. How often have I told you not to do so? No one listens to my words.

When the ladle is in his hands the server thinks he is as powerful as the District Collector and thinks he can do anything without fear. He is the one who serves and we are the people to eat whatever he serves. His hand is above and ours is below.

We must act as he pleases and eat as he decides and then lie low.” And Bhagavan went on talking in that strain, severely rebuking all the people concerned.

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