Part 1 - Ramana Maharshi Devotee Lokamma

LOKAMMA became a widow when she was very young. Her greatest wish was to meet saintly persons and to gain freedom from samsara by their
help. An uncle noted for his tapas initiated her into panchakshara japa. She would practice the japa day and night thousands of times and often had burning
sensations in her body from the sheer power of the mantra.

Later, at a time when her life was in chaos, she and her family made a pilgrimage to Rameswaram. She felt that her life as a widow was no longer tolerable and decided to put an end to it by jumping into the sea. Just when she had made up her mind to carry out this plan, she heard that she was to go to Tiruvannamalai in the company of some pilgrims en route to Tirupati. Her dream would at last be realised.

Soon enough she found herself at the feet of Bhagavan.He fixed his gaze on her with unwavering attention for about ten minutes. There was such splendour in his gaze that she was repeatedly compelled to close her eyes.“I was only looking and looking at Bhagavan with my eyes full of tears”.2 But what she had for so long yearned for was evidently given to her in those few moments, for her life was forever changed.

Once Lokamma sent large quantities of the best quality parboiled rice from her village, Pattakurichi (near Tenkasi).Santhamma, not knowing how to utilise the half-boiled rice (only raw rice was cooked at the Ashram), in consultation with Bhagavan prepared idlies that day for breakfast. They
were very much liked by everyone. Thenceforth idlies became the staple breakfast at the Ashram. Even today,Ashram idlies are acclaimed for their size, softness and taste. Full credit should go to Lokamma.

Source: http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/pdf/Saranagathi_eNewsletter_February_2012.pdf