Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

On the morning of the first instant, decorative designs
of lime powder were drawn on the floor around the front
hall and strings of green leaves were tied in a row to the
doors and windows. On the Yogasana, a mattress of silk cotton
with a covering of satin cloth was spread and at the back a
broad pillow was laid. A silk bed sheet covered the mattress.

It was also prettily decorated. Abhishekam and other Pujas
were being performed in the temple, the bells were ringing,
arathi (light) with camphor was being waved, when at 9-45
a.m, Bhagavan, who was returning from the Gosala, was led
with Purnakalasa (vessels full of water) and with brahmins
chanting the Vedas, to the front hall and was requested to sit
on the Yogasana. After the recital of ‘Nakarmana’ and other
mantras, and the waving of camphor lights, and after all the
devotees had prostrated before him, Bhagavan sat on the
couch arranged for him.

I sat in the hall reflecting on the whole scene as follows:
Vidyaranya began the building of a city in the shape of a
chakra (wheel) but did not succeed. He had, however, written
about it, saying that in the future some emperor would do
it. Ganapati Muni had that in mind and so wrote in
“Arunachala Ashtakam” (Eight verses in praise of
Arunachala), beginning with: “Sree chakrakriti shona shaila
vapusham”.

In accordance with that sentence, he said, “This hill
itself is in the shape of a chakra, so this is the place meant by
Vidyaranya. Bhagavan is the emperor and the only thing
that remains is to build houses around.” So saying, he drew
up plans for the proposed kingdom but disappointed us
ultimately as he passed away before the plans could be
executed. The Sarvadhikari, however, built a temple over
the Samadhi of his mother, made the front hall the chief place
of the empire, constructed a stone seat like the throne of
Vikramarka for Bhagavan to sit on; all according to Ganapati
Muni’s great dreams. His desires have been fulfilled and the
Emperor amongst Yogis, Sri Bhagavan, is seated there, like
real the Sadasiva.

While I was thus absorbed in my own thoughts, the
Stapathi and others came with a plate containing fruits,
flowers and other auspicious articles and got them touched
by Bhagavan; they then went out through the southern
doorway. I did not understand what it was all about.

Bhagavan was looking with steadfastness in that direction.

With a desire to know what it was about, I went out and saw
opposite the doorway and in the open courtyard a huge
stone. They smeared on it turmeric powder and kumkum,
placed on it a flower garland, broke some coconuts on it, lit
some camphor and began chiselling it. When I asked
somebody what it was, I was told that it was for making a
statue of Bhagavan. My heart throbbed with misgivings. You
may ask, why? I felt disturbed because it is known to us all
that Bhagavan is sick. Under these circumstances I began to
wonder why a statue was being thought of. Comforting myself
with several explanations, I came to Bhagavan’s presence
and sat down. Bhagavan noticed all my misgivings and my
troubled mind. In the meantime the function relating to the
statue was over and they all came in. The bell in the dining
hall rang and all dispersed. But somehow my mind continued
to be troubled. When I entered in the afternoon at 3 p.m.

Bhagavan told us some stories and made me forget the
matter. I will write about all those things in another letter.