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Shantammal In 1927, three other ladies and I went to Tiruvannamalai. By that time Bhagavan had come down from the hill and was living in a hut near his mother's samadhi (grave). We rented a place in the town, had a bath and went to see him. He was seated on a cot in a grass-thatched shed. Muruganar was by his side. As soon as I saw him I knew he was God in human form. I bowed to him and said, "The dream of my life has come true. Today I am blessed. Grant that my mind does not trouble me anymore." Bhagavan turned to Muruganar and said: "Ask her to find out whether there is such a thing as mind. If there is, ask her to describe it." I stood still, not knowing what to say. Muruganar explained to me, "Don't you see? You have been initiated in the search for the Self." ~ Shantammal One day when I was still new in the kitchen, I served Bhagavan with a few more pieces of potato than the rest. Bhagavan noticed it and got very angry with me. He turned his face away and would not look at those who were serving food. I could not make out the cause of his anger and wondered who it was who had offended him. The women who worked in the kitchen would collect around him to take leave of him in the evening, after the work was over. Usually he would exchange a few words with us, enquire who was accompanying us, whether we had a lantern, and so on. That evening he gave me a sign to come near. “What did you do tonight?” “I don’t know Swami, have I done something wrong?” “You served me more curry than others?” “What does it matter” I did it with love and devotion.” “I felt ashamed to eat more than others. Have you come all this way to stuff me with food? You should always serve me less than others.” “But Bhagavan, how can I treat you worse than others?” “Is this the way you hope to please me? Do you hope to earn grace through a potato curry?” “Out of my love for you I committed a blunder. Forgive me, Bhagavan, I shall respect your wishes.” “The more you love my people, the more you love me,” said Bhagavan and the matter was closed. ~ Shantamma, from Eternal Bhagavan in Ramana Smrti Souvenir