IMAGE CREDITS: davidman.org
The reading of many accounts of Annamalai Swami’s dedication to his Guru over 4 decades of his life is a mountain of devotion that seems unfathomable to the human mind. Over 3 decades, he served the building of various segments of RAMANASHRAMAM as we enjoy it today. But when one reads about his day to day challenges, doubts and how the work was conducted with Bhagwan’s grace at every step, mostly through his silent solving of many kinds of issues faced and his constant support to the devotee who trusted him without a question and was ready to against the whole world for his Guru.
But all this is still fathomable and readable until their love story comes to a point when ANNAMALAI SWAMY first leaves the ashram after 3 decades of being there, then stops talking to Bhagwan, then stops meeting BHAGWAN and also does not meet him when SHREE BHAGWAN is at the edge of earthly exit. And all this is not what Annamalai Swamy does of his own accord, but these sets of painful detachments happen to him at BHAGWAN’S behest. one may wonder how painful can love get and what is the kind of unquestioning surrender that is needed to awaken spiritually. To break the chords of attachment, the true GURU even sends him away from his sight and the true disciple does not even ask a question at this fine abidance. unflinching courage is exemplified in the character of this great devotee.
At the end of the journey of love….there is neither any exchange of sight nor word between them and yet their hearts have become one. So many tears must have been shed in silent solitude but the updesha of the GURU is the final commandment. Their story is etched in my spirit for all inspirations and eternity and has made me weep for weeks before this was written. Kindly forgive my sentimental/factual omissions if any.
For more details, pls refer to the book: LIVING BY THE WORDS OF BHAGWAN by David Godman.
IMAGE CEDIT:davidgodman.org
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