Muruganar’s Literary Legacy

Sri Ramana Sannidhimurai was composed by Sri Muruganar as an outpouring of devotion that embodies the teachings of his Guru, Sri Ramana Maharshi. Srimati T.R.Kanakammal had the great privilege of coming to stay with Sri Bhagavan in 1946 and, until 1973, she also witnessed the one-pointed devotion that Sri Muruganar had for his Guru. For many years after Bhagavan’s Mahasamadhi she served Muruganar and was taught by him all the salient teachings of their Master, most of which were embedded into Muruganar's poems.

In her book Cherished Memories, Srimati T.R.Kanakammal describes the extraordinary greatness of Sri Ramana Sannidhimurai:

Sri Ramana Sannidhimurai is a work of unparalleled beauty and immeasurable depth of meaning. Sannidhimurai is a Tamiḷ word meaning “listing out one’s grievances in the Presence of God.” In other words, it is a form of poetry in which the devotee prays to the Almighty and begs for His indulgence. The same phrase can also be translated as ‘a set of rules for the conduct of worship in the Divine Presence.’

Bhagavan and Muruganar

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The author of this work is Sri Muruganar, a highly learned Tamiḷ scholar of eminence and a poet. More importantly, Muruganar was an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. His was an absolute and unconditional surrender at the feet of Bhagavan. So much so that he could not even think of any other deity. Sri Ramana Sannidhimurai is in praise of Bhagavan. It captivated the hearts of Bhagavan’s devotees to such an extent that they used to memorise long passages from the book and recite them in Bhagavan’s presence.

In the olden days, Saivite saints used to compose hymns on the presiding deities of every temple they visited. All these hymns were gathered together and compiled into what came to be called the Panniru Tirumurai. These hymns are all inspired poetry of the highest order. The sweetness of language and the beauty of expression are such that these songs have survived all these years, inspiring generation after generation of Lord Siva’s devotees.

Apart from the Panniru Tirumurai, there are a number of individual Sannidhimurais, sung by various poets through the ages. Even in modern times, the practice of composing Sannidhimurai continues. The Tirupporur Sannidhimurai was composed by Sri Chidambara Swami in recent times. When Muruganar composed the Ramana Sannidhimurai, therefore, he was only continuing a well-established tradition. The Ramana Sannidhimurai, however, has some unique characteristics which set it apart from all other Sannidhimurais. The songs in the Panniru Tirumurai were sung by several different poets, at several different temples, over a long period of time. The Ramana Sannidhimurai (except for the 12th chapter) is the work of a single poet, with all the poems extolling the praises of a single Deity. Moreover, Sri Muruganar has included some songs in verse-forms that are not found in the Panniru Tirumurai. The crowning glory of the Ramana Sannidhimurai is the chapter describing the extraordinary power of Bhagavan’s “Glance of Grace” (Kannokkam). Bhagavan had the power to transport a devotee to a higher plane through a mere glance of his eyes. Sri Muruganar tells us that a single glance from Bhagavan’s eyes can grant Liberation to a devotee, and free him from the cycle of birth and death.

The story of how the Ramana Sannidhimurai came to be written is very interesting. Even before his first visit to Tirvannamalai, Sri Muruganar had developed a very high regard for Bhagavan, hearing about him from his devotees and from reading Bhagavan’s works. Every time he read the Tiruvācakam (a devotional song composed by the poet-saint Manikkavacakar), Muruganar would be filled with the longing that, just as Manikkavacakar had found a suitable Guru, he too should have the good fortune to find a Guru soon. It was in this state of mind that Muruganar came to Tiruvannamalai.

On reaching Tiruvannamalai, Muruganar went to the Arunachaleswara Temple, to thank God for making his trip to Tiruvannamalai possible. While in the temple, he felt that he should take some suitable offering for Bhagavan. So he sat down in the temple hall and composed a decad of verses and took it with him to Ramanasramam. These are the ten verses known as the Desika Padikam. (In Tamiḷ and Sanskrit, the word Desika means Guru).

Upon entering the Ashrama, Muruganar was assailed by doubts. He felt that he was ignorant about the etiquette to be followed when meeting a great sage. As Muruganar stood hesitating at the entrance to the hall, Bhagavan himself came out of the hall and came towards the spot where Muruganar was standing. It was as if the Guru had come to welcome his disciple!

The sight of Bhagavan took Muruganar’s breath away. For a few minutes, he just stood there, drinking in Bhagavan’s form with his eyes. Suddenly, he remembered the verses he had written. He took out the piece of paper and tried to read from it. But his eyes were flooded with tears and his voice was choked with emotion. He was incapable of reading anything. In the end, Bhagavan himself had to take the paper from Muruganar’s hands and read the verses himself. So great was Bhagavan’s compassion for his devotee that he took the trouble to read all the ten verses, standing at the entrance of the hall, while the author of those verses just stood and gazed at him!

Afterwards Muruganar would write poems once in a while and lay them at Bhagavan’s feet. Upon reading one of these poems, Bhagavan significantly remarked with grace, “These lines are just like the verses in Manikkavacakar’s Tiruvācakam. Why don’t you write some more verses like these? If you continue to compose verses in the same way, you can write another Tiruvācakam!” Hearing these words, Muruganar was overcome by emotion. He was so moved by Bhagavan’s confidence in him that he broke down. Through his sobs he stammered, “Bhagavan, in your compassion, you have compared me to the great poet-saint. It is true that you are the Lord Siva Himself. But I am a worthless creature. I am not worthy of being compared to Manikkavacakar. Where is the shining star and where is the firefly? I am not capable of emulating Manikkavacakar on whom divine grace had descended in abundance.”

Bhagavan listened to Muruganar but did not answer in words. His only response was a long deep look into Muruganar’s eyes. This one glance was powerful enough to inspire in him the confidence to start writing poetry of rare beauty. He started composing verses regularly. Coming to know of this, a devotee, N.R.Krishnamoorthy Iyer, said to him, “These poems are quite good and it would be good idea to systematically compile them into a Sannidhimurai.” Thus the Ramana Sannidhimurai started taking shape. Muruganar firmly believed that Bhagavan made use of him as an instrument for the creation of this work. Several stanzas in Ramana Sannidhimurai bring out this idea.

Bhagavan’s glance of grace had the power to uplift a person and impart spiritual knowledge. Through more than thirty verses titled Thiruk Kannokkam (Divine Glance), Muruganar describes the power of Bhagavan’s Glance of Grace, and ends each verse with a plea for the bestowal of this Glance on the devotees.

The Composition of Ramana Purāṇam

The Ramana Sannidhimurai of Muruganar has been modelled on the Tiruvācakam of Manikkavacakar. The very first chapter in Tiruvācakam is a very beautiful one, titled Siva Puranam. But the first edition of the Ramana Sannidhimurai did not contain an equivalent chapter. Muruganar wanted to correct this inadequacy, and so he started composing that chapter. He had written some lines, when he was suddenly assailed by doubts regarding the appropriate title for this particular chapter.

Sri Muruganar

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As Muruganar had followed the model of Tiruvācakam, he should have given the same title for this chapter also. But he wanted to name it Ramana Purāṇam instead of Siva Puranam to signify that these songs were in praise of the living God, Sri Ramana. He also felt obliged to copy the original in every detail. Unable to come to a decision, Muruganar gathered up the papers of this unfinished chapter and laid the bundle at Bhagavan’s feet. He did not say anything to Bhagavan about the confusion in his mind and left the hall. It was evening by the time he returned to the hall again. As soon as Muruganar entered the hall, Bhagavan beckoned him close, gave him back the bundle of papers and said, “Have a look at the papers.” Immediately, Muruganar opened the bundle and started reading.

One glance was enough! Muruganar was speechless with surprise. He had not mentioned his confusion to Bhagavan; neither had he asked for Bhagavan’s advice. But the Master had answered the disciple’s unspoken question in the most unmistakable manner. At the top of the page was the title Ramana Purāṇam. Not only that, Bhagavan had written Ramana Puranam on top of every single page! And moreover, he had added many more lines of poetry to Muruganar’s own composition [2]

When the second edition of Sri Ramana Sannidhimurai was prepared for publication, Muruganar added the Ramana Purāṇam. While checking the proofs, Muruganar made a mark in the text and added a footnote saying that only a portion of this chapter had been his own work and that the rest of the lines beyond the mark had been composed by Sri Bhagavan himself.

After correcting the proofs, Muruganar handed over the copy to Bhagavan and requested him to check it. Bhagavan noticed the mark Muruganar had made, and read the footnote. At once, he turned to Muruganar and said, “So! Only this portion is Bhagavan’s, is it?” These words had shattering effect on Muruganar. He fell at Bhagavan’s feet and sobbed, “Bhagavan! What a grave mistake I have made! Please forgive me. I have not done anything at all. It is all your work. Every single line of poetry owes its existence to your infinite grace.” The mark and the footnote were removed immediately. This incident is sufficient proof that the Ramana Sannidhimurai was composed only by the grace of Bhagavan Sri Ramana.

The Upadesa Undhiar adorns the central portion of the Ramana Sannidhimurai. The Bhagavad Gita, which is the essence of Sri Krishna’s teachings, is at the heart of the Mahabharata. Similarly, the Upadesa Undhiar (which was later translated into Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam by Bhagavan as Upadesa Saram), the essence of Bhagavan’s teachings, forms the central portion of the Ramana Sannidhimurai. In this beautiful song, Bhagavan has condensed the lessons taught by all the Upanishads and set them down in one comprehensive poem. Incidentally the Upadesa Undhiar is the only work composed in the form of a book by Bhagavan.

The Ramana Sannidhimurai has yet another distinction. Bhagavan has stated that it is equal to the Tiruvācakam in all respects. Bhagavan has given his endorsement in the form of a poem.

Remembering Graham Boyd

I first heard from Graham Boyd in early 1995. He had invested a great deal of time digitally restoring a series of photographs of Bhagavan and sent me these along with a letter. His daughter Candice was then working for a computer company and somehow he had gotten enthused to use her computer to see how he could improve the quality of Bhagavan’s photographs. ‘Quality’ was the one word Graham was obsessed with, and ultimately this obsession proved to be of great value to Sri Ramanasramam over a period of 20 years.

Graham had first sent all his restored photos to Ramanasramam with a similar letter, but received no response. Obviously the letter and photos had not reached the right person. He was discouraged, searched the internet and found Arunachala Ashrama, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Center in New York. Again another letter and package of restored photos were sent. This time it met with an appreciative recipient and a correspondence and friendship ensued, one which decidedly changed the direction of Graham’s life.

In 1995, Graham was invited to come spend the summer in our Nova Scotia to work on the restoration of Bhagavan’s photographs. He accepted and ventured out of his British home and traveled across the Atlantic to the "wilds of Canada". He had not traveled out of Britain before and he had never met another devotee of Ramana Maharshi. When he arrived, he said he did not know how to act or what to say. Everything was different and strange in this totally unfamiliar, natural and simplistic rural setting of the Ashrama.

Graham was sincere and he weathered the isolation and ruggedness of the place with humor. He was a strict vegetarian, but would only eat canned food. At the time he believed that vegetarianism was a certain way to liberation, moksha, and that was the major aspect of his sadhana till then. I walked Graham down the road to the cows feeding on the grass in the field next to the Ashrama and said, “Prostrate here, for in that field (the cows) there are so many liberated souls eating only vegetarian food.” I believe he got my point.

Graham was also adverse to meditation. His was the path of service. Though we make meditation an integral part of the life in Arunachala Ashrama, he was unable to participate. I suggested to him “Why not meditate for some time each day ? It will help you,” He had a matter of fact reply which was typical with Graham but surprised me. “Meditate? Oh, I tried that. It doesn’t work.”

“Of course, Graham, it doesn’t work; you have to work at it,” I said.

That year Graham restored many photos and also produced digitally colored photos of Bhagavan which were excellent. He was a perfectionist in everything he did. I believe he was the first to take up the task of digital restoration of Ashrama photos. There was only one actual color photo of Bhagavan ever available, whereas all the other color prints we see of him were hand colored and reproduced. Graham took up the digital coloring of some popular photos of Bhagavan and whatever Graham did, he did it to the best of his ability in the way he conceived it best done. He would rarely compromise on quality or materials used to restore and print the photos. cwIn oder to settle on the colors to be used, Graham would do extensive research on each item in the photo to determine the correct color. He was quite successful in this endeavor.

Graham again visited Nova Scotia in 1996. While on this visit we printed thousands of his restored photos for distribution. Somehow he lasted another summer in this remote Ashrama, surrounded by fields, forest and hills. His obsession with the avoidance of insects was most entertaining to us country folk. Not for him, though. But he did enjoy being the entertainer and our rustic, uncultured, country ways provided him with a storehouse of material.

As a result of his visits here, meeting devotees and living with them, he gained the confidence to visit Sri Ramanasramam in India. We felt that he would definitely be of far greater service there than here. We wrote to the Ashrama, introduced him to the President and suggested they use him for the archival restoration of photos.

They agreed. So in the winter months of 1996 and early 1997 Graham made his first visit to Bhagavan’s abode where he continued his work of photo restoration in right earnest. Gradually Graham's winter visits were extended to six months or more, and ultimately he settled there permanently. His proficiency in electronics, construction, organization, etc., was appreciated and gradually he took on a greater number of roles in the development of the Ashrama’s computer room, archives and publications.

Graham hosted and developed Sri Ramanasramam's first website at the address of “ramana-maharshi.org”. He took this responsibility seriously, knowing full well that the digital age had arrived and through this medium Sri Ramana Maharshi’s life and teachings would be broadcast to the world. On this website he developed many different ways of introducing Ramanasramam and Bhagavan to seekers. Moved by the suffering of folk in the Tiruvannamalai area, he was sincerely involved in helping genuine charities and people in need. He personally helped many of those in need personally, and through the website supported several charities.

On the website Graham also wrote his own first impressions of Tiruvannamalai – the town, the people, the traffic, animals, snakes, insects, etc. He would get a bit carried away at times and some of the descriptions were, true to his nature, tragically bizarre and negative. After reading it, I sent him an email and thanked him. Why? It is the experience of many devotees who have been visiting the Ashrama for decades that the place was now becoming increasingly crowded with all types of people coming to see the Ashrama. In a humorous way, I thought his graphic list

Graham in Nova Scotia, 1995

Graham had a caustic, blunt way about him. Whatever he thought was inadequate for the job he would not hesitate to unload his criticism on the object or even the person responsible. He did this to such an extent that I eventually said to him, "It appears to me that you are not happy unless you have something to complain about!" And it was true! That was his nature. But no matter how much he criticized or ridiculed a person, the beauty of it was that one never felt offended. There was no malice in his behavior, just a relentless obsession to do everything as perfectly as possible. He felt that everything connected with Bhagavan’s legacy – his teachings, his archival artifacts, photos, publications, website and the whole Ashrama – should be restored, preserved and maintained at the very highest possible level at whatever the cost. That is how he expressed his devotion to his Master, and many devotees appreciated this, I included.

On Thursday, 16th June, after several months of enduring an aggressive cancer, at the place he called his home, Arunachala, Graham was absorbed into the lotus feet of Arunachala-Ramana. Graham will always be remembered for the work he had performed with a determined and uncompromising dedication.

Letters and Comments

Qualified Teacher

Devotee: Is it necessary for one to learn from a qualified teacher to start Self-enquiry, or can one start on one’s own by following the instructions in Who Am I? and Self-Enquiry? Are there teachers around NY or NJ? Thanks.

If one makes a sincere effort to practice the teachings to the best of one’s understanding, guidance, when needed, will be provided from the same source of inspiration that first opened your mind and heart to the possibility of a greater experience of Reality.

So, in short, it is of paramount importance to make an effort to practice the teachings now with dedication and devotion in accordance with the light that has been given. i title="citations">No effort ever goes in vain.

Location of the Heart

Devotee: Please forgive me for taking the liberty to write you for help again. As of now I have a question about the location of the heart. I know the Master said in "Spiritual Instruction" that “Between the two nipples, below the chest and above the abdomen, there are six organs of different colors. One of them resembling the bud of a water lily and situated two digits to the right is the heart.” But I still cannot locate its correct position. In an attachment please find two diagrams of the chest. I have marked my guess on the heart’s location in one of the diagrams. The other one is unmarked. If my understanding is wrong, could you point out the correct position in the unmarked diagram for me? I appreciate your help.

The way to locate the heart has been pointed out by Sri Ramana. He said the Heart is from where the ‘I-thought springs, its moola or source. So the way to experience it and find its location is to seek the source of the ‘I-awareness’. The Maharshi recommended that we focus our attention on finding the source of the ‘I-consciousness’ rather than trying to locate the spiritual heart within the body. If we seek the source of the ‘I’ the heart will manifest on its own. It is the seat of the ‘I’, the Self, and the Self of all.

Strength to Meditate

Devotee: Lately I have noticed a weakening of both the desire and the strength to meditate which is bothering me a lot. Old vasanas are rearing their heads again and it is getting more and more difficult to keep the mind off distractions. Moments of peace are fewer and far between. Sometimes it becomes very depressing. What is to be done at such times?