Srinath Raghavan remembered an incident that took place many years ago, as he was cleaning his stuff and found a Rudraksha bead. I share his post on fb here.
Many years ago, in pursuit of the Master's grace, I undertook a pilgrimage to all the sites associated with the Guru. Right from Narsobawadi to Akkalkot and beyond, I went and spent many blissful moments in each one of them. It was also an attempt to overcome the fear of traveling alone, as that was my very first time.
Those were the times, when spirituality and spiritual places were not yet commercialized, so I got to experience many things authentic, from emotions to experiences.
During the journey, I made many good fellow companions, with whom I shared my heart and space. One of them was a cranky old man, who wore a huge stack of Rudrakshas on him, literally covering his upper body like an Armour. Where ever he went people used to stare at him in respect or amusement, I knew not, but he sure gained many eye balls.
I was (guess still am!) of the less talking kind, so I spoke very little to anyone even then. But this man always pulled me into a conversation, as he would start to tell stories of his spiritual escapades with much gusto. He would talk of his experiences with Saints and Seers he had met in his long life and his detailed judgements on them. I would listen to his stories with rapt attention, as I was very much interested in the matters of the Spirit.
Slowly we formed a bond over time and I gathered enough courage to ask him one burning question, which was itching me for long, "Why do you wear so many Rudrakshas?"
He looked at me in amusement and said, "I love to wear them, so I wear it. I have earned much money in my life, of which I have spent in trading Gold. But the joy that comes from wearing these Rudrakshas is completely different believe me!"
He continued, "Rudrakshas instill in me a deep sense of detachment and renunciation, so I wear them to preserve it."
Hearing that statement, as if I had lost my mind and tongue, I blurted out unknowingly, "So to get detached from one, you got attached to another?"
The old man couldn't believe what he had heard, as I couldn't believe it either. He looked at me, as if he was going to kill me then and there, for he held those Rudrakshas very dear and he was ripe in stature too.
Unexpectedly and without any words exchanged, he began to remove them all one by one and placed it on a table, which began to take shape of a small hill. I kinda felt nervous by this sudden change of feeling and I said, "I am sorry for hurting you Sir, as I let out my words in haste."
He turned around and I could see his eyes moist and with much affection in his voice said, "Thank you kid!"
I guess he donated all the Rudrakshas to the temple and also gifted me with a nice bead, which I still treasure, as a fond memory from my past. Today when I was cleaning my stuff, I happened to spot it and hence this loving memoir.
This incident reminds me too of the time I was at Kallar Ashram. They had just finished the Pornami Puja a couple of days earlier as I arrived at the Ashram for the very first time in 2005. Vimalan and Suresh from Thiruvannamalai had stayed back after the Puja. Suresh brought out a single piece of Rudraksham and showed it to Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal inquiring about its sacredness and if he could wear it.
Tavayogi explained about the auspiciousness of the Rudraksham and permitted him to wear it provided he could adhere to certain strict conditions while adorning it. When Suresh left, Tavayogi turned around to me and said, "Namakku athu thevai illai, Magane", meaning, "We do not need this, son". This surprised me.
Later I read an episode where a well known musician visiting Ramana Ashram was invited to sing more and more by Ramana himself, who praised the greatness of music and its capabilities. On another occasion a devotee who wanted to start his life rendering musical performances was made to reconsider his option by Ramana. Later one of Ramana's followers questioned the great saint why he spoke differently about music to these two gentlemen. Ramana replied that the blessing he gave to the earlier musician was apt for him and the disapproval for the devotee was appropriate for him too.
Thirumular in his Thirumanthiram speaks about an advanced state where we need to shed all forms of desires and even our love for Shiva too.
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