If only now the local authorities in major towns are beginning to place CCTV's to monitor crime in its streets, but the divine has always had an eye on us. Laws are introduced to curb crime now but in those days we were told to listen to our Mana Satchi or the witness in us. He came as Mana Satchi or the witness in us. The saints often spoke to their Manam reminding it continually of the impermanence of life and all that is associated with it. These days no one talks about this Manam and Mana Satchi. It has been hidden away from the public, sent into oblivion. Hence the need to have laws to restrain and discipline man as his conscience, in short, has been buried deep in the reaches of the heart never to arise again.
Sadhu Om has written numerous songs that have addressed the Manam reminding it of the presence of God that supersedes all other love and desires. It would serve to know the man first before we go into his works. We learn about the Sadhu from http://sadhuom.net/, http://www.arunachalasamudra.org and https://realization.org/
Sadhu Om in search for a genuine Guru, first read about Ramana in Suddhananda Bharati’s book "Sri Ramana Vijayam". When he went to the Ramakrishna Mutt, in Chennai and told the President that he was in search of Truth and asked for guidance, the President seeing his yearning asked him to visit Sri Ramana Maharshi. At that time he was living and working at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He wanted to know if there was anyone who visited Tiruvannamalai so that he can join them and make a visit. Enquiring from friends about Sri Ramana, he was directed to Janaki Mata who used to regularly visit Sri Ramanashram with her friends. Hearing this Sadhu Om along with the friend went to her place. He entered the house and asked her when she was planning to go next and if he could join her? She replied that they would be leaving for Tiruvannamalai next week. When he was about to return, she said that they are going to recitate the Sri Arunachala Akshara Mana Malai. He sat and joined them in singing. He was so attracted by the depth of the prayer, that he was thrilled and his yearning to visit Tiruvannamalai increased.
On 6th July, 1946, Sadhu Om went with Janaki Mata to meet Sri Bhagavan. Everyone went into the hall where Sri Bhagavan was sitting and prostrated before him. When Sadhu Om went up to prostrate before Sri Bhagavan, he saw only Sri Bhagavan's empty seat. Thinking that Sri Bhagavan had gone out without his noticing, he prostrated before the seat. When Sadhu Om got up, he saw a dense mass of light appear which gradually took the form of Sri Bhagavan's physical body. In this way, Sri Bhagavan revealed His Nirguna Sath Swaroopa for Sri Swamigal on his very first visit.
Sadhu Om describes the very first moment he lay his sight on Bhagavan Sri Ramana in an interview in "Arunachala Ramana".
"When I entered the hall I wanted to see Bhagavan [Ramana] but I only saw a sofa and no one sitting on it. I was surprised to see, however, that everyone else was doing namaskarams towards that sofa. When I was hesitating whether to do namaskarams, I began to notice the vague outline of a human figure sitting on the sofa. At once I prostrated. When I got up, I saw that vague figure slowly solidifying and becoming clear. Then only was I able to recognise it as Sri Bhagavan."
A couple of weeks later, Sadhu Om went back to Sri Ramanasramam to have the darshan of Sri Bhagavan. He sat on a rock on Arunachala composing poems on Sri Bhagavan under the title, Vetkai [Divine longing]. After composing the 7th poem, he realised it was breakfast time, and he quickly went to the Ashram dining hall. He entered the dining hall and seeing that Sri Bhagavan was eating there, he sat in front of Sri Bhagavan, and started eating. When Sri Bhagavan finished his breakfast, he got up from the seat. Seeing this, Sadhu Om also got up, although he had not finished eating. Sri Bhagavan looked at Sadhu Om and said, Vandha Velaiyaip Paar (Look after the business for which you have come). Sadhu Om then sat down, but since he had gotten up while eating, he was reluctant to continue eating. Sri Bhagavan, after washing his hands, was walking alongside the dining hall. Seeing that Sadhu Om was reluctant to eat, he repeated the words, Vandha Velaiyaip Paar. Hearing these words, Sadhu Om started eating again. As Sri Bhagavan went near the entrance and was about to pass over the threshold, Sadhu Om turned back and looked at Sri Bhagavan. Sri Bhagavan also looked at Sadhu Om and uttered the same words, Vandha Velaiyaip Paar, for the third time in succession.
At this point, Sadhu Om realized that the words were Sri Bhagavan's upadesa for him, to look after the business for which he was born in this world.
I can never forget the upadesa I got from my 3-year-old granddaughter recently. As she was seated on the settee, rooted in the kid's series "Masha and the Bear" watching the episodes over and over again, I used to tease her telling her that "I have seen this earlier." She would turn to me and point her finger to a corner telling me, "I am the one watching (that she doesn't mind seeing repeats), you go to your corner" I would then go stand in a corner. She would say "Not there" and direct me to my desk where I have my laptop working on this blog. So one day as she stood in front of the television, I came by and told her the same dialogue as all grandpa's too have been given a script. She was so stressed up that she turned to look up at me and said, "You take care of your life and I shall take care of mine. "நீ உன் வாழ்க்கையை பார்; நான் என் வாழ்க்கையை பார்க்கிறேன்" I was taken aback by this choice of words that came out from a 3-year-old, especially the correct usage of the word "Life" or வாழ்க்கை. I realized then that Agathiyar was telling me to do what I came for and not mess in others life just as Ramana told Sadhu Om "Vandha Velaiyaip Paar" or "வந்த வேலையை பார்"
After Sri Bhagavan left the body, Sadhu Om wanted to come and settle at Tiruvannamalai. He began to write "Sri Ramana Varuhai" meaning "please come Ramana" inviting Bhagavan Ramana. As he wrote verse No 172 Sri Bhagavan appeared before him. Swami thought that it is a dream. Thrice he appeared before him. Bhagavan said “Why you are calling me. You come to my place, Tiruvannamalai.” Sadhu Om had a thought, "What will I do for my food?" A vision of a dining hall where each one serving for themselves was seen. When Sadhu Om arrived at the Ashram, the then Ashram President invited him in, asking him to stay at the Ashram and look after the bookstall. Sadhu Om came to reside at Tiruvannamalai as he had wished for. He stayed there for about thirty years until he passed away in March 1985. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage. He dedicated his entire life to Bhagavan, spreading the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Sadhu Om never sought for himself any recognition or appreciation from the world. In fact, his life was a perfect example of strict adherence to the principal precept of Self-enquiry taught by Sage Ramana.
He shares Ramana's words, driving the nail right into our hearts, a reminder to us too.
"Moreover, according to the great truth discovered and revealed by Sri Ramana Bhagavan, a good person leading a simple yet highly spiritual life and passing away unknown to the world does far more good to the world than all the political and social reformers and all the platform-heroes of philosophy . . .”