Living with The Master (Reminiscences By Kunjuswami)

Kunjuwswami was a shining personality whose life from its youth revolved around the Sun of Jnana. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He came to Sri Bhagavan in 1920, while still in his teens, and served Him till His nirvana in 1950.

Kunjuswami’s Reminiscences provide a rare, first–hand account of the early days of Sri Ramanasramam and life at Skandasramam.

The author imbibed the teachings of his Master, took them to heart, and dedicated his life to their fulfillment. His own experience and life with the Master have generated much interest among devotees. Those who listened to him were transported to a different world altogether.

Kunjuswami lived a simple and austere life at Sri Ramanasramam, rendering invaluable service by sharing his experiences with the seekers until the ripe age of 95 when he was absorbed in His Master’s Feet.

It is a very rare privilege indeed for one even to have ht darshan of a Jnani. More fortunate is one who lives with a Jnani and serves Him too. Greater than all these is the one who pits into practice the teaching of such a Mahatma and proves that the teaching is a liveable, living Truth and not just a dogma.

Sri Kunjuswami, who happily lives in our midst at the Ashram, is now ninety- five years young. He es alert, agile, and ever ready to share with fresh and young. He is alert, agile, and ever ready to share with fresh and young ‘Catches’ in the ‘Ramana-net’ the beauty, love, and wisdom of his Master. Though not a scholar in the academic sense, he is an erudite person and had the privilege of being taught directly by Sri Bhagavan. Sri Swami has a remarkable and accurate memory and it is our good fortune that he has come forward to put down all that he remembers of his Master, his teachings, and also his early devotees, some of whom we know little.

Enadau Ninaivugal, Sri KUnjuswami’s reminiscences of his Master written in Tamil, is a treasure-trove of spiritual wisdom. Now it is available for the first time in English, thanks to the spontaneous and willing services of Dr. K. Subrahmanian, who not only rendered it into simple and lucid English but also helped the Ashram to have it printed in Hyderabad, with all care and attention. The English-knowing public will be grateful to Dr. Subrahamanian for this act of service. Special thanks are also due to Sri A. V. Ramanaiah, Sri Ramdas Murthy, and Sri Hari Rao of Sri Ramana Kendra, Hyderabad, for all their help in getting the book printed. The devotees, I am sure, will be happy to have the translation of Sri Kuinjuswami’s Reminiscences in book form.

“To remember and to recount the essence and glory of the Master’s words f wisdom”, Sri KKunjuswami repeatedly says. “Is the major duty of a devout disciple.” Yes, Sri Kunjuiswami is a gem of a disciple of a Mountain of a Master.

I am filled with gratitude and joy that I am blessed to live at the Ashram when Sri Kunjuswami too is animate. For this, I offer my repeated prostrations to our Master, Bhagavan Ramana.

About two years ago, Sri V. Ganesan, editor, of The Mountain Path, in a conversation with me, Viswanatha Swami and Ramaswami Pillai said, “Lap; ease record all the incidents that took place in the immediate presence of Sri Bhagavan ever since you came here and also about Sri Bhagavan’s devotees you have known. If these are published, it will be of great use to all devotees.” Acceding to his request, on my behalf and behalf of my fellow devotees, I dictated themarvellous incidents relating to Sri Bhagavan and his devotees to a great devotee of Sri Bhagavan, Srimati M. Pankjakshi Ammal, daughter of Somasundaram Pillai. She completed the task with great devotion. This book of jnana was carefully read by one of the greatest devotees of Sri Bhgavan , Sadhu Natanananda. He made certain corrections, prepared a table of contents and also wrote a foreword. This sacred book, which will cleans the devotees, was made possible through the encouragement of Sri Ganesan and his father. The world of devotees is indebted to them. The book is reverentially paced at the lotus feet of Sri Bhagava.