The Maharshi

ANJALI TO SRI RAMANA

I. On the slopes of Aruna Hill, robed but by spaces around, Sanctifying once more the environs sacred, Reigns a Splendour, in human form, Dispelling darkness, Ramana called.

II. Among men and others moving equal, This splendour compact, to sages priceless, Luminous, expelling evil in those that seek, Mercy bodied sublime, him they call Maharshi.

III. By his flaming effulgence, the plenitude of tapas puissant, Making the world a morsel, he laughs; Yet he shines forth, the Lord Maharshi, Our teacher’s teacher — May he destroy our sins!

IV. Him the Lord some call the Primal Being, Others see Him as Being Supreme, Yet others proclaim Him the Being Centred in the orb of worlds and spheres.⁵¹

V. Him who shines forth in all the Three, The creature ego-soiled perceives not; But ever unsevered from Him, the Infinite, Lives aglow the Maharshi, model unto men.

मृदुलो हसितेन मन्दमन्दं दुरवेक्षः प्रबलो दृशा ज्वलन्त्या। विपुलो हृदयेन विश्वभोक्ता गहनो मौनगृहीतया⁵²

गुरुराट् किमु शङकरो⁵³

बहुधेति विकल्पनाय विद्भि⁵⁸

औपच्छन्दसिकरौर्बन्धं नीतः स्तवाञ्जलिः। उपहारायतामेष महर्षिचरणाब्जयोः॥१॥

गुणोऽत्र रमणे भक्तिः कृतवित्ता च शाश्वती। रम्यो रमणाम्नोऽयं ध्वनिश्च हृदयङ्गमः॥२॥

VI. Tender is he with gentle smiles, Mighty is he with blazing eyes that none can meet, Vast with a heart which delighteth in all, In movement deep from Silence sprung.

VII. Is he another Shankar, Prince of Preceptors, Is he Kumara, Shankar’s offspring? Is he the self-same boy, Kundina-born, Or else, Lord Shambhu with Shakti indrawn?

VIII. Thus beams thy life with many a side And leaves the learned guessing, O Silent one, But ever in our hearts thou joyest to dwell With certitude, O Ramana, Teacher of teachers!

1. This offering of hymned praise In Aupacchandas metre set, May it in worship rest At Maharshi’s lotus feet.

2. The merit⁵⁹

महर्षेमौ निराजस्य यशोगानमलङकृतिः। तदयं ध्वन्यलङकारगुणैरेवं नवोज्ज्वलः॥३॥

रमणस्य पदाम्भोजस्मरणं हृदयङ्गमम् । इक्षुखण्डरसास्वादे को वा भृतिमपेक्षताम् ॥४॥

अयं रमणपादाब्जकिङकरस्यापि किङकृता। काव्यकण्ठमुनेरन्तेवासिना वाग्विलासिना ॥५॥

रमणाङघ्रिसरोजातरसज्ञेन कपालिना। भारद्वाजेन भक्तेन रचितो रमणाञ्जलिः॥६॥

॥श्रीरमणाञ्जलिः समाप्तः॥

3. Ornament⁶¹

4. To dwell upon Ramana’s lotus feet Is delight for heart and soul. For savouring sugarcane’s sweetness Would anyone wages demand?

5-6. This offering of reverent praise, Is made by bhakta Kapali, of Bharadvaja line, Disciple of Kavyakantha Sage, And servant of him who served at Ramana’s lotus feet, By Kapali of resplendent speech, Who savoured in full the nectar In the lotus feet of Sri Ramana.