Sadhus Reminiscences of Raman Maharshi

Author(s): Arunachal Sadhu
Publisher: Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai

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A Sadhu's Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi
my name. The weapon I imagine was certainly useless and would probably have exploded if ever fired, but there was never any ammunition so there was no fear of that. Anyhow Chinna Swamy wanted me to keep the thing and be official executioner but I refused. I said that I had left the Army years ago, was a Sadhu and had no intention of handling fire-arms now. But he was most persistent. He sent a number of people to my room to persuade me, and every time he saw me he would bring up the subject. Eventually in desperation I said we would consult Bhagavan. Chinna Swamy did not take to this idea at all. He was always in awe of Bhagavan and never approached him personally if he could help it. In this case he thought that he might get a rap for even suggesting it. However he had to give way in the end. So one evening I went up onto the Hill and met Bhagavan returning from his evening stroll. I explained everything to him and asked him what I should do.
“Can you not keep it on a shelf in your room?” he asked. “Of course," I replied. “Then do that,” he ordered. When Chinna Swamy heard the result of the interview he would never believe it. Bhagavan never gave orders or directions in that way, Chinna Swamy affirmed. But as he had sent someone with me to keep an eye on me and this person confirmed it, he had no choice but to admit the truth of what I had said. But the gun was never needed or handled and the only time it was touched after this was some years later when it was surrendered to the police, as the Ashram had no further use for it.