Sri
Ramana Reminiscences
By G.V. Subbaramayya
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G.V. Subbaramayya was
a Telugu poet and college professor who became a devotee of Ramana Maharshi
in 1933. His sensibilities were literary, as shown by the explanation he
gives for his initial interest in Sri Ramana: "I had been struck with
wonder at the style of the Telugu Upadesa Saram which, in its simplicity,
felicity, and classic finish, could equal that of the greatest Telugu poet
Tikkana. I had felt convinced that a Tamilian who could compose such Telugu
verse must be divinely inspired, and I had wanted to see him." Soon
after meeting Sri Ramana, Subbaramayya came to depend on him for emotional
support and assistance in every aspect of his life. The author describes
this relationship with candor and in detail. The prose is beautiful —
Subbaramayya translated the book into English himself — and when he
is good, he is very good. For example: "In the morning I had darshan
of Sri Bhagavan in the old Hall. As our eyes met, there was a miraculous
effect upon my mind. I felt as if I had plunged into a pool of peace, and
with eyes shut, sat in a state of ecstasy for nearly an hour. When I came
to normal consciousness, I found someone spraying the Hall to keep off insects,
and Sri Bhagavan mildly objecting with a shake of his head." But with
the author's literary sensibility comes an effete myopia in which tiny things
seem enormous. A very large portion of the book is devoted to describing
how particular poems came to be written. The author's attention to detail
is frequently valuable — he often provides additional information about
stories that have been recounted elsewhere — and yet the compulsive
recollection of overvalued details soon grows tedious. A few readers will
love this book, but I suspect that most will find it boring. |
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| Where to order
it |
In India:
Sri Ramanasramam
In the U.S.:
Arunachala Ashrama
· · · · · · · · · · · ·
Sri Ramana Reminiscences
By G.V. Subbaramayya
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Paperback.
224 pages.
Published by Sri Ramanasramam in 1967.
(No ISBN number). |
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