Bhagavan Ramana and Kirtan
Once when Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi’s mother was staying with him, she fell ill. Bhagavan Ramana, through wonderful kirtans, prayed to Lord Arunachaleswara for setting her health right. In answer to Maharishi’s prayer the Lord cured his mother of her illness.
Below are the kirtans sung by Bhagavan Ramana.
“Alaiyaa varupiraviyathhanaiyu maattra
malaiyaa yezhunda marunde – thalaivaanin
thaalgadhiyaai vaazhumen thaaithaaba maattriye
yaalvaduvu munkadane yaam.
Kalakaa laavun kamala padanjchaarnda
baala nenaiyeenraall paalandhak kaalanthaan
vaaraa vagaiyunkaal vaarisame kaattuva
yaaraayir kaalarume yaar?
Nanaangi yaayongu nallarunna vongale!
jnaanaangi yaalannai nalludalai – jnaanaanga
Magachhei thunpadhathi laikyamaakk kikkollvaai
saagath theemootuvadhen chaatru
Maya mayakkamadhai maattrarunna maamalaiyena
ayaar mayakkattrath thaamadamen – thaayaagith
thannaiyadain thaar vinaiyir thakkaruthaal vaarulagi
lunnaiyalaa lundo vurai!
The approximate translation of the verse is as follows:
Oh, medicine! who have risen as the Hill for curing
recurring births! Oh, Lord! It is Thy duty to cure the fever of my mother
who has sought refuge at Thy Feet!
Oh, One who had smitten death! what is death if only would
Thou bestow Thy Grace on her who has given birth to me, the child,
who has taken refuge at Thy Lotus Feet?
Oh, Arunachala! the blazing fire of wisdom! encase my mother in Thy light
uniting her with Thee! Pray! why cremate her?
Oh, Arunachala! the Hill Supreme! who wipes out Maya [illusion]!
why the delay in assuaging my mother’s fever? Pray, tell me, ‘Is there any other,
besides Thee, in the world who can with a mother’s solicitude turn away
the play of destiny of the suppliant jiva?’