64th NAYANAR

Sri BHAGAVAN MAHARSHI RAMANA

Marble Statue Mandapam of Sri Bhagavan; Ramanashramam, Tiruvannamalai.

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE MADURAI

An opinion held firmly by the author that Bhagavan Maharshi Ramana is the most illustrious 64th Nayanar in the 20th century CE amongst the 63 Nayanars during the 6th to 8th centuries CE. Number 64 is the most auspicious One. Sri Bhagavan deserves to be an addition set in stone amongst the 63 Nayanars at the Mandapam Meenakshi Temple. The mandapam of 63 saints: This Mandapam built in 1569 by one Ariyanatha Mudaliyar, situated in the front corridor of the Swami sannidhi in the south row. This mandapam houses the sacred icon of Shekkizhar Swamigal and 63 Nayanmars.

Sri Bhagavan’s statue ought to find its righful place in the Meenakshi temple amongst the 63 Nayanars of Tamil Nadu! You heard this here first. The Nayanars (‘hounds of Shiva’, and later ‘teachers of Shiva ) were a group of 63 Tamil Hindu saints living during the 6th to 8th centuries CE who were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. The Maharshi, indeed, is the 64th Nayanar of Tamil Nadu, there is no doubt about this. A wish that the Maharshi himself held within his heart, ‘why can’t I be granted the same grace of such ones,’ he pleaded in the Meenakshi Temple, Mudurai after the “experience od death,” nay, “after the experience of the immortal spirit.” After all, Sri Bhagavan is Arunachala Shiva.

This is an opinion firmly held by the author, that Sri Bhagavan ought to be recognised as such. Sri Bhagavan’s Light does dwarfs all other Lights. Fast forward & give it time, you will see, but then, will you be around? Were will you go? Where will you be? Whence? Here and Now, become absorbed, because when Yama, the Lord of Death, knocks at the door, will you tell Him, O Yama, please wait! Or, will you say, its ok, I trust Brahma. You have trusted and danced with these two deities for such a long time, so so many millenia, where has it got you? Dukkha…Moksha is getting rid of the false or the non-existent dukkha, here and now. Get rid of your thoughts, here and now. Be Happy!