Today is the annual solar eclipse, between about 11 am and 3.15
pm. It is the longest solar eclipse of the millenium. TV channels
are showing the Live programmes on the eclipse. Various questions,
like whether one can watch the sun with naked eyes, whether one
can eat during eclipse, whether one should take bath after the
eclipse are being answered by experts.
During Bhagavan Ramana's time, there was a lunar eclipse, which
should have, I presume, started around 8.00 PM and ended late
at night. On that evening, Chinnaswami, the Office Administrator
had arranged for early evening meals in the Asramam, say around
6 PM. Bhagavan Ramana was not aware of this arrangement.
The bell for supper rang around 5.55 PM for the devotees.
Bhagavan looked at the clock and was asking why the bell was
ringing now. The devotees said about the lunar eclipse and the
early meals arrangement. Bhagavan Ramana said: "Why all these? I am going to take the meals only at the usual time." The devotees were divided in their opinion. Anyway a few of them went for the early supper and others joined Bhagavan Ramana at the usual time at 7.30 PM. However, Bhagavan Ramana did not say anything about a bath after the eclipse and doing rituals for forefathers (dharpanam). He did not take a bath after the eclipse and the
rituals did not matter to Him since He was an ativarnasrami!
After knowing the Self,
What else is there to know?
- Sad Darsanam.
Arunachala Siva.