PATIENCE : Episode in the life of Ramana (adapted for children)
Ramana was fourteen (14) years old. He decided to go to the Aruna mountains to meditate on Lord Shiva. He went to his mother to get her blessings to leave home.
Ramana requested, “Mom I want to go to and stay on the Aruna mountains and pray to Lord Shiva.”
His mother replied, “No Ramana you are too young. Who will cook for you and look after you?”
Ramana answered, “Lord Shiva takes care of everyone. Will he not take care of me?”
Ramana’s mother did not want him to go but she knew he wanted to follow a righteous path. She packed some food and gave Ramana permission, “Okay you may go but take some food with you.”
Ramana bowed at his mother’s feet, took her blessings and went to the Aruna mountains. It was late when he arrived, so he ate the food his mother had packed and went to bed on the earth, under the night sky.
Ramana woke up very early the next morning. He went to the river and had a bath then he returned to the mountain and sat in meditation to Lord Shiva.
Ramana continuously chanted mantras, “OM Namah Shivaya. OM Namah Shivaya.”
There were some mischievous boys in the village and they decided to trouble Ramana as he was meditating.
One of the young boys said, “Look at that fellow, he is so strange sitting like a piece of wood, let us see if he can stay like that for long.”
The boys started throwing pebbles at Ramana but he remained unmoved and steadfast in his chanting and prayers to Lord Shiva. This continued for many days.
A Maha Rishi was roaming the Aruna mountains and saw the boys troubling Ramana. He was known for his fierce nature and scolded the boys and chased them away.
The Maha Rishi shouted, “You rascals stop bothering Ramana. Get away from here or I will trash you.”
The boys ran away scared. The Maha Rishi went to the house of those boys and scolded the parents.
The Maha Rishi roared, “You parents are not training your children properly. Teach them to behave politely and not hurt or disturb others. If I see them troubling Ramana again they will not escape. I will punish them myself.”
The parents were afraid of the Maha Rishi and called their children.
The parents scolded their children, “Children come here. You are very naughty and that Maha Rishi will beat you if you go and trouble Ramana. From today, you will stay inside the house and not roam on the mountains. You will behave yourselves and do some work at home and read some good books. If you don’t do this you will not get any food.”
So the children had to stay indoors and Ramana was able to continue his meditation without any disturbance. He meditated for many years. Then Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him.
God appeared in the form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva said, “Ramana, I am pleased with your prayers and penance. I bless you with good knowledge to help others.”
Ramana bowed before Lord Shiva. Ramana grew up to be a Great Rishi. With the grace of God’s blessings, Ramana Maha Rishi built an ashrama, attended to and helped many people, was kind to animals and cultivated a beautiful garden because of his love for plants.
