Introducing . . .

K. K. Nambiar first came, to Bhagavan as long ago as 1933. He could only stay for an hour on this first occasion but was captivated from the very start. Much as he would have liked to stay on at the Ashram, he was unable to do so, being a professional engineer. Instead, he exemplified the pattern which Bhagavan always recommended of a man living and working in the world but remembering and making sadhana simultaneously. He has since risen to the very top of his profession, both in government service and in industry, but has remained no less a devotee throughout.

After his first meeting with Bhagavan he prayed silently but fervently to Bhagavan for more opportunities to see him. This prayer was answered by apparent coincidence. The District Board of North Arcot was subdivided and K. K. Nambiar was appointed Board Engineer for the new district, with headquarters at Tiruvannamalai. He was now able to visit the Ashram almost daily. In this also he conformed to a pattern that was often seen, by choice or destiny, among Bhagavan's disciples that is for a new devotee to be kept in close physical proximity to Bhagavan for some time and then to be sent out into the world to cope with life and apply the spiritual viewpoint that had been acquired. K. K. Nambiar was one of those who came through the test valiantly. However far between his visits to the Ashram might be, he remained centred on Bhagavan. Since Bhagavan left the body he has also remained a staunch supporter of the Ashram.

K. K. Nambiar was from the beginning peculiarly receptive to influences from Bhagavan. The following incident related by him in the GOLDEN JUBILEE SOUVENIR of 1949 is an example of this. "One evening in the year 1936 when I visited the Ashram I decided to ask an important question of Sri Bhagavan concerning certain spiritual practices. But amidst, the solemn hours of Veda parayana in the evening and during meditation, that followed I could not make up my mind to ask the question and returned home somewhat disappointed. Early next morning, when I was lying half awake, Sri Bhagavan appeared before me in a dream and answered the very question which 1 had failed to put to him the previous evening. And before he vanished he also told me that he wanted a notebook. I said that I had only one readily available and that it was of octavo pocket-size. He said that would do. I woke up with a pleasant thrill. The dream or vision, whichever one may call it, made such a-deep impression on my mind that I could not delay carrying out the behest, however strange it might seem. After an early bath and ablutions I traced out the notebook and hurried to the Ashram. Prostrating myself before Bhagavan as usual, I handed over the notebook to him. He received it with a smile and asked me why I had brought it to him, so I told him in a whisper all about my dream. He immediately called his personal attendant, the late Madhavaswami, and remarked to him: "Didn't I ask you yesterday evening to get a good notebook to write out a Malayalam translation of the Sanskrit text of the Sri Ramana Gita in? You didn't bring one. Well, here is Nambiar who has brought it for me. It seems he had a dream in which I asked for the notebook and he has brought it."

In the same article he records another dream which is of great interest not only in itself but as an illustration of how Bhagavan would sometimes instruct one devotee through another. "On another occasion in the same year I dreamt of the Maharshi seated on his couch with a number of devotees seated on the floor and in meditation. Among them I recognised a young devotee from Goa seated in padmasana and doing pranayama (breath-control). I think his name was Sridhar. While he was doing pranayama I saw sparks rising from the base of his spine up to his head. Bhagavan, who was watching him, said: 'There is no need for all this gymnastics with breath-control. It is easier and safer to follow the method of Self-enquiry as enunciated by me.' Next morning when I went to the Ashram I sought out this young Goanese Swami. I had no previous acquaintance with him and had had no occasion to speak to him before. I gave him a full account of the dream I had had. He was visibly moved and, somewhat to my embarrassment, embraced me with delight in the North Indian fashion. He said: 'Brother, I was all the while waiting for an opportunity to ask Bhagavan whether I should continue or give up this practice of pranayama which I have been steadily carrying on for several years past. Indeed, last night, while sitting in the presence of Bhagavan, I was eagerly waiting for an opportunity to put the question to him but couldn't find a suitable occasion. Now there is no need to ask him about it, since he has answered me through you'."

At present K. K. Nambiar is living in Bombay but he remains in close touch with the Ashram and with other devotees.