Alagammal - Mother of Sri Ramana

Alagammal - The mother of Sri Ramana Maharshi

A portrait of Mother Azhagammal with an index of where she appears in Ashram books such as Bhagavan Ramana, Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, Nirvana Satkam, Ramanatha Brahmachari and Sage of Arunachala.
Related articles from The Maharshi newsletter, including Sri Kunju Swami’s recollections, a talk by M. V. Swaminathan and “Mother Azhagammal, Her Final Day”.

Alagammal’s last years with Bhagavan at Skandashram, his not calling her ‘Amma’ at first, and her slowly letting go of possessiveness over her son.
Bhagavan teasing her orthodox ways, the drumsticks-and-onions joke, her caste rules softening, and his line about going to the other son for bodily comfort.
The appalam episode, with Bhagavan refusing to help and writing the appalam song while she cooked.
Nagasundaram coming to Tiruvannamalai in 1918, taking sannyasa as Niranjanananda, becoming known as Chinnaswami, and Seshadri Swami’s “householder” joke.
Her wish to die in Bhagavan’s arms, her illness from 1920, and her last request placing Chinnaswami in his care.
19 May 1922, Bhagavan’s hands on her heart and head, the contrast with Palaniswami, and his words that she was absorbed, not dead.
Her burial near Pali Teertham, Tiruvasagam recited through the night, and the lingam named Mathrubhutheswara at Ganapati Muni’s suggestion.

Bhagavan's early years on Arunachala, the water difficulties at Virupaksha Cave and how the discovery of a natural spring led to the establishment of Skandashram.
Kandaswami's extraordinary efforts over nearly ten years to level the rocky hillside, build the ashram, plant trees and develop its gardens.
The construction of Skandashram's rooms and puja room, the spiritual significance of caves and Bhagavan's vision of the sacred interior of Arunachala.
Alagammal's family difficulties, her visits to Bhagavan and her eventual decision to spend the rest of her life near him after years of separation.
How Bhagavan stood by his mother when the resident sadhus initially opposed her stay, and how she was eventually welcomed into the ashram community.
The origin of Skandashram's name, Bhagavan's association with Lord Skanda and the devotees who helped establish and sustain the ashram.
The simple daily life at Skandashram, Bhagavan's deep absorption in samadhi, the practice of meditation and chanting, and the arrival of Chinnaswami.
Bhagavan's guidance to his mother in overcoming attachment to family privileges, food restrictions and traditional customs, the story behind the Appalam Song and her gradual transformation towards renunciation and generosity.