Theos-Talk Archives (February 2005 Message tt00543)

C. Ramiah
Madras, India
1884

In the year 1864 I was working in another 
district when one night in a dream I saw a 
Mahatma seated high in the air with a very 
brilliant star for his ring, and he pointed 
me out to his Chela standing near, and beyond 
this, nothing further occurred.

About the year 1880, one night, I was carried 
in my dream to a rural village at the foot of 
a great chain of mountains; and there I saw a 
Mahatma dressed in a Buddhist's gown and hood, 
with bare feet. I at once prostrated myself at 
his feet, when he bade me rise, placed his two 
hands on my head, and directed me to persevere 
in the mode of life I have been following. A few 
months rolled away and nothing particular occurred.

In the year 1881, the newly established Theosophic 
Society attracted the attention of all people; 
and hearing that a Mahatma was favorably disposed 
to its successful working, I prayed that I may be 
favored with faith. I repeated this prayer every 
night; and it so happened that one night, in my dream, I was carried 
to the same chain of mountains, when I perceived the same Mahatma 
(who already appeared to me in the Buddhist's gown) standing on
an 
isolated rock; and there was a deep chasm between him and me. Not 
being able to go nearer, I prostrated on the ground, when I was 
ordered to rise and was asked what I wanted. I repeated the prayer 
that I wanted to know more of faith, when, to my surprise, a large 
volume of brilliant fire burst forth from his breast with several 
forked tongues, and a few particles of fire flew in my direction and 
they were absorbed in my person. The Mahatma disappeared after this, 
and here ended my second dream.

In the middle part of the year 1883, one night, I was carried in my 
dream to a great chain of mountains when some one led me into their 
recesses. There I found a great rock temple in the form of a hall of 
oblong size, and I perceived the same Mahatma, who had shown himself 
to me on the two previous occasions, seated on a low stool with a 
shrine opposite to him, and there were two rows of Mahatmas, one on 
each side, all dressed in Buddhist's gown except the Chief. I 
prostrated as usual and was ordered to rise. I was then told to go 
round the shrine, and some one led me round, and there I found two 
or three ladies in deep devotion. I came back to the Chief, and 
after prostrating before him once more, I left the place.

I was thinking over these dreams, and at last my mind became so 
heavy with these thoughts that I prayed to the Mahatmas for relief. 
In my dream again about two months ago, I was told to go to Mr. T. 
Subba Row, the worthy President of the Madras Branch of the 
Theosophical Society, and to him I went after the voice repeated 
itself a second time. To him I explained my whole experience, and he 
kindly asked me to call at the Head-Quarters of the Theosophic 
Society in order to see if I could recognize the features of the 
Mahatma who appeared to me in my dream.

I went thither the same evening, and at about 4 P.M., the "Shrine" 
doors were opened, and to my surprise I identified in the photo of 
the Illustrious Mahatma K. H. the exact features of the Mahatma of 
my dreams. 

After identifying the Mahatma of my dreams with the Mahatma K. H., 
whose picture graces the shrine at Adyar Head-quarters, I resolved 
to call to my mind the form of the Mahatma, and after a few 
determined trials I succeeded in impressing my mind with his exact 
features, not omitting even the Buddhist's gown and bare feet. I 
willed this often, and each time the features became more and more 
clearly defined. At one time the Mahatma appeared seated, oftentimes 
standing, and on a few occasions he appeared standing on an elevated 
place; and in my efforts to approach him from the low land, in which 
I then fancied I was, he extended his hand as if to help me in 
climbing up. All the above were visions in open day time during my 
hours of prayer, and they were not dreams. 

As time rolled on I observed the features of the Mahatma to wear an 
expression of sorrow, and this I thought was due to my sinful life. 
A change, however, came over me soon, and to my extreme regret I 
perceived that mental clouds intervened between the Mahatma and me, 
hiding him altogether from my view; and they followed each other in 
rapid succession. When they were dispersed by an effort of the will, 
the internal light which enabled me to see the Mahatma with my 
mind's eye became so intense and displayed such variegated
colors, 
that I was not able to see any thing. On other occasions this same 
internal light became so unsteady that an effort to see him pained 
the mind's eye.

I felt very sorry for the above interruption, when one day, while in 
prayers, I perceived a ray of light of golden hue shine within me, 
and as I followed it, it grew in intensity, and the golden hue was 
diffused all over in me. It did not however stop here, and it 
extended itself to the whole earth, and even went beyond it, 
lighting up as far as the mind's eye can reach or comprehend. In 
this light I perceived worlds moving and all sorts of matter and 
human and other forms moving in this ocean of light. The vision was 
splendid to behold, and after a lapse of about five minutes the 
light gradually contracted itself to the original single ray, and in 
the light which it diffused, I perceived the sublime and glorious 
form of the Mahatma. I must, however, add here that so long as this 
ray of light of golden hue was seen by me, neither the clouds, nor 
the intensely strong light with variegated colors, nor unsteadiness 
of light, disturbed the vision.

I have no control over this splendid ray of light as it appears when 
I am unaware, and does not appear when I want it to appear. Its 
duration is also not fixed nor its intensity either.

I mentioned all this to my esteemed friend Mr. Soobba Row, and he 
advised me to see well and distinguish what objects I saw in that 
glorious light, and I did not waste the advice.

One day while at prayers the golden ray of light appeared, and in 
seeing through it I perceived the figure of the Mahatma; and as I 
found my mind's eye upon him he receded. I followed him, and 
steadily he walked over an ascent, and then I perceived that a 
mountainous country was at hand. He went up mountains and down 
again, now turning to the right and then to the left, until at last 
he came upon a broad river and then disappeared. Instinctively I 
walked alongside of the bank of the river in the hope of finding a 
ford, and came to its narrowest part. There was a rude bridge of 
reeds here spanning the river, and trusting myself to the protecting 
care of the Mahatma, who brought me so far, I made a venture, and 
before I was aware of my dangerous position, I found myself on the 
other side. Here was up and down hill work again, and when I 
perceived that I was much exhausted, a large lake was disclosed to 
my view, the margin of which was graced with clusters of beautiful 
trees, with a sprinkling of rudely built houses on the shore; and on 
my nearer approach I perceived they were inhabited. (1)

Thirsty and hungry, I ventured into the house nearest to me, and 
with one voice all the inmates greeted me and made me participate in 
their meals. After this, they clothed me in a gown and hood of pale 
yellow color, and after similarly clothing themselves, they took me 
to the rock temple in "Husthagerry" where to my surprise and 
infinite joy I found the Mahatma K. H. seated before the altar on 
the same low stool as before. We all prostrated before him, and thus 
ended this interesting vision. 

About the latter part of last August I was in prayers as usual when 
the golden ray of light having appeared the Mahatma stood in it in 
all his glory. He receded again, and I followed him close, and after 
traversing the same path over mountains as before, he disappeared at 
the lake. There were no persons living on the borders of the lake 
and the houses were all empty. Without knowing the why or the 
wherefore I tried to reach the rock temple, but I missed my way. 
After traversing many mountains and dangerous valleys, I came upon a 
broad tableland and at some distance I perceived a cluster of fine 
tall trees beneath the shadow of which there stood a neat house 
facing eastward. Thither I went, and at its entrance I saw Mahatma 
K. H. seated alone, and my mind told me it was his own house. I 
mentioned this curious vision to Mr. Damodar K. Mavalankar, and he 
told me that I must try and see what more I can; and this resolve I 
at once made. (2)

Three or four days after this interview, the same vision appeared to 
me, and facing the house of the Mahatma K. H. there appeared another 
cluster of trees with a house under, with a distance of about a mile 
or two between the houses; and there was also a small temple with a 
circular dome half way between them. This other or second house I 
learnt by intuition belonged to another Mahatma.(3)

There was no exchange of words between the Mahatma and myself in any 
one of the visions.

I am sorry I am not an artist or I would have sent you a sketch of 
the scenery of the two houses with the picturesque temple half way 
between the houses.

------------------------------------------------
Endnotes to C. Ramiah's account by the Editor of The Theosophist

(1) The correspondent could not have described the place more 
accurately, if he had seen it physically. If he had persevered a 
little and gone further, only a short distance, he might have seen a 
certain place allowed to be visited only by initiates. Perhaps to 
prevent his approaching it his course might have been diverted on 
the way. -- Editor.

(2) This is a correct description, as far as it goes, of the house 
of the MAHATMA. -- Editor.

(3) This description corresponds to that of the house of the other 
MAHATMA, known to Theosophists. -- Editor.

Collated from: Ramiah, C. "Dreams about Mahatmas Realized [PartI], 
Supplement to The Theosophist, September, 1884, pp. 125-126; Ramiah, 
C. "Psychological Experiences" [Part II], Supplement to The 
Theosophist, October, 1884, pp. 138-139.

Quoted from the Blavatsky Archives
http://blavatskyarchives.com/compitems3.htm

Daniel H. Caldwell