the grip continued to tighten and without any trace of fear I felt I was going to die. Then the miracle took place. At the thought of death, I heard within me the sound ‘Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva.’ Although I was not making the sound, something else within me was doing it. The intensity, volume and speed of the japa increased and it was a delightful experience to hear within you a japa pronouncing itself, while at the same time you were being aware of the grip of death. As the ajapa japa continued, the grip on my neck started loosening and the size and weight of the animal grew less and less. Suddenly, it jumped off from my back and started running back towards the tree. I could hear its steps rushing back and it climbed the tree and disappeared. Immediately, I got back to my normal senses while the ajapa japa continued uninterruptedly.”
“The next day, when Bhagavan was returning from his stroll up on the hill, I met him and showed him the letter and narrated to him what had happened the previous evening, not omitting a single detail. Bhagavan listened to me and when I stopped, said with his benign smile, ‘That is all they can do. Everything is alright.’ By ‘they’ he must have meant the guru who was a past master in black magic and who made David write me that threatening letter. Bhagavan is a purna jnani, a complete and perfect sage. When you come under the protection of a perfect satguru, even a bad experience caused by black magic is a blessing in disguise. I had thus the good fortune of being initiated into the ajapa japa of ‘Arunachala Siva’ and you got the fortune of being initiated into the ajapa japa of ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya’.”
The closeness between Osborne and me was remarkable and we continued with collaborating on The Mountain Path successfully. It was fast becoming a reputed spiritual journal and it brought erudite seekers like Douglas Harding, Robert Linssen, Joel Goldsmith, Wei Wu Wei, Thomas Merton and many reputed writers from all over the world to be in touch with Ramanasramam and in contact with Bhagavan’s teaching. Osborne’s remarkable ability in presenting Bhagavan’s teaching of Self Enquiry is clearly seen in his brilliant editorials and the numerous articles he wrote under his various pseudonyms - Sagittarius, Abdullah Kutbuddin, Sebastian Qubbins, Boddhicitta, Saidas and A. Rao. He contributed articles on Christianity, Buddhism and Islam in each issue of the journal. When accused of using The Mountain Path for preaching Christianity and Islam, he explained calmly, “Ganesan, I am a staunch Christian and I still remain so. For some time, I was in love with Islam and went to the mosque along with other Muslims after getting converted to Islam. I have studied Buddhism and stayed in Buddhaviharas and known Buddhism thoroughly. I therefore know the difficulties that Christians, Buddhists and Muslims have in practicing the teachings of Bhagavan’s atma vichara. By such articles, I am only building a bridge through which all can reach our beloved master and gain his guidance on his direct path of Self Enquiry.” The Mountain Path was now well established and commanded respect and plaudits from all over the world. The main aim of starting an ashram journal was more than fulfilled and a steady flow of new visitors, mostly young seekers, came to the ashram. Many projects like the completion of Sri Bhagavan’s samadhi shrine, the meditation hall, the centenary celebrations and a number of guest houses became a reality, thanks in no small measure to the good news spread through the pages of The Mountain Path.
In 1968, I was introduced to a new dimension of Osborne’s spirituality. I was going to Osborne’s house at all times of the day. However, for one week I had to be away. After I returned, when I went to his house, I found him stretched on his bed, reduced to skin and bones - all in just one week’s time. Then, I noticed the change and the transformation in his face and I was wonderstruck. It glowed with a bright and beautiful aura. My inner voice told me, “Osborne has realized.” This was his final realization. He opened his eyes and gave me a warm welcome with a lustrous look. He said, “Ganesan, I am saved. The Mountain Path will go on, do not worry.” I sat next to him overwhelmed with joy. I held his hand and sat gazing at his radiant face. I spent half an hour with him, then went home and announced to my mother, “Amma, Osborne is realized. Please go and see him. His face shines with light.” She went to Osborne’s house in the evening and confirmed what I had told her. Although after a few days, Osborne’s physical condition improved, he spoke to no one. His attention was totally drawn inwards and he showed signs of interest only when Bhagavan or Arunachala was mentioned. Even The Mountain Path, his pet child, did not seem to interest him. It was like what St. John of the Cross has said, “There comes a time in the life of a spiritual seeker when activity is taken away from him so that he can wholly go inwards.” I started telling all my friends about Osborne’s change and urged them to go and see him. Some were skeptical and some were delighted. I took T. P. Ramachandra Iyer and a few others and they confirmed, “Ganesan, thank you! You have proved to me beyond doubt that Arthur Osborne is realized. It only shows that if one is sincere, Sri Bhagavan’s grace will transform one here and