Smt. Sushila Keeni, a longtime devotee of Bhagavan Sri Ramana and a cherished member of the Sri Ramanasramam community, attained the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan at the age of 90.
Born on 16th May 1936, Sushila was the beloved wife of the late Sri Devdas Keeni, affectionately known to devotees as Keeni Mama. It was through Paul Brunton’s A Search in Secret India that her husband first came to know of Bhagavan and was drawn to Sri Ramanasramam. Following his retirement, he settled in Tiruvannamalai, bringing his wife and children so that they too could share in the peace and spiritual atmosphere of Bhagavan’s Ashram.
Over the years, Sushila became a familiar and much-loved presence at Ramanasramam, which she often described as “heaven on earth”. She found particular joy in the annual Karthigai Deepam celebrations and Bhagavan’s Jayanti, occasions that deepened her devotion and sense of belonging to the Ashram. Among her happiest memories were the times she accompanied her grandchildren on giripradakshina, passing on to another generation her love for the sacred Hill.
Even during the COVID pandemic when travel restrictions kept her away from Tiruvannamalai, her connection with the Ashram remained unbroken. She regularly followed the online broadcasts of the Veda Parayana and Tamil Parayana, maintaining her daily connection to Bhagavan through these sacred recitations. As soon as travel became possible, she returned to Arunachala, although advancing age no longer permitted her to undertake giripradakshina with her former vigour.
Just days before her passing, Sushila made what would prove to be her final visit to Ramanasramam. With her characteristic warmth and enthusiasm, she greeted many familiar faces, renewing the friendships and affectionate bonds that had sustained her over the years. Looking back, her family wonders whether she somehow sensed that this would be her last visit to the place she loved so dearly.
Sushila passed away peacefully, without pain or suffering, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, kindness and quiet joy. Mother of seven children, grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of one, family members feel gratitude for the path she demonstrated for them. They also feel gratitude for the warmth and affection extended to her by the Ashram community, whose kindness always made the family matriarch feel welcome and deeply cherished. Her life was marked by an abiding love for Bhagavan, a devotion that remained undiminished to the very end. May she rest in eternal peace at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan. —
