Yesterday was Deepavali, the festival of lights. Amma's Darshan seemed to go on as usual. At home, Deepavali is celebrated as "the awareness of the inner light" and in bliss of the Divine Mother's victory, whose Grace can remove the darkness of ignorance. Amma had come in the morning and finished around 4pm. She came back again at 7:30pm and after Satsang, Bhajans and meditation, Darshans started and went on until late in the morning. For Amma, everyone is unique and everyday is special. Amma consoled many of her crying children and enjoyed the happiness that she shared with her children. Yesterday was special indeed in the mind of many. Through a little chat whilst Darshan was going on, Amma reminded us that the luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of the heart and that the very goal is to seek that Self. The usual tour-cooks, Paul and Lavan and their team, had prepared sweets for Amma and all. They brought some very "sugared" Deepavali sweets and a special less sugared version for Amma. Amma enjoyed both versions of the Prasad and blessed it by having some of both. Very special was that moment. The Prasad was then distributed to one and all by the very same hands that made them. On the door way leading out of the hall, people had sparklers(fireworks) in their hands while many others had lit candles. Amma touched every single person who had stood on the way on either sides as she walked out of the stage after a full night's Darshan. It was around 3:30am here at Mannheim(DE). It is so very beautiful to be in this very presence of Amma.
Amma had reached Helsinki late noon on Oct 4, 2009. She had come after all the marathon sessions during Amma's Birthday celebrations that had just taken place at Amritapuri. We assumed Amma would take rest but infact at around 8 pm the same evening we heard Amma calling for her singing children to hear them practice a Finnish bhajan that Amma would sing the next day. Amma lovingly talked with some, who had come from India for their very first time on an European tour.
On the first day of the program, Amma came out at 10am. As usual, Amma leads the guided meditation session with all the kids(of all ages) huddled close to her. After the meditation, Darshan started with most of the time taken by interviews by press and related. Swamiji usually translates the immensely direct yet subtle meanings of Amma's message into English. Amma answers each and every question in a patient way, although some of the questions may seem very much the same ones that Amma would have recieved at every other place, yet Amma delivers her answer freshly.
People flowed in later that day and evening set in. Morning Darshans were soon over. Amma came in the evening. The guests of the day were the mayor of the city of Vantaa who welcomed Amma in his own warm way. The mayor's garlanding of Amma and speech was followed by Mr. Kalra, Minister at the Indian Embassy at Finland. It was a cheerful setting and Amma went on with her sweet Satsang. As the day grew older and evening mellowed, Darshans became slower and loving as the rushing crowd had settled in. Amma suddenly spotted our regular sound systems person sitting in his post and laughing just as an old bhajan started. Amma looked at all of us and said, "what a bhajan! Do you think he understood the meaning and hence he is laughing?". Amma was talking of the bhajan "Kali Maheswariye". Amma asked the sound systems person who had come forward to Amma if he was laughing, knowing the inner meaning or knowing the subtle Vedantic comedy in that song. His bemused "No" came useful to many of us. Amma looked sidewards at one of the bramhacharis and said "Da, do you know the meaning?" Immediately he too said that he did not know the lines. Amma started asking for the bhajan lyrics. Amma started singing paragraph by paragraph and started explaining the beauty of Vedanta in that song.
Amma sang a bit of the Bhajan where the lines go "O Mother Divine! It is heard that Thou Art the root of the universe, yet who doesn't have a head or tail. Mother dear, What a craziness! You turn both truth and untruth upside down!" Amma was ofcourse taking this a notch up with her descriptions. Amma then moved on describing the paragraphs "O Bhairavi! Thou Art are the architect of the Universe! The houses of five elements are made by Thee. Because you could find no place to place your feet, you reside in the graveyard!" Going on she made a much laughable comment on the paragraph that says "Even though one may not have even a penny to take with them at the time of death, Yet you make foolish humans strive to earn crores.". Amma's translations were getting more and more insight-filled yet humorous and the English language could not frame it as nice as it actually sounded. The bramhachari told Amma that he dint read the same fun the way Amma was explaining. Amma mentioned about that need of having such full translations that could yield so much more joy in devotion. It is said that the Guru's word is actually the essence of Shastras itself.
As night grew turned day and Darshans got over early in the morning. The second day, Amma had some visitors from Industry and the Technological University at Helsinki. Amma was as joyful with every single devotee in her own ways. She consoled many who cried on her shoulders as she embraced them warmly engulfing them in a recess of peaceful rest.The grand evening Devi Bhava started late that evening. Amma's beautiful blue-green color touched that eyes of many. As lines filled in, Amma would get eager to see them all. Amma even called the tour-staff that day to take their Darshans. While she blessed all with flowers tears, smiles and plainly bliss engulfed one and all. Amma wanted all as her children and that very look in her eyes could have no equivalents. No words would ever convey that. That ended the Finnish program around 4:30am Finnish local time. Next day was a travel day to Zurich and then the next program would start there with its many sweet stories to tell. It is such a blessing to be in that very presence of Amma.
On the first day of the program, Amma came out at 10am. As usual, Amma leads the guided meditation session with all the kids(of all ages) huddled close to her. After the meditation, Darshan started with most of the time taken by interviews by press and related. Swamiji usually translates the immensely direct yet subtle meanings of Amma's message into English. Amma answers each and every question in a patient way, although some of the questions may seem very much the same ones that Amma would have recieved at every other place, yet Amma delivers her answer freshly.
People flowed in later that day and evening set in. Morning Darshans were soon over. Amma came in the evening. The guests of the day were the mayor of the city of Vantaa who welcomed Amma in his own warm way. The mayor's garlanding of Amma and speech was followed by Mr. Kalra, Minister at the Indian Embassy at Finland. It was a cheerful setting and Amma went on with her sweet Satsang. As the day grew older and evening mellowed, Darshans became slower and loving as the rushing crowd had settled in. Amma suddenly spotted our regular sound systems person sitting in his post and laughing just as an old bhajan started. Amma looked at all of us and said, "what a bhajan! Do you think he understood the meaning and hence he is laughing?". Amma was talking of the bhajan "Kali Maheswariye". Amma asked the sound systems person who had come forward to Amma if he was laughing, knowing the inner meaning or knowing the subtle Vedantic comedy in that song. His bemused "No" came useful to many of us. Amma looked sidewards at one of the bramhacharis and said "Da, do you know the meaning?" Immediately he too said that he did not know the lines. Amma started asking for the bhajan lyrics. Amma started singing paragraph by paragraph and started explaining the beauty of Vedanta in that song.
Amma sang a bit of the Bhajan where the lines go "O Mother Divine! It is heard that Thou Art the root of the universe, yet who doesn't have a head or tail. Mother dear, What a craziness! You turn both truth and untruth upside down!" Amma was ofcourse taking this a notch up with her descriptions. Amma then moved on describing the paragraphs "O Bhairavi! Thou Art are the architect of the Universe! The houses of five elements are made by Thee. Because you could find no place to place your feet, you reside in the graveyard!" Going on she made a much laughable comment on the paragraph that says "Even though one may not have even a penny to take with them at the time of death, Yet you make foolish humans strive to earn crores.". Amma's translations were getting more and more insight-filled yet humorous and the English language could not frame it as nice as it actually sounded. The bramhachari told Amma that he dint read the same fun the way Amma was explaining. Amma mentioned about that need of having such full translations that could yield so much more joy in devotion. It is said that the Guru's word is actually the essence of Shastras itself.
As night grew turned day and Darshans got over early in the morning. The second day, Amma had some visitors from Industry and the Technological University at Helsinki. Amma was as joyful with every single devotee in her own ways. She consoled many who cried on her shoulders as she embraced them warmly engulfing them in a recess of peaceful rest.The grand evening Devi Bhava started late that evening. Amma's beautiful blue-green color touched that eyes of many. As lines filled in, Amma would get eager to see them all. Amma even called the tour-staff that day to take their Darshans. While she blessed all with flowers tears, smiles and plainly bliss engulfed one and all. Amma wanted all as her children and that very look in her eyes could have no equivalents. No words would ever convey that. That ended the Finnish program around 4:30am Finnish local time. Next day was a travel day to Zurich and then the next program would start there with its many sweet stories to tell. It is such a blessing to be in that very presence of Amma.
Saturday night and one of the busiest Darshan days in the week. Amma was talking to many Ashramites asking about the Seva and clarifying their questions. Amma would pay a lot of attention to the person getting the Darshan at the same time. She would even talk of them in midst of all discussion.
A devotee from far away had come and Amma had made him sit at her side. A long meeting ensued. It is plainly beautiful to observe Amma. Every act she would do carries with it the full awareness and alertness. She would be observing the one coming to her, the one coming next, talk to one, answer to another, listen to a conversation nearby, say something in the ear while hugging, observe who hands out the prasad to her besides a lot more and all at the same time and this goes on for hours at a stretch. It is real lesson on alertness just to observe Amma.
Around a few minutes after that, a mother and her little son came for Darshan. Amma noticed the boy even before they reached her and started looking at him dearly. But when the Darshan position came. Amma took the boy in her lap, like she usually does with little ones and with a loud authoritative but loving voice asked him "Why dint you come to my lap yesterday?(Amma was mentioning the day of the Krishna Jayanthi, when many children had the chance during Uriyadi game) ". The little boy said "Amma it was crowded near you" as if he did understand the situation of not troubling Amma. Amma immediately responded "why do you bother about that? Isin't it crowded now? Still you came." The boy said "Amma i dint want to ask." Amma looked at him dearly and with an extra high volume replied "Why do you have to ask someone to sit on my lap? Isint Amma waiting for you?" The little boy just looked all around and then at Amma and smiled in a content yet innocent way. Amma hugged the boy's mother and they both left.
Amma then looked all around and smiled. While sitting next to Amma, one tends to only wonder how to tell Amma all what we want to tell her and not bothering to be concerned about her too. Yet this boy's concern and the way of talking to Amma was so mature to amaze all around Amma that evening. Much more was Amma's enthusiasm when she said "Isin't Amma waiting for you?" Being near her, really tells us how much Amma waits for us. At the very end of Darshan, Amma asks if there are people who came late and did not get Darshan. She makes no exception if one had come early but not early enough to get their queue token which is usually distributed early in the morning. She forgoes food, sleep from her everyday activity and even forgets pain to meet any number of her children much after almost a full day of Darshan. Such is our Mother!
A devotee from far away had come and Amma had made him sit at her side. A long meeting ensued. It is plainly beautiful to observe Amma. Every act she would do carries with it the full awareness and alertness. She would be observing the one coming to her, the one coming next, talk to one, answer to another, listen to a conversation nearby, say something in the ear while hugging, observe who hands out the prasad to her besides a lot more and all at the same time and this goes on for hours at a stretch. It is real lesson on alertness just to observe Amma.
Around a few minutes after that, a mother and her little son came for Darshan. Amma noticed the boy even before they reached her and started looking at him dearly. But when the Darshan position came. Amma took the boy in her lap, like she usually does with little ones and with a loud authoritative but loving voice asked him "Why dint you come to my lap yesterday?(Amma was mentioning the day of the Krishna Jayanthi, when many children had the chance during Uriyadi game) ". The little boy said "Amma it was crowded near you" as if he did understand the situation of not troubling Amma. Amma immediately responded "why do you bother about that? Isin't it crowded now? Still you came." The boy said "Amma i dint want to ask." Amma looked at him dearly and with an extra high volume replied "Why do you have to ask someone to sit on my lap? Isint Amma waiting for you?" The little boy just looked all around and then at Amma and smiled in a content yet innocent way. Amma hugged the boy's mother and they both left.
Amma then looked all around and smiled. While sitting next to Amma, one tends to only wonder how to tell Amma all what we want to tell her and not bothering to be concerned about her too. Yet this boy's concern and the way of talking to Amma was so mature to amaze all around Amma that evening. Much more was Amma's enthusiasm when she said "Isin't Amma waiting for you?" Being near her, really tells us how much Amma waits for us. At the very end of Darshan, Amma asks if there are people who came late and did not get Darshan. She makes no exception if one had come early but not early enough to get their queue token which is usually distributed early in the morning. She forgoes food, sleep from her everyday activity and even forgets pain to meet any number of her children much after almost a full day of Darshan. Such is our Mother!
Yesterday was Krishna Jayanthi and at Amritapuri it is super special. Amma came out three times just for us to enjoy in her presence.
Around 3:45 last evening, the popular game for children known as Uriyadi was staged near the new Juice stall. Uriyad or striking pots hung on a tall pole with a stick is a game where one or two people control a hanging pot and while another tries to strike it. The pot is moved up n down and swung in order to make it difficult to be hit besides the major distraction being water splashed onto the face of the competitor who strives to win by breaking the pot.
Amma was seated few meters away from the pole and in the very center, surrounded by tiny tots who were mostly dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas. Some'bigger' Krishnas and Radhas occupied the position near Her too and the fun continued. Amma rejoiced every single moment whenever a pot was broken. Amma always says she wants her children to be happy and enjoying every moment. Uriyadi has an analogy in everday life. The player is the one struggling in worldy existence hit by the waters of sensory illusion and the goal being the breaking of the bonds that hold him to release the infinite bliss restrained by the pot of the egositic mind, the only tool being the stick of Divine Grace.
Amma picked up many of the tiny tots as their mothers brough them closer to her and Amma would have them in her lap. Sometimes they were two, sometimes one and sometimes more. The little ones would sit on Amma's lap and enjoy the day. After some time, Amma started singing a melodius "Bolo Bolo Gokula bala" bhajan resounding the victory of broken Uriyadi pots with her own "Bolo bolo" and what a scene of victory.
After a few minutes, Amma soon came back to the bhajans later that evening. After bhajans, Amma left back to her work.
Crowds seemed to flow in as night set in. The main celebrations were around mindnight. A colorful delightful stage was set the mood of oncoming festivities. Amma strode along led by "panchavadyam", the traditional Kerala welcome music. Amma had a small flute in her hands which swung gracefully as she walked by the platform onto the stage.
A peedham in midst of many lighted lamps, sweet smelling incense, flower garlands, a beautiful puja with baby krishna, the senior Swamis flanking on either sides, many bramhacharis on all sides and musicians with their multitudes of instruments transformed the atmosphere. Amma charged the whole environment with the beauty of simplicity and her smile. Even before singing, Amma looked at all her sides spending time to note every single occupant on the stage, below the stage, on the sides of the stage. As the midnight hour slipped by Amma started with the bhajan "Agatanayi Agatanayi Vishnu Devan." Several beautiful songs peppered the whole evening with the memories which only Gopis of Vrindavan would have shared with their Lord Krishna. Amma's body seemed to dance subtly with the melody of the bhajans.
Amma stopped after a couple of bhajans and requested everyone to stand-up. She asked us all to forget everything else and to remember the presence of the Lord and to dance in that very Bliss. Amma moved her hands gently in a posture of blissful dancing motivating the same gesture in all near her. Amma made the whole stage dance in that joy. Eyes with tears of joy seemed to swing in graceful gesture as the bhajan caught its momentum and whenver it slowed, Amma would raise the tempo again.
After those bliss-filled moments, then Amma told us all that "today is celebrated as Lord Krishna's birthday. The real birth of the Lord should happen in our heart."
Amma moved to the ledge of the stage. She had wanted to distribute payasam to all, one by one. To start, two huge cauldrons of palpayasam (milk pudding) were brought. Volunteers helped Amma by filling up glasses of payasam which Amma distributed to all. She had a twinkle in her eye as she handed out each glass of payasam to all present. She would rarely talk as the number of people were large but the eyes and her smile talked a lot. She is truly our Queen of smiles. After making sure to distribute to all, Amma left the stage. A glimpse of our very own Vrindavan. What a day! How beautiful are the ways of the Lord.
Around 3:45 last evening, the popular game for children known as Uriyadi was staged near the new Juice stall. Uriyad or striking pots hung on a tall pole with a stick is a game where one or two people control a hanging pot and while another tries to strike it. The pot is moved up n down and swung in order to make it difficult to be hit besides the major distraction being water splashed onto the face of the competitor who strives to win by breaking the pot.
Amma was seated few meters away from the pole and in the very center, surrounded by tiny tots who were mostly dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas. Some'bigger' Krishnas and Radhas occupied the position near Her too and the fun continued. Amma rejoiced every single moment whenever a pot was broken. Amma always says she wants her children to be happy and enjoying every moment. Uriyadi has an analogy in everday life. The player is the one struggling in worldy existence hit by the waters of sensory illusion and the goal being the breaking of the bonds that hold him to release the infinite bliss restrained by the pot of the egositic mind, the only tool being the stick of Divine Grace.
Amma picked up many of the tiny tots as their mothers brough them closer to her and Amma would have them in her lap. Sometimes they were two, sometimes one and sometimes more. The little ones would sit on Amma's lap and enjoy the day. After some time, Amma started singing a melodius "Bolo Bolo Gokula bala" bhajan resounding the victory of broken Uriyadi pots with her own "Bolo bolo" and what a scene of victory.
After a few minutes, Amma soon came back to the bhajans later that evening. After bhajans, Amma left back to her work.
Crowds seemed to flow in as night set in. The main celebrations were around mindnight. A colorful delightful stage was set the mood of oncoming festivities. Amma strode along led by "panchavadyam", the traditional Kerala welcome music. Amma had a small flute in her hands which swung gracefully as she walked by the platform onto the stage.
A peedham in midst of many lighted lamps, sweet smelling incense, flower garlands, a beautiful puja with baby krishna, the senior Swamis flanking on either sides, many bramhacharis on all sides and musicians with their multitudes of instruments transformed the atmosphere. Amma charged the whole environment with the beauty of simplicity and her smile. Even before singing, Amma looked at all her sides spending time to note every single occupant on the stage, below the stage, on the sides of the stage. As the midnight hour slipped by Amma started with the bhajan "Agatanayi Agatanayi Vishnu Devan." Several beautiful songs peppered the whole evening with the memories which only Gopis of Vrindavan would have shared with their Lord Krishna. Amma's body seemed to dance subtly with the melody of the bhajans.
Amma stopped after a couple of bhajans and requested everyone to stand-up. She asked us all to forget everything else and to remember the presence of the Lord and to dance in that very Bliss. Amma moved her hands gently in a posture of blissful dancing motivating the same gesture in all near her. Amma made the whole stage dance in that joy. Eyes with tears of joy seemed to swing in graceful gesture as the bhajan caught its momentum and whenver it slowed, Amma would raise the tempo again.
After those bliss-filled moments, then Amma told us all that "today is celebrated as Lord Krishna's birthday. The real birth of the Lord should happen in our heart."
Amma moved to the ledge of the stage. She had wanted to distribute payasam to all, one by one. To start, two huge cauldrons of palpayasam (milk pudding) were brought. Volunteers helped Amma by filling up glasses of payasam which Amma distributed to all. She had a twinkle in her eye as she handed out each glass of payasam to all present. She would rarely talk as the number of people were large but the eyes and her smile talked a lot. She is truly our Queen of smiles. After making sure to distribute to all, Amma left the stage. A glimpse of our very own Vrindavan. What a day! How beautiful are the ways of the Lord.
Labels: janmashtami, krishna, uriyadi
It was five in the afternoon and the bell rang. At Amritapuri, the ringing bell apart archana and class, usually announces the arrival of Amma for a Satsang or Darshan session. Amma came to the beach and sat in her usual meditative silence as she does in the start of every meditation session. Amma sat below a young coconut tree, in her peedham(seat) and around her sat the rest of the Ashram. Amma's eyes remained shut and the angle of the face looking up in the direction of the setting sun on the Arabian sea. A perfect look of silent bliss fills one who observes the scene. All around, happily following Mother's example, shut their eyes and delved deeper into their self.
After almost an hour, Amma opened her eyes and the scene changed. Amma was looking at all around her. Two little children rushed near Amma and Amma made them sit on her seat by her left and right sides. Both children were beaming at the crowds. Like a new mother, Amma kept looking at them and kissed their tiny heads. The children responded to her by hugging closer. The only common sound seemed was that of the waves crashing against the stones on the beach.
Amma picked up the microphone and asked a question on what one had to practice to have constant awareness in thought, word and deed. Amma insisted that the answer should come from her children who have been practising meditation and from those staying in the Ashram trying to do the same. The answers came, some beautiful and thought-provoking. Amma later added how important the awareness is, in one's sadhana(or spiritual life).
The sun-lit sky started changing. It was as if the clouds wanted to hear Amma. They moved closer, more like people rushing to sit near Amma's peedham in the Ashram stage. Amma sat unmoved and listening to her children and as an eager Mother enjoying to be in their presence. Some drops fell on us all. Amma remained still. An umbrella was raised over her head, Amma's swift hands moved it away. She wanted to feel the Nature's touch. Some people got up slowly covering themselves as a protection from the rain. The rain drops became a flow and soon.. a drizzle started.
Amma patiently covered a child near her with some sheets to protect him from the rain water, all the while enjoying the pitter patter on herself. Many eyes forgot the fact it was raining and sat unmoved observing her. Amma's compassionate eyes had noticed their attachment to her Love. Translation of Amma's Satsang was going on. Amma looked at all and then with the beaming smile made a gesture of continous flying kisses, Amma used both her hands and showered kisses on all.
To be there in that moment was so touching. Amma enjoyed happily as the rain became heavier. Every Tuesday, Amma distributes prasad. This time, we had our extra prasad on Monday in the form of a Nature's shower. According to Sanatana Dharma, the prasad has the deity's(or the Perfect Master's) blessing residing within it. Like a temple priest distributing holy water, the clouds showered us all in Mother's beautiful presence. The word prasad literally stands in Sanskrit to mean "Grace". O! What a Grace it was.
Amma soon asked us all to start towards the hall as it was bhajan time. We all rushed and Amma started a touching medley of Bhajans including the famous "Nirvana Shatkam". Pure Bliss!
Namah Shivaya
After almost an hour, Amma opened her eyes and the scene changed. Amma was looking at all around her. Two little children rushed near Amma and Amma made them sit on her seat by her left and right sides. Both children were beaming at the crowds. Like a new mother, Amma kept looking at them and kissed their tiny heads. The children responded to her by hugging closer. The only common sound seemed was that of the waves crashing against the stones on the beach.
Amma picked up the microphone and asked a question on what one had to practice to have constant awareness in thought, word and deed. Amma insisted that the answer should come from her children who have been practising meditation and from those staying in the Ashram trying to do the same. The answers came, some beautiful and thought-provoking. Amma later added how important the awareness is, in one's sadhana(or spiritual life).
The sun-lit sky started changing. It was as if the clouds wanted to hear Amma. They moved closer, more like people rushing to sit near Amma's peedham in the Ashram stage. Amma sat unmoved and listening to her children and as an eager Mother enjoying to be in their presence. Some drops fell on us all. Amma remained still. An umbrella was raised over her head, Amma's swift hands moved it away. She wanted to feel the Nature's touch. Some people got up slowly covering themselves as a protection from the rain. The rain drops became a flow and soon.. a drizzle started.
Amma patiently covered a child near her with some sheets to protect him from the rain water, all the while enjoying the pitter patter on herself. Many eyes forgot the fact it was raining and sat unmoved observing her. Amma's compassionate eyes had noticed their attachment to her Love. Translation of Amma's Satsang was going on. Amma looked at all and then with the beaming smile made a gesture of continous flying kisses, Amma used both her hands and showered kisses on all.
To be there in that moment was so touching. Amma enjoyed happily as the rain became heavier. Every Tuesday, Amma distributes prasad. This time, we had our extra prasad on Monday in the form of a Nature's shower. According to Sanatana Dharma, the prasad has the deity's(or the Perfect Master's) blessing residing within it. Like a temple priest distributing holy water, the clouds showered us all in Mother's beautiful presence. The word prasad literally stands in Sanskrit to mean "Grace". O! What a Grace it was.
Amma soon asked us all to start towards the hall as it was bhajan time. We all rushed and Amma started a touching medley of Bhajans including the famous "Nirvana Shatkam". Pure Bliss!
Namah Shivaya
Today was a busy Darshan day, a new episode in the Amritapuri series of Infinite Love. Amma came at Her usual morning routine and the evening ended almost around 11 pm.The evening was superb. As evening set in around 5pm, Amma was still super fresh and was smiling, talking and hearing the countless problems of her many children who had queued up to meet her.
Sometime later as Amma was busily giving Darshan, there was a distinct cry of a toddler. There were two western devotees and the cry was from a little baby in their arms. As they reached the final row before they file in for Darshan, the toddler saw Amma and started crying. To the surprise of many of us, his cry spelled "Amma", which given his western background was a truly unique reference to Amma. The little boy seemed not older than a year or so. His legs could not even stay stiff yet his cry seemed truly unique.
Swamis were singing a mind-blowing session of melodious bhajans and not many paid attention to the toddler until Amma herself turned to look for the little one who was 20 feet away. More than 20 devotees sitting around Amma had to give way as Amma had gestured the little toddler be brought forward. The happy mother and father rushed slowly cutting their way through that small crowd of people to reach Amma's right side. Amma took the little toddler in her arms, caressed him and lo! he had already stopped his wailing. All he had wanted was Amma's attention and now he was right on her arms. Amma gave him a toffee prasad and handed back the baby to the people assisting the Darshan. Due to a small confusion instead of going back to the parents, the little one was being taken elsewhere. After a couple of seconds, with much shouting he was handed back to his parents. All this while, he neither cried nor made any sound but wore a bemused look of appeasement. The proud young parents showed through their smile lit faces that they were happy that their little baby had the chance to be with Amma.
What a Mother! The child's yearning cry was answered in midst of all the noise and activity. Even the little one's cry could not escape her benevolent eyes. To many of us here, Amma is just more than a Mother. Amma is, as the name suggests "Om bhakta lokaakhila bhIShTa pUraNa prINananecchave namaH" - one who is keen to please the world of devotees by fulfilling all their desires.
Sometime later as Amma was busily giving Darshan, there was a distinct cry of a toddler. There were two western devotees and the cry was from a little baby in their arms. As they reached the final row before they file in for Darshan, the toddler saw Amma and started crying. To the surprise of many of us, his cry spelled "Amma", which given his western background was a truly unique reference to Amma. The little boy seemed not older than a year or so. His legs could not even stay stiff yet his cry seemed truly unique.
Swamis were singing a mind-blowing session of melodious bhajans and not many paid attention to the toddler until Amma herself turned to look for the little one who was 20 feet away. More than 20 devotees sitting around Amma had to give way as Amma had gestured the little toddler be brought forward. The happy mother and father rushed slowly cutting their way through that small crowd of people to reach Amma's right side. Amma took the little toddler in her arms, caressed him and lo! he had already stopped his wailing. All he had wanted was Amma's attention and now he was right on her arms. Amma gave him a toffee prasad and handed back the baby to the people assisting the Darshan. Due to a small confusion instead of going back to the parents, the little one was being taken elsewhere. After a couple of seconds, with much shouting he was handed back to his parents. All this while, he neither cried nor made any sound but wore a bemused look of appeasement. The proud young parents showed through their smile lit faces that they were happy that their little baby had the chance to be with Amma.
What a Mother! The child's yearning cry was answered in midst of all the noise and activity. Even the little one's cry could not escape her benevolent eyes. To many of us here, Amma is just more than a Mother. Amma is, as the name suggests "Om bhakta lokaakhila bhIShTa pUraNa prINananecchave namaH" - one who is keen to please the world of devotees by fulfilling all their desires.
Last few days have been Darshan days one next to another. It amazes us every single day plainly to imagine and see Amma's white saree yellowed or even turned dark reddish brown with the many faces that feel the loving embrace. Amma keeps on giving Darshan from morning 11am continuously without a break until almost midnight sometimes stretching until 4am or so. Today Amma finished her Darshan at 11:20pm. Considering that this is not just for today but four major days a week, here at Amritapuri, with this long schedule with no food, not even an extra minute's rest and what not, Amma sets a high bar for all her children to follow. And, what a Mother, cause to her its all love. Even during Darshan Amma says she thinks of her many children who were unable to come to be with her and sometimes she even talks particularly referring to some of them by their names. Recently at a seaside session, Amma mentioned how much she yearns for to see her many children during Darshan, even if it was just a second. Explaining, how many of the devotees borrow money in order to make the trip, Amma went on to say how they wait the whole day to get that one second with Amma and how important that is (to her). Amma kept circling on that one second she spends with that devotee. She says it is so very important. What a Love! Amma is fantastic.
Since the last three days, in the evenings one could observe a small kid near Amma's chair. The little kid would arrive earlier in the evening, have his Darshan and Amma would ask him to come on to her side. We noticed that once on the side, he took out an Archana book and started reading the 108 names of the Divine Mother in absolute concentration only to lift up his head every few seconds to look at Amma. On Saturday, Amma told us about him while he was just taking out his Archana book. The little boy was 5 years old and of Indian origin but lived in the States. He and his parents were frequent to visit Amma when Amma does the US tours. The boy could very well chant the Ashtothram or the 108 names of the Divine Mother. Seems his parents had showed him how and he had meticulously followed them. Amma mentioned that even at school the little boy kept chanting the Divine mantras.
The same thing happenned today. Swamiji's rocking bhajans did not even divert the kid's attention for a second. Patiently he pronounced the Sanskrit syllables in the appropriate way but with the cute five year old's accent. The sweet pronunciation moved everyone around Amma. Amma was looking into his eyes. There were tears in his eyes but it was not the cry of sadness but that of one's internal yearning. Today, he had even offered more and was doing the 1000 names of Sri Lalita known as the Sri Lalita Sahasranamam. Amma was proudly saying that he had learned the same in the last two days. With an amazing smile, joyous glittering eyes and a majestic pose on Amma's face, she even stalled the Darshan and remained still, pleased as she heard the little one chant. Afterwards, like a proud Mother, she kissed him on his forehead repeatedly putting her head on his while the little kid rested his on her shoulder and all this while during Darshan. O what a sight!
Goddess Sri Lalita is described as "Aum nama parayana pritayai namah" or one who is pleased by the repetition of Her names. Perhaps that very Lalita acknowledged the beauty of innocent prayer. No enough words can ever express the emotions of witnessing that sight.
Since the last three days, in the evenings one could observe a small kid near Amma's chair. The little kid would arrive earlier in the evening, have his Darshan and Amma would ask him to come on to her side. We noticed that once on the side, he took out an Archana book and started reading the 108 names of the Divine Mother in absolute concentration only to lift up his head every few seconds to look at Amma. On Saturday, Amma told us about him while he was just taking out his Archana book. The little boy was 5 years old and of Indian origin but lived in the States. He and his parents were frequent to visit Amma when Amma does the US tours. The boy could very well chant the Ashtothram or the 108 names of the Divine Mother. Seems his parents had showed him how and he had meticulously followed them. Amma mentioned that even at school the little boy kept chanting the Divine mantras.
The same thing happenned today. Swamiji's rocking bhajans did not even divert the kid's attention for a second. Patiently he pronounced the Sanskrit syllables in the appropriate way but with the cute five year old's accent. The sweet pronunciation moved everyone around Amma. Amma was looking into his eyes. There were tears in his eyes but it was not the cry of sadness but that of one's internal yearning. Today, he had even offered more and was doing the 1000 names of Sri Lalita known as the Sri Lalita Sahasranamam. Amma was proudly saying that he had learned the same in the last two days. With an amazing smile, joyous glittering eyes and a majestic pose on Amma's face, she even stalled the Darshan and remained still, pleased as she heard the little one chant. Afterwards, like a proud Mother, she kissed him on his forehead repeatedly putting her head on his while the little kid rested his on her shoulder and all this while during Darshan. O what a sight!
Goddess Sri Lalita is described as "Aum nama parayana pritayai namah" or one who is pleased by the repetition of Her names. Perhaps that very Lalita acknowledged the beauty of innocent prayer. No enough words can ever express the emotions of witnessing that sight.
The routine of the Ashram is what keeps the buzz uniform. Monday is supposedly a no-public-Darshan-day, Tuesday her Satsang day, Wednesday and Thursday are Darshan days like on Saturdays and Sundays and Friday, a meditative day. However Amma sets a high bar for her many children to follow. Even during Mondays or Fridays Amma would rush out in some context and provide Darshan to those who would have reached her that day.
The friday last was one another of those special days. Amma hailed us all once again to the beachside. As the song "Neelkadakaraiyil Thavan cheyyum nithiya kannigaiyai" goes, Amma had sat down facing the sea and had started the meditation. The sight was really beautiful. We, her children, of various colors and shapes, sat around Amma to enjoy the perfect calmness that Amma shares during such special events. After a couple of minutes of guided meditation, Amma started asking all around for their share of spiritual humor. Some of her western children took the opportunity to share their jokes. Amma said although everyone present there was interested in spiritual bliss, each one of us should care about the ecology and environment around us. She went on to ask what was each of our opinion on how the environment can be returned back to some of its pristine pureness. Many of those present there started taking the microphone to share their opinions. Some talked of tree-planting, some others of spreading the awareness of discriminative use of resources and other topics, bringing out some of the main themes of Ashram's currently ongoing humanitarian work. At one point Amma said that this discussion may go on for a long time and that the main thing that we have to remember is to save the environment around us from exploitation, reduce our needs, to be considerate of others, reduce waste of water and other precious elements in our everday lives. Amma even elaborated on the virtues of righteous living.
As the evening drew its shades by turning the sun mild and red, Amma requested all to move back to Ashram for bhajans and that she would follow after a couple of minutes behind them. Seems Amma walked closer towards the edge of the sea. After few minutes, Amma was seen walking back to Ashram in the same path that she had used to reach the beach side.
A little while later, Amma came for bhajans. Like Tagore writes "When grace is lost from life,come with a burst of song." Amma did come to all of us that night in her deeply moving collection of bhajans. At the very end of bhajans, it is lovely when Amma glances all with her corner of the eyes, measuring the hall from end to end in her unique subtle ways. The mind loses its questions. Gitanajali puts the feeling better:
The friday last was one another of those special days. Amma hailed us all once again to the beachside. As the song "Neelkadakaraiyil Thavan cheyyum nithiya kannigaiyai" goes, Amma had sat down facing the sea and had started the meditation. The sight was really beautiful. We, her children, of various colors and shapes, sat around Amma to enjoy the perfect calmness that Amma shares during such special events. After a couple of minutes of guided meditation, Amma started asking all around for their share of spiritual humor. Some of her western children took the opportunity to share their jokes. Amma said although everyone present there was interested in spiritual bliss, each one of us should care about the ecology and environment around us. She went on to ask what was each of our opinion on how the environment can be returned back to some of its pristine pureness. Many of those present there started taking the microphone to share their opinions. Some talked of tree-planting, some others of spreading the awareness of discriminative use of resources and other topics, bringing out some of the main themes of Ashram's currently ongoing humanitarian work. At one point Amma said that this discussion may go on for a long time and that the main thing that we have to remember is to save the environment around us from exploitation, reduce our needs, to be considerate of others, reduce waste of water and other precious elements in our everday lives. Amma even elaborated on the virtues of righteous living.
As the evening drew its shades by turning the sun mild and red, Amma requested all to move back to Ashram for bhajans and that she would follow after a couple of minutes behind them. Seems Amma walked closer towards the edge of the sea. After few minutes, Amma was seen walking back to Ashram in the same path that she had used to reach the beach side.
A little while later, Amma came for bhajans. Like Tagore writes "When grace is lost from life,come with a burst of song." Amma did come to all of us that night in her deeply moving collection of bhajans. At the very end of bhajans, it is lovely when Amma glances all with her corner of the eyes, measuring the hall from end to end in her unique subtle ways. The mind loses its questions. Gitanajali puts the feeling better:
"When one knows thee, then alien there is none, then no door is shut.
Oh, grant me my prayer that I may never lose
the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of many. "
Oh, grant me my prayer that I may never lose
the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of many. "
Namah Shivaya
Labels: beach, environment
Amma is back HOME here at Amritapuri. How wonderful! How normal! It has been a true celebration these last two days. For one who has been in the Ashram past two plus months, the last two days is like the celebrations of all joys of heaven. Amma came back to Amritapuri via Cochin all the way from the last North American stop of Toronto. A lot of her children flew along with her.
Amma reached the Ashram by car.. we had received the news of her coming the previous night. Morning chants started off earlier than usual. A small crowd gathered eagerly at the entrance.. a line of boys and girls all waiting for Mamma. Slowly silently a white car took its turn.. hush became rush and then "Amma Amma Amma Amma"...shouts and cheers, cries from all corners engulfed the scene of the peaceful morning. Oh what a delight to the forlorn! Truly it was chests heaving, eyes watering, lips smiling, .. Amma looked at us, walked slow after her tiresome journey yet there was something special..and we waited..
Amma climbed her little stairs to the level where she can cast a view, bent down completely showing a bejeweled smile and started searching eye-to-eye with everyone there as if connecting to each one in her own ways. The look of those eyes conveyed a longing as if she had been waiting so long to see us all. Oh What a Love!
One part of us want her to rest a bit more.. especially knowing how tough the tours are and.. then there is the little kid inside all wanting the Mother to come play and badly wanting his hug..oh what a demanding kid he is... But Amma is Amma, the best Mom one can think of. She pleases all..Yes, Amma came out today to stay out on the beach with us.
Around five-ish in the evening, a reminding bell went out announcing what all hearts had wanted. Even little school kids ran back after school, one ran past me saying "bro heard Amma is out on the beach!" and that's it. We all walked past to the beach on the ayurveda meditation grounds. There in midst of all that sand and people was Amma already asking for a good joke. Yes, Amma first asked all requesting anyone of us all to tell a joke. It was meant to kindle laughter while talking a lesson. No one came forward and then Amma started cracking us up with her dose of infinite humor. The whole group was laughing. Some of the eyes just looking in awe like the ones in Love. Missing minds filling up their brim to full but any amount is not enough. Amma talked of little lessons, lessons of patience, sincerity, purity, attentiveness in one's everyday life. She wanted to look at the sea with all her children in the front and at her side. The waves lashed closer but gentler.. the sea seemed wanted to feel her too. Even an usually active neighborhood dog lay down in perfect attention and fully stretched listening to the joyful gathering. A majestic eagle swooned low and circled the sky above, just over the height of a few feet. The whole nature seemed to rhythm in Amma's presence. No less words can express the feeling.
A little later, a song.. Amma started a very melodious bhajan blending beauty with devotion. Enthralled as the crowds sat, even the sea silenced her hard waves.. Amma, made a light chat talking of the sea and then the path paved.. Amma had gotten up. She announced her way to bhajans as it was bhajan time already. The crowd trickled out of the beach to the Ashram bhajan hall.. As i entered Amma had already started off the beautiful list of fast and soul stirring songs some new some old.. delivering the minds afar and deep..
Oh What a celebration..What beauty in Life. Mamma i am so very happy 'cause i am coming to you..like the Bixio's Italian song goes..
Amma reached the Ashram by car.. we had received the news of her coming the previous night. Morning chants started off earlier than usual. A small crowd gathered eagerly at the entrance.. a line of boys and girls all waiting for Mamma. Slowly silently a white car took its turn.. hush became rush and then "Amma Amma Amma Amma"...shouts and cheers, cries from all corners engulfed the scene of the peaceful morning. Oh what a delight to the forlorn! Truly it was chests heaving, eyes watering, lips smiling, .. Amma looked at us, walked slow after her tiresome journey yet there was something special..and we waited..
Amma climbed her little stairs to the level where she can cast a view, bent down completely showing a bejeweled smile and started searching eye-to-eye with everyone there as if connecting to each one in her own ways. The look of those eyes conveyed a longing as if she had been waiting so long to see us all. Oh What a Love!
One part of us want her to rest a bit more.. especially knowing how tough the tours are and.. then there is the little kid inside all wanting the Mother to come play and badly wanting his hug..oh what a demanding kid he is... But Amma is Amma, the best Mom one can think of. She pleases all..Yes, Amma came out today to stay out on the beach with us.
Around five-ish in the evening, a reminding bell went out announcing what all hearts had wanted. Even little school kids ran back after school, one ran past me saying "bro heard Amma is out on the beach!" and that's it. We all walked past to the beach on the ayurveda meditation grounds. There in midst of all that sand and people was Amma already asking for a good joke. Yes, Amma first asked all requesting anyone of us all to tell a joke. It was meant to kindle laughter while talking a lesson. No one came forward and then Amma started cracking us up with her dose of infinite humor. The whole group was laughing. Some of the eyes just looking in awe like the ones in Love. Missing minds filling up their brim to full but any amount is not enough. Amma talked of little lessons, lessons of patience, sincerity, purity, attentiveness in one's everyday life. She wanted to look at the sea with all her children in the front and at her side. The waves lashed closer but gentler.. the sea seemed wanted to feel her too. Even an usually active neighborhood dog lay down in perfect attention and fully stretched listening to the joyful gathering. A majestic eagle swooned low and circled the sky above, just over the height of a few feet. The whole nature seemed to rhythm in Amma's presence. No less words can express the feeling.
A little later, a song.. Amma started a very melodious bhajan blending beauty with devotion. Enthralled as the crowds sat, even the sea silenced her hard waves.. Amma, made a light chat talking of the sea and then the path paved.. Amma had gotten up. She announced her way to bhajans as it was bhajan time already. The crowd trickled out of the beach to the Ashram bhajan hall.. As i entered Amma had already started off the beautiful list of fast and soul stirring songs some new some old.. delivering the minds afar and deep..
Oh What a celebration..What beauty in Life. Mamma i am so very happy 'cause i am coming to you..like the Bixio's Italian song goes..
"MAMMA SON' TANTO FELICE
PERCHE RITORNO DA TE
LA MIA
CANZONE TI DICE
CHE IL PIU BEL GIORNO PER ME"
PERCHE RITORNO DA TE
LA MIA
CANZONE TI DICE
CHE IL PIU BEL GIORNO PER ME"
Labels: amritapuri, coming back
It was just a few days ago that Amma had left Amritapuri for the Japan-US tour. To describe the emotion filled days before Amma's departure for the tour is not so easy. Many eyes seem lost as they seeked her to fill up every ounce of memory before that embodiment of Love leaves on the US tour to see her other children. Amma is an embodiment of that very Universal motherhood. It is so wonderful to lose hours just gazing at that Mother.
The tour days mean many of us will miss Amma's physical presence for the next 7-9 weeks. Just two days before the trip, Amma had sweetly spent time with us all in the swimming pool which left us floating in immense joy. Then came the final day, the day of departure. Amma was supposed to leave at 6am so many of us had gathered outside her room at 04:30am. There was a small crowd, some scattered in prayerful silence, others in joyful expectation, some chatting while others painfully sad-however all with one eager goal, to see Amma that morning. Even Archana was speeding up so as to meet up Mother. One by one the other wagons including those of Swamis and tour members travelling with Amma left the Ashram premises. The steps near Amma's room saw multitudes of ashramites gathering to catch a glimpse of the Mother. A car was ready and waiting for the journey to Thiruvananthapuram airport. Suddenly a shout and then, a bout of yells "Amma Amma Amma...". It was our Amma, she had just stepped out of the room and when everyone expected her to come down the stairs and get into the car, she did something wonderful.. Amma walked into the temple to give a last-minute Satsang. People filed in to sit close to Amma as is done every Tuesday.
It was a unique Monday morning. Amma started her discourse lovingly mentioning about how she wants a photo of all her children with their faces up so she could keep it with her while traveling. It was more like Amma misses us...than we miss her. Amma mentioned the importance of Seva and regular spiritual practices. Titbits of advices flew to all corners touching various aspects of the many children around her. Amma drew examples from her life telling how beautiful is Nature and how ideal it served as a teacher. She talked about love, compassion, righteousness, spiritual practices in her won unique simple way covering many aspects of the Sanskrit words prema, dharma and sadhana. Just minutes before the journey, it was her reminder of what we should follow as everyday practices while seeking the Grace of the Divine Mother. The tune of every word seemed leading us to do better for ourselves and the world. Through her simple words, Amma insisted that we go ahead in our Sadhana. Amma's concern was that of the Mother- a loving mom who has sent her only child abroad for doctoral research. She insisted that we remain patient and put in more efforts in our daily practices. As Amma's face carried the most enchanting smile, her eyes and words spoke of the deep concern for her children as they walked their steep road of spiritual advancement. The smile of Amma is more than the description by any known set of words. As the warmth of that smile engulfed us in its loving embrace, Amma got up and started walking towards the car that was parked in front of the temple. After one more look at the morning gathering, Amma boarded her car and the last set of tour wagons started off towards the airport.
Such is our Amma. How much we miss her already!
The tour days mean many of us will miss Amma's physical presence for the next 7-9 weeks. Just two days before the trip, Amma had sweetly spent time with us all in the swimming pool which left us floating in immense joy. Then came the final day, the day of departure. Amma was supposed to leave at 6am so many of us had gathered outside her room at 04:30am. There was a small crowd, some scattered in prayerful silence, others in joyful expectation, some chatting while others painfully sad-however all with one eager goal, to see Amma that morning. Even Archana was speeding up so as to meet up Mother. One by one the other wagons including those of Swamis and tour members travelling with Amma left the Ashram premises. The steps near Amma's room saw multitudes of ashramites gathering to catch a glimpse of the Mother. A car was ready and waiting for the journey to Thiruvananthapuram airport. Suddenly a shout and then, a bout of yells "Amma Amma Amma...". It was our Amma, she had just stepped out of the room and when everyone expected her to come down the stairs and get into the car, she did something wonderful.. Amma walked into the temple to give a last-minute Satsang. People filed in to sit close to Amma as is done every Tuesday.
It was a unique Monday morning. Amma started her discourse lovingly mentioning about how she wants a photo of all her children with their faces up so she could keep it with her while traveling. It was more like Amma misses us...than we miss her. Amma mentioned the importance of Seva and regular spiritual practices. Titbits of advices flew to all corners touching various aspects of the many children around her. Amma drew examples from her life telling how beautiful is Nature and how ideal it served as a teacher. She talked about love, compassion, righteousness, spiritual practices in her won unique simple way covering many aspects of the Sanskrit words prema, dharma and sadhana. Just minutes before the journey, it was her reminder of what we should follow as everyday practices while seeking the Grace of the Divine Mother. The tune of every word seemed leading us to do better for ourselves and the world. Through her simple words, Amma insisted that we go ahead in our Sadhana. Amma's concern was that of the Mother- a loving mom who has sent her only child abroad for doctoral research. She insisted that we remain patient and put in more efforts in our daily practices. As Amma's face carried the most enchanting smile, her eyes and words spoke of the deep concern for her children as they walked their steep road of spiritual advancement. The smile of Amma is more than the description by any known set of words. As the warmth of that smile engulfed us in its loving embrace, Amma got up and started walking towards the car that was parked in front of the temple. After one more look at the morning gathering, Amma boarded her car and the last set of tour wagons started off towards the airport.
Such is our Amma. How much we miss her already!
Om Lokah Samsthah Sukhino Bhavantu:
Yesterday was a festival. Amma's US tour starts in a few days and Amma had called all to the swimming pool. She had just finished days of continuous Darshan spending time day and night to talk, console and uplift her many children. Amma's Darshan is so special and those of the last days more special as none would get a chance so special otherwise. It had been just Amma and the person. So after all those days of continuous Darshan, when one hears Amma is calling us out to swimming, excitement broke its bounds.
The first session was with the girls. With Amma, the pool was occupied with the girls who yelled in the happiness of being in that very presence. Each bout of yell grew stronger and stronger and after some time as boys waited, a bhajan started. Bhajans indicated that the session was getting over and excitement broke out amongst the boys. There was a intermittent "Mata Rani ki.. jai". The boys came in all ranges of age. Most of the boys undressed into a simpler mundu-shorts-towel dress in front of S.achan's house and as the patience seemed waning they started trickling in to see Amma even while the girls were trying to get out all through a small door. Inside the pool, Amma, seated on a white plastic chair at the very edge of the deep end of the pool, had actually been surrounded by many boys already and the scene looked like what is described in Bhagvata as Sri Krishna and the gopis. Amma started asking each one whether he knew swimming and then pushed him into the pool. For the one who knew, they prostrated in front and then took a jump with a symbolic nudge from Amma. For the ones who dint know, there was a big floatation ring and then N-ji who served to help them reach to reasonable distance so they could stand on the feet. Amma made everyone feel special. To one, She asked about how much he knew swimming, to another about how good he was in diving, to another was a remark if he was courageous enough, on another Amma made us all smile saying his stomach was already a floatation vest and so on. One incident was that last year K was jumping in with the ring around him. Our K wanted to do his prayerful sign by lifting both his hands palms folded and Lo he had gone inside the water with the floatation ring on the top of the water. N-ji had to swim to bring him up. Amma reminded us all that and playfully coaxed him to dare. K out of full faith was so eager to jump that he almost did. Amma pulled him back and with such force that he almost reactively sat down. Later she got him to wear a ring and a nudge.. splosh. Amma appreciated those who jumped gracefully and one such person got a double thumbs-up. To another Amma reminded him about not drinking water while swimming as he had drank some pool water out of anxiety last year. It was amazing to see how she connected with each of her many spiritual children. One person was a university researcher and was an ashramite there. He prostrated before Amma to get her blessings and told her that he did not know how to swim. Amma told him "PhD and yet.. Do you know how many Phd's Narada had...62" Amma was referring to the Sage Narada, who is considered as a wandering seer, traveling the world and spreading his knowledge to all. Puranas tell us that Narada used a tambura and moved about in the universe singing the glory of the Lord. Ity is said that this only symbolic and Narada is regarded as taking the spinal column representing veena, the nerves or the nadis as the strings and the breathing in and out as constant contemplation of the Divine Name. Amma was probably teasing that even after the education of living, one could be a toddler in the actual education of Life. What is beautiful is that Narada Muni's example suited that child of Amma who actually worked on neuroscience as his area of research.
The rest of the swimming pool seemingly filled up soon and after some time Amma started talking about one of her early experiences in swimming with her Sanyasi disciples. Two swamis were almost drowning in a river and that Amma and another Swami jumped in to haul both of them out. While Amma was trying to catch and drag the drowning SwamiA. He held on very tight all around her making them both incapable to swim. She had to actually kick him away and then drag him by hair to the shores. Amma laughed at several other stories and it was so wonderful. Amma then started singing "He giridhara gopala" and followed by "Srishtium Niyae" both in the top of her lungs. Amma the started a new bhajan "Ananda rupini Ammae" (Mother who is embodiment of bliss..) Since most of us didnt know the lines of this bhajan it was just Amma and few other bramacharis. Amma slowly got up wore her footwear and gracefully walked alongside the pool. She stopped at S.achan's house. Amma came out for a moment to call out all her boys to get out of the pool. After some time, Amma came out and walked all the way to Her room. It was past 2:30am and we were all blissfully excited and sleep was far off.
O Mother dear, How beautiful is this Life in Thy hands!
The first session was with the girls. With Amma, the pool was occupied with the girls who yelled in the happiness of being in that very presence. Each bout of yell grew stronger and stronger and after some time as boys waited, a bhajan started. Bhajans indicated that the session was getting over and excitement broke out amongst the boys. There was a intermittent "Mata Rani ki.. jai". The boys came in all ranges of age. Most of the boys undressed into a simpler mundu-shorts-towel dress in front of S.achan's house and as the patience seemed waning they started trickling in to see Amma even while the girls were trying to get out all through a small door. Inside the pool, Amma, seated on a white plastic chair at the very edge of the deep end of the pool, had actually been surrounded by many boys already and the scene looked like what is described in Bhagvata as Sri Krishna and the gopis. Amma started asking each one whether he knew swimming and then pushed him into the pool. For the one who knew, they prostrated in front and then took a jump with a symbolic nudge from Amma. For the ones who dint know, there was a big floatation ring and then N-ji who served to help them reach to reasonable distance so they could stand on the feet. Amma made everyone feel special. To one, She asked about how much he knew swimming, to another about how good he was in diving, to another was a remark if he was courageous enough, on another Amma made us all smile saying his stomach was already a floatation vest and so on. One incident was that last year K was jumping in with the ring around him. Our K wanted to do his prayerful sign by lifting both his hands palms folded and Lo he had gone inside the water with the floatation ring on the top of the water. N-ji had to swim to bring him up. Amma reminded us all that and playfully coaxed him to dare. K out of full faith was so eager to jump that he almost did. Amma pulled him back and with such force that he almost reactively sat down. Later she got him to wear a ring and a nudge.. splosh. Amma appreciated those who jumped gracefully and one such person got a double thumbs-up. To another Amma reminded him about not drinking water while swimming as he had drank some pool water out of anxiety last year. It was amazing to see how she connected with each of her many spiritual children. One person was a university researcher and was an ashramite there. He prostrated before Amma to get her blessings and told her that he did not know how to swim. Amma told him "PhD and yet.. Do you know how many Phd's Narada had...62" Amma was referring to the Sage Narada, who is considered as a wandering seer, traveling the world and spreading his knowledge to all. Puranas tell us that Narada used a tambura and moved about in the universe singing the glory of the Lord. Ity is said that this only symbolic and Narada is regarded as taking the spinal column representing veena, the nerves or the nadis as the strings and the breathing in and out as constant contemplation of the Divine Name. Amma was probably teasing that even after the education of living, one could be a toddler in the actual education of Life. What is beautiful is that Narada Muni's example suited that child of Amma who actually worked on neuroscience as his area of research.
The rest of the swimming pool seemingly filled up soon and after some time Amma started talking about one of her early experiences in swimming with her Sanyasi disciples. Two swamis were almost drowning in a river and that Amma and another Swami jumped in to haul both of them out. While Amma was trying to catch and drag the drowning SwamiA. He held on very tight all around her making them both incapable to swim. She had to actually kick him away and then drag him by hair to the shores. Amma laughed at several other stories and it was so wonderful. Amma then started singing "He giridhara gopala" and followed by "Srishtium Niyae" both in the top of her lungs. Amma the started a new bhajan "Ananda rupini Ammae" (Mother who is embodiment of bliss..) Since most of us didnt know the lines of this bhajan it was just Amma and few other bramacharis. Amma slowly got up wore her footwear and gracefully walked alongside the pool. She stopped at S.achan's house. Amma came out for a moment to call out all her boys to get out of the pool. After some time, Amma came out and walked all the way to Her room. It was past 2:30am and we were all blissfully excited and sleep was far off.
O Mother dear, How beautiful is this Life in Thy hands!
Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Last night i was a bit early to go back to my sleeping quarters from work. On the way we met "U". U is a very senior resident and a regularly practicing sadhak (spiritual aspirant). We were near our big hall, when U met two of us. We remarked how tired we were after almost 2 days of no sleep at all. Immediately he said "Well, the best is to tire the mind so one will go into deep sleep and without thoughts. Once you wake up from such a sleep the mind automatically settles into meditation. The goal of meditation being controlling your thoughts". we laughed and said "in our condition one would naturally move into that mode". He smiled but seriously led us to one of the early stories.
In the very early days, the place where we have our meditation hall was a marshy pool. Sand used to be brought from the sea to the banks and mounds of it were dumped close to the banks of the backwaters. Amma then used to instruct the sadhaks to carry them and dump them at this spot. The task was strenous and went late into night atleast until 2am. Amma used to be with Her children working, making black coffee and making sure the job was well supervised. Around 2 am, physically and mentally exhausted they used to go to bed only to wake 2 hours later when the Mother was already awake for their morning practices. Such were the old days. But those days were special, he said. After that tiring work and constant japa(repetition of the Divine name) and a little rest, the body used to settle into a posture very easily and the mind into a dynamic meditation state where the Self shined through the Divine effulgence.
As we walked on to our rooms, he said, "perhaps you should find time to read some scriptures too!". Some of the ancient Upanishads talk of the path of knowledge where knowing the Self was knowing All. U took off saying "we have got to get up in 3 hours. So lets catch some sleep." U had been in the surrondings for more than 25 years. He knew and taught many scriptures and Sanskrit, the ancient language of Gods. As i had in my mind, what a depth he had and yet how simple he looked, he turned back from a few feet away and said "we are extremely lucky to be in this place not just with a Mahatma but a Mahapurush(personified Divinity). all we can pray and ask for is this presence alone. That itself will take us leaps ahead in our journey. So lets not dream of anything more but be thankful for what we are already! Have a good night!" It was 1 am but the heart had already woken up. The compulsion of sleep had left.
"Svayam lokaguruh sakshajjayate lokatattvavit
Yajnabratatapodana japatirthanusevanam
Gurutattvamvijnya nishphalam natra samshayah
Gurubhuddhyatmanonanyam satyam satyam na samshayah"
"Fire ceremonies, vows, offerings, austerities, pilgrimages – All are fruitless without having the knowledge of Guru. Have no doubt about this."
-Guru Gita
Yajnabratatapodana japatirthanusevanam
Gurutattvamvijnya nishphalam natra samshayah
Gurubhuddhyatmanonanyam satyam satyam na samshayah"
"Fire ceremonies, vows, offerings, austerities, pilgrimages – All are fruitless without having the knowledge of Guru. Have no doubt about this."
-Guru Gita
Om Lokah Samsthah Sukhino Bhavantu:
"Sarvapapavisudhatma shriguroh padasevanat
Sarvatirthavaghanam phalam prapnothi nishchitam"
"The performance of Kriya (activities) itself is service to Guru’s feet. If, after performing Kriya, one abides in the par avastha of Kriya, mind does not go in other directions. Therefore, if mind does not go in other directions, how can there be sin? Only by abiding in the Self does one become a pure soul. The aim of traveling to pilgrimages is for the purification of the soul. One becomes a pure soul in the par avastha of Kriya; therefore all fruits of traveling to pilgrimages are just by doing this, automatically."
-Gurugita
Sarvatirthavaghanam phalam prapnothi nishchitam"
"The performance of Kriya (activities) itself is service to Guru’s feet. If, after performing Kriya, one abides in the par avastha of Kriya, mind does not go in other directions. Therefore, if mind does not go in other directions, how can there be sin? Only by abiding in the Self does one become a pure soul. The aim of traveling to pilgrimages is for the purification of the soul. One becomes a pure soul in the par avastha of Kriya; therefore all fruits of traveling to pilgrimages are just by doing this, automatically."
-Gurugita
Most of us dream of many things spiritually and materially to achieve as part of his or her life. To live directly under Guru's supervision is a total Grace. The Guru looks into the best for the disciple and guides him to do it in the best righteous way.
There was a certain deadline to do a few administrative applications here. It was painstakingly uneasy as the main person had to go away urgently to a meeting. The problem of administrative tasks is the amount of information one has to cramp into reports. We were asked to make such a report concerning last few years and cramp it into atleast 100 pages. Wondering on how and where to high light and what to illustrate, we prayed to the Divine Mother whose resplendent form shines in all Her children. We tried collecting info and that amounted to a lot and now the task was which and what should be the main theme of a report. This report was very crucial and important and it was to be submitted within two days to the Government for its approval. Losing sleep for the two nights, we prayed and we worked.
Around late night we received a call. A call from Nairobi, where Amma was having her Kenya program. It seems, Amma had asked about the report. She also had directed what we should highlight as the main theme. Amma mentioned who could represent the work and how to present the same. The topic title was reset and the report rewritten in the way our wonderful Mother had guided us to. All set and done and very happy the way it turned out. We even managed submitting it within 3 minutes from the deadline.
What a Mother we have!
There was a certain deadline to do a few administrative applications here. It was painstakingly uneasy as the main person had to go away urgently to a meeting. The problem of administrative tasks is the amount of information one has to cramp into reports. We were asked to make such a report concerning last few years and cramp it into atleast 100 pages. Wondering on how and where to high light and what to illustrate, we prayed to the Divine Mother whose resplendent form shines in all Her children. We tried collecting info and that amounted to a lot and now the task was which and what should be the main theme of a report. This report was very crucial and important and it was to be submitted within two days to the Government for its approval. Losing sleep for the two nights, we prayed and we worked.
Around late night we received a call. A call from Nairobi, where Amma was having her Kenya program. It seems, Amma had asked about the report. She also had directed what we should highlight as the main theme. Amma mentioned who could represent the work and how to present the same. The topic title was reset and the report rewritten in the way our wonderful Mother had guided us to. All set and done and very happy the way it turned out. We even managed submitting it within 3 minutes from the deadline.
What a Mother we have!
Om Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu:
Labels: administrative, guidance, kenya
It was a beautiful day at Bangalore. Amma's program was about to start. Some of us had just joined the program at Bangalore after a relaxingly long train journey. As we reached it seemed as if everything was arranged. To meet Amma in person is a beautiful chance indeed. Many would just spend lots of hours wait just to catch a glimpse of Amma. It is the very embodiment of Inner peace that Amma reflects through her beautiful Self.
As usual, many activities go besides Amma. There is so much Seva(Selfless service sometimes just meaning volunteer service around Amma) that needs to be done. There are seating arrangement, crowd control, sound crew, bookstalls, gift shops, ayurvedic products, multimedia shops etc. as activities extolling the various humanitarian projects and that which serve as token pockets of Seva. A small picture might cost as much as Rs. 3 (USD 0.059406) but each of such small offerings go into the better service of Amma's several Seva activities. Each small activity adds to its own beautiful contribution. Several of Amma's spiritual children(bramhacharis and bramhacharinis, ashramites, residents and even visitors) take part in this beautiful Seva.
Another aspect of Amma's tour is that one can see many spiritual aspirants and monks from various walks and Dharmas visiting Amma to catch a glimpse of Her and to have Amma's darshan. As we all watched carefully at Amma, there was this Buddhist monk wearing a dark red maroonish garb. The garb was itself an explanation of his detachment. As many monks do, he wore no shoes. After getting accustomed to seeing him for almost a day. We were having our lunch at one of the huge kitchen halls, when we saw him loitering around the food area. We had been telling each other various stories of our experiences in the recent tour with Amma. The jokes were so many that me and some others were not in the mood to break up our discussion even after seeing a monk around. However, after much reluctance and boosted by the aspect of seeing a detached monk from another Dharma (way of Life refering to his coming as Buddhist monk) i went to see him close. Already three young spiritual aspirants were around him. Indian manners to our spiritual elders includes offering some light drink or food to a monk when one sees him.
Someone brought this buddhist monk a glass of fresh gingered buttermilk to drink. Aroused by curiosity, i went near and then he started speaking. He said in a voice very low: "I am very happy to have been here. So much is my happinness that i am talking to you all". We asked him where he was from and he said he was not from here. Then we asked him if he lived in Bangalore and he said no. He had obviously travelled a very long distance by foot. He slowly said that the travel was an urge from within. He told us that he had tried subduing the urge but it came rushing so he started walking towards Bangalore driven by some urge. He found out that it was because of Amma. He mentioned that such urge to visit a place had also arosen in his mind in the past but very rarely. He told us that our great fortune of having a Master to lead us and how very true the path itself is. His talk was filled with riddles and some of his statements were poems. He chanted a sloka(spiritual recital/chant) indicating the blessed are the Ones who know the Divine Mother. He remarked saying that chant was in Sanskrit, a language which two of us were familiar with. When asked, he said even in Himalayas, where he had been to, countless Souls search for the blessed company of the Divine Mother. He mentioned through his short words about his staying many years in Himalayas. He said i do not usually talk so much but after seeing Mother i feel so much joy and seeing you boys i am here talking with you all. He drank his buttermilk slowly relishing not the taste but as if the offering was a gift. He then said "Remember even this is five elements, remember that always. Once you know what you are eating and drinking are the same five elements, the imprisonment of the sense of taste will be lost and by slow practice all such inhibitions will vanish once the senses calm down and then One can always indulge in Samadhi(blissfull peaceful state)". As we took his blessings and then parted, he reminded us the Samskara(way of Life) that we should never forget our Dharma and goal. He reminded us how lucky we are to have a Master, so Divine and so close that our paths will lead us to that very goal itself. In his last words he went into a soundless chant indicated by his moving lips looking us deeply into our eyes as if passing some special blessing which Spiritual Sadhaks (seekers) attain by the years of the hard practices.
We all felt happy as we turned and walked back towards Amma's beautiful presence. Amma always reminds us it is Guru's Grace that brings the disciple closer and one needs to be very thankful. What a Mother we have!
Om lokah samastha sukhino bhavantu
Another beautiful day at Ashram but normal isin't the right word to describe the Love called Amma. Amma's Saturday Darshan was going on and multitudes of people had come once again. Some had smiling faces to tell Amma how happy they are just to be near Her. Others crying looking for Amma's benevolent look and Grace. It was absolutely beautiful. Like other residents of the Ashram, one gets a chance to sit by the side and watch all the emotions that pass by and Amma's beautiful Grace.
At some time, a girl on one side started crying to her aloud saying "Amma YOU dont even look at me..Please look at me". Amma did not pay attention first and then the girl kept insisting and few minutes started lamenting loud so we could all hear what she wanted from Amma. Amma suddenly stopped and looked at her and said "Every morning you describe in your prayers describing as the thousand-eyed One and you expect Me to look at you with these two eyes alone!" It was so profound and we enjoyed that little conversation. In Sri Lalita the Devi is honoured as "One who has a thousand Eyes." (#283 - Om Sahasraksyai Namah). Amma was reminding us all that the eyes are many and so many fold is the Divine Grace.
Later that evening, few of us having started describing same incident started talking about food. One of us was a very "food-friendly" person and can be noticed wherever good food is seen. So we were making fun saying that he prays to the Divine Mother in the form of Sri Annapoorneswari (Giver of Food). He, inspired by the same, immediately started pulling out all the famous food items mentioned as what Devi likes in Sri Lalita Sahasranama. He started saying "Oh there is Om Payasannapriyayai Namah(One who likes payasam or sweet pudding made of rice), Om kulamrtaika-rasikayai Namah(one who is fond of nectar known as kula), Om snigdhaudana-priyayai Namah (One who likes offerings containing ghee, oil and other fats), Om gudanna-prita manasayai Namah (one who is fond of sweet rice made with raw sugar), Om dadhyannasakta-hrdayayai Namah(One who particularly fond of offerings made of curd), Om mudgaudanasakta-cittayai Namah(One who is particularly fond of food offerings made with mung beans), Om haridrannaika-rasikayai Namah(One who is fond of food seasoned with turmeric), Om sarvaudana-prita cittayai Namah(One who is pleased with all offerings of food)..etc. If Mother likes all that..why not us.. i love all that too" and we all broke into laughter. It was almost midnight and we were having our dinner as Darshan ended late after a Pada puja.
P.S.
Sri Lalita Sahasranama or 1000 names of Divine Mother was composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya and is chanted every day at the Ashram. Each name starts with "Om" and ends with "Namah" so when each name is chanted it starts as "Salutations to the Eternal One who...". In the above text "Salutations to the Eternal" is left out in the use of the specific names.
At some time, a girl on one side started crying to her aloud saying "Amma YOU dont even look at me..Please look at me". Amma did not pay attention first and then the girl kept insisting and few minutes started lamenting loud so we could all hear what she wanted from Amma. Amma suddenly stopped and looked at her and said "Every morning you describe in your prayers describing as the thousand-eyed One and you expect Me to look at you with these two eyes alone!" It was so profound and we enjoyed that little conversation. In Sri Lalita the Devi is honoured as "One who has a thousand Eyes." (#283 - Om Sahasraksyai Namah). Amma was reminding us all that the eyes are many and so many fold is the Divine Grace.
Later that evening, few of us having started describing same incident started talking about food. One of us was a very "food-friendly" person and can be noticed wherever good food is seen. So we were making fun saying that he prays to the Divine Mother in the form of Sri Annapoorneswari (Giver of Food). He, inspired by the same, immediately started pulling out all the famous food items mentioned as what Devi likes in Sri Lalita Sahasranama. He started saying "Oh there is Om Payasannapriyayai Namah(One who likes payasam or sweet pudding made of rice), Om kulamrtaika-rasikayai Namah(one who is fond of nectar known as kula), Om snigdhaudana-priyayai Namah (One who likes offerings containing ghee, oil and other fats), Om gudanna-prita manasayai Namah (one who is fond of sweet rice made with raw sugar), Om dadhyannasakta-hrdayayai Namah(One who particularly fond of offerings made of curd), Om mudgaudanasakta-cittayai Namah(One who is particularly fond of food offerings made with mung beans), Om haridrannaika-rasikayai Namah(One who is fond of food seasoned with turmeric), Om sarvaudana-prita cittayai Namah(One who is pleased with all offerings of food)..etc. If Mother likes all that..why not us.. i love all that too" and we all broke into laughter. It was almost midnight and we were having our dinner as Darshan ended late after a Pada puja.
Om Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu.
P.S.
Sri Lalita Sahasranama or 1000 names of Divine Mother was composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya and is chanted every day at the Ashram. Each name starts with "Om" and ends with "Namah" so when each name is chanted it starts as "Salutations to the Eternal One who...". In the above text "Salutations to the Eternal" is left out in the use of the specific names.
Labels: food, look, sri lalita sahasranama
“Akhanda mandalaakaaram
Vyaaptam yena charaacharam
tat padam darshitam yena
tasmai shri gurave namah:”
tat padam darshitam yena
tasmai shri gurave namah:”
The vision of the truth as an indivisible, infinite whole-encompassing the static and the dynamic, living and the non living - to that Master
my salutations.
The first time a person meets Mother, the experience changes so uniquely that one is so grateful to the reason that first led to that beautiful episode in Life. In my case, it was my father who had taken me to see Amma in the early 90's when She used to come to a school grounds in Coimbatore. I had been young and ignorant, like some other children, and used to sleep off while waiting for the Darshan. Every Darshan is characterized by the beautiful warm hug and Prasad- a toffee. My first Darshan was so fast and quick that all i remember now is Amma picking me up and giving me Her usual hug. Every hug is different the next time. I did not know that. My teen instincts forced a diversion away from Her for many years thereafter. I grew up to be a person wishing for high achievements and great successes. I had hoped for big success in my school and getting into one of the premier institutions in India. Amma's institutions were new at that time and hence had not been in my picture of “big institutions”! The admission choices were narrow and my father took me to see Amrita institutions. It was a huge place already but with incomplete buildings and magnificent space it failed to calm my arrogance. However, by what i believe was Grace, i managed to get a seat in this very same Engineering college. Once inside, the picture was totally different. I could see internationally acclaimed professors and dedication that was set by most people from kitchen staff to the Correspondent. We had then bought a supercomputer and there was a big function to inaugurate the same. As part of program arrangement, i decided to volunteer and then i had my lessons of humility. The Chief Operating Officer(then Correspondent) came to help us carrying chairs with us all simultaneously coordinating many such tasks. That attracted my attention back to Amma guessing perhaps if She could make such a significant change through Her words in people, it was time i open up to see who She was and what her teachings were. The next time at the Darshan, i was more careful but as usual it got over very quick. I was happy i could meet her but my heart wanted more.
Around 2000, I started talking to Her so i can get some more time. Amma would give few moments more expressing happiness that I had come and telling everyone around. That was a big treat compared to the large group of people coming to see Her. I was soon working as a young researcher in Amma's University and science had become a passion. The whole place was a family under Mother. There were no problems talking issues and discussing successes. Many of us wanted Amma to visit us in University campus. Amma had not come to the University for meeting us except perhaps once as a stop-over during the tours many years ago. However, frequent trips were arranged to see Amma if She was touring close by or to the Ashram. In 2004, i left for Italy for doing PhD having obtained Amma's blessing. One month later, Amma came there as part of Her European tour. The very same evening they reached, i was introduced to the Swamijis. Immediately, they told me, Amma had mentioned about me being there during the flight journey. All i had said to Amma before leaving was that i was in Italy and that happened amongst many other people waiting for their Darshan. During the Darshan time, Amma asked about personal life and cooking. She spent few hours teaching me cooking as She was giving Darshan. She taught me to cook beans and potatoes as side dishes. She assumed the role of Mother in its fullness and inquired about monetary and social problems, As She was finishing up the program at Milan, i wanted to offer her a small amount of money as Dakshina (an offering to One’s Guru or God). However, She refused even while i begged Her to accept it. Two weeks later, that same money which She had refused protected me as my stipend was delayed. She gave me Her family-the world. Past two years, She is giving me the chance to serve Her and Her disciple children when they tour around in Europe. Amma talks science through her simple words. She is most interested on finding simple cost effective solutions to big problems like epilepsy, cancer, AIDS etc. She talked about DNA based methods for diabetes with one of my friends-a DNA scientist who had come to see Her in Toulon, France. She starts by asking “Son, what is the status of this research?” and ends saying some core technological remarks. When re-questioned, Amma says “Oh! Amma is an illiterate”. Literacy is nothing compared to Amma's ways of talking. She speaks and understands Her children so much through her unique language of Love. Most of my friends in Italy are Catholic and they find no problem in understanding the same Love in Amma that Mahatmas like Christ had shown.
As a child i had wished to see many miracles. Around Amma, all one gets to see are Miracles. She does not perform something unnatural but when the happenings around are observed we get to see everything is supernatural in Her. Once in France, a person came to see Amma with a mountain herb. Since he was Italian, i was taking my eagerness to a higher step by telling Amma that this person grows Tulasi and does some Seva for the green friends, an activity started by Amma for protecting plant life. Amma immediately said “Oh, he is not bringing Tulasi but this herb is from the mountains and grows above 1800m in Alps”. I was stunned by the response and then waited to authenticate the statement. Lo, it was true. He had picked up this herb for Amma at an altitude of 2000m in the Italian Alps. She began to ask many questions on curative properties and then silently remarked that ancient medicine people in central Europe believed that the herb had magical properties. She twinkled at me with a silent gesture of the all knowing Mother. I can guess when One knows everything there is to know, they become the humblest of all. Sitting near Her for few hours is by itself Herculean. I can only imagine the Doer. Amma lives the emotions in total fullness. Her emotions change from person to person reflecting her children's mentality. As Amma's Swamijis would say, the best way to witness Amma is to sit near and observe Her. She would cry with one who had difficulties, laugh with another who had a comical incident, get angry with those who had knowingly committed mistakes and would not correct them, sulk with boasters, wipe the tears off a person with problems, be a mother with a child, a father with another, best friend to hear all what we want to say, closest relation supporting positive decisions, a life's lesson to be learned and to Her disciple children, She is Everything. To that Amma, i pay my humble pranams. May this life be a submission at Her lotus feet.
Namah Shivaya
Labels: amma, motherhood
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