Happy, Sad Ending

7 Dec  2007, Amritapuri
The last Devi Bhava web transmission just ended. Amma has left the hall in the UK. It’s the end of the tour. Tomorrow, She will be back home.

The web cast began around 1pm. There was some trouble with the video transmission, so for a while, we could only hear the bhajans.  During this time, the Brahmacharis were in full seva mode – cleaning the main hall. The speaker was facing outwards from the stage – volume turned up.

When Amma’s image did finally appear, we couldn’t really see Her – just many people coming and going for darshan. She was wearing what appeared to be a maroon red sari with gold inlays. Swamiji was singing Kuch Na Le, Mata Rani, Amritavahini. The camera swung around to give a full view of the hall – everyone was dancing. The energy was high. Even here, we were clapping our hands, raising our hands for ‘Mata Rani Ki….Jai!’

Then a sweet change of divine intervention. During the ceremonies, we were able to connect direct to the Amrita TV camera.  The view was wonderful. Many up-close shots of Amma. Sometimes it seemed She was looking directly at the camera. A few weddings, then bliss…..Pada Puja!   We had a full unobstructed view – steady, clear, sweet, divine.    Many of us wanted to rush to the screen and touch Her feet. One Brahmachari sitting did that to the image on the laptop.

Towards the end, as Amma’s feet lay there fully washed and dried, awaiting sandalwood paste, kum kum, and flower petals, we lost audio and video. No image. No sound. What to do? The web cast crew was feverishly trying to re-establish contact. We waited. We knew that it was ending. Amma was probably showering flower petals by now while Swamiji sang Amma Amma Taye. The camera came back on – we saw the curtains close. We waited for Amma to call. Again we lost contact. Finally, when contact was re-established, Amma was already walking off stage on Her way out of the hall. She was wearing a red coat over Her white sari.

We’ve been missing Amma here very much. The web casts have helped lift the heart, and given us so much joy. Now they are over. Are we sad? A little – for this child.   We missed talking with Amma. Even though we saw the Pada Puja, and the curtains closing, there is something intimate – something special, unique – when Amma talks with us over the web. It’s strange though, it hasn’t sunk in that Amma will actually be here tomorrow!  Are we happy?  Yes!  Amma is coming back!

– Sri Pati