An Unforgettable Lesson
This second “short inspiring story with Amma” probably took place about 5 or 6 years ago. It was the very first time that darshan was going beyond 9am in the morning. I remember this very clearly because we had to deal with the issue of whether to wait for darshan to end before we serve breakfast at the Western Canteen, or do it while Amma was still on the stage. Amma was giving darshan in the big auditorium and She had to walk past the canteen’s serving area on Her way to Her room.
Darshan finished at 9:15 and the huge line waiting in the canteen was not the food line this time; it was the long line of those waiting to have a last glimpse of Amma and maybe touch Her hands as she walks by them…
But, surprise, surprise: When Amma stood up, She headed in the opposite direction and no one had any clue what was happening. Where was She going? Amma walked fast and straight towards a destination that she seemed to know well… Past the building to the left of the hall (The boys’ side), past the cowshed and straight up the stairs into the women’s toilets!!!
Without speaking to anyone, Amma took a cleaning broom and headed towards a toilet seat. With her bare hands she had started cleaning the toilets!!! Seeing Her serious mood, no one dared stopped Her or offer to help Her. Without acknowledging anyone’s presence She concentrated on the task and worked there, from a toilet set to the other, for about half an hour…
Later, we understood that Amma was sad and upset that those whose seva was to clean the toilets had stopped doing it at 4am (like they normally do), believing that it was enough, not judging that the big crowds were still needing to use the toilets for many more hours…
I remember the very touching site of the 3 people that had neglected this seva assigned to them, as they came to the scene and stood speechless watching Amma. Their eyes were filled with tears and they didn’t even dare ask Amma to take over the job or help. Amma didn’t utter a word! She finished the cleaning and headed to Her room!!
Even today, when I recollect this event, I have tears in my eyes and feel my hair stand up…
What a beautiful, extremely powerful teaching and unforgettable experience Amma had inscribed deep into our inner being. This is how a true living mahatma acts: They lead by example the way into applying the highest spiritual principles in our normal simple daily lives.
With Amma we have an incomparable Mother and living Mahatma to learn from. A living Master, so much alive and so much full of Life, of Shakti, of generous giving.
Aum Shakti Aum
Thank you so much for sharing that story with us. Amma truly is an example to us all. Our beloved Mother is always thinking of us and our well being. We are so blessed to be alive and in her presence. This will help remind me that when doing seva it should continue until it is no longer needed regardless of the time. What a truth that is. Normally I help with the family table at the program. What if a child becomes lost after the table has closed? Would we simply leave the child to fend for its self because the seva is over? No. All devotees should think of their seva in this way. Continue to serve as long as it is needed. Oh boy…that means forever!
Wondering how many times recently, I have done something *just good enough*.
I’m afraid there would be too many to count.
This is a very powerful telling of what our blessed Guru is about as she shows the Perfect example of what we should do with our lives.
Amma is telling us not to chase her body, but to know that she is within our hearts at all times no matter what, especially when she is giving Darshan or walking around the ashram.
People who chase Amma by leaving their SEVA or responsibilities behind, are neglecting their Dharma and it shows their Discrimination (Shradda) is not in use.
Stop building Castle’s in the Sand and Sky Flowers. They bring you nothing in return for your wasted time. God is within, always, and has always been. This is above all a very, powerful message to myself.
This moment spent with Mother will always be engraved on memories. Such selfless love puts our lives to shame. Amma is sacrificing Her whole being to teach us how to lead our lives correctly, and how to serve the world selflessly, through Her own example. I have a compassionnate thought for the 3 people that have neglected the seva assigned to them and i am sure they won’t make the same mistake any more. What a wondeful lesson of attention, humilty and viveka. We cannot follow exactly in Her footsteps, but we can at least try to imbibe a fraction of that selfless love that overflows from Her.
ammmaaaaaaaaa…..
Thank you Amma and your sweet children who shared this….
Thank you so much for sharing this lesson. Amma Sharanam.
This story is a lesson for us who thinks that when AMMA is not around she is not aware of what is happening, but thats not true. AMMA is omnipresent and she dwells in our hearts and she knows of our each and every action.
thank you Amma for your message thro’ this incident. i shall clean toilets whenever possible. just today in the afternoon i had announced so haughtily that cleaning toilets is not my job! i will from now on. thanks.
I remember AMMA’s one of the Birthday messages that AMMA is pleased when She sees Her child cleaning the toilets rather than washing Her Lotus Feet.
🙂 the word ‘seva’ opens a floodgate of memories…
after the disastrous tsunami struck the vallikavu coast, we students went to the sea shore to do seva…..we were helping in the construction activities of houses for those who had lost everything… carrying bricks, sacks of sand, cement… in the hot sun….at that time i didn’t know the value of seva in spiritual life….we also helped during Amma’s B’day celebrations-rolling out chappathis, arranging chairs, cleaning…..
now when i look back i realize how lucky i’ve been …to be a part of ashram life….now since i am leaving Amma’s college i am gonna miss doing ‘seva’ the most…..
I read this story earlier when it posted with wide opened eyes filled with tears and melting heart floaded with love and gratitude. Since last one week, I have been searching for this article in all categories of older posts again and again, but failed. I wanted to read and save the article which contains precious and unique teaching of Amma through action. Today I put one more effort and Oh! by Amma’s grace i got it! No words to describe my feelings when i go through this story. Now Amala Bharatam is Amma’s sankalpa. The way in which Swamijis, brahmachari/ns, Amrita students, devotees are together serving for this noble cause, is really touching and inspiring. Amma touches the heart by Her action. ‘Her life is Her message’. We all love YOU, Ammaa…sharanam