Tuesday evening almost felt like Devi Bhava.  The hall was so crowded for the last public program before the retreat that the ‘spinners’ (dancers who always congregate on the balcony) had to dance standing in place.  There was not a spare spot to sit or stand – every available space seemed to be occupied.   This is November in San Ramon – where everyone on this side of the Mississippi (and then some) gather to see Amma.

Tonights Bhajans:

Kripa Ho Teri
Gopala Govinda Krishna Vasudeva
Adbutha Charitre
Ammana Divya
Pahi Pahi
Vilvittal Archittom
Mat Bhavani Maheshi Ambe

Evening darshan ended around 3:25am.    A few of the kitchen staff did Pada Puja (ceremonial washing of the guru’s feet) while everyone chanted the Guru Stotram.   Amma was beaming at everyone – throwing flowers and smiling all around.   After the stotram had finished, someone started singing Guru Charanam and the whole hall joined in.   Amma gave a sweet darshan to the staff who did the puja, and then she stood up.

As would typically be expected (or as what had been the trend over the past year or two), someone in the crowd would call out ‘Mata Rani Ki……. Jai.’  But this time, Amma beat that ‘person’ to it – and as she stood up to leave the hall, Amma shouted it out – and lifted her hands up in the air.   The third time was so loud, and Amma was so engrossed, that when her hands went up for the final ‘Jai’ I almost thought she would rocket up to the ceiling and float around in pure bliss.

Amma then handed out hershey kisses to all who hadn’t received darshan that day and headed out of the hall.

Tomorrow evening is the first night of the retreat.

– Sri Pati

25 Nov 2008, San Ramon