30 Aug 2009

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.

– Shyam