12 Sep 2009
Yesterday was Krishna Jayanti 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.

– shyam