8 April 2011 – Ernakulam
The Brahmasthanam area is abuzz with devotees, most of them are young and in uniforms – Amma’s college students from Ernakulam. Whether it is their love for Amma or Amma’s love for them, the scriptures have said in no uncertain terms, “Even a moment’s association with a mahatma can confer liberation… a mahatma can bestow blessings by a mere glance, thought, word or touch.”

The only question making the rounds in the crowd, for a long time this evening (8th April) of Amma’s program eve is ” What time Amma will reach?’, for nobody knows for sure! At 8.45, suddenly there is a hush, Amma’s Camper is approaching, to the accompaniment of “Om Amriteshwaryai namah – a spontaneous overflow of devotion!

After the local devotees extended the traditional welcome to Amma with flowers and arati, Amma went toward her room amidst the loving chanting of her children! Reaching the first floor, though she must have been immensely tired coming directly from Kenya, she stopped at the balcony to cast a final loving glance at her children. And then began the non stopping roar: mata rani ki jai… It went on and on and when the voice is about to ebb, from another quarter it would emerge, only more vociferously than before. And finally, in unison they sang one full “Amma Amma taye, Akhilandeshvari neeye… And there she was, showering all the time, flower petals on her children, with divine smile of satisfaction lingering on her countenance with perhaps a hint of motherly mischief in her eyes. Finally they called it a
day.

And now Amma began! First, “Mata Rani ki Jai…” and then when we thought it was now over, she took up “Maha Kali ki…” The crowd’s response as always us very vigorous. Finally Amma rounded off with many many chantings of “Bhadra Kali ki…” “Jai”

Yet another memorable day in the life of her children. And we can only imagine the unbounded blessings her children took home .

Janardana Krishna