French Fries in Munich

Recently at the Munich program, little Aikyam came up to Amma for his morning hello and kiss. Amma looked at him fondly and asked if he had eaten. Then she told him to wait and sent for something. When it arrived, Amma put something on a plate and offered it to Aikyam. It turned out to be French fries! The people standing around kept telling him that Amma had made the fries for him.

Then Amma herself turned and explained that on the way to Munich, someone had offered the group travelling with her some fries. Aikyam was not with them, but in the bus at that time, and actually had asked his mother for some fries during the trip, but she told him they were too expensive. Amma had set a portion of fries aside for Aikyam, but someone had eaten them by mistake. When Amma discovered, that she decided to make some for him herself.

Someone sitting nearby asked Amma how she could find the time to make French fries in the middle of these long, long darshan days. Amma explained that she cut the fries, took her bath, fried the fries, and went for darshan! It reminded us that often Amma reminds us that she doesn’t need any of us to do her personal service and that she is quite capable of taking care of herself, despite her huge workload. To prove the point, she occasionally puts her helpers on “leave of absence” and proceeds to demonstrate how she can do it. She then tells us how she will put the rice on to boil before taking her bath, then add the vegetables, get dressed, read a few letters, eat and go to darshan. It is because we desire so much to do things for her that she allows it, not because she needs any help from anyone. In fact, she tells us repeatedly what she really wants is for us to help others and be loving and compassionate to all.

Contemplating Aikyam munching his fries, which he shared with his mother, we considered how even the smallest of her devotees have their smallest wishes fulfilled. Then surely she will help us cross the ocean of transmigration!

Rta S
Munich, Europe tour 2014