7 Sep 2009, Amritapuri
It was five in the afternoon and the bell rang. At Amritapuri, the ringing bell apart archana and class, usually announces the arrival of Amma for a Satsang or Darshan session. Amma came to the beach and sat in her usual meditative silence. Amma sat below a young coconut tree, in her peedham(seat) and around her sat the rest of the Ashram. Amma’s eyes remained shut and the angle of the face looking up in the direction of the setting sun on the Arabian sea. A perfect look of silent bliss fills one who observes the scene. All around, happily following Mother’s example, shut their eyes and delved deeper into their self.

After almost an hour, Amma opened her eyes and the scene changed. Amma was looking at all around her. Two little children rushed near Amma and Amma made them sit on her seat by her left and right sides. Both children were beaming at the crowds. Like a new mother, Amma kept looking at them and kissed their tiny heads. The children responded to her by hugging closer. The only common sound seemed was that of the waves crashing against the stones on the beach.

Amma picked up the microphone and asked a question on what one had to practice to have constant awareness in thought, word and deed. Amma insisted that the answer should come from her children who have been practising meditation and from those staying in the Ashram trying to do the same. The answers came, some beautiful and thought-provoking. Amma later added how important the awareness is, in one’s sadhana(or spiritual life).

The sun-lit sky started changing. It was as if the clouds wanted to hear Amma. They moved closer, more like people rushing to sit near Amma’s peedham in the Ashram stage. Amma sat unmoved and listening to her children and as an eager Mother enjoying to be in their presence. Some drops fell on us all. Amma remained still. An umbrella was raised over her head, Amma’s swift hands moved it away. She wanted to feel the Nature’s touch. Some people got up slowly covering themselves as a protection from the rain. The rain drops became a flow and soon.. a drizzle started.

Amma patiently covered a child near her with some sheets to protect him from the rain water, all the while enjoying the pitter patter on herself. Many eyes forgot the fact it was raining and sat unmoved observing her. Amma’s compassionate eyes had noticed their attachment to her Love. Translation of Amma’s Satsang was going on. Amma looked at all and then with the beaming smile made a gesture of continous flying kisses, Amma used both her hands and showered kisses on all.

To be there in that moment was so touching. Amma enjoyed happily as the rain became heavier. Every Tuesday, Amma distributes prasad. This time, we had our extra prasad on Monday in the form of a Nature’s shower. According to Sanatana Dharma, the prasad has the deity’s(or the Perfect Master’s) blessing residing within it. Like a temple priest distributing holy water, the clouds showered us all in Mother’s beautiful presence. The word prasad literally stands in Sanskrit to mean “Grace”. O! What a Grace it was.

Amma soon asked us all to start towards the hall as it was bhajan time. We all rushed and Amma started a touching medley of Bhajans including the famous “Nirvana Shatkam”. Pure Bliss!

– shyam