It is nineteen years since I first met Amma. On that occasion, in
Paris, we all asked her for a mantra, which she freely gave; but having a
spiritual name was never an issue for us. I was from time to time
bothered by being unable to explain my Christian name (Anthony), which can
be traced back to Roman times but has no known meaning; but as it did not
occur to my friends to seek a new name I thought no more about it.

So it was quite a surprise to find myself in Amritapuri this year
considering whether to ask Amma for a name. I had no idea of the
procedure, but resolved to ask Her to give me a name; and so I went up in
darshan. Amma said: “You sit later for name.” This meant waiting until
darshan was ending and all those wanting a mantra had been attended to.
Four or five of us, all Westerners, were waiting for a name. Amma
apparently consults a book together with one of the brahmacharis and
announces the name, which the person concerned has to repeat out loud.

So now I have a new and much longer name, Dayakaran — which means Giver of
Compassion or Source of Compassion. I have written it on my food card,
and sent messages to friends and family announcing it; but it will take
some time for it to sink in and for me to appreciate its significance. As
one of the swamis explained, if the name seems unfamiliar or
inappropriate, “that’s the whole point: you have to live up to it.”

DAYAKARAN (from the UK)
3 Sep 06