Category: AshramDiary
life at the Amritapuri ashram
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Masala Dosa
31 Dec 2008 It was a Wednesday and Amma was giving Darshan in the Kali temple. The time was 8:00 PM and Amma was having a serious discussion with us on our project. I was standing very near Amm. Prema from our organization was sitting by the side at the edge of AMMA’s peetam. Suddenly out of the blue, Amma turned towards me and asked me if I had eaten anything that day. I told Her that I had my lunch. She immediately took an apple and gave it to me. Prema came and exclaimed how lucky I was to…
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Pure Joy
Last night was a real party. Flamenco dance, Indian dance and Singing and in the end Amma led everyone in an ecstatic version of Mata Rani. She really brought the roof down this time. After wards there there was Payasam served as prasad as everyone went around hugging each other and wishing each other happy new year. I never stop being amazed at how vibrant and fun life around Amma is. I was no stranger to partying before coming to Amma, but I always feel that no where is such pure joy possible as around her. Amma’s new years message…
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Prostration and chocolate
Yesterday as mother came up to the stage she was confronted by a little toddler who would not budge, so mother started prodding him in the back making him move towards the peetham. As she was doing so she was at once scolding him and telling him that if he would do prostrations to the crowd she would reward him with chocolate. The little imp was a tough case to crack though. No bribery or threats would make him move so eventually mother took him by the neck gently and made him touch his head to the ground and in…
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Lively Bhajans
Amma sang a nice set of lively bhajans tonight. There were many children present on the stage which is always nice, providing they don’t get too wild. Amma turns to look at the children every now and then to see what they are up to, and then it’s possible to catch her beautiful smile. Yamuna Tira Vihara Agamanta Porule Durgge I Dhare Kannilenkilum (Telugu) Anandadhamam Annai Entra Sontama O Meri Pyari Maiyya 26.12.2008 Vishwanath
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Lila Atbhut
Tonight’s bhajans were beautiful and energetic beyond comparison – One of those evenings when you really appreciate the fact that you are present. The newer song Lila Atbhuta caused some problems for the musicians but which Amma beautifully straightened out. Karuna Nir Katale always stands out and never fails to inspire. Songs for the night were: Sundar Hai Nayana Karuna Nir Katale Muka Hridaya Lila Atbhuta Divya Om Namah Shivaya Kalkal Nadunka Mat Bhavani Mahesi Ambe 22.12.2008 Vishwanath
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Landing of a desire
When I had a deep desire to give water to the ashramite with wings (the eagle), I didn’t know what was in store for me. The other day I’d seen some Brahmacharis giving water to our friend (who is a nightmare for some since he / she snatches food from their plates). I thought then I should also feed it one day. So today morning I was asking one Brahmachari when and how I could do this. He said when the eagle comes and sits in its usual place by the side of the dining hall I could feed it.…
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Old and New
The bhajans tonight were a mixture of old and new. So old that everyone knew them by heart and so new that everyone seemed clueless. It was fun observing Amma interacting with the musicians and giving them instructions on how to tackle the songs. She is so sweet when mildly scolding people around her. Songs tonight were: Sita Ram Bol Karunatan Katamizhi Japu Me sada Mankali Maddali Om Namah Shivaya Vilvattal Arccittom Devi Saranam The last song, Devi Saranam, was so energetic that I could hardly sit still through it. Somehow Amma really put something into it that transformed the…
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Nothing is permanent here except…
13 Dec 2008, Amritapuri CHANGE! The regular visitors to Amritapuri would certainly vouch for that. Amritapuri has been adorned with a number of new modifications over the past couple of months. The holy cows of Amritapuri have been put up in a new home. A new, more spacious cowshed has been constructed by the backwaters near the garbage incinerator. If first impressions are anything to go by, the cows look extremely blissful in their new surroundings as they contentedly munch their way through the grass in (and around) their new quarters. The old cowshed has given way to the new…
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Up the Ramp
The bhajans were delightful as always. So much so that one little boy couldn’t contain himself but ran up the ramp to sit with Amma on the peetham. The songs of the evening were: Gopala Gokula Govardhana Anandamritarupini Amme Makaranda Madhurya Durge (kannada) Pati Pukazhttuvan Etrayo Nalayi Bholanatha Re Amma Amma Taye Towards the end of the bhajans I looked towards the back of the hall and saw a fair number of people dancing there. 12.12.2008 Vishwanath