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Josha’s Tree
One year ago, on August 19th, 2005, sadness fell across Amritapuri as news spread of the tragic accident that claimed the life of 11-year old Josha who was headed to the airport with his mother Mona to return to Holland. I had met Josha and Mona while working at the Seva desk. In my daily search for sevites to help with Ashram activities, I would often find the pair sitting opposite each other in the Western Canteen. I could always count on them to chop veggies or roll pizza dough (Josha’s favorite seva). At the Ashram, Josha had befriended Mangalam…
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holier than the river Ganges
Tonight’s Bhajans were: Sri Krishna Saranam Mama Nilambuja Nayane Gange Ginta Pavitralu Mere Vicha Ram Kalpantarangalkkum Om Hari Om Kalindi Kalil Oh Mind Become Surrendered Om Namah Shivaya Jai Jai Jai Durga Maharani The lyrics of the new Telugu song Gange Ginta Pavitralu struck me as profoundly Beautiful: Mother, You are holier than the river Ganges You are more fair than pure milk With what water could your feet be washed? Accept these tears with which I will wash your feet Your eyes are brighter than the sun and your nose ornament shines more resplendently than the stars. With what…
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Amma arrives early
Amma arrived early for bhajans and everyone rushed to the bhajan hall frantically to be seated in time. Sometimes Amma does this, who knows, maybe to check whether all Her children are arriving punctually for the devotional singing. Amma sang many old songs tonight: Jai Jai Gananath Gajanana Muralidhara Gopala Mukunda Mauna Ghanamritam Muka Ganam Pasiyentral Utan Venugopa Bala Ni Kodanu Koti Sankara Shiva Shankara Lord Of Vrindavan Sri Raghavam O Meri Pyari Maiyya O Lord of Vrindavan Give me Your darshan Shower Your grace Upon this lonely one When will You come, Krishna, When will You come? Let the…
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the antidote
Amma arrived for bhajans directly after finishing darshan. She sang many new songs, among them the prayerful English song Everyone in the world: Everyone in the world should sleep without fear At least for one night, sleep without fear Everyone in the world should eat their fill At least for one day, eat their fill There should be one day when there is no violence, No one is injured, no one is harmed All people young and old should serve the poor And needy, at least for one day serve selflessly This is my dream…this is my prayer Love is…
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dispeller of the sorrows of transmigration
The bhajans tonight were: Yamuna Tira Vihara Aaja Aaja Re Samsara Dukha Samanam Chuttuneeri Pukanju Hail To Your Glory Karunamayi Devi Sarva Vyapiye Om Namah Shivaya Kannilenkilum (Kannada version) Jinki Karuna Hai Apar Of tonight’s songs a few lines from Samsara Dukha Samanam struck me deeply: O Mother, dispeller of the sorrows of transmigration Thou art the refuge of all blind and lost souls The remembrance of Thy Lotus Feet protects from all danger Cast a glance with Thy beautiful glowing eyes on my mind O Mother, Thy grace is the only means for reaching your Lotus Feet And so…
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Chanting Gita to Sri Krishna
Namah Shivaya. One of the sweetest moments for me , after moving here to Amritapuri 8 months ago has been the tuesday prasad with Amma. Amma gives prasad, plates of delicious food to all the residents after extremely interesting question and answer sessions. After the Q&A session, Amma hands out the plates of food to the ashramites. Then, everyone chants the 15th chapter of the Gita and then begin to eat. The chanting of the Gita is what moves me the most. The first day when I heard the chanting, it struck me that the self same Krishna who originally…
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Oh Mind, nobody is yours
Amma arrived for bhajans directly after darshan without any break in between. It is always a little painful to see Her arrive without having had any rest, Her white sari stained with the sweat, makeup, and tears of Her children. But as always, Amma sets the example for the ashramites, showing how important it is not to miss the daily practices even amidst a hectic schedule. Today, it is Karthika, the day of Amma’s birth star. The Students from Amma’s school were waiting by Amma’s hut and started singing the song Innallo Karthika Naalu. Accompanying Amma to all the way…
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songs tonight
Tonight Amma sang the following songs: Jai Ganesh Jai Ekadanta Nandakumara Vanditarupa Irul Tingi Valarunna Omkara Swara Rupini Shyam Shyam Kukadi Me Badi Duvidha Me Shiva Shiva Hara Hara Amma Ni Nidu Ellamirikkilum You Have Come To Sacrifice Amma Amma Taye Many were new songs like Omkara Swararupini, Shyam Shyam Kukadi Me, Badi Duvidha Me and the English song You Have come To Sacrifice: You have come to sacrifice You are the candle that burns Melting down to give us light Calling us with all your might We are just playing around Longing for the things that can’t last Even…
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Amma’s Court Jester
Filming Amma is certainly a unique way to experience Her divine presence. One has to be on their toes and alert at all times. It can get so crazy around Amma sometimes, that the mind has many opportunities to act up. Amma always finds a way to bring you back to the present moment though. On several occasions during US tour my mind has wandered while standing near Amma’s chair filming darshan, and She has sent me away with a stern glance. Last week on the large stage here at the ashram, though, Amma found a new way to get…
