Month: August 2001
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Onam celebrations
Onam at Amritapuri was a day of many surprises. In the morning, Amma announced that She would hold the morning darshan program in the new hall where only bhajans and Devi Bhava darshan are usually held. Talking to the devotees present, Amma said, “You have been able to see the ashram as your own home.…
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Pure dance
31 August 2001, Amritapuri It is natural to feel a bit reserved among strangers or in big crowds. And when you are in an ashram, you would imagine that you would have to behave with a certain decorum. But when the Guru Herself tells you to drop your shyness and embarrassment, stand up and dance……
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Want Rice?
21 August 2001, Amritapuri A Real-Life Allegory Watch! A little boy arrives in front of Mother’s table. She has finished serving Tuesday lunch to everyone else in the temple. She asks him, “Rice?” No particular response. So She takes a plate of rice and curry and holds it out to him. He shakes his head…
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A mere pigeon?
16 August 2001, Amritapuri Last Tuesday, a mangled bird lay nestled on Amma’s lap while She meditated. No, not exactly Her lap. Mother sat in the half-lotus position, with Her right Foot on Her left thigh, sole upturned, as She usually does for meditation. When a little girl brought the wounded bird, Mother (Who had…
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Kali In the kitchen
13 August 2001, AmritapuriThere was an eager crowd waiting for Mother after bhajans; that’s when She feeds and plays with Ram. But Ram was not to be seen. When Mother came, instead of walking to Her room, She took a left turn and strode into the big, new “industrial” kitchen. It was time for one…
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Payasam for Pachyderm
11 July 2001, Amritapuri Amma is not one of those people who say one thing and do another. You can count on it: if She tells Her children to do things a certain way, She will follow Her own directives. She models what She teaches. Take this evening when She was playing with Ram after…
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Ever fresh
9 August 2001, Amritapuri Bhajans sound different tonight. What is it?Oh, we hear only the delicate voices of women. No men. Few instruments. No Amma. Why is that? Because Amma is at the pool. Yes, at about five, She went over to the pool, welcoming all the women and children to accompany Her. Then, around…
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Ram is growing up!
5 August 2001,Amritapuri Mother is still playing with Ram the baby elephant after bhajans, but the scene is changing, because Ram is growing! He is much bigger and seems to have matured, not that he is old but he does seem to have more dignity and a certain bearing. Now the crowds who gather after…
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Rakhi: its meaning and significance
Raksha Bandhan is a popular festival celebrated across the country. Irrespective of caste and creed people from all walks of life participate in this festival. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month Shravana (Shravana Poornima) which also coincides with Upa-karma (changing the sacred thread for the brahmins, Avani Avittom in…