Letters from Shanti Ashram, India

11. Meeting Saints During Centenary Celebrations

Meeting Saints During Centenary Celebrations

January 26, 1995

Dear Parents,

Divya conveys her namaskars. Today I have returned to the library, the first time since the Centenary activities started on 7th January (when I started kitchen duties!). It makes my head spin to see all the piles of papers, books and magazines needing to be organized, so instead I am sitting down and writing to you!

All these days I have been in the midst of many activities: people constantly running in and out of the small dining room, wanting to be fed or helping to clean up or to serve. In the middle I would escape for a moment or two to peek at the adjoining Mandir where most of the discourses went on. Numerous saints and sanyasis graced the programs with their presence and it was really a feast for the eyes and heart to see them. Even rushing about cleaning dishes and loading pots with rice and sambar, we could feel the sweet and joyful Presence, as if we were all bubbles playing on the sea of God.

The crowds were nothing , however, compared to Prasanthi Nilayam! Only one or two thousand came to the events; but I heard that the hugest crowds were to be seen on the other side of the ashram, at the Canteen! Free food was served all the days, so you can imagine the interest of the hungry Indian villagers!

Every day I could sit in the Mandir to listen to Swami Chidananda of Rishikesh speak, a true saint. He spoke only of the Blissful Oneness of God, how all is That, how all is a sea of Love. Through his words and Presence we could enjoy a little of his constant Joy! But due to his frail health (he’s 78 years old now, thin and doesn’t eat much) they did not allow anyone to have interviews with him.

Last year when he visited Anandashram, I had asked for his blessings for Moksha, but he had just nodded his head. Now this year, everyday as I sat listening to him I was thinking, “If I get a chance I will ask for his Blessings again, but this time I want a verbal answer!”

Then suddenly one day, by chance I saw he was sitting outside under a tree. It was the first and last time he did that! He only sat for about 10 minutes and only about 20 people were around to get the chance. As I bowed to him, someone nearby said to him (about me), “She is from Prasanthi Nilayam, now she’s staying here.” Swami Chidananda smiled and said, “Oh! Sai Ram, Sai Ram,” and he handed me a leaf-plate filled with prasad of bananas, sweets and crackers. He looked at me deeply saying, “Very happy! Very happy! God Bless you!” I was delighted that without even opening my mouth, I secured the verbal Blessing that I had prayed for, over this last year.

Another saint here was Swamini Sarada Priyananda. She heads three ashrams in Andhra Pradesh. On 21 January evening, mementos were given to several permanent sevaks in the ashram, and they called my name also! Sarada Priyananda is the one who presented me with the plaque (about 12 inches high) with a photo of Swami Omkar. I went and saw her in her room once also. One of her disciples said to me, “You could also come to our ashram to undergo training in Yoga Teaching!” This did not appeal to me at all! I’ve completed all the “training” I need in Prasanthi Nilayam, and now I only want to experience! The saint seemed to read my thoughts, as she turned to her disciple and said, “What! If she has peace here then why disturb her?” Then turning to me she said, “Stay here only and be immersed in that deep peace of Atma.” Then laughing she added, “Our ashrams are full of activities and are meant to occupy those in Rajas Guna! Sathwic people like you should stay in Shanti Ashram only!” I was happy to see her understanding of me, though I hadn’t opened my mouth!

One elderly saint named Swami Vidyananda Giri gave talks everyday – he heads a large ashram in Andhra Pradesh and has many disciples. His disciple Swamini Chidananda Giri (the lady who stays here in Shanti Ashram) invited me to attend a pada puja to her guru. Only a few of us came – we could bow to him, receive his blessings and they even took photos of us with him!

Swami Bhoomananda is an elderly and lovable sadhu who I had seen from afar in Prasanthi Nilayam many times (he is president of the all-India Sadhu Community). I could also meet him and receive his Blessings.

All in all, these two weeks have been overwhelmingly joyful, all of us verily bursting with a wonderful feeling of unity, starting from within and spreading all around. Jnaneswari was constantly busy meeting all the guests and arranging for their comforts, as well as overseeing all the activities and programs of the celebrations.

Now, two days after the final day, the ashram is mostly empty and deep silence reigns again! How nice! Remember – since 6 January we had had 24-hours a day of loud speakers, the chanting of “Hare Rama” would be interrupted only by announcements of programs or broadcasting the discourses throughout the ashram. Cultural programs like Indian dance and music and dramas would also go late into the night, on a couple of days it went on all night! Now I know the meaning of the phrase, “No difference between day and night”! Truly when one is so immersed in something, there is no time or space!

So all is now getting back to normal. I hope you are all joyful there! May we all enjoy fully the Blessings of God.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya