Letters from Shanti Ashram, India

51. Swami's Discourse on Internet, Etc - Oct 1999

Swami Lashes out at Internet

October 24, 1999

Dear Parents,

Hello – guess what? Three guesses only. Hint: I'm still alive in a physical form – hee hee, ha ha ha! The day of death must come, sooner or later. I'm ready – yes yes! You and me Devi – we’re ready and willing, aren’t we? Too bad those who are so eager to catch the flight upwards, are too often delayed on the waiting list!

Here is another juicy discourse. This time He lashes out at the newspapers, Internet (what a charming villager – He hasn’t even learnt the name correctly yet!) and verandah gossipers. Check out the nitty gritty, starting on page four.

First and foremost, I want to know who has told Him about ‘chat’? Certainly that is what He is complaining about. Otherwise, there are many other useful things on internet.

What else? All quiet on the Home Front. Greetings to all there. 

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!

Love,

Divya

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Times are Bad for Electrical Items

October 27, 1999

Dear Parents,

Sai Ram, Hari Om! Here times are bad for electrical items. Our tape recorders area all failing and cassettes are becoming wobbly in sound. The disk-failed computer worked fine in Kakinada. They told us to get a UPS. I brought the computer home yesterday. It worked OK – only all my C-drive files and templates are lost forever.

I typed up several pages of this discourse, then I tried to print it – but only got an “out of paper” message! Maybe dust got settled, so I dusted the printer and what fell out? Several bits of chewed-up wires! Rats had been there! This is really the last straw. Now I know no one will repair the computer. Everyone is angry thinking I ruined it! So I give up, for sure.

As the computer was not working, I didn’t go into that room for ten days. When I went in a horrible sight awaited me! Up, down and everywhere was rat droppings. As I opened cupboards and lifted boxes. Zillions of rats flew up in all direction, of all sizes but one lone rat-shape. They all scampered out the open window, one by one. The damage was done – to the printer and who knows to what else.

There is one top-window that is broken, and I will try to convince someone to fix it. The slothfulness and lack of dedication here is suffocating. No one listens and no one cares to look after anything.

I don’t know if it’s my imagination or not – I'm feeling something pulling me away, I know not where. It’s an eerie feeling. It would be a pity if something like insanity came – wouldn’t it? But no one can escape their destiny. Everything seems either slipping away or merging – like waking from a dream. I think Yama (the god of death) made a mistake – he should’ve taken me instead of Susheela!

Hmmmm, this discourse He lashed out at Indians wanting to go abroad. Also it was hilarious when He tried to spell “Hindu” – or “India” – just after saying He had no degree! I guess He wanted to prove to the uneducated masses gathered, that He was one of them!!

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu,

Love,

Divya

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Dog Vijaya Gets a Girlfriend

October 30, 1999

Dear Parents,

Today is the 11th day ceremony of Susheela (11th day after death is considered important here). I made ice-cream and Soya vegetable, as she liked that sort of thing.

I'm still having that very odd, pulling feeling – as if a change is afoot. I guess, being on the Path so long, I couldn’t be imagining such a strong feeling? I'm preparing the mind for anything – the easiest being death!

One news is about my dog Vijaya. For several days he told me I should find a bride for him. I told him that Mangamma (his mother) would give birth any day and if there was any female in the batch I’d give her to Vijaya. Vijaya didn’t like this. He said he couldn’t marry his own sister – and besides, he couldn’t wait that long.

As I didn’t take enough interest, he himself went on a search. He’s now settled with a girlfriend by the office area, starving from lack of food, but happy with a companion. I told him that he could bring his friend for meals. But he told me that his father wouldn’t accept a joint family, so he’s stopped coming up here to me.

Jnaneswari and seven others arrived safely on 31st at 1:30 PM, Vinamra with orange sari and shaved head. Usually when Jnaneswari returns from journeys, everyone is all smiles and happily laughing and talking when people run to greet them. This time, there was only sad and solemn expressions. Jnaneswari just went straight to her cottage without saying a word, and mostly didn't come out or eat for days. Can you believe – the girl Kumari here has come down with jaundice! She’s with her mother in Kakinada since 4 days. This ashram is full of jaundice & malaria! And if both come together – it’s the fate of Susheela! It seems that her heart, liver and kidneys were all affected and failed all at once.

Hari Om!

Love,

Divya

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News from Prasanthi Nilayam

November 3, 1999

Dear Parents,

I received a nice letter from Padmamma. She writes:

"In September we had ‘Paduka Puja’ and this time they had brought marble statues of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. These have been installed in front of the Mandir and at the entrance to Kulwant hall. After that, Swami was not well. One day He did not come down for morning Darshan & bhajan. So many rumors. Some say He had taken over some devotee’s heart attack. But after that He became very weak – walking very slowly. Even Dasara, though there was the yagna, was all simplified. Immediately after the function on the 31st He went to Whitefield. The rumor is He will be back for akhanda bhajan after Dipavali."

Here poor Jnaneswari is a saaad soul. She is missing her dearly beloved favorite – Susheela. In fact, she has been here four days but she is not yet attending satsang and won't meet any devotees. However she is coming out for meals and spending time talking (mostly only about Susheela) with the core group here: Bheemavaram Lakshmi, Vinamra and ex-secretary Lakshmi. The girl Kumari is still in Kakinada with her mother, weak with jaundice.

I am fine – the feeling of an upcoming and unknown change containing! All for now!

Love,

Divya