'What Time Will She Arrive?'

30 September 2000, Amritapuri

Amma's plane from Dubai was due to land in Trivandrum at 3:30 p.m., we calculate that it will take three hours for Her to arrive at the ashram, that is, by 6:30 p.m. Just to be sure, residents start lining up by 4 p.m.! At 5 p.m. they begin to chant the Lalita Sahasranama. Twice, the entire group jumps up excitedly, "Amma is coming,"only to realise it's a false alarm!

At 6:30 p.m. Amma's car pulls up in front of Her room. The residents, overcome with emotion, surround Her. Amma walks through the milling crowd, smiling to one and all. Amma walks up the steps to Her room so that everyone can see Her. She speaks a few words, recounting some amusing incidents from the trip. Everyone laughs! Then folding Her hands in prayer, She turns to go to Her room. Amma then comes to Her balcony and gazes silently at Her children with a blissful smile.

Someone shouts, "Amma, please say something!"

Amma replies, "What is there to say? It is better to be silent. Speaking will ruin the beauty of this moment… Looking at all of you, Amma wants to swallow you all up!"

"Amma!" everyone exclaims simultaneously.

Yes Amma, please swallow us up! So we can be with You forever.