Car Darshans
10 January 2001, Trivandrum
Leaving Amritapuri
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When Mother left Amritapuri for her three-week South India
tour, Ram, the baby elephant, was given a special darshan.
As her car drew near him, Ram immediately stuck his trunk
right inside the open window and deftly took a few bananas
from Mother's hand. Mother said playfully, "Ram, po!"
[Ram, go!] and he immediately withdrew, turned around and
walked away!
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The car then slowly passed by lines of residents, construction
workers, Computer Institute students and neighbours from the adjoining
fishing villages who gathered to see Mother one more time.
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Arrival at the Trivandrum Ashram
The road leading to the Ashram was lined with devotees standing
outside their homes by beautiful altars. Mother would stretch
her hands through the car window to stroke a cheek, grasp
a hand, caress a bowed head. Some devotees would thrust a
gift into her hands, and others would garland her.
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As Amma reached the Ashram, the devotees thronged about her, calling,
"Amma! Amma!" and pushed closer and closer for a touch.
Mother paused on the way to her room and gazed at her children from
the balcony, love pouring from her eyes. A sea of arms stretched
upwards, doing everything possible to touch her.
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For a long time Mother stood there, sometimes locking her
eyes with someone else's; at other times calling out to an
individual, "Are you taking care of your health, son?"
or "Did you pass your exams, daughter?"
She showered her children with the flower petals from the
many garlands she was offered. When there were no more petals,
someone threw a new garland from the floor below, and she
caught it! More petals, more blessings.
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