A Mother's Love for Her Children
Bharat Yatra 2004
Thursday 12 February 2004 - Kannur Public Programme
 |
"What do a priest, a football player,
an industrialist and a politician have in common?" It
sounds like the setup to a good joke, but there
is no punch line—simply another testament
to Amma's ability to bring disparate groups of
people together, as this was the diverse collection
of VIPs, devotees and well-wishers who sat side-by-side
on the dais when Amma began Her public programme
in Kannur. In turn, each addressed the sea of
devotees assembled for Amma's darshan; each talking
of Amma's immeasurable gifts to humanity. |
It's been almost two years since Amma has come to
Kannur, a district in the northern part of Kerala that
sees more than its share of strife. Her last visit
was during the pre-monsoon heat of 2002, but that year
the high temperatures finally broke upon Amma's arrival,
as unexpected rains poured down upon the stadium. What
was most memorable about that programme was not the
heat nor the rain, but the devotees—who sat tight,
covering themselves with whatever they could until
the rain abated.
 |
If it was the love of Amma's children that
stood out in 2002, it was Amma's love for them
that made the lasting impression in 2004. For
after concluding Her 12-hour darshan at 8:30
in the morning, Amma was almost to Her camper
when She happened to notice a few latecomers
who'd not yet received Her blessings. As soon
as She saw them and the tears in their eyes,
She immediately took a seat on the doorstep of
Her camper and resumed darshan there itself,
embracing one and all as if She were still sitting
on Her peetham. Soon, a queue formed
and a couple of brahmacharis took up the task
of guiding the devotees into Amma's arms. |
For those who'd been watching Amma give darshan all
night long to some 30,000 people, it was almost too
much. But Amma simply cannot put Herself first; it
is impossible for Her.
Amma's every thought is for the happiness
of Her children. Amma even told one of the brahmacharis
at Her side that a temporary shelter should be
constructed to protect people from the quickly
rising sun. With the queue all but finished,
it was clearly more a teaching than an instruction:
will the right hand stop tending to the left
simply because it is tired? Only when we, too,
are able to see others as extensions of our own
Self will we be able to give so completely and
without reserve. This is the real Vedanta—it
is in Amma's every embrace, every word, every
step and every breath. It is the bridge between
Her and us, and between us and each other. |
 |
—Sakshi
|
Archives 
