June 2015

By Pravin Patkar

For the last few years the four of us i.e. Pratham, Prarthana, Priti and I have been living physically far away from one another pursuing individual professions or higher studies. A much needed reunion was quite a challenge! Without HER design and monitoring our family reunion that too in San Francisco was an impossible thing even to imagine.

 

Despite all that on the 6th June after following a Darshan queue in San Ramon ashram in California when all the four of us presented ourselves before HER she hugged the children first and then looking at me SHE flashed HER priceless pleasant surprise and kept asking me something hoping some alert volunteer around would promptly do the required translation. The nearest volunteer not so promptly said to me, “Amma is asking when did HER son arrive in the US?” I replied “Just a couple of days ago, Amma”. SHE was overjoyed with happiness. Putting a dot of sandal paste on Priti’s forehead, SHE moved HER fingers through Pratham and Prarthana’s heads simultaneously pampering them. The joy of seeing us was prominent on HER face. SHE then pulled all the four of us together and held us tightly in HER divine embrace. SHE pressed my wrist and tapped on my cheeks. Then SHE showered us with a handful of fresh coloured petals. We don’t share a conventional language with Mother.

The only language we know is that of endless and unconditional love. SHE reassured us by repeatedly whispering into our ears “Don’t worry my child”. After holding us together for some time SHE said in Marathi, “Basaa, basaa (sit, sit) asking us to sit next to HER.
I had been crying incessantly ever since SHE had entered the Darshan Hall. I have never been ashamed or embarrassed of that. Amma says crying for the Guru is the best form of meditation. Speechless before Mother that I always am I know only that gesture. Cry!
For an hour after that embrace we could hear our hearts pounding. Such was the impact of that divine Hug!