Protecting the Mother ?

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 zanskari wrote:

 

> I would feel what I have always felt, which is that Mata

Amritanandamayi is

> perfectly capable of taking care of Herself; if she needs her

devotees to get

> involved in situations like these she will stand up and say so.

 

 

Well said !

 

Reminds me of an incident in Swami Vivekananda's life when he was in

Kashmir about whether we protect the Divine or vice-versa !

 

Here is the extract from "Talks with Swami Vivekananda"

 

"Then Swamiji returned to Srinagar by the common

route by which the pilgrims return. A few days after returning to Srinagar

he went to visit Kshir Bhavani Devi and staying there for seven day

worshipped the Devi and made Homa to Her with offerings of Kshir

(condensed milk). Every day he used to worship the Devi with a maund of

Khir as offering.

 

One day, while worshipping the thought arose in

Swamiji's mind: " Mother Bhavani has been manifesting Her Presence here

for untold years. The Mohammedans came and destroyed Her temple, yet the

people of the place did nothing to protect Her. Alas, if were then living,

I could never have borne it silently. "

 

When, thinking in this strain, his mind was much oppressed with sorrow an

anguish, he distinctly heard the voice of the Mother saying: " It was

according to desire that the Mohammedans destroyed the temple. It is My

desire that I should live in dilapidated temple, otherwise, can I not

immediately erect a seven-storied temple of gold here if I like ? What can

you do? Shall I protect you or shall you protect me! "

 

Swamiji said: "Since hearing that Divine Voice, I cherish no more plans.

The idea of building Maths etc. I have given up; as Mother wills, so it

will be."

 

The disciple speechless with wonder began to

think " Did he not one day tell me that whatever saw and heard was but the

echo of the Atma within me, that there was nothing outside? " and

fearlessly spoke it out also -" Sir, you used to say that Divine Voices

are the echo of our inward thoughts and feelings ". Swamiji gravely said:

" Whether it be internal or external, if you actually hear with your ears

such a disembodied voice, as I have done, can you deny it and call it

false? Divine Voices are actually heard, just as you and I are talking."