Onam in Amritapuri

[Guest guest]

from Amritpuri.org, for pictures and the rest of the article go to:

http://www.amritapuri.org/cultural/music/onam02.htm

 

Today, more than 12,000 people came to celebrate Onam with Amma. She came to

the stage at 9:45 a.m. and delivered a satsang which stressed the importance

of eliminating the ego and the nature of happiness and sorrow. She also told

that one reaches the acme of perfection only when the attitude of humility

dawns in us. Only when we become smaller than even an atom, only then do we

become bigger than the biggest. Then Amma led the devotees through a short

meditation.

 

 

After the meditation, the strains of the harmonium began to sound through the

darshan hall. The thought on many of the ashramites' minds was "Is Amma going

to dance?" After last year's Onam meditation, Amma had unexpectedly risen to

Her feet and danced.

 

This year was to be no different. After singing "Bhajo Re Bhajo," Amma stood

up, telling Her devotees to forget their miseries and lose themselves in the

joy of dancing with God. Then the swamis began to play "Gopala Nacho" and

Amma started lightly swaying, keeping time with Her hand-cymbals. Her eyes

were closed and Her steps were simple. When the song went into double-time,

Amma quickened Her steps, a small smile lighting Her face. Many in the crowd

were dancing, jumping up and down -- 12,000 pairs of hands thunderously

coming together in unison. When the bhajan finished, Amma sat on the ground

and meditated for some time. She then began giving darshan.

 

Of course, as Onam is Kerala's harvest festival of thanksgiving, Amma

finished the afternoon by personally serving all 12,000 people a plate of

food each. Last but not the least, Ram the baby elephant was fed by Amma.

 

Aum Amriteswaryai Namaha