Amma on the bhavani river- from amritapuri.org

[Guest guest]

16 Jan 2003

 

We left Chennai at 8:30 in the morning heading towards

Coimbatore, where this three-week South Indian tour

would come to an end. At 1:30 pm our party, consisting

of six buses and two smaller vehicles, stopped and

waited for Amma to join us for lunch. At three, a

message came from Mother asking us not to wait for

Her, but to eat and proceed with our journey. Even

though Mother was still far behind, it was unusual for

Her to make Her children sad by not being with them.

But this time, She could afford to do that; She had a

special surprise in store. She said she would meet us

later, and She did catch up with us around six pm. We

had a very nice stop by the road during which She

asked and answered questions, and then distributed

laddus as dark was settling down. When Mother stood up

and walked towards Her vehicle, She said: "Next stop

Bhavani!" From the beginning of the tour no one had

dared to think about the possibility of stopping by

the magical Bhavani river. It would have been too sad

for one to expect such a precious event and then have

those expectations denied.

 

When we reached Bhavani Village, it was already nine

in the evening and the place was busy with pilgrims

finishing their poori dinners and moving in groups

towards their sleeping places. As each bus arrived,

everyone rushed towards the door, jumping off in small

groups between parking maneuvers and running towards

Mother, who was already by the banks of Her daughter…

the river Bhavani.

 

Soon every single one of the 400 devotees and

disciples were gathered around the Moon… Amma’s

beautiful round and shining face. Up in the clear sky

was another luminous one —and in its full shape too.

But was it just a reflection?

 

A question addressed to Mother broke the silence: "Can

Mother tell us about Her special relationship with the

Bhavani river? Often when You are swimming in another

river, You will mention this place and say: ‘Bhavani

is sad!’. We also know that over the years You have

lost many rudrakshas and malas while bathing here. And

it seems that You always make it a point to stop here

whenever You happen to be nearby."

 

What will She answer? everyone wondered while staring

at the smiling Moon. Or rather: How much will She say?

When Mother said: "Yes, yes…" meaning that She was

willing to satisfy the inquisitive hunger of Her

children, the old-timers knew that they were in for a

special treat. And it was to be…

 

"Amma sees everything as consciousness. Nothing is

inert for Her. She converses with rivers, mountains,

and trees...Amma’s relationship with this river goes

back for so many years. A special intimate

relationship has built up over those years."

 

 

Translated by Swamiji, Amma’s words were picked up

like pearls by the ears and hearts of all around Her.

How much more will She say? To satisfy the desires of

all, She continued:

 

"There are certain places, like this one, towards

which Amma has always felt a strong pull. The subtle

beings in this place call Amma and yearn to have Her

with them. Just like the devotees in Chennai would

have been sad if Amma passed through the city without

stopping to see them, the subtle beings here would be

sad if Amma passed near here without stopping."

 

"This is the merging point of three sacred rivers:

Bhavani, Cauvery and Amrita." Which Amrita exactly,

one was tempted to ask. But how could anyone dare to

interrupt the flow of That River? "This is a sacred

place; it is a place of pilgrimage where many devotees

and sadhaks have made offerings and done spiritual

practices, and it has been visited and blessed by many

mahatmas."

 

Mother was silent now for a while, as if to allow

everyone’s mind and heart to imbibe deeper, like a dry

sponge, the rich flow of liquid gems that She had

offered…

 

Mother went on, expounding on the significance of

worshipping the Mother: "According to the scriptures,

the symbol of the Mother is worshipped in five forms:

Bhumata (Mother Earth); Gomata (the Mother Cow);

Gangamata (Mother Ganges, representing all rivers);

Dehamata (one’s biological mother); and Viswamata (the

Universal Mother)." Here, betraying Her true identity,

the speaker named Herself last, one’s mind was happy

to note …

 

Giving the examples of Mother Cow and Mother Earth,

Mother explained that they are worshipped because,

receiving so little, they give humanity so much. A cow

eats only grass and fodder, yet gives milk. She

mentioned that in some cultures, the cow even gives

its own life. About Mother Earth, She said that Mother

takes nothing from humanity, and yet provides

everything, no matter how much humanity may abuse Her.

 

Another question was put to Mother: "Amma, You just

said that You actually communicate with subtle beings.

Can you please tell us what they say to you?" Would

She just answer by laughing or say still more? We

waited eagerly….

 

Amma replied: "How can one be asked to reveal the

content of one's private conversations with others?

What Amma can say is that subtle beings are just like

living beings. They have their own happiness and

sorrow. They seek peace, eternal happiness, knowledge

and yearn for liberation."

 

Silence prevailed again. It was as if us mortals

wanted to allow our brothers and sisters the subtler

ones to enjoy too, some exclusive times with Amma.

Yes, they were happy too, enjoying the Moon’s magical

light as much as we did. Was the other moon, up there,

a bit jealous? Maybe it’s to please it now that Amma

started to sing softly…

 

Bhavani the river, subtle beings seeking peace, the

other moon up there and us mortals have one same

Mother… That night, She brought happiness and magic to

the hearts of all. Can a Mother neglect any of Her

children?

 

by Priyan

 

 

 

 

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