Guest guest Posted October 20, 2003 Report Share Posted October 20, 2003 Namaste Dear Brothers and Sister, I would like to ask if anyone has any information on the Owl that appeared on the stage behind Amma during the last hours of the Amritavarsham program on Sept. 28th. I have never seen an Owl that looked like that one ( but of course I have no experience with owls in India). I would very much like a picture of it. It was white, and was the thinnest Owl I have ever seen. It was very unusual, and had a very strong vibration about it. It came, at about 6:50 AM and perched up high on the top of one of the large decorations, while we were chanting Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu , and remained there during the rest of the program. Amma left the stage at about 8:20 AM, or so. I did not have a watch on, so I am estimating these timings. A group of crows came and flew in front of the stage first, I think, and then the owl came. The Owl appeared after sunrise, when it was very light out. ( About the crows: in my mind I just thought that this was the normal behavior of crows at this time in the morning, when there was music and noise . Every morning between 5-6 AM, in the hotel we stayed in, in Cochin, we woke up hearing from the outside a man's voice calling out something over a loud speaker, and this always woke the crows up, and they then started squawking loudly. The man was broadcasting from a nearby mosque, calling people to prayers.) Usually owls only come out at night. This Owl remained on stage even through the times when most everyone on stage was dancing to the beat of the more western type, half rock , style songs that were being played and sung ( and 2 middle aged men were merrily doing patty-cake to the beat, to the delight of everyone, including Amma). I asked a devotee from France to tell me if anyone talked about this crow during the Amma program she attended in Toulon, over the weekend. This is what she has written back to me after returning from Toulon: "The owl which came on stage on the morning just, at the end of the darshan was mentioned during the evening teaching - by one of the devotees to the whole assembly. The owl was on the stage which symbolizes the universe, paying a tribute to Amma......I can't remember the exact words she used." Does anyone know more about this Owl, or what Amma has said about it, or have a picture of it? I have never paid much attention to owls, until now. I have looked unsuccessfully on web sites to try and find a picture of the type of owl I saw. It was most unusual. Thank you. In Amma's Love, Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2003 Report Share Posted October 20, 2003 The owl is considered the <vahana> (vehicle) of Ma Lakshmi. I think it is also associated with the shadow planet Rahu in Vedic astrology. Crows are associated with the Maha Vidya goddess, Dhumavati. Frequently crows will "mob" an owl, driving it out of their territory. The various Devis send their feathered friends to attend Amma's darshan! -- Len/ Kalipadma On Mon, 20 Oct 2003 08:11:10 -0000 "saramj33" <saramj writes: > Namaste Dear Brothers and Sister, > > I would like to ask if anyone has any information on the Owl that > appeared on the stage behind Amma during the last hours of the > Amritavarsham program on Sept. 28th. > > I have never seen an Owl that looked like that one ( but of course I > > have no experience with owls in India). I would very much like a > picture of it. It was white, and was the thinnest Owl I have ever > seen. > > ______________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2003 Report Share Posted October 20, 2003 Someone who was there after the event said Amma addressed it during a Q&A - a devotee asked if it meant anything, and Amma said the owl only wanted her darshan. I wasn't there, so this is second-hand. --- saramj33 <saramj wrote: > Namaste Dear Brothers and Sister, > > I would like to ask if anyone has any information on > the Owl that > appeared on the stage behind Amma during the last > hours of the > Amritavarsham program on Sept. 28th. > > I have never seen an Owl that looked like that one ( > but of course I > have no experience with owls in India). I would very > much like a > picture of it. It was white, and was the thinnest > Owl I have ever > seen. > > It was very unusual, and had a very strong > vibration about it. It > came, at about 6:50 AM and perched up high on the > top of one of the > large decorations, while we were chanting Lokah > Samastah Sukhino > Bhavantu , and remained there during the rest of the > program. Amma > left the stage at about 8:20 AM, or so. I did not > have a watch on, > so I am estimating these timings. > A group of crows came and flew in front of the > stage first, I > think, and then the owl came. The Owl appeared after > sunrise, when > it was very light out. > > ( About the crows: in my mind I just thought that > this was the > normal behavior of crows at this time in the > morning, when there was > music and noise . Every morning between 5-6 AM, in > the hotel we > stayed in, in Cochin, we woke up hearing from the > outside a man's > voice calling out something over a loud speaker, > and this always > woke the crows up, and they then started squawking > loudly. The man > was broadcasting from a nearby mosque, calling > people to prayers.) > > Usually owls only come out at night. > > This Owl remained on stage even through the times > when most > everyone on stage was dancing to the beat of the > more western > type, half rock , style songs that were being > played and sung > ( and 2 middle aged men were merrily doing > patty-cake to the beat, > to the delight of everyone, including Amma). > > I asked a devotee from France to tell me if anyone > talked about this > crow during the Amma program she attended in Toulon, > over the > weekend. This is what she has written back to me > after > returning from Toulon: > "The owl which came on stage on the morning just, > at the end of > the darshan was mentioned during the evening > teaching - by one of > the devotees to the whole assembly. The owl was on > the stage which > symbolizes the universe, paying a tribute to > Amma......I can't > remember the exact words she used." > > Does anyone know more about this Owl, or what Amma > has said about > it, or have a picture of it? > I have never paid much attention to owls, until now. > I have looked > unsuccessfully on web sites to try and find a > picture of the type of > owl I saw. It was most unusual. > Thank you. > > In Amma's Love, > Sara > > The New with improved product search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2003 Report Share Posted October 20, 2003 Sara, I'm so glad that you asked about the owl, because I had been intending to share this incident with the group after returning from India, but you know, Amma is still working on my procrastination vasana! Anyway, thank you for sharing your story...and here's mine. It was the morning after Amma's birthday. She had already been there for 20+ hours; the numbers on the darshan line signs were approaching 20,000. There was a break between the incredible performances that had continued almost nonstop since the beginning of darshan, and people just spontaneously began chanting "Lokaha." It was such a beautiful moment -- nothing planned or orchestrated, just the rising up of this beautiful, powerful chant. There we were, gathered together from so many different countries, and in that moment it felt as if we were all part of one heart, one heart with a deep longing for peace and happiness in our world. It was definitely one of those times when I thought, "This is why we're here." Suddenly there was a swirl of birds in front of the stage, lots of crows and one large light-colored bird, which, yes, turned out to be an owl. Simultaneously the crows flew away and the owl flew directly into the covered stage area, landing on top of the sign at the back of the stage, just over the words "Embracing the World for Peace and Harmony." This absolutely majestic, gorgeous bird stayed there until the end of darshan. In fact, it was still there after Amma left, and when I left the stadium. After seeing the owl land, I made my way onto the stage to get a better look. I was mesmerized and delighted by the presence of this bird. Owls fly by night -- and yet this one had come in broad daylight. Owls have incredibly sensitive hearing, yet this one stayed through the drumming and the electric guitar and the rockin' bhajans. Owls, like most wild animals, don't come close to humans, yet this one stayed in the midst of many -- some dancing, others clapping, others taking pictures. After we returned to our hotel, I shared the story of the owl's appearance with Lata, a devotee of Amma's who lived in Cochin and worked at the hotel. When I finished, she had tears in her eyes, and said "It's a miracle." So many miracles around Amma...our Amma who is the miracle. What does it mean? As Gabriela wrote, Amma said the owl wanted Her darshan. Well, I'm glad our owl friend received Her darshan. And I'm thankful to Amma, because although I didn't receive a physical hug from Amma while in India, I felt that I received a special blessing through the appearance of that owl. (I guess this would be a good time to admit that I'm a true "bird nerd" -- I love birds and also love watching them. One last thought: you know, that owl could have come for Amma's darshan anytime. She was there for 20-something hours! And yet it arrived during the spontaneous chanting of "Lokaha." (Note to self: chant "Lokaha" more often.) Sara, I'm enclosing a picture of an owl that closely resembles the owl that came to Amma's birthday celebration. Owls are associated with wisdom, the feminine, and penetrating vision. Apparently this particular type of owl is an ancient symbol of spirit. Amma's love to you all, Amala --- saramj33 <saramj wrote: > Namaste Dear Brothers and Sister, > > I would like to ask if anyone has any information on > the Owl that > appeared on the stage behind Amma during the last > hours of the > Amritavarsham program on Sept. 28th. > > I have never seen an Owl that looked like that one ( > but of course I > have no experience with owls in India). I would very > much like a > picture of it. It was white, and was the thinnest > Owl I have ever > seen. > > It was very unusual, and had a very strong > vibration about it. It > came, at about 6:50 AM and perched up high on the > top of one of the > large decorations, while we were chanting Lokah > Samastah Sukhino > Bhavantu , and remained there during the rest of the > program. Amma > left the stage at about 8:20 AM, or so. I did not > have a watch on, > so I am estimating these timings. > A group of crows came and flew in front of the > stage first, I > think, and then the owl came. The Owl appeared after > sunrise, when > it was very light out. > > ( About the crows: in my mind I just thought that > this was the > normal behavior of crows at this time in the > morning, when there was > music and noise . Every morning between 5-6 AM, in > the hotel we > stayed in, in Cochin, we woke up hearing from the > outside a man's > voice calling out something over a loud speaker, > and this always > woke the crows up, and they then started squawking > loudly. The man > was broadcasting from a nearby mosque, calling > people to prayers.) > > Usually owls only come out at night. > > This Owl remained on stage even through the times > when most > everyone on stage was dancing to the beat of the > more western > type, half rock , style songs that were being > played and sung > ( and 2 middle aged men were merrily doing > patty-cake to the beat, > to the delight of everyone, including Amma). > > I asked a devotee from France to tell me if anyone > talked about this > crow during the Amma program she attended in Toulon, > over the > weekend. This is what she has written back to me > after > returning from Toulon: > "The owl which came on stage on the morning just, > at the end of > the darshan was mentioned during the evening > teaching - by one of > the devotees to the whole assembly. The owl was on > the stage which > symbolizes the universe, paying a tribute to > Amma......I can't > remember the exact words she used." > > Does anyone know more about this Owl, or what Amma > has said about > it, or have a picture of it? > I have never paid much attention to owls, until now. > I have looked > unsuccessfully on web sites to try and find a > picture of the type of > owl I saw. It was most unusual. > Thank you. > > In Amma's Love, > Sara > > The New with improved product search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.