Monica Bose-Growing up in the Grace of Bhagavan - 13 & last

April 9, 2004

The end of Bhagavan's life in this world of form was approaching. He was now in the terminal stage of sarcoma. After the celebration of his 70th birthday, on 5th January 1950, his condition deteriorated so rapidly that he was moved to a specially constructed one-room cottage where nursing was easier. In this starkly simple setting his Mahasamadhi would take place.

I visited Tiruvannamalai briefly in the middle of March 1950. On the morning of my return to Madras I came to take my leave of Bhagavan. it was to be for the last time. As he lay in the room of the cottage facing the open doorway, the devotees filed past to get his darshan. When it came to my turn to stand before the doorway was startled - his face as he looked at me was transfigured with love. I had often seen him look tender or compassionate during the many years that I had known him, but I had never seen him look as he did now. In his poor spent body there was this supreme passionless love, burning like a flame. For me that sight was Bhagavan's last gift of grace to me and it is still with me, vivid and vital to this day.

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from The Mountain Path - Jayanti 2004