Part 78 (1/2)
I had found many men of God-realization in India, but never before had I entle face was burnished with the ineffable joy that had given her the na black tresses lay loosely behind her unveiled head A red dot of sandalwood paste on her forehead symbolized the spiritual eye, ever open within her Tiny face, tiny hands, tiny feet-a contrast to her spiritual nitude!
I put some questions to a near-by woman chela while Ananda Moyi Ma remained entranced
”The Blissful Mother travels widely in India; in many parts she has hundreds of disciples,” the chela told ht about h a Brahroup of us always travel with her, looking after her comforts We have to ave her food, she would not eat, or make any inquiries Even when meals are placed before her, she does not touch them To prevent her disappearance from this world, we disciples feed her with our own hands For days together she often stays in the divine trance, scarcely breathing, her eyes unwinking One of her chief disciples is her husband Many years ago, soon after their e, he took the vow of silence”
The chela pointed to a broad-shouldered, fine-featuredquietly in the , his hands folded in a disciple's reverential attitude
Refreshed by her dip in the Infinite, Ananda Moyi Ma was now focusing her consciousness on the material world
”Father, please tell me where you stay” Her voice was clear and melodious
”At present, in Calcutta or Ranchi; but soon I shall be returning to America”
”America?”
”Yes An Indian woman saint would be sincerely appreciated there by spiritual seekers Would you like to go?”
”If Father can take o”
This reply caused her near-by disciples to start in alarm
”Twenty or more of us always travel with the Blissful Mother,” one of them told oes, we o”
Reluctantly I abandoned the plan, as possessing an iement!
”Please co leave of the saint ”As a divine child yourself, you will enjoy the little ones in o”
A short tiala array for the saint's prosters looked forward to any day of festivity-no lessons, hours of music, and a feast for the climax!
”Victory! Ananda Moyi Ma, ki jai!” This reiterated chant froreeted the saint's party as it entered the school gates Showers ofof conch shells and beat of the MRIDANGA druly over the sunny VIDYALAYA grounds, ever carrying within her the portable paradise
”It is beautiful here,” Ananda Moyi Ma said graciously as I led her into theShe seated herself with a childlike smile by my side The closest of dear friends, she made one feel, yet an aura of remoteness was ever around her-the paradoxical isolation of O of your life”
”Father knows all about it; why repeat it?” She evidently felt that the factual history of one short incarnation was beneath notice
I laughed, gently repeating my question
”Father, there is little to tell” She spread her graceful hands in a deprecatory gesture ”My consciousness has never associated itself with this temporary body Before I cairl, 'I was the sarew into womanhood, but still 'I was the saements to have this body married, 'I was the same' And when, passion-drunk, htly touching htning, for even then 'I was the same'
”My husband knelt before me, folded his hands, and implored my pardon
”'Mother,' he said, 'because I have desecrated your bodily te that within it dwelt not my wife but the Divine Mother-I take this solemn vow: I shall be your disciple, a celibate follower, ever caring for you in silence as a servant, never speaking to anyone again as long as I live May I thus atone for the sin I have today couru'
”Even when I quietly accepted this proposal of my husband's, 'I was the same' And, Father, in front of you now, 'I ah the dance of creation change around me in the hall of eternity, 'I shall be the same'”
Ananda Moyi Ma sank into a deep meditative state Her fordolassy This expression is often present when saints remove their consciousness from the physical body, which is then hardly ether for an hour in the ecstatic trance She returned to this world with a gay little laugh