《Letters from Shanti Ashram, India》9. Christmas in Shanti Ashram
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Christmas in Shanti Ashram
December 24, 1994
Dear Parents,
Divya conveys her namaskars. Here all is going on as usual. On 21 December there was a function to officially open the Centenary celebrations (one month before the final day). Swami Madhavananada came from Rishikesh. I never heard of him before (no surprise because in Parthi, all we know is Swami!) but they say he is hailed as a great saint and realized soul. He is one of Swami Sivananda’s chief disciples. He was very quiet and gentle, and radiated a profound peace all around (he stayed only two days).
On 21 December morning, the Swami lighted the lamp in the Mandir, accompanied by a lone priest chanting mantras into a microphone. Then we all went outside and up to Jnaneswari’s new cottage. First they led in a cow with its newborn calf, then the Swami broke a coconut on the doorstep, took a handful of wheat grains, entered the room and threw the wheat around the room. I followed him and the others. Jnaneswari also broke a coconut and took wheat and threw it inside, then entered. Then a young priest sat on the floor and did a small puja, saying mantras, breaking coconut etc. It lasted about 15 or 20 minutes only. He ended it by sprinkling holy water over the whole inside of the house, including the bathroom, thus purifying it. Afterwards we all left. Now we know the procedure for house-opening!
Susheela organized the Christmas program, as she does each year. At 11:30 PM on Xmas eve, she took all the hostel school children up the hill to the statue of Jesus. There, they did prayers and chanted “Om” some times. Then, they came down, joyfully yelling (as taught by Susheela!) “Jesus Christ! Wish you Merry, Merry Christmas!”
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They all gathered in the Mandir where they sang Christian songs in Telugu. Many of the children are Christians so they know nice songs. It ended at about 12:45 AM, when Jnaneswari distributed buns to all. Everyone left except Jnaneswari, Susheela, me and Lokesh (an educated cancer specialist but very sweetly naïve man in his 40’s, who has settled here and helps Jnaneswari with correspondence). Jnaneswari started munching on a bun so we all joined in, talking of the nice songs and how happy the kids were. The atmosphere was so charged with Love and Peace and pure Joy – the Presence itself! It was such a nice Christmas! Jnaneswari’s eyes were deep and sparkling, and when she looked at me with such affection, it seemed as if Swami was in front of me starting. A Christmas I won't forget!
In the morning the kids came for satsang at 9:30 AM. Susheela had had a contest of drawing symbols of Christmas – for grades 1-6 and she distributed prizes for the best ones. Jnaneswari then gave presents to each and every child - plastic bags with sweets, cookies and pens inside.
I am helping Jnaneswari with sending out the Centenary celebration invitations. Jnaneswari and Lokesh write addresses, and I tape them closed, put on stamps and note the names of the people we send them to. We sent about 800 invitations so far! Anyway, it is nice to sit with Jnaneswari. When with her, the experience of feeling God everywhere, inside and out, comes so naturally. Whatever she’s doing, I can still feel the peace around her. Sadhana comes so easily around her, a living example of always remembering God.
A man who is serving Swami Karunyananda in Prasanthi Nilayam came here recently. He said to me, “Why did you leave?! Swami Karunyananda could have arranged for you to stay in Prasanthi Nilayam permanently! He would’ve got Swami’s permission!” Sundaram wrote me recently, reporting a message from Padmanabhan (Swami’s photographer) that the new Registrar in Prasanthi Nilayam (who has a lot of power) has offered to bring me back to Parthi “with respect” and provide everything for my stay, etc. I wrote to Sundaram saying that I was not interested in the VIP games of Prasanthi Nilayam, like getting privileges and using big names to get position. I’d rather be on the streets with moksha, then in a palace without it! Vidya has also been writing to me that so many residents continually ask about me and tell her to convey to me that I should return and live in Prasanthi Nilayam again seeing Swami, no matter what the difficulties.
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Like this, life is flowing on, all is well here, I am happy and healthy; all the people are so good here, loving and friendly. Hope you are all Blissful & Healthy! Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.
Love,
Divya
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