A question which I often encounter from my friends and relatives is “Does AMMA perform miracles?” I immediately find myself in a dilemma as to what should be the answer. One cannot conclusively rule out either “YES” or “NO”. When someone asked AMMA about miracles she replied as to what is more miraculous than the creation of this universe. “Look at your body – Originating from a single cell you grow so big. See the intricate blood vessels, nephrons and all the systems that work with clock-like precision” Undoubtedly many of AMMA’s devotee children have experiences which they steadfastly believe as ‘miracles’ of AMMA.
I share with you some of my experiences and leave the judgment to you whether to term these as miracles or not.
It was mid-day in a severe summer month of ’80s (Andhra Pradesh is well known for high temperatures in summer season) with hot winds blowing across. I was in AMMA’s chamber and suddenly SHE got up and asked me to open the door which leads to the verandah. I opened the door and AMMA stepped out followed by me. Just near the door we found a few dogs panting severely and were restless. Kindness flowed through AMMA’s eyes and said “See……How these dumb souls are suffering. We make so many arrangements to beat this heat and make ourselves comfortable. Who will take care of these poor creatures?” After taking a couple of steps SHE again said “How nice it would be if it rains now.” I smiled and remained silent as I thought it is next to impossible to expect rain in this mid-summer, especially in Andhra. But I was astonished to see thick jet black clouds formed in the next fifteen minutes and started raining heavily while AMMA was still strolling up and down in the Verandah. Rain continued for more than one hour, cooling Jillellamudi and surroundings.
In those days, I used to visit Jillellamudi very frequently. In Spite of several Darshans and spending hours together in the presence of AMMA, my desire to be with AMMA remained insatiable. I was always reluctant to leave the place and AMMA’s presence. During one such visit suddenly I was summoned by AMMA and when I reached HER room, she placed kum-kum on my forehead and said “Are you leaving now?”. This means that I should start my journey (AMMA used to place kum-kum on my forehead and give Prasadam which was considered HER permission / blessings to commence one’s journey). The time was 10.30 p.m. and Jillellamudi being a remote place, the transport facilities were very limited during those days and it was especially very difficult to get transport after 8 or 9 p.m. Without a murmur I came out of AMMA’s room and was deeply worried as to how to reach Bapatla which is 14 kms away and the only nodal point to get into any train or bus. When I was on the terrace, I was surprised to see one vehicle approaching Jillellamudi from the 7th mile stone. Hurriedly I came down, packed up and found a car load of pilgrims arrived. The driver of the car was kind enough to give me a drop at Railway station. I was sure that though I reached Bapatla Railway station, the train for Hyderabad would have already departed. However, another surprise was in store for me as the said train was late by more than 2 hours and is yet to arrive. Since I had no reservation on the Train, I opted to wait till the ticket-counters were opened. Meanwhile I strolled on the platform a little far away and took my seat on a bench. After a few minutes a teen-aged boy approached me and asked “Are you I. Ramakrishna?” I replied ‘Yes’. You want to go to Hyderabad, do you? Again I said ‘Yes’. The boy replied “I have a reserved ticket which I am not using; you can take it if you want”. I gladly accepted the offer, took the ticket, paid him the due amount and placed the ticket in my pocket. I checked the date and time of journey on the ticket and felt satisfied. Then only it dawned on me as to how this guy whom I have never seen or met before (surely, he is not one of the college students of Jillellamudi) called me by my name and how did he know that my destination is Hyderabad? I just looked at the direction of his departure to call him back but to my utter dismay, HE WAS NOT THERE! It takes at least 4 to 5 minutes for any person to reach the exit gate from where I was sitting. Till date I have no answer for this incident.
Only on reaching Hyderabad the next day, I came to know about a very very important office work for which my Director located at Udaipur was frantically trying to contact me. It would have cost my job, had I not reached Hyderabad on that day!
During the year 1982, I was diagnosed as a patient of Duodenal Ulcer by Dr.B.M. Agadi, a renowned surgeon at Bangalore after going through various tests including Barium meal follow through’ X-ray. He had advised surgery within a fortnight as it was a well-developed ulcer. As AMMA’s Birthday celebrations were scheduled, I decided to visit Jillellamudi, participate in the function and if opportunity permits, to inform MOTHER before undergoing operation. However, as soon as I reached Jillellamudi AMMA asked me as to why I have lost weight and looking pale. I have narrated the situation. AMMA responded by saying “Talk to Dr. Papa (Dr. Inajakumari whose pet name is Papa. She is AMMA’s personal physician and in-charge of MATRUSRI MEDICAL CENTRE at Jillellamudi). We know Doctors at Guntur also. Do as they say”. I went to Dr. Papa and shown my case papers. (Even to date I wonder as to how without anticipating anything I carried all the case papers and X-rays / reports in my suitcase!). She too agreed with the opinion of Dr. Agadi but had a loud thinking as to why AMMA mentioned ‘Doctors at Guntur.’ With our experience nothing futile comes from AMMA’s speech. So we decided to consult Head of Surgery Department of Guntur General Hospital. This Doctor at Guntur is also a beloved child of AMMA having faith in HER. Based on the reports he too confirmed well developed ulcer; however opted to conduct some more tests himself without leaving me to other technicians. He advised me to come after one week by which time he will be able to devote his time exclusively for me. Since I had a constraint of extending my leave, he directed me to go to his close friend Dr. Viswamohana Rao at Tenali to perform endoscopy before deciding on the necessity for surgery. We returned to Jillellamudi with a plan to visit Tenali next day and apprised AMMA of the events. (At this juncture what AMMA told is reported elsewhere in this article)*. That night AMMA asked me to sleep in HER room. As I was hesitating SHE insisted that I should bring my mat and sleep there only and I had to obey. I was not getting sleep and was just lying on the mat, eyes closed. After an hour or so I felt some waves (like mild electrical current) emanating from the direction of AMMA entering into my body. I distinctly felt the mild creeping sensation. It went on for 10-15 minutes. I brushed it aside as some hallucination.
Next day we reached Tenali. While conducting an endoscopy Dr. Viswamohan Rao turned towards Dr. Inajakumari and said “who said that this gentleman has ulcer? But for some abrasions there is nothing here. “When Dr. Inajakumari protested with the X-rays and reports, he invited her to come and have a look at herself through the endoscopy tube which she did. Yes,no ulcer was found!
*The highlight of the incident is that the previous night when AMMA asked me to sleep in HER room (before going to Tenali) AMMA asked me casually “Operation will be done only when it (ulcer) appears isn’t it Nanna?” ‘Yes’ was my innocent reply. Where did my very well developed Ulcer, ready for surgery vanish overnight?
Story did not end here. AMMA insisted that I should extend my leave for the next 15 days – stay at Jillellamudi and take bland diet and not food from Annapoornalayam. While I was still contemplating my adverse conditions at my workplace (my immediate boss had never liked me and always put me in an awkward position before my highest superiors This fact was never told to AMMA) AMMA turned to me and said “He will not be able to harm you in any way. Please send a telegram to the officer above him stating that you are sick and staying at AMMA’s place. Moreover had you really undergone surgery would you not avail leave”? Tears rolled from my eyes for the total concern of AMMA and HER abundant Love. I stayed on and AMMA has taken care of me similar to that of a post-operative care.
My joining Hindustan Zinc Ltd in April, 1977 is also worth mentioning here. While I was trying for a job at HMT Ltd, I had an extra set of application forms and just posted the same to Hindustan Zinc Ltd., at Udaipur without their announcement of any job opportunities. Many months passed by and I have totally forgotten about the same. After about 8-10 months I received a letter from Hindustan Zinc that my application sent a few months back was linked to their recent advertisement for the opening for the post of Sales Officers and I should attend the interview. Since I had not sent a Postal Order and photograph as per rules, the same should be produced at the time of interview. I attended the interview and was finally selected. I was asked to join Udaipur. All my happiness evaporated as I have to go far away from Andhra and I will not be able to go to AMMA as often as I used to. I narrated all the events to AMMA and virtually wept in HER presence, not able to bear the impending separation. AMMA did not respond in any manner and placed a few kumkum packets in my hands indicating that I should go ahead. I was very much depressed because AMMA neither consoled me nor gave any indication that SHE understood my pain. Since I could not afford to lose this golden opportunity to occupy an elevated post, I traveled all the way to Udaipur and reported to duty. The moment I entered the General Manager’s chamber, he exclaimed “Hey, Ramakrishna, Why did you come here?” I was shocked. Do I have this job or not? Having seen my pale face he immediately went on to say. “I have sent you a telegram stating NOT to come to Udaipur and straight away join at Visakhapatnam. Did you not get it?”. Of course I did not get it. (In those days even a telegram used to reach in three to four days from such a long distance). Since I reached Udaipur I was taken on to the rolls and was asked to go back to Visakhapatnam after 8 days. Not only that – As I am now an employee, I was given transfer orders to Vizag with one month’s pay as disturbance allowance. Like a ball thrown against the wall I was back in Andhra within 10 days. Even now I wonder how a Public Sector organization kept my uninvited application on the live files, connected to an advertisement issued several months later and provided me with an opportunity to appear for an interview.
My happiness knew no bounds and the joy of landing in the lap of my beloved AMMA on the very next visit cannot be expressed in words. After nearly five years of my joining Hindustan Zinc while I was in HER presence AMMA casually said “Did you not get this job in a strange manner?” This has reinforced my faith that the doer of this “strange manner” is none other than AMMA.