Being with AMMA is a pleasant reminiscence. Every moment is priceless and invaluable to be treasured and cherished for a lifetime, for the simple reason it cannot go beyond as is ordinarily understood though possible. But for this limitation, it is a perennial legacy to be carried forward.
Granting this, moving with AMMA is ever more so, a singular good fortune that can never be reckoned with any terms. Those of us who could claim to be the tiny contemporaries. lesser mortals that we are, do well to savor and mull over the sweet reminiscences we had with AMMA.
While many of us could have been associated with AMMA, in varied ways, in whichever manner HER GRACE condescended to grant HER presence, those bits of time are ingrained in us for the lifetime.
In the course of these delectable musings, AMMA’S STROLL ever revolves in our minds. AMMA used to stroll quite often on the open terrace of the HOUSE OF ALL. This terrace was beside the AC ROOM, as it was styled then where AMMA used to be most of the time. [This terrace is now covered by the VATSALYAM, for the benefit of those who are unaware.]
AMMA usually stepped out of the AC ROOM and came on to the terrace, through a passage in the rear terrace which had a small wooden framed door. Having entered the terrace, SHE used to walk gently in
=m. Dinakar slow regal steps. This later on has become part of the physical routine for AMMA, apparently for HER physical well being, at the instance of the doctors attending on AMMA.
Blessed are those who are present on the terrace on such occasions. AMMA used to hold his or her hand ostensibly for support and walk on the terrace. Singular case of the SUPPORT taking the pigmy selves like us for support or more truly a pretext for taking us into HER SUPPORT. For quite some time continues walking thus.
AMMA sometimes walked with two persons on either side, holding their hands and very rarely leaning. AMMA used to converse while walking. In between, SHE spoke to those accompanying HER. At times looked intently at us, giving HER earnest attention, despite HER cosmic preoccupations.
Often, SHE appeared to be speaking from distant worlds, looking away beyond into the horizon, scanning the realms ethereal or heavenly too unknown to us. Point of interest is the person could be an on looker for HER seeming immediate mundane concerns directly.
Indirectly, a mute spectator to HER cosmic maneuvers, far beyond understanding. HER distant gaze, otherworldly expression haunts us though beyond our conjecture or comprehension. The words AMMA said, the pointers that have come up and the feelers that emerged have unfolded in course of time and are unfolding yet. Such is HER divine dispensation.
These strolls never had specific times. It could be dawn, daybreak, twilight, late night, or even mid night. This humble self used to sleep on the terrace many a night. feign ing some sort of guard duty. Although I am known for my deep sleep, which needs a persistent, deliberate effort to wake me up, some unknown force used to wake me or alert me. Apparently for no particular reason, except that AMMA started walking. Perhaps that one should only presume that HER gentle inaudible footsteps woke me.
Thus AMMA graced me in these strolls. Many were the issues tossed daily cares, mundane matters, Parishat issues. persons, finance and so on. In all these, AMMA showed interest and cared to bother, for, all of us are HER ceaseless concern.
AMMA dilated on life, its trials, and tribulations of mine as well as those of others. AMMA also spoke of HER early days and acquaintances. All these had a bearing on human nature. its variety, its complexity and above all the frailty.
To put it very precisely, it is AMMA’S SOOTHSAYER to the world. HER concerns, utterances and the musings during these strolls, are only for others and the common weal.
All of us in the Jillellamudi fraternity, shall deem it a sacred privilege to treasure and cherish those moments. Internalize them, for they could be the guiding posts in later life. Reason being every moment of AMMA and with AMMA is a moment of GRACE. Each of such moments serves a cosmic purpose for us and equally so for others.
[to recall AMMA used to walk briskly on the occasion of blessing HER children sitting in neat rows for the BHOGI festival. For walking speedily AMMA used to wear black, velvet footwear on Bhogi function. Also SHE WALKED VERY SPEEDILY IN THE HYDERABAD SLUMS DURING THE SPRING OF 1974, TO COVER THE AREA OF THE SLUM AND THE SLUM DWELLERS. These are two distinct memorable occasions.]