20+ intimate pen-portraits by Batti of old sadhakas : Manibhai, Mridu, Sunil, Bihari, Bholanath, Haradhan, Biren, Tinkori, Rajangam, Dara, Chinmayee, Prashanto
20+ intimate pen-portraits of old sadhakas with whom Batti was in close personal touch. These reminiscences brings to life the spirit of utter devotion to Sri Aurobindo & the Mother that marked the early days of the Ashram.
(1) I was in the Dining Room courtyard, and had collected many flowers. The Mother appeared in front of me and said, “Give me the flowers.” I gave Her the flowers.
(2) I was standing in the queue at the Counter, but my dish contained flowers. The ‘Mother’ appeared and asked me to give her the flowers. I understood that she was not the Mother. I said, “Go away, I will not give them to you.” The figure disappeared — the face was veiled.
(3) Again I was in the queue with a dish. The Mother appeared smiling and said, “Give me” — and I gave Her the dish.
(4) I saw the Mother and Sri Aurobindo sitting together on the SIDDHI day — 1926. I went and lay down at Their feet. I feel I am always at Their feet.
(5) (This was a month before he departed.) I went running to the Mother after my work as in the old days. To my utter disappointment no one was there. I felt very sad. Suddenly the Mother appeared, and I said “Ma, I am very sorry I am late. Then Ma said, “I will not give you Blessings. I want something from you!”
I dipped my hand into my pocket, and into Her outstretched hand I laid my life!
I returned to the Dining Room. I thought, “As I have surrendered my life to Her, I have nothing. The Mother will take me away.” (End of dream.)
With that I would end my story of Sitaram the Silent.
One must read two writings of Sitaram’s — rather than just go through my story of him. The first one is a transcript of a radio broadcast (AIR). Sitaram was one of five chosen by the Mother for the talk. (Pavitra-da was another.) This talk of Sitaram’s gives us a glimpse of the inner Sitaram — albeit only the bit he reveals — it is quite a bit. Even that little shows a man of great depth of feelings, a man of simplicity and humility.
It is a pleasure and a privilege first to come across one such, and then be close to a beautiful person. We might easily have missed him.
Thankfully we didn’t.
The second — a free rendering of Subramanya Bharati’s poem on Kannan — makes one feel that Sitaram “enjoyed”, as did Subramanya Bharati, the suffering dealt out by Kannan (Krishna).
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