The Story of a Soul

09 November 1954

On Tuesday 9th November I was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with the Mother, in her Interview Room at the Playground. This cosy room, softly lamp-lit, was surcharged with a marvellous peace. Flowers, especially jasmines, spread their fragrance. The ethereal atmosphere carried me away. Everything was hushed except for the fast beating of my heart as I drew near the Mother.

She sat in a chair. Her feet, in white Japanese tabis, rested on a footstool. She was wearing the white silk dress I had made for her—it suited her. She smiled and welcomed me cordially. I was asked to sit near her feet. She held my hands and looked straight into my eyes for quite some time. Then she put a pretty gold chain around my neck—a chain she had worn round one of her ankles for many years. It had intricate enamel work in maroon upon it and had been given a dainty pendant of the Mother's symbol, with a ruby in the centre.

The aura of her proximity, and her delicate French perfume entranced me. Tears welled up in my eyes. A prayer arose from the depths of my heart: "Mother, liberate me ..." She was moved by the cry of my soul. Her expression changed, her eyes became yet more brilliant and powerful. Slowly she lifted her left hand and pressed it on my head. Suddenly I felt as if the whole world was revolving around me at high speed. Her Force suffused my body. I was oblivious of my existence for a second or two and merged in her divinity. I closed my eyes in sheer ecstasy. This experience was unique in my life. I grew a little dizzy.

Gradually I opened my eyes and observed that the Mother's expression had now changed once again. Her eyes were actually a shade between blue and grey, but they seemed to vary colour with her mood. Now they showed sovereign knowledge, understanding, compassion, consideration. With a smile she asked me:

Are you going back? Wouldn't you like to stay here?

I answered,

Yes, I would. But I think I should go back for the present, because circumstances demand my return. I am married. Kindly set me free from this bondage. Mother, will you please call me as soon as possible? I would really love to stay near you.

She assented,

Yes, my child.

I drew a long silent breath of relief and laid my head upon her knees. She blessed me. Then she took a handful of jasmines from the tray which had been set on a small table beside her chair, and gave them to me. She clasped my hands and said,

Write to me through Dyuman.

And with an enigmatic smile—the smile that was so much a part of her—she bade me Au revoir.

My husband asked me what the Mother had said. I returned no answer apart from showing him the chain she had given me.

In my room I changed my clothes, and then sat on the wide ledge near the open window shutters. My mind roamed back over all that the Mother had said to me. Her jasmines suffused the room with perfume. At close to midnight I was still sitting there, as rain beat down outside—the earth smelt refreshing.

Now my soul was charged with the Mother's Force, and ready for the future. I laid my hand on my neck, and felt the sacred chain. Sweet memories of her made me shut my eyes with content when at last I went to bed.

The next morning, before I left for Bombay with my husband, the Mother sent to me through Dyuman her book Prayers and Meditations, along with her blessings. I opened it and read her introductory words, which appealed to me enormously:

Some give their soul to the Divine, some their life, some offer their work, some their money. A few consecrate all of themselves and all they have—soul, life, work, wealth; these are the true children of God. Others give nothing—these, whatever their position, power and riches, are for the Divine purpose valueless cyphers.

This book is meant for those who aspire for an utter consecration to the Divine.

These prayers of hers inspired me so much that I grew certain of the final victory of my soul.