Living in The Presence

Baba's Coming To The Ashram

There is little doubt that our coming away to the Ashram for good was a reflection of my mother's matchless self-confidence and courage. Ma had built a whole world - husband, children, house - and she could leave it all behind for my sake, but I guess, primarily for the sake of her own inner call. This was made possible only because of that amazing faith she harboured. Our new life at the Ashram started taking roots.

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We had arrived in the month of June and just a few months later, all of a sudden, Baba turned up to meet Ma and me. Was there anything else besides this wish to see us, neither Ma nor I could say. I am writing about a time when it was not possible to come to the Ashram without the Mother's permission. Baba arrived, unannounced. On the day he arrived, I took Baba to the Playground after my evening 'Group' activities. (Boys and girls were divided into different groups for sports activities in the evening and so 'Group' referred to all activity related to physical education.) As I had not taken permission to take my father to the Playground, I went to the Mother before the Marching started in order to inform Her about Baba's arrival from Calcutta to see us. Even while I was telling Her this, within me I was feeling extremely nervous and frightened. I was worried that Baba might create some disharmony again. However, I must admit that when he arrived at the Red House from the station, our meeting was very sweet and emotional. In any case, the Mother asked, "Has your father come to the Playground?" "Yes, Mother," I replied, "he is waiting outside at the gate." "Go and bring him to me," the Mother said.

    I still see that scene before my eyes: People have started assembling in the Playground. The Mother has almost arrived in front of the map of India and Pranab-da is standing near Her room in front of the microphone. I am escorting my father through that crowded ground to the Mother. Although Baba was to have several darshans of the Mother, that day was his first and had, therefore, a very special feel. My father came in front of the Mother and at once went down to bow at Her Feet. The Mother placed Her right hand on my left shoulder and told Baba, "You see, how happy your daughter is here! She is working very well and has progressed a lot." With folded hands, Baba said, "She is your child, Mother. She is yours." Baba now sat on the sandy ground and bowed his head on the Mother's feet. Then we came back home. He at once went to Ma and told her, "You know what happened today? The divine Mother told me, 'Your daughter is very fine. She is progressing very fast.' I don't have any more worries

about you or Khuku. I had come to see how you were and I am happy to know that both of you are doing very well. You're in heaven here!" Saying this Baba pulled me close to his bosom and blessed me.

    After this, Baba came back to the Ashram on a number of occasions and stayed with us. The Mother had instructed Nolini-da that whenever my father, brothers, sister-in-law, nephew came to Pondicherry, they should stay in the Red House. Let me tell you something important in this context. In 1951, Ma and I had come here for good and the Mother had allotted the Red House for us. In 1952, we were accepted as permanent members of the Ashram and given 'Prosperity'. Whenever anyone of the family or anyone else came here from Calcutta and stayed with us in the Red House, then they would, according to the Ashram custom, offer a fixed amount of money for the Mother to Kameshwar-da who was in charge of this. Any Visitor staying in any Ashram house was expected to follow this rule.

    Baba spent a lot of his time in later life with us. When he realised that it was time for him to leave his body, he told his two sons that he wanted to be laid to rest in his ancestral place. Accordingly, my brothers took him back to Calcutta. Later, when I got news of Baba's last illness, I asked the Mother if I should go to Calcutta. The Mother told me that it was not necessary. She told me, "A daughter's duty is to pray for her father's soul. You just do that." Two days after this, Baba passed away.

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