Listen to Shree Maa and Swamijis' travels in the holy city of Banaras.

~~OM~~

It is so touching and beautiful to see how so many people we met in India, while travelling, walking down the road, in shops, in temples, spontaneously recognize Shree Maa as "Maa" - their own Mother and the Mother of All.

Our plane had just touched down at the Delhi airport. There was a strike of all airport workers and everything was in a stand still. A young girl appeared in airport uniform and said, "Come Maa, there is a strike today. I will take you to immigration." She took Maa's hands and guided Her through all confusing pathways of the airport, past a lot of construction and queues of waiting passengers. At one place there was a long staircase and escalator. She said, "Maa, let me take You in the lift. It will be easier." So we all trooped inside the little elevator in a hidden corner. The young lady took Shree Maa straight to the immigration past the serpentine queues and in a matter of minutes we were outside! As quickly as she had appeared, our little angel disappeared!

Mother was getting articles for the temple and gifts at a handicrafts market. There was a stall with Kashmiri shawls and handicrafts. As devotees were bargaining to get the right price, the young Kashmiri merchant said, "I don't want to haggle about the price. I only want Her blessing." He looked at Maa with veneration. He took out his card and said, "Please Maa, come to Kashmir. This is my card. We have a house boat. You can stay there -- free. Please come." Maa smiled so graciously at him and said "Achcha beta." (ok, son). It was such a sweet and delightful exchange - She is our Mother and the Mother of all!

We were leaving India and going through our last security check. In India, they have a separate security check for ladies done by lady police officers. A young girl in kakhi police uniform stood with a wand in her hand. She smiled sweetly and asked Maa, "Are you Bengali, Maa? I felt you are Bengali when I saw you from afar." Maa said, "Yes. What is your name?" She answered, "Maa, my name is Sumi. Sumi John." She did the security check with such love and put her hands over Maa's shoulders and said, "Maa, please travel well and safely." Maa blessed our police officer with a divine smile. It is hard to say which is more beautiful - Mother's love for all or each heart's love for our true Mother.

We were on the train to Banaras. It was dusk and the sun's light was gentle and soft. Shree Maa and Swamiji were sitting besides the window in our train compartment and the rest of us were peering outside along with them. The country side was so beautiful and we could see little huts, cows grazing, little children waving at the train, farmers working and ladies folding clothes. It was so simple, joyful and beautiful. Our hearts were inundated with love, unbounded and pure. Love for our beautiful Mother India, love for Earth Mother and love for the Divine Mother of all creation.

Shree Maa was smiling at us and pointing to the different scenes outside. We looked at the corner to see Swamiji. He was seated in an asan with a blissful smile on His face. His eyes were closed and He was completely still. He was there with us physically, but in some other state of consciousness. Where? How? We know not and understand not. Only Shree Maa knows.

She gestured to us, "Photo thoolo" (Take photo).

Hurriedly we scramble to find our cameras but we worry that the flash will disturb Swamiji.

But Mother said again and again, "Photo, photo." So soon we were clicking away.

Nothing could disturb our Swamiji. Not our scrambling, our whispers, our flash sound and light. He was with God in a place which has no space or time. We were in awe. With deep veneration, we bowed to Him again and again in our hearts. The stillness of His presence, the beauty of His smile made that moment a magical drop in eternity. After a while, ever so softly and gently He uttered some mantras. Shree Maa gave Him a little cup of water. His eyes opened like those of Lord Shiva in Shudda Vidya. His face broke into a beautiful smile of benevolence. We bowed to our Lord of Benevelonce, our Lord of Compassion, our Lord of Infinite Goodness. Om Namah Shivaya!

~~OM~~

Bara Maa was a child bride, so she was still a little girl when Shree Maa was born. As she was a young mother, when the others of the family went outside, they most often left her at home. She often complained to Grandmother that they never took her any place. When Shree Maa was a little girl, she heard that complaint and she said, "Don't worry, Mom. When I grow up I will take you to many places, even outside of India."

Bara Maa told that story while sitting in Shree Maa's living room in Napa.