Letters from India - Part 2

25. Ganesh Procession, Onam & Ashram Construction - Sept 1990

Ganesh Procession & Onam

September 3, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Mom & Dad,

3 September: Divya conveys her namaskars. Well, after Ganesh day a few days later they took Ganesh on procession to the river. It wasn’t so colorful as last year - just one procession of white-clad students, following a few mantra-chanting pundits. Last year, there were about 10 processions, each consisted of: pundits dressed in bright orange, followed by colorful Ganesh statues, then students singing bhajans. On that day we did have nice Darshan of Swami, though! He stood and directed people and primary school students to move back, to make room for the procession. He also had apples distributed to all students. It was like old days Swami. He seemed close, free, dear. Nice.

Then, Onam morning there was a program by Kerala children. Afterwards, Swami had great fun, He took handfuls of candies (held by a small Kerala girl) and threw them to everyone, gents and ladies side also! Oh! How delighted He looked! He even took with both hands, smiling to the crowds with a twinkle in His eyes when He’d throw them on the waiting, eager crowds. He’d also laugh and grab for more to throw! Throwing candies, a great new habit of his, indeed!

One of my favorite past times is “Shed scavenging,” collecting the things left by people going. Even old sitting mats and big straw mats come in handy - we give them off to the poor Indian shed ladies, etc. I manage to scavenge half-used “Tide” washing powder and “Crest” toothpaste, thus cutting back my expenses.

All for now.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya

_____________________

New Work Started Daily

September 9, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Mom & Dad,

Swami left as planned a day after Onam, 4 September. With Him left almost every foreigner, and almost no Indian! So it’s still pretty full here. They closed the shed that same day. I considered taking a room but due to fear, I opted for Bonnie’s outside room. When Swami returns I’ll register fresh and plan to spend an unbothered stay up till Birthday.

Birthday! World Conference! It seems looming ahead; I look forward to it with anticipation (fear!) and expectation (joy)! Visions of the last World Conference come to me, and Swami says this year will be double the number of people attending.

Meanwhile, new work is starting literally daily here. They’re expanding the hospital. Making roads past all the inside shops, past back side of Mandir, outside ladies Darshan grounds. Putting new lights on Mandir verandah.

Also doing Swami’s housecleaning! Yesterday they were dragging out all sorts of Swami’s “junk” from the Mandir (during lunchtime when not many people were around - they brought everything out of the car garages section, on the East Prasanthi side): unused saris, steel cooking pots & pans, stainless steel plates, water pitchers, water filters, etc., etc., fun to watch! I would’ve liked that job! Unfortunately I’ve already cleared Venkamma’s room several times over, cleaned & organized, so nothing else much to do there.

They’ve painted Swami’s car garage. Still putting finishing touches on West Prasanthi 7, 8 & 9. Painting the Gopuram. Swami’s arranging to buy the land behind the sheds, to put tents to house some (only some = a few thousand) of B-day devotees. Venkamma’s son Sankarappa is in charge of this – Swami’s is praising his name for his good work! Venkamma is pleased!

As I write this, they’re started to paint the Poornachandra hall! I hope they paint the canteen, it really needs it!

I am happy. Making half-brown, half-white rice as you suggested. Venkamma is OK – resting from the hectic schedule from when Swami’s here. Take care. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya

_______________________

Rewiring and Painting

September 20, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Parents,

Divya conveys her namaskars.

Here construction is going on. Swami has sent word to rewire the entire Mandir, and put in big, nice lights illuminating all the roads, new and old, in the ashram. So everywhere holes are being dug and wires hanging - wires of all colors and sizes.

At this very moment I'm watching a quite interesting procedure. They have a dozen 2 foot hollow rubber tubes they need to bend. First they stuff newspaper in one end, then put sand in the hollow tube. They fill it up then stuff newspaper in the other end. Then two workers sit down and break up a wooden crate. They make a small fire and with their bare hands, and bare feet, each hold one end of the tube. They roll it over the fire until they bend it. Then they take it to the sand, wipe it with a cloth and cover it with sand. When it cools they take it out, remove the paper and sand inside and – presto! – bent rubber tube.

The new ceiling in the canteen is half done. They just placed thin wooden boards under the shed roof. They’re white-washing the outside of the canteen, so it looks decent now. I'm hopeful for a new paint job inside. The Mandir is half-finished being painted inside and outside. They’ve removed all the small lamps in the Mandir - personally I feel they should finish putting in all the new wires and lights, before they paint the Mandir!

Venkamma has finally entered a calm, relaxed state (I notice this state always comes about 3 weeks after Swami is gone!). She’s telling thrilling stories of Swami’s young days when He announced His advent, and other old Mandir stories. Nice!

New news is: all the sheds will be for foreigners only; tents put up behind sheds will be for Indian Seva Dal workers only! No place for devotees!! Now they’ve thrown out all the semi-permanent Indians in sheds 1-5 (all other sheds are closed), to store rice and flour in the sheds. With nowhere else to go, they are outside in the wind and rain, luggage and all, with 2 months till B-day! They won't go to their villages.

All for now. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya