Letters from India - Part 2

61. Quiet Here - Aug 1993

Swami in Whitefield, Mostly Quiet Here

August 6, 1993

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Parents,

Divya conveys her namaskars. I hope you are all well there. Here everything is fine.

Swami left on the 22nd July (to Whitefield). We have heard that Swami is giving wonderful, blissful, unforgettable Darshans in the new hall built there (the “Sai Ram Shed” and big tree were destroyed and a new huge shed is built, accommodating thousands). Too bad I can't see those Brindavan Darshans!

Meanwhile, here it is mostly quiet. The construction on Poornachandra is going very slowly. In fact, sometimes I think that a team of snails could do it faster! The only things they’ve done in these two weeks are to dig two large holes and build a single wall onto it, to make a second story. Yesterday morning they destroyed that brick wall! Every now and then a few workers come and hammer or pretend to work, but nothing seems to be done so far.

After Swami left I had a bad cold for a few days, and had to rest in bed. Now I'm fine, but Amma has been getting 101 and 102 fever. They are giving antibiotics and it’s mostly under control, though it’s making her weak.

Vidya is the only other foreigner here, (Except for elderly 'salad lady' Katherine) and she has been bedridden for three weeks with a serious eye infection. Her eyes are red, swollen and drip pus – plus she has almost lost her vision, she can only see blurry colors now. Since she is totally alone, I try to see her sometimes but it’s very hard to get away for even an hour a day, because Amma is so demanding. (Jut like Swami – very powerful and very demanding!).

Inside the Mandir (interview room, upper rooms) is also being repaired. They are re-cementing and repainting it, because the blood stains could not be removed completely. And it continues to stink of blood! Sai Ram.

It is cool, pleasant weather here. Bhajan & Omkar: a quiet life like you have there, with no physical God! Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya

____________________

Building Room on Poornachandra

August 20, 1993

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Parents,

Swami is still at Whitefield and the construction here is dragging along. They have built a room on 2nd floor, on either side of the Poornachandra. Protruding out of that is a round, flying-saucer-like top verandah.

Well – no other news! I am fine & healthy, Amma is OK.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya