Glowing Sunflower

“Actions do not cling to me because I am not attached to their results. “

Those who understand this and practice it live in freedom. – Bhagavat Gita

I got acquainted to her as my friend’s wife. A simple lady of few words, beautiful smile, subtle sense of humor and cheerfulness. It is six years now and we have hardly spent times together. Most occasions we meet would be at Sai Bhajans, marriage functions and in the Baba Temple. Few minutes of conversation and we would depart.

Both husband and wife are ardent devotees of Shirdi Sainath and are dedicated volunteers at the local Baba temple. And whenever my friend shares some of his thoughts, I admire her strength, humility and child like ignorance.

Last week I was blessed to travel and be with her for five days. My admiration for her has grown in multifold. I realize she is a personification of humbleness, sincerity, total surrender  and unfathomable devotion. Each and every word she utters is a spell of gratitude and the most admirable thing in her is her living in the present.

Our journey was a wonderful spiritual experience to me. This is all the more special to me as I have been with her drowning in sheer faith and selfless devotion. There have been times when I have (most of us would have) resolved to situations gathering myself that this is what God has destined for me. Resilience comes later. The surrender, acceptance and grace with which she accepts things is just not amazing…

it is infectious.

So many thoughts, emotions, opinions and feelings got untangled mysteriously inside me. I realize what is Bakthi in the true sense.

Writing about her now, this very moment I visualize the incident at Dwarkamayi in Shirdi. She volunteers to join the queue awaiting to be invited to perform jadu (Sweeping ) It is almost 12.30am, long time after night arthi. She is standing there with folded arms and in a slightly stooping gesture. Her whole body exhibits devotion, humility, eagerness, longing, yearning, excitement and sincerity. She is at the far end of the queue. I am wondering when would she get her turn ?  The very next moment, the person overseeing the cleaning process points out at her and says “ Amma, Avvo”. She runs towards him like a child running towards mother. She cleans up the space allotted to her with so much of joy, fulfillment and devotion. Inexplicable.

She comes back with the same smile, humbleness and devotion. She silently sits by my side and starts reading Hanuman Chalisa from where she discontinued. I am wonderstruck.

She is a glowing Sunflower and her Sun in BABA.

Venkatamma to all her friends including me, Venkatalakshmi, You are a blessed soul.

BABA is living with you.