On the 3rd day, there was Sita-Ram Vivah (wedding). It was celebrated in the Path by playing Conch (Shank) & flowers were sprinkled along with pious puja water over all the devotees sitting in Yagyashala. Yagyashala also was decorated beautifully with different decorations. Inspite of all these decorations the place had a look of simplicity and divinity which is impossible to describe. The divinity of the place could only be felt, I am at a loss of words to put it on paper.
Everyday more and more people joined in this celebration, increasing the joy, though kitchen and other organizing work increased. And as more people came, they joined the Karamyoga with great zeal. Hence the additional people coming became helpers rather than nuisance or burden. The kitchen was efficiently handled by Swami Chandramouli with his team and a lot of Karamyogis. The food was served in traditional Indian style on donas and pattals made up of leaves and sticks. And it was served with so much love and affection that the age old Indian tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’ (Guest is God) needed no preaching, it was being practiced. Every one enjoyed the meal like a big family,chatting and laughing. Many times I wondered inside that there was no worry or tension here. And what is the binding force? Ofcourse I realized ‘It was the love and affection of Swami Satsangi, who just like a mother was taking care of each and every devotee.’
Daily our inner being was loaded overfull by divinity. Yognidra, in the afternoon relaxed everyone deeply. Satsang with Swami Satsangi and Swami Niranjanananda added a very special touch to the Anushthan. We all had so much to discuss and exchange after the satsang. The days were packed with a lot of activity, divinity and knowledge. Though we were all very tired by the end of the day, we were deeply relaxed and extremely happy.
The last day of Navratri i.e. ‘Ram Navami’ arrived, with a lot of excitement and expectation. As the air was filled with the scent of Sri Swamiji’s (Swami Satyanand) Darshan. Everyone looked forward to have a glimpse of ‘Sri Swamiji’. And I realized deep inside; was Swamiji’s darshan on Ram Navami not related to Rama’s birth? Isn’t Sri Swamiji a God’s incarnation? So much love , devotion, Sri Swamiji receives from his devotees! And my mind ran back to recollect Sri Swamiji’s declaration of being an emperor, who had won hearts of his disciples by the strongest weapon of love. And I felt deeply blessed by the gentle showers of Sri Swamiji’s love and affection, which quenched my innermost thirst. And the prize distribution to Kanyas and Batuks by Swami Niranjan added a unique touch to the whole celebration. And the dance of Swami Satsangi, Swami Niranjan and Sri Swamiji with Kanyas and Batuks was a sight, every devotee carried in his heart. Such simplicity! Such innocence!
Prasadam was served first to Kanyas and Batuks and their parents. It was a grand feast and each and every thing was prepared by ashram itself. ‘Sri Swamiji’ sat along with Kanyas and Batuks to have Prasadam in pattal and dona. It was a dream come true for people serving in the kitchen. After that Swami Niranjan and Swami Satsangi distributed special Prasad in the form of dress, soap, towel and eatables to Kanyas and Batuks. Both of them also had Prasad with them in pandal. And I wondered! Was it not divine eating with divine! Where else do you see such love, affection and simplicity?