Letters from India

70. Swami's Eye Infection Nov 1987

Fine-ish

November 6, 1987

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Peoples,

All is fine-ish here. Office is letting people quietly stay for B-day, with minimal arguments. But they echo that on the 24 November, all over-stayed must leave immediately.

Swami is here and giving Darshan & interviews as usual. Up to recently I’ve been getting bad numbers (15/16 – now 18-20 lines), with occasional front rows. But last three days, I’ve gotten all front of second/third rows! Now more people are coming and I’ll sooner or later quit lines, so maybe he’s giving Grace now before I stop.

Swami’s eye is red and infected again! It happened last year at this time, also. His left eye is completely dark red color. Painful for us to stare at! He talks as if He has a small cold also.

My contact with Swami's sisters is still frequent. Parvatamma is settled inside the ashram (East Prasanthi A-4). She’s coming for morning bhajans and evening Darshan. One time when I visited her, she asked very concerned, “Why didn’t you bring your mother to say goodbye to me? Why didn’t you bring her to me??” I wanted to reply that I didn’t know if we were “invited” to come, if it was right; but all that came out was that I was afraid to bring you! She asked., “Why fear?” it was funny because it reminded me of Swami’s “Why fear when I am here” :-)

Two pictures came of Swami and me in Ooty (whoever wants to see them can come here to see). When I showed them to Venkamma, she looked a long time then kept saying, “Where’s your mother?? Mother, mother??” I had to say, “She was gone before Swami went to Ooty, what to do.”

Daily one Indian or the other asks, “Have you got a letter from your mother??” They’re all eagerly awaiting word, of even if you arrived safely in America.

I’ve been doing seva but less than beginning of this year. Everything is quite well here – physically, mentally. Stay well.

Love,

Divya

______________________

Akhanda Bhajan

November 1987

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Peoples,

Swami is fine. :-) His infected eye has healed. He’s giving Darshan as usual – my experiences with Him are somewhat droll and with less surprises than with the sisters!

We had Akhanda Bhajan 14th – 15th. Beautiful – imagine constant bhajan in Prasanthi! He gave a lot Darshan also. But near the end it was rather loud and I was ready for peace again.

Many people coming – 25 or 27 lines now. I mostly don’t join the lines.

I got moved out of “See One” (C-1) and into the shed. Should be smooth sailing (I hope) until shed closes (when Sai leaves). But then, I may live with Parvatamma.

Take care, Om Sai Ram,

Eileen