Letters from India - Part 2

19. Sivarathri, Summer Nights & Dreams - Jan - May 1990

Mataji in Wheelchair

January 6, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear All,

Venkamma’s granddaughter Niraja, 8 months pregnant and with a 2-year old daughter, has moved into the ashram to await delivery. Venkamma’s busy with her, and sometimes I am also, doing errands.

The sad fact is that Mataji has had a stroke and her left side is paralyzed. I talked with her step-daughter (child of the first wife of the king – Mataji is the fourth and last wife; king died shortly after wedding with Mataji). Step-daughter said Swami has been giving so, so much love, but what can help? Such a pitiful, sad situation. Mataji is still coming daily in the wheelchair – Swami never fails to talk to her sweetly.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya

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Venkamma Goes to Office for Me

January 28, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Sai Ram! I hope all is well there. Swami left here on 21 January to Whitefield and is expected to stay until mid-February.

Now! All is busy here. Venkamma’s granddaughter Niraja delivered a healthy, small baby girl about 3:45 AM Saturday morning (January 26th). Before that, they had been here in the ashram since January 4th. I’ve been busy running to hospital, and taking care of Venkamma (maid busy at hospital). Venkamma hasn’t been feeling well for almost two weeks, laying down a lot, much weakness, fever coming and going. She’s also not going to bhajan - which she always went to without fail, whether Swami was here or not, twice a day.

Meanwhile I went to Hyderabad for visa on 20th and returned on 22nd (stayed at Mary Naidu’s sister’s who lives there, running an orphanage). It’s possible they may give a year’s visa, but we must wait. In the meanwhile, the office was quite cruel on my return from Hyderabad and didn’t want to give a room. Very unfortunately I was forced to ask Venkamma for help. She came to the office and put fear into all of their hearts, just by the sight of her, and Vibhishana gave me permission for another month. They gave me South Prasanthi C-32, the room I was in before. If no word/approval of visa comes, I seem to be safe for another month.

Weather is better, cold and chill is less. Foreigners are still here.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya

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Sivarathri & Construction

February 26, 1990

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Peoples,

Some huge building is going up on the hill next to the castle-like administration building. I saw it for the first time a few days ago, when I happened to look up and see the huge skeleton already completed! They say it will be a museum of gifts Sai has received from VIPs around the world (three or four stories high).

Construction on the 65-foot Hanuman statue has started in Hill View Stadium.

Swami has been keeping very distant during Darshan, especially from the ladies. Plus interviews in the evenings are rare since He comes only at 5:15 or 5:30 PM for Darshan, and bhajans are 6 PM (no time for interviews).

All the owners and their friends & relatives (about 15 of them!) arrived on the lovely doorstep of my South Prasanthi room, with all their luggage, before Sivarathri. So I am now in the shed. Nice and only Rs 2 a day, instead of Rs 10 in the room!