21 May 1990
Spiritual Holiday
Prasanthi Nilayam
Dear Both of You,
Sai Ram - Greetings & Salutations. I just got your handwritten letter of 8 May. It works wonderfully to use Venkamma's address! Deposited right on the doorstep for me to discover, without exposing my darshan to the Accommodation office people (anyway, I've only been going about once a week to see mail).
All is fine here. I also got a bad cold, first one in a long, long time. Luckily I was only bedridden one day. Venkamma put me in Niraja's empty room (two doors away, South Prasanthi Room A-10), and made frequent "hospital visits" during the day, bringing food and medicine, with her own hands. How nice! Now, I am better, only a cough remains.
We heard that Head volunteer Mataji died in Punjab about 10 May 1990.
As for supplies, I can't think of anything needful except shampoo and stamps. Here, a tiny bottle of shampoo not bigger than a small hand, and a one inch thick, costs $3.00!
I must have read wrong, you're planning to send me $300??! That is an astronomical amount - I certainly don't have use for so much money. However, I would be willing to store it in my bank account here for emergencies, like spending money for you both when you come to visit India. No doubt it will be safer here than dangling before your eyes there, begging to be spent. Besides it would give Venkamma happiness, to see me receive so much money.
Who is "Will Green" who might bring a parcel for me? Be sure to give Venkamma's address South Prasanthi A-13. (Put “A” or he may not know it is ground floor). I'll tell Venkamma to expect him. Inform him to deliver personally, he can have Venkamma's namaskar and vibutti too. Otherwise, how will he find me?
Now, whatever you do, don't borrow money to buy a donor room in Prasanthi. I'm meant to be in this condition only. Unless God makes it otherwise.
Well, Summer Course is in full swing in Brindavan. Here is Prasanthi Ghost Town. Venkamma left on 19th morning to some 100-mile away village, to see a pilgrimage spot she's wanted to see since years. She'll be gone for 5-10 days. She ordered me to stay in Niraja's empty room until she returned, giving stove and cooking supplies! I think she doesn’t want me to wander to the outside room while she's gone - I'd have to come in the dark for Omkar, etc.
Again it is rainy at nights and cool & windy during days. If you come, June-October or January-March are about the only possibilities Other times are hot or packed with people. This year is world conference, expect hundreds of thousands!
No word on my visa!
Now I am on spiritual holiday. Nothing at all to do but sadhana. No flowers even! Rest for body & mind.
Be well! May all go well for you.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhantu.
Love,
Divya