That was Amma's message for you ...

Finland
October, 2004

Amma sang in Finnish. The song she selected was "I Mannogna Boomiyil". And it was perfect. It goes without saying that Amma's Finnish children thoroughly enjoyed it. However, Amma's two days of programs in Finland was not only a momentous occasion for her Finnish devotees, as her children from all over Scandinavia had come to participate.

Yes, it was cold - 0 degrees Celsius. But, in the warmth of Amma's unconditional love, everyone felt so peaceful and relaxed.

The kitchen tent was erected outside the hall. With the help of several other volunteers, Paul Sharma and Lavan, two role models of selfless service, were immersed in cooking food for the thousands of devotees who had come for Amma's darshan. The two of them have worked 18 hours a day on Amma's Europe tours for many years.

It was devi bhava night. Ignoring the cold and any need for rest, Paul Sharma and Lavan were engrossed in cooking dinner and snacks for the people. It was at that time Paul Sharma noticed something: two young men who had been helping to transport food from the kitchen to the dining hall-which was a little far away-took a couple of onion bhajjis (batter-fried onions) as they were leaving the tent. It was certainly an innocent act. They were exhausted from running back and forth with the big pans and dishes.

However, for Paul Sharma, it was an unpardonable act. "'No this is not right," he said. "We are all serving Amma, and the money from the sales of these items goes to help her charitable activities. So, you are not setting a good example. If you do this, others will follow suit."

Though his intention was good, Paul Sharma's comments hurt the youngsters, who were also working selflessly for Amma. The poor chaps were ashamed, and of course, felt insulted. Others who had overheard the conversation sided with the young men. Now, Paul Sharma also felt remorseful, and he apologized to the two volunteers. Thus the first scene of the drama ended, but it was not the real end. Another scene had yet to be staged.

A few minutes later, Paul Sharma and Lavan were sitting along with one of the Swamis frying alooo tikkis ( fried mashed potatoes). In the midst of frying and a satsang from the swami, they saw a young girl outside the tent. She innocently sat down on the wet ground. None of them were the least bit suspicious. But the next moment, she slowly lifted the tent flap and then, in a split second, her hands were on the onion bhajjis.

Before anyone could do anything, she had taken a handful of them and - with a big smile on her face - bid goodbye to the helpless Paul Sharma and Lavan.

There was a silence in the tent for a few seconds, and then suddenly they all burst into laughter.

Patting Paul Sharma on the back, the swami said, "that was Amma's message for you".