The 21st December was Vaikunta
Ekadashi, a day sacred to all Hindus, a day of fasting and prayer; and
the citizens of Trivandrum were delighted when the reception committee
announced that Baba would be accepting their prostrations, that day
from 9-30 A.M! It was indeed a moving spectacle, the long line of eager
men, women and children, coming in an ever lengthening queue, to where
Baba was seated in the Thevaram Palace Mantapam and prostrating before
Him, with a glint of gratefulness in their eyes and a smile of
satisfaction, lighting up their faces! Baba gave Vibhuti, to almost all
the ten thousand of them, with His own hands. It was clear that He was
very pleased with the cleanliness and godliness, the orderliness and
devotion, of those who offered Him their homage that day.
In the
evening, Baba arrived at Kovalam Beach, seven miles away from the City,
accompanied by the members of His entourage, as well as many devotees
from Trivandrum. At a quite spot on the seashore, far away from the
noise and bustle of the capital, Baba gave those around Him, the unique
pleasure of hearing Him sing a number of songs. Everyone joined in the
Bhajan that followed; during the Bhajan, Baba ‘took’ from the sands a
beautiful image of Murali Krishna and a gold ring with the Radha-Krishna
motif embossed charmingly on it. Being Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Baba also
‘took’ Amrita, this time from His hands! The devotees who sat around Him
could sense the captivating fragrance, long before the actual
materialisation, and even as Baba was singing a song, He pointed His
joint palms at a silver vessel and the ambrosial Amrita gurgled into it
from His fingers! Baba then distributed the Nectar, Himself, to everyone
pr
esent, including a few fortunate fisher folk from the hamlet nearby.
From
Kovalam, Baba proceeded to Cape Comorin, the sacred spot which marks the
southern-most tip of the Indian Peninsula. On the 22nd, in the morning
He strolled on the seashore and held religious discussions with His
devotees at the Bungalow where He stayed. Here too, a large number of
people from the town had His darshan, and received His blessings.
In the
evening, when the sky was turned into a carnival of pink and purple by
the rays of the setting Sun, Baba again proceeded to the shore and
played with the waves of the three seas that mingle there. Each wave
seemed to be more eager than the rest to wash His Lotus Feet, and to
offer Him its individual homage! Suddenly, as if aware of the yearning
of the waves, Baba stood facing the seas and said, to those beside Him,
“See! The ocean is inviting Me, with a garland in its hand!” At that
very moment, one could discern a beautiful wave forming itself a few
yards ahead and soon, it swept majestically forward towards the group on
the seashore. It rolled past Bhagawan, and quickly receded. But,
imagine the surprise and joy of everyone there, when, lo and behold!
There was a bewitching pearl garland, round Baba’s Feet, swaying and
swinging with the waters of the sea! One hundred and eight translucent
pearls, the Tribut
e from Three Seas to the Avatar Of The Lord! Oh! How entrancingly
charming Baba looked, when, at the earnest entreaty of the devotees, He
condescended to wear the Precious Garland!
