Rio Devi Bhava

[Guest guest]

Rio Devi Bhava

 

 

 

11 p.m. There are 11 weddings scheduled. “it’s overwhelming” is what some

people in the bookstore had said yesterday, and I might suggest that 11

weddings is in the same category. The lines of people at the bookstore

tables are several people deep

 

 

 

12:15 The photographer was just talking to me about some native medicine men

that came and presented some herbs for Amma in darshan this afternoon. She

tasted one that is good for women’s pain, abdominal pain in the vital body

and energetic body. Another is used to purify the aura. These herbs grow

only their locality. They came back this evening for mantras. Some are bare

chested, they all have painted faces and colorful feather decorations -

headdress and/or arm bands and/or long earrings down to the abdomen. I just

checked the mantra line, and counted well over 100 people waiting for

mantra. One mantra instruction group is seated in front of me, there is a

line into another room full of mantra instruction groups. The huge mantra

lines in Chile may be surpassed. Mother is giving out mantras at a good

pace, but I am guessing it will be an hour or so at the end of darshan to

give mantras to all of those that will be in line if the backlog maintains.

 

 

 

1:30 a.m. Update on the mantra line – it has grown, considerably. I counted

over 50 people beyond the point that was the previous end of the mantra

line. The bookstore crowds are starting to thin out – no longer several

deep. There are a few people sacked out on the floor.

 

 

 

4:00 a.m. Some local groups have been playing – very nice, getting the

audience into the songs, clapping and swaying. A mixture of guitar,

harmonium, latino percussion things, with excellent singers. I recognize the

simple Gopi Gopala and Jai Ambe bhajans that we sing, plus there are a lot

in local language that use Amma’s name. I take a break and count the mantra

line : 192 people. The token indicator is on letter ‘N’ for those who pay

attention to the number. The bookstore is still going strong. The items that

caught my eye in the snack area were a fresh cut up fruit salad; a plate

with humous, salad, bread and cheese; the large egg-shaped roll baked with

cheese inside; individual pizzas; yoghurt. (They were out of the little

quiches) A huge improvement in quality and availability (it is after 4 a.m.,

and getting fresh fruit and salad is a boon)

 

5:30 The lockout is now in effect, the mantra line has grown to 226, the

snack shop is still serving. 5:45 Big Swami is starting the Names. 6;15 the

shoppers at the bookstore have finally slowed down to a trickle. The energy

in the hall has maintained a high intensity the whole night. Mother has not

seemed to rush the darshans, when I was observing, they seemed twice as long

as some in Chile. The wedding couples are now in their pretty outfits,

starting to assemble by the side of the stage, perhaps a little prematurely.

One couple has a fresh cashew fruit and nut in the bowl of fruit offering,

along with mango, banana, apples and grapes. Another includes pineapple.

 

6:45 the Names end, Mahishasura Mardini starts. It seemed that the energy

level picked up even further during the last 50 or so Names.

 

7:00 Mahishasura ends, darshan looks like it is about to end, but still over

200 in the mantra line plus probably call the staff for darshan, plus the 11

weddings.

 

 

 

The mantra giving is a double line, as She gives one on one side, the next

in the other line is positioned, etc. Knowledgeable people (Shantamitra and

Ramakrishna Swami), with the slips of paper with the mantras, are on both

sides of Her, listening, and handing the slip. The person is then escorted

for explanation.

 

 

 

The staff intermingled with the end of the darshan line – those staff

members not going back to their homes in India. The India residents say that

they don’t get darshan in India because they get it on tour, and on tour

they don’t get it because they get it in India. The separation

anxiety/angst/sadness runs high among those going back to California. I am

just an idiot with a grin going up for darshan, enjoying the moment. The

moment of the quiet miracle of Her darshan.

 

 

 

Mantra giving started just before 8. The wedding participants (flock, or is

it bevy, or whatever they are called) brighten up this corner of the room

with their glowing faces and colorful silk saris and punjabis. Some were

dancing to one of the lively bhajans. One beautiful blue-green clad couple

nuzzles. I have seen a little more pda (public display of affection,

kissing) here in Brazil than in most places.

 

 

 

The mantra-ized people are flowing into the area just created for them near

our table, borrowing pens and scraps of paper

 

 

 

The weddings start a little after 8:30, to very happy bhajans in the

background, a joyful atmosphere.

 

 

 

You all, my dear brothers and sisters, have been here with me during this

glorious tour and its finale in Rio. I hope that you have gained from this

small effort to bring you some of the impressions and energy of the tour. I

write this paragraph as Big Swami sings ‘Mata Rani’, the top of the hit

parade this summer. Everybody (except me at the moment) is clapping, between

50 and 100 people are dancing/bouncing in a group, cheering as the last

verse progresses. Feel the happy energy as you read this, and the joy that

Mother wants for all of us.

 

 

 

I will sign off now, before the flower shower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Archer

President

 

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