Amrita's Humour

 

Often there used to be a mistake in calling the wrong Kailas by our Divine's messenger Suresh Joshi. When Amrita wanted to see me, he used to go and call the lady named Kailas and vice versa. So to avoid this confusion Amrita told me that he was naming me Purusha Kailas and she would be Prakriti Kailas. This shows his humorous way of dealing with us.

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The Mother used to take French Translation classes in the play-ground in the evenings. Once our ever busy Amrita was late to the class. The Mother asked him what was the distance between the human and the Divine and told him "Unless you answer this question you should not enter the class". Our witty Amrita, instead of answering the question, went straight to the Mother with long strides, to the astonishment of the others in the class for violating the orders, and he told the Mother, 'Only three steps. Mother, Thou art Divine and I am human.' Mother was much pleased with this apt answer and allowed him to attend the class. The entire class admired his intuitive, apt answer told in a humorous way.

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There used to be a big cupboard with a little projection near the entrance of the Mother's room. Often people used to knock against it and get hurt. When they suggested to the Mother that it be shifted to some other place. She didn't agree, saying, "It makes the people conscious." So it remained there like a sentinel. Once our busy overloaded Amrita carrying a big trayfull of things,—letters, prayers, plans, things for the Mother's touch and Prasad, innumerable things, to the Mother's Room, inadvertently knocked his head against the cupboard and got a bump on his forehead. On seeing this bump on the forehead of Amrita who was unloading the things in front of the Mother, the Mother affectionately asked him what was the matter, referring to the bump. "Making me conscious. Mother," was the humorous answer of our Amrita while continuing the work without caring for the pain. Our Amrita cared only for service at all times, keeping the brain calm and cool and witty in all circumstances.

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Amrita-da was one person who was long associated with the Mother even from Her first arrival in Pondicherry in 1914 till the end of his life-journey, on 31-1-1969. Mother seems to have said that he was to die at the age of 50 but She had extended his life-span for another 20 years. He did not like to suffer, he did not suffer,—he was never bed-ridden. Even on the final day of his departure, while he was relaxing at noon in his arm-chair, K approached him, asked him how he was feeling. He answered in a humorous way, that everything with him was alright except his sweet-heart! He was ailing from heart trouble. On 31st January night he went and washed his face and feet and returned to his room and left his body at 8-40 p.m.

When some people were trying to fill up that gap, the Mother told them, that Amrita was the first and the last Manager of the Ashram.

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Nolini: Amrita, I have been to Pranab's place for a medical check-up. Dr. Vyas says that I have improved in every way. Even

my chest has increased!

Amrita: That is fine. Wonderful, wonderful!

Nolini: But you know, for a long time I have not been able to increase one thing.

Amrita: What is that?

Nolini: My height. No improvement.

Amrita: I know a good cure for it.

Nolini: A cure to increase my height?

Amrita: Yes. Just raise your heels slowly and secretly, but more secretly than slowly.

*

Every day Chinmoy fetched water for Amrita at four o'clock. One day Chinmoy was late.

Amrita: Chinmoy, I am dying of thirst. You know my name is Amrita, which means nectar. Since I am not fortunate enough to drink amrita, I have to depend on your water.

Chinmoy: I am sure, Amrita-da, you have drunk amrita quite a few times during your meditation.  

Amrita: You are mistaken. Amrita is meant for the Cosmic Gods, and not for this mortal.