The Garland

I was in Calcutta for three weeks. What a blissful time it was! Baba seemed SO loving, gracious and blissful. In his own way he did shower a lot of attention on me, despite my ignorance and reticence,
All good things come to an end (as do all bad things) and soon it was time to go home. Well, home is not quite the best word to use because I felt so at home around Baba.

When it came time to go I bought a garland of flowers at the marketplace to offer to Baba as a traditional gift from a devotee to a guru. Because so many Margiis wanted to offer garlands to Baba he didn’t always accept them, or sometimes they were just given to his assistant. I wondered ft if he would accept mine.

I heard the sound of Baba’s car returning from the field walk am excitement overcame me. I was also afraid Baba wouldn’t let me garland him directly—the opportunity to touch Baba physically was very special. Baba got out and started to do Namaskar to everyone. I frantically pushed my way through the crowd to get in a position to be near Baba.

Baba finished his Namaskar and slowly turned to me. With those incredibly penetrating and loving eyes Baba slowly looked up at me (he was only 162 cm and I am 170 cm.) Looking at the garland he said sweetly, “Is that for me?”

My heart went a hundred miles an hour, my mind even faster and froze, again afraid of responding in the wrong way and upsetting him.

 “Yes Baba,” I finally said. I started to hold the garland a little, but hesitated. Then I felt someone from behind pushing my arm to put the garland around Baba’s neck. I resisted but Baba bent his head down to me. My dull thick brain finally realised that dear Baba did indeed want me to garland him. Nervously, I placed the beautiful flowers gently around his neck.

Baba said, “So you are going now, when will you come again?” The Dadas had been telling me I should come back in December for the special New Year’s gathering, so! said, “For the New Year’s celebration, Baba.”

Such a sweet joyous smile bloomed from his face as he said, “I think that is a grand idea.”
Slowly, Baba turned and walked away. The bliss was overpowering. I felt like the happiest person in the world. I felt honoured to have finally met such an unusual personality. Baba was so humble, unassuming and loving, yet so powerful and commanding. It’s difficult to comprehend and even more difficult to explain.