Sudama

Bábá’s Love for South America
Sudamá (Porto Alegre, Brazil)

In July 1978, various Margis and I left for India because we heard that Bábá would be released after seven years in prison. We went to Patna, but He had not yet been released. So we went to Nepal and returned to Patna to hear the news that Bábá would be released that day, August 2. was very anxious to know Him, because for three years I had been in Ananda Marga, and I had not yet had the opportunity to see Film or to have His personal contact.

With this perspective we went to a great darshan that Bábá gave the day following His release from prison. That was the moment that I really felt what is meditation. I was concentrating and at the same time listening to what Baba was saying. My mind was completely absorbed in a feeling of peace, tranquility and harmony. It was not an extraordinary experience, but it was really strong.

The following day various Margis from different countries were waiting outside Bábá’s house. We were then joined by a group of Margis from different parts of India, so that we were about thirty trying to get close to Bábá, At that moment we saw Him coming out in a wheelchair since He had just broken His long fast. Everyone was desperate to get close to Bábá and pushed their way to the front. I was not so quick. I was a little sad and I thought, it seems that Bábá does not want me close to Him.

Various Margis sang devotional songs for Him. Only His smile made me feel better. But deep inside I thought that Bábá did not want me to get closer, and this made me feel isolated sitting at the back of everyone beside the door. He was four or five meters away surrounded by the group.
When the meeting was over, He went back to the door. Those who had followed Him before were left behind, and He came in my direction. At that moment! felt a different vibration. When Bábá passed less than a meter from me, He asked the assistant pushing the wheelchair to stop. Then Baba turned and gave me namaskar with a smile that was brilliant. I was so close that I even touched His arm.

It was the first time I had come physically close to Bábá, and it was an incredible moment. It satisfied all my doubts about whether He felt love for me and for all the people on the planet. My desire to be close to Him that time was very intense and this proved that really Bábá knew the thoughts of His devotees. In the first moment Baba played hide and seek, leaving me far away and isolated, then He gave me that historic moment of my life that I can never forget. Today I feel even more that when one has the desire and the will to be personally close to Bábá, He creates the circumstances so that the devotee can come close to Him.