107th Jayanti
April 1987, pp.141,142
Evelyn Kaselow Saphier from Arunachala Ashrama, NEW YORK, reports :
This year we celebrated the Jayanthi on New Year's Day, 1987.
At three p.m., we began with the thought of Mother — She in whom Sri Bhagavan took refuge as a child in the village Temple of Bhuminatheswar, in Tiruchuli. The altar was adorned with a spray of rainbow-hued gladiolas provided by Miss Olivia Cutler. As the Sanskrit chants of Sri Chakra Puja rolled along the Ashrama filled with devotees.
Close to six o'clock, each and everyone present was served a feast provided largely through the combined efforts of lady devotees, especially Mrs.Bhanumathi Parekh and Mrs.Bindu Bhatt.
At seven, our celebration resumed. This latter part of the ceremony consisted of the spontaneous devotional offerings of several devotees. Tyagan Wylie, reading "squirrels" from 'Letters from Sri Ramanasramam'. Dennis Hartel, acting as master of ceremonies, began by reading the story of Sri Bhagavan's birth from Arthur Osborne's 'Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge'. Mr.Babubhai Parekh both sang and spoke on Sri Bhagavan's teachings. Miss Bhavana Parekh led the congregation in bhajanas and the recitation of Upadesa Sara.
Mr.Roy Colonna led the spirited chanting of "Arunachala Siva". Tyagan Wylie, a younger devotee of high school age, chose to read Suri Nagamma's letter, "Squirrels", since he felt it so convincingly demonstrated Sri Bhagavan's immense love and compassion. Sri Arunachala Bhakta Bhagawata spoke on the utter simplicity and accessibility of Sri Bhagavan's teaching of Self-Enquiry for all. Evelyn and Paul Saphier made mention of Sri Bhagavan's way of imparting instruction through seemingly commonplace events, and read out the "Song of the Poppadum". We offer our thanks and gratitute to Sri Bhagavan, to Him who came in the heart of winter, when days are short and nights long, to shed light and life on His devotees. Indeed, He is the light of knowledge which illumines our ignorance; He, the light of hope which dispells fear, darkness and despair. To Him, the light of our lives , may we offer our unceasing remembrance!"