Shri Godavari Mata

I have heard of both Shri Sai Baba and of Shri Upasani Baba, and what I had read of them impressed me greatly enough to wish that some day it might be my good fortune to pay a visit to their ashrams. As I was returning on one occasion from Bombay to Tiruvannamalai, I met in the train an attractive girl, Nalini. Her parents who were with her in the train, told me that she was a devotee of Shri Godavari Mata and was staying at Sakori. That was how I first came to hear of Shri Godavari Mata. Nalini asked me to visit Sakori and said that she would inform Mother and arrange for my stay there. I could only tell her then that I would leave everything to my Bhagavan to arrange as He thought best.

Sometime thereafter, Shri Swami Rajeswarananda, who was residing in Shri Ramanashram, sert me a note to say that Shri Godavari Mata, then in Cochin, would like to visit our ashram too. I could not persuade the ashram Manager Venkataraman to invite Shri Godavari Mata although I impressed on him her greatness. So I took it on my own to send the invitation by telegram and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for the reception, Her advance party consisting of some well educated and highly cultured people came and discussed with me the arrangements for their focd and lodgings. The next day—on 16th November 1963—Shri Godavari Mata came late in the evening from Coimbatore. We all welcomed Mataji as she alighted from her car—a tall, slim, beautiful lady with a charming smile on her lips and eyes full oflove. I felt that I was in the presence of the Goddess of Learning, Saraswathi. The next morning she paid a visit to Shri Ramanashram and in the afternoon went to Shri Arunachaleswarar Temple where she was received with dae temple honours. The party also went round the sacred hill and Mataji greatly liked the peace and calm of the place and expressed a desire to come again. Before leaving Tiruvannamalai, she made a handsome donation to the ashram.

I was ill in 1964 and had been to Bombay for about three months when Shri Godavari Mata was also there. I saw her several times while she was in Bombay and she invited me to come to Sakori for the Guru Puja. 1 was rather diffident in view of my indifferent health, but my nephew Bobby and his wife Dina, who are both spiritually inclined, took me along with them by car on the 23rd of July, and on our way we spent a short time at Shirdi, the place sanctified by the presence of Shri Sai Baba and where now his samadhi is, We reached Sakori that afternoon and as soon as we got out of the car a gentleman came forward to ask if I was Mrs. Taleyarkhan, as though I was expected, and desired to take me to the quarters allotted to us. But I wanted to see Mataji first and I persisted in that desire although I was told that she was rather busy. Just then whom should I see but the gracious Mataji quietly gliding out ofa door to greet us and enquire about the arrangements for our comfort. Our host there was Shri Bharucha, a one time high Government official, who later fell under the spellof Shri Upasani Baba and of Shri Godavari Mata. Going round the ashram, we saw the life-like statue of Shri Upasani Baba artistically decked with flowers and the statue of Kanya Kumari adorned with costly jewellery. My fears for the safety of the jewellery adorning that statue were allayed by the residents who assured me that there was no fear of loss or of theft. The chanting of,Vedic hymns by the dedicated, beautiful kanyas, all clad in saffron-coloured saris, made a deep and unforgettable impression on our minds. Mataji’s command over the entire organisation and marvellous grip of all details was founded on the power of her love and gentle speech. That day we took leave of Mataji, but she was reluctant to let us go. After taking leave we stood at a distance to watch the Guru Puja. Mataji was seated on an artistically decorated swing with the photo of Shri Upasani Baba with her. The kanyas were worshipping her with great love and devotion. It was a very moving sight. Mataji was distributing prasad to all the kanyas in her own gracious manner. Just as we were about to leave the scene, Mataji sent for me and Dina and when we approached her, she gave us both fruits and flowers and blessed Dina placing her hand on her head. Dina was thrilled and tears filled her eyes. Mataji also sent for Bobby, my nephew who was packing our things in our room, and gave him prasad and blessed him. I was then conscious that the grace of her guru, Shri Upasani Baba was manifesting itself through Mataji. As I left the place, I felt how great had been her kindness to us in according us such a reception and felt quite distressed at the poor reception we had given her at Tiruvannamalai. Shri Godavari Mata is all love and kindness and she manages the large institution with skill and grace.