Seven Extraordinary Days in Presence of Mata ji
Prabhav & Shaila
Chh. Sambhaji Nagar
Hari Aum!
There are some experiences that words can describe, and then there are those that can only be felt.
Mata ji’s stay with us was one such experience! It was a time that felt almost unreal—a period filled with divine grace, bliss, learning, devotion and above all, the rare privilege of being in Mata ji’s presence and serving Her.
Mata ji blessed the city with a three-day Discourse on Sundarkand (in Hindi), allowing us to immerse ourselves in the glory of Sree Hanuman ji and the deeper meaning of devotion, surrender and steadfastness. Each discourse was not merely something to listen to; it became an opportunity to look within and understand the teachings more deeply.
But the learning did not remain confined to the discourse. It was present in every moment.
Learning in the Simplest Moments
The quiet mornings had a beauty of their own. Looking out for peacocks, taking a simple walk through the garden, noticing the plants and learning about them—things that ordinarily might seem so small, became moments of awareness and learning in Pujya Mata ji’s presence.
Every step seemed to carry a lesson; every interaction became an opportunity to observe, to learn and to absorb.
‘Bhiksha’ — an offering of love:
Another deeply moving aspect of those days was the bhiksha meals from the homes of devotees. Every lunch and dinner meal offered by the devotees carried something far beyond food. It carried love, devotion, reverence and the joy of offering. Each home contributed with such bhaav that the meals became sacred offerings.
The Privilege of Paad Puja
For us, being given the privilege of performing Paad Puja of Mata ji’s Charan Kamal was an experience beyond words. The reverence and devotion we felt in those moments were at their highest. To sit before Mata ji and have the privilege of worshipping the Virtues on which Sree Guru stands, was a deeply humbling reminder of the grace that makes such an opportunity possible!
There was gratitude, devotion and a sense of being blessed that cannot be easily expressed.
“Ganapati Bappa Morya”
The morning and evening Aarti of Lord Sree Ganesh ji in Mata ji’s presence became another cherished part of those days. The sound of the aarti, the presence of Mata ji and the collective devotion of all the staff members created an atmosphere that was simply beyond words! And then came Anant Chaturdashi.
After ten days of celebrating and worshipping Sree Ganesh ji, it was time to bid Him farewell, with the faith, that He would return again the following year. The visarjan procession was filled with the joyous sounds of “Ganpati Bappa morya, pudhchya varshi laukar ya!”
There was celebration, music, devotion and yet, beneath it all, a quiet sense of letting go. As the ten-day festivities came to an end, we found ourselves emotional.
The Last Day — A Heart Full of Gratitude
And then came the last day.
We bid adieu to Mata ji with very heavy hearts, filled with emotions, love and immense gratitude. A week had passed so quickly, yet they had left behind countless moments that will remain etched in our hearts. The thought of the house becoming quiet again, of not seeing Mata ji in the garden, not sharing those simple mornings and not having the privilege of serving Her, brought a deep sense of emotion.
Yet, alongside the sadness of saying goodbye was an overwhelming feeling of gratitude -
Gratitude that She came.
Gratitude that She stayed with us.
Gratitude for every teaching, every conversation, every moment of silence and every opportunity to serve.
Gratitude for every devotee who contributed with such love.
We did not want the seven days to end, but perhaps that is the nature of a truly divine experience—it leaves us longing for its presence even as it becomes a cherished memory.
The True Meaning of Seva
Above everything else, these days left us with one profound realisation. We have often heard and spoken about ‘Seva Bhav’. But living through these days made us understand that talking about seva and actually serving someone are two entirely different aspects.
Seva is not merely about performing a task. It is about being attentive. It is about putting another before oneself. It is about serving without expectation. It is about doing even the smallest thing with love, humility and awareness.
Serving Mata ji during Her stay made us realise how much there is still to learn about true seva. What we had understood intellectually, we were now given the opportunity to experience.
And perhaps that is the greatest blessing of all!
Gratitude for the grace that allowed us to experience these moments so intimately. Some moments become memories, some become teachings and some quietly become a part of our being.
These seven days with Mata ji were all three.
Hari Aum,
Sree Charnon mein naman, koti koti naman