– Sri. Devadas Shedde. (1961)
It was about twenty years ago that I first saw Mother. We were at that time living in Mangalore. Residing at Tellicherry she used to visit Mangalore now and then. I vividly remember two or three such occasions which offered me darshan of her. During Bhajans she revealed states of ecstasy. She did not speak much but what little she spoke contained wisdom. The very mention of God’s name would send her into Samadhi. While in the state of super-consciousness, the sound of a conch used to emanate from her.
After about ten years I again saw her in Bombay in the early fifties. By that time, her spiritual ministry had progressed considerably. I had the opportunity to listen to her stirring discourses. I was thrown into a state of rapture and instinctively realized that her holy feet are the only asylum where I could find salvation.
My wife and I were initiated with the sacred Rama Manthra. It opened up new realms of spiritual experiences for both of us. We found peace and joy in our lives. One day Bhajan was in full swing. The whole congregation was rapt in the ecstatic repetition of lord’s name. Then the devotees, in higher pitch, started singing praises of Sadguru. The song ‘Sadguru, Sadguru-Satchidananda Guru’ was rending the air. I was all the while staring at the impressive oil painting of her. Just as the word “Sachidananda” arose from hundreds of throats, a big bunch of flowers from the top of Mother’s painting, fell down with a plop. That confirmed my belief that Mother is sachidananda.
Shortly afterwards, both of us, my wife and I were initiated by her. After my initiation I have had several occasions to feel the working of her unseen hands. In troubles, whenever I am besieged by darkness, I concentrate my thoughts on her and compose my mind into a mood of surrender. Suddenly the light dawns, a way opens before me, and the troubles disappear. Her guidance and protection never fail me.