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The Early days: 18. Swami’s Loving letters.. The Old Mandir had only 4 rooms. There were 5 kitchens in a row at the back. The devotees slept in the open space with Swami's cot in the centre. . Woman devotees tied jasmine garlands in the afternoons. Swami tied very fast and many times longer than others. He used to teach different ways of making garlands. He would invariably peep into the kitchen and would prepare whatever item was left on the fire. He used to prepare puris and loved vadas. He used to inform well in advance, on how may devotees would arrive and to prepare food accordingly. Swami would touch the vessels and the contents would grow. Sometimes he showed various feats under water while swimming. Swami would not rest even a few minutes in the afternoon. Newly weds would come for puja. Swami would break coconuts, perform Arathi and give them Prasad. Other disturbances in the afternoon would be frequent arrival of villagers, holding their fingers or toes, stung by scorpion or cobra. Swami would manifest Vibuthi and apply it. It was a great delight to see Swami take oil bath. Smt. Konamma and others had to draw several pitchers of water. The young ones had to apply oil on his lotus feet, and the elders on his head and body. The bath used to take about 3 hours. It would be a rare sight to see a shy Swami in a Dhoti and towel. Breakfast was invariably Uppuma or Pongal. Swami would mix everything and offer to each one. One day Swami gave each one a handful of Uppuma. Some found sweets and chocolates inside. Childless women got dates. One got an emerald Lingam. Some received lockets, talisman and so on. After staying for long periods devotees would leave with a heavy heart. But after they going back home they would write letters to Swami and Swami would write back. Those letters were treasured by devotees. They reflect deep love and affection between Swami and his devotees..Here are some letters Swami wrote in those golden days. Letter to Madhava Rao and Sankaramma "My heart melts when I remember how happily i have spent one and half months with you. I am eagerly looking for that kind of happiness and wondering whether I will get that happiness again. I am waiting for your arrival". Letter to R.Balapattabhi(1947) "I have imprisoned you in my heart. I have not forgotten you nor will i ever forget you any time. Do not get upset by anything. Be always courageous. I will make everything alright and will not leave you". Letter to Madhoji Rao "I appeared in Sankaramma's dream the day before. Tell her about it". Letter to Sankaramma "My child ! Your letter has drowned me in a sea of happiness and I am still floating on it. My heart has been so sunk in tears that my pen refuses to move. Especially during the time when Thirumala Rao and others were here. It gives me pain now when all of you left leaving me alone". This letter to V.R.Krishna kumar was written on Feb 1,1948. The devotees had increased by leaps and bounds that there was very little place for Swami himself in the Old Mandir "You have asked me to write atleast two words. Sakamma and her relatives and about 50 people are here. Basavaraj Urs family members from Mysore are all camping here since 5-6 days. There is no space in the shed. I don’t know where to spend my day and night. My food and sleep are are spoilt. All these are for my devotees only. Whatever small work I do ,it is for devotees. My work may suffer but devotees should be comfortable and happy". With Love Regards, MUMBAI SRINIVASAN. With Love & Regards, -- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "saimsg" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
