Vrajavasi

She was small, old, bent with wrinkles on her gleaming face. She looked as soft as the clean blue cotton saree that covered her body. Walking with the help of a stick she approached the ‘Enquriy Desk’ in Raghunath Ashram where Srimad Bhagavata parayana (during the Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaha Shatakratu at Vrindavan) was in progress. It was around 8.00 a.m. Head covered with the saree pallu, she looked up at the people in the ‘enquiry desk’. The voice was surprisingly clear, though soft, “Bete! Hum Mahatma se mil sakti?” (Son! Can I meet the Mahatma?) The young Dr.Bagyanath immediately led her to where our Sri Swamigal sat, listening to the Bhagavata Parayana. She walked with slow and sure steps, head bent. Placing the stick aside she prostrated to Sri Swamigal. Securing Sri Swamigal’s permission she touched the Lotus Feet of Sri Swamigal with her two hands with deep reverence. She then pulled a corner of her pallu tucked to her waist and unknotted it. She drew all that it contained (coins) and offered it to Sri Swamigal! She then looked up at Sri Swamigal and asked, “Hum apko Pradakshin kar sakte hain?” Sri Swamigal nodded His head and pulled His chair to the front creating some space for her to move around Him. The old Vrajavasi went around Sri Swamigal thrice and once again prostrated to Him.

Sri Swamigal picked a handful of fruits and extended His hand to place them in the old, soft palms held together. She held it low and received them. ‘Swamiji! Hum seva kar sakte hain?” She asked, seeing a few devotees getting the ‘Tulasi’ leaves ready for the morning Puja. Sri Swamigal nodded His head. She sat beside the others quietly and offered her services. Head bent, fingers moving quickly she lent a hand in picking the ‘Tulasi’ for the puja. After a time the ‘old’ devotee left as quietly as she had come in!