The Final and Awaited Countdown to "2.10.2009"

It was already 26.09.09 and we were all really stressed about the event of our lives and also at the same time, totally excited at the thought of our beloved Guruji coming back to Malaysia! My god! As the days grew nearer, the very thought of our Beloved Guruji arriving in Malaysia would send the blood in our body rushing to our brain in total excitement! I could not help but remember, 14.11.2008 the faithful day that I set my eyes upon Guruji. With hindsight, i can now say that indeed, it was a day of total recognition of my very self. It has taken me one whole year to realise what had transpired at that particular time in my life! I am ever grateful to my Gurudev, for giving me the insight to understand what happened on 14.11.2008. The very burning fire that I had since my day of recognition was still aflame with the same heat if not, more! Jai Gurudev!

Lets come back to 2009 and the events and preparations that took place prior to 2.10.09. The Ashram held an important meeting on 24.09.09 chaired by Bakiamji who had meticulously printed out pages after pages of pre-planned activities during Guruji's visit. Bakiamji read out each committee's duties and a check list on each committee was also carried out. Alot of basic questions suddenly cropped up on the activities of each committee and everyone was a little worried that most of us still could not quite understand how to receive a Guru, the protocols involved etc.

The incredible Devanji, Uncle Mahen, Uncle Maniam, Aunty Kamala and Aunty Vicky were the cool cats during all the meetings that were held. They would always tell us not to get too uptight and to relax as with our self effort, divine grace will instantaneously flow through us and that all preparations would flow smoothly without a hitch! I really do hope that we, the younger crowd will be able to imbibe these qualities in us!

Bakiamji had to really deal with a lot of questions from all of us especially the welcoming committee and Bakiamji really looked quite worried. Devanji ofcourse was of no help with his great big smile and constantly saying "Don't Worry, Amma and Guruji will handle everything!" That particular meeting lasted till quite late at night but all of us did not budge (even knowing that my husband would already be back from work did not quite matter) and everyone quickly noted down whatever points that they thought were important for their designated jobs.

Again a final 'check list' meeting was held on 26.09.09 with everyone's presence and all the finer issues were raised and discussed. At that meeting, Sathyaji and Kavithaji showed all of us the first print of Guruji's poster and there was joy on everyone's face, as it felt as if Guruji was already here! Oh! Wow! you should have simply seen the overwelming joy on everyone's face! Everyone was suddenly energized and the event seemed closer that ever! Jai Gurudev!

Enthusiastically, most of us really hoped and believed that we understood correctly, all the itineraries that were set down and marched off for discussions amongst the various committee groups! The count down to 2.10.09 had begun!

Raviji's wife, Geetaji along with her sister, Deviji and Raniji from Kajang made hundred of prasadam packets for all the devotees at all temples. My aunt, Aunty Rajes also in her desire to join the band wagon, packed a few hundreds of packet at home once the twins go to bed. Aunty Rajes took charge of the twins very much during the one and a half months' preparation towards Guruji's visit which in turn, allowed my mother and myself to attend all the meetings and other activities related to the arrival of our beloved Guruji. Jai Gurudev!

During the last 2 weeks to the count down, Sathyaji and Kavithaji really worked on a 'razor blades' edge' as there were numerous amendments to the choice of the photo of Guruji, the details to be particularised in the pamplets, posters and banners. There were days when they worked until 3am continuously as editing and approvals for the printers had to be given.

The moment the banners and posters were ready, everyone enthusiastically collected the required number of posters and rushed to the designated places to have it pasted. Surenji and Sri Ramji I believe amongst other areas, covered the whole of Bricfields and Puchong. In their hearts desire to reach as many readers as possible, they pasted so many posters that they ran out of their alotted amount within one to two days. There went Sathyaji and Kavithatji to the printers again for more posters!Lo! Within two days, more posters were churned out!

During that period, the cool cats, Uncle Mahen and Uncle Maniam took Aunty Vicky and Aunty Kamala to Annalakshmi to finalise the food arrangements and they were extremely thrilled to see lots of Guruji's posters all around Brickfileds. I personally was so touched to see our beloved Guruji's first poster in a SS5 Petaling Jaya 'Cash and Carry' shop. My little twins jumped in joy and scream "Amma! Look! Guruji's photo" Even today, as I write this, the poster is still in the same sundry shop which has now become my regular haunt! How else could it be! Guruji's first poster that caught my eye was and, is there!The excitement in seeing Guruji's posters every where we went in itself exhalted everyone's feeling and set the mood and atmosphere for Guruji's visit to Malaysia.

Aunty Kamala and Aunty Vicky called the caterers a few time and quotations were passing to and fro a few times. The Menu was also discussed extensively. Bakiamji was contacted by both the aunties on numerous occasions on the types of vegetables that should be used and should not be used. The caterer was so amazed by the care and concern by both these aunties, that at one point, the caterer herself came over to our home to meet Aunty Vicky in person and to discuss the Menu. Both the aunties and Bakiamji discussed every detail of the Menu at lenght including the very minute detail of 'how much and how should the curd taste'! I believe the caterer also shared a new experience with all of us. This was a first time the caterer was going to cater food without adding garlic, onion, etc. Looking at the enthusiasm of both the aunties, the caterer herself decided to be present on the day of arrival of our beloved Guruji as she was so impressed with the devotion and dedication shown by both the aunties.

During the very last week, Uncle Mahen and Uncle Maniam went yet again for a final check at all the temple venues and to meet the designated temple committee members with a view to run through the itineraries that were set for Guruji's Satsangs, place to position the peetam, available space for blessings of all who attend these satsangs, prasadam, etc . They ensured that proper sound system was available and if it was not, then Surenji would be repeatedly harresed to ensure that Surenji would bring our own sound system to the temples that required it. Again and again both the uncles would discuss the temple itineraries until it came to a point that my sons started role playing both the uncles visiting temples!

Whilst all of these activities were onging, Devanji at all times kept a vigilant eye on all the activities and made sure that all of us were on our toes. We would receive constant reminder calls and 'short stories' on how comfortable their stay in India was made by all the ashram members in India. Listening to the constant gentle reminders, we all knew that we needed to really do our best and perform to the utmost of our capabilities in all our obligations within our limited time frame, as per the timing that was set. Devanji in a very fatherly manner also reminded us that 'Guru seva was not only seva to the Guru but also seva to all the followers of the Guru'.

During the 2 memorable weeks of Guruji's divine presence accompanied by the presence of the devotees from India, adhering to this very simple but meaningful principle thought all of us humility and brought forth wonderful feelings of compassion, love and selflessness. Living by the spirit of that simple principle coupled with, the love for our beloved Guruji, every soul in the Malaysian Ashram unknowingly worked selflessly and carried out all their duties and functions without aid or assistance from anyone! Such was the care and compassion that our beloved Guruji instilled in us even without our knowledge during Guruji's visit here!

The final banners and posters were up by 30.9.09! On 30.9.09, all the final touches were carried out and we at home, were getting all the items that were to be used in the new Ashram ready for transfer the next day! By then, everyone was on a high note and the working members of the Malaysian Ashram could barely keep their minds at work!

Lo! 1.11.2009 was staring at us without a blink! It felt as if everything suddenly exhilarated so fast and even though all the arrangements were made, every ashram member repeatedly looked through all their little notes, scribbles and sketches for further final touch ups!

The day before Guruji's arrival was just a night away!