San Ramon, California

The deep sound of the gong and the resounding echo of the couch shell announced Amma's arrival at the San Ramon temple hall. Hearts filled with love and anticipation, her children watched as Amma walked into the hall. Her bright eyes alighted briefly on every face as Amma walked past, pausing on the bright welcoming silk clothe laid out on the floor for the traditional "Pada-puja"- worship of the guru's feet.

As she made her way forward through the crowd, with outstretched hands touching all there she could, many found it hard to hold back her tears. Her hands clasped above her head, saluting one and all, in an expression of absolute humility, Amma sat down on the stage.

After a touching and inspiring talk given by a devotee, Amma led her children in song for an hour of unsurpassed melody in devotional music. Amma says that in this age of "kaliyuga", the best way to achieve concentration is through the loud chanting of god's names. "Bhajan, concentration, meditation", she says, "that is the progression".

The waving camphor flame of the arati brought the bhajans to a soothing closure. With the lights turned off, the hall lulled into a somber mood as Swami Amritaswarupananda guided the meditation and the chants for peace in the world.

Amma started giving darshan- she laughed with some, cried with some, and shared timely wisdom with some as the night progressed, filling each individual heart with boundless joy. Ensconcing us in the protective cocoon of her love, Amma makes it simple for the individual soul to strive unfettered towards the final goal of eternal salvation.

Such is the magic of Amma, who with a weapon of love conquers one and all.

Devotees enjoying Amma's ecstatic devotional singing