Arrival and Invitation

On Sunday, November 4th, 2006, I arrived at Maa’s Ashram. In a small building where the sacred murtis were kept, I saw statues of Bhagwan Nityananda Baba of Ganeshpuri and Swami Muktananda Baba. I understood them to represent the Guru Lineage, and this felt significant for anyone wishing to know the roots of Maa’s transmission. One of her disciples had told me beforehand that it was rare for householders to be invited to stay. “You are lucky,” he said. “It must mean she has something to give you.” At the time I did not understand, but years later I realized the truth. Maa herself had told me then that I should give people meditation—a seed that only began to blossom in 2012.

Other Murtis in the Ashram’s Shrine building

Life in the Ashram

The Ashram was home to sannyasins, women who lived in renunciation. Each day they rose at 4 a.m., bathed, and entered deep meditation. They did daily Guru puja in one area of the ashram. There was another separate area where there was a special meditation room reserved for them, and I felt blessed to be allowed inside, sitting quietly with one of them. The atmosphere was saturated with silence and energy, so conducive to meditation that even at night my internal kriyas intensified, sometimes keeping me awake. Maa instructed that milk and fruit be given to me in the night to ease the jet lag. I was cared for with such kindness, and the warmth of everyone I met left a lasting imprint on my sadhana.

Sunday Service and Darshan

The highlight of the week was the Sunday havan, followed by satsang and Maa’s darshan. Her presence was overwhelming. In her darshan I slipped into samadhi—not nirvikalpa, but a state where I could not move from the ground. That experience remains beyond words, and I continue to unfold it in my autobiography.

Havan Fire Ceremony

Darshan with Maa

Atmosphere and Surroundings

The Ashram was quiet except for the calls of peacocks and birds. At times I felt so blissful that I wanted to dance as I walked. I was told that when Maa sat on her porch, the peacocks would gather around her, as if drawn by her presence.

Sri Yantra

Nearby stood the great Sri Yantra, envisioned by one of Maa’s beloved devotees. Its construction was a challenge, as the dimensions of each petal had to be carefully calculated. At its summit is a statue of Maa, facing the ocean and lit at night like a lighthouse for seafarers. Within the structure is a meditation room, and at its entrance a great bell. People of all faiths stop to ring it and offer prayers. I too tried to ring the bell—it requires some strength!

Closing Note This visit was a turning point in my journey. The grace I received there continues to unfold in my life and practice.

Om Shree Maa