XVII

THE LAST RAY

    Our meeting with the Mother proceeded in this manner, T and K together, and myself alone, reading our respective matters on alternate days. She had no further comments to make on my Talks. Probably at the end of March 1973, she fell ill and all our meetings stopped. When she had recovered, some interviews were gradually resumed. I think it was at this time I had my last darshan. As usual, I was waiting outside for my turn though I was almost certain that I would not be called since she had just come out of her illness. Still I had to go and wait, for none could predict the Mother's ways. And this was precisely what happened. I was called in. What I saw made me almost weep and I wished I had not gone. She was lying stretched on her couch with just a thin cover on her body so that even her bones could be seen; there was hardly anything that could be called a body except the bare physical frame. Her face was very pale and she seemed to be breathing with difficulty. When I

Page-195

approached her with faltering steps, she cast a glance at me, and as I bowed down within the reach of her hand, she managed somehow to bless me. Then I took leave of her - for good in this earthly existence. I wondered as I came out why she had shown me that extraordinary grace when no one else was yet allowed and when she was so unwell. Soon other interviews were stopped except Andre's who kept up his usual visit at night. I realised only after her withdrawal that she had given me her last blessings.

Page-196