Singing for Amma Like a Prayer

20 January, 2004 — Chennai

The famous Chennai based playback singer P. Jayachandran came to see Amma, along with his wife and daughter. He has met Amma many times, coming occasionally to Amritapuri for Amma's darshan and to sing bhajans. He has been a celebrated singer since the early sixties and was also one of the musical highlights at the Amritavarsham50 festivities. He sang a touching Ganapati Bhajan for Amma today as well, during the afternoon darshan.

"I first met Amma 6 years ago here in Chennai. She hugged me and called me Her 'darling son'.   We talked for a few minutes and since then I know Her blessing is always with me. I also came to Amritapuri 5 years ago to sing for Her on Her birthday. She gave me a ring then that I treasure. I sing for a lot of devotional programs but singing for Amma is something special; it is like a prayer, it is dedicated to Amma. Amma is like my own mother."

His daughter continues: "She always asks something like how we are doing or about our health, and I can never answer; you just feel like crying and not saying anything'' you just cry. I don't know why that happens but I think it is because when you get close to Amma, you start feeling the devotion so strongly. When She touches you, with so much tenderness you cannot help but cry."

Jayachandran : "When Amma asks you to sit with Her, you can sit there for hours. Like now: we don't feel like going back home. It is so strong' that is the divine!"

- Devadath