Ram’s Prasad

16, Septemebr 2003, Amritapuri

I didn’t die.

Never came close, really. In fact, nothing happened at all.

But you never know. This mind certainly envisioned all sorts of things, none of them pleasant. But nothing happened, except this:

I was laughing so hard my body was shaking. Ram, the five-year-old Ashram resident elephant, was soaking children and adults with his trunk, which he was filling with water from a large bucket. He would dip his trunk, inhale some water, then lift his head and spray everyone crowding around him. Delightful fun! Children were squealing, adults laughing, and Mother shouting Her encouragement to Ram to give everyone a good soaking. In my total enjoyment of the moment, I was completely unprepared for Ram when he whipped his trunk around 90 degrees and exhaled forcibly directly at me. What followed was truly a unique experience.

Laughing as fully as I was, my mouth was wide open the moment Ram suddenly shifted his direction. His aim was excellent. One moment I’m laughing so hard my sides are hurting, and the next, I’m gagging, choking, coughing, and, ultimately, swallowing a mouthful of elephant trunk water. I didn’t see my life pass before me, but I did momentarily reflect on the possible health issues. But this passed in a brief moment, and I was again laughing uproariously at the sheer delight of the moment.

Imagine, prasad from Ram! Elephant trunk water!

- Chitaranjaran