30 January 2004 — Amritapuri
Tonight is Kartika. As always on the night of Amma’s birth star, the ashram was alit with various lights and candles, in particular, the pathway Amma follows from Her room to the bhajan hall.
Towards the end of the night’s set of bhajans, Amma surprised everyone by practicing a new song in Telegu “Ni Raanjanam,” meaning arati. She then finished off by singing “Amma Amma Taye,” a treat for all the devotees.
Upon the conclusion of the bhajan, Amma fed the two ashram elephants, Ram and Lakshmi. Then, after Amma went to Her room, it was time for the Kartika Puja, wherein the oblations are poured into the homakunda, the 108 names of Goddess Kali are chanted and everyone sings the stotram “Mahishasura Mardini.”
—Das