34 - Affectionate Towards Children

It was the day of idol installation in the prayer hall of the Mission. Everyone was excited. All of them wanted to please Mama. But Mama had decided something special. Mama declared to the volunteers, ¬‘Children will perform today’s celebration program.' The volunteers asked, ¬-‘Mama, what would the kids do? Today is the day of idol installation. It would be appropriate if the elders present the program. Mama explained, ¬‘Today is the day of idol installation, therefore it would be appropriate if children present the program. God is very fond of children and I am also fond of children. You just wait and watch. The kids will perform very well.¬’ Hearing this the kids were full of joy. They went to Mama and said thankfully, ¬‘Mama, you remembered us today, otherwise nobody allows us to speak during congregations.' Another boy complained, ¬‘Mama, they keep on saying keep quiet, keep quite.' Mama laughed hearing this. He said, ¬‘Today no one will say it. Please perform very well with the remembrance of God.' The kids were delighted. They bowed down to Mama and sat down in the hall.

Children performed very well. Some of them sung Keertans. Some of them narrated the incidents of God. One child got up and announced, ¬‘Today I will speak a few words about Mama.' They were amazed. What would this child speak about Mama? The child began, ¬‘Mama what a beautiful name! In this name the word ‘Ma’ is respected twice. As a mother teaches good values to her child, this ‘Ma’ also teaches us how to live our lives. As a mother protects her child from all the troubles and looks after him, similarly this ¬‘Ma¬’ also protects us from the troubles of this world. He blesses us to attain the bliss of Maharaj and liberates the soul. He offers us happiness here i.e. in this world; and there i.e. in the next world. He gives us bliss of unity with divine form of God in the next world. Both ways he showers happiness. Therefore ‘Ma¬’ is repeated twice. i.e. ¬Mama¬.’ The child completed his speech. Everyone was delighted by his speech. They responded joyously with the clappings of hands.

Mama was full of joy. He spoke, ¬‘See! How beautifully a child can speak! What a beautiful meaning he has derived. I am very much pleased. We shall offer all the participants silver coin as a momento.¬’ The children clapped happily. One by one, they went to Mama, bowed down to him and accepted a coin. Mama blessed them happily. Suddenly he noticed a small child. He was looking sad. He was sitting there feeling disappointed. Mama called him. He caressed his head lovingly and asked, ‘What is the matter? Why are you looking so sad?¬’ The child was on the verge of crying. He spoke, ¬‘Mama, I did not participate in the program. So I will not receive a coin from you. I will not attain your blessings also. Had I participated, I would have been blessed by you. Now I will go back without your blessings.' Mama was pleased listening to child’s regret. He said, ¬‘Oh! Look at this child’s affection for God!' Mama noticed other children also. All the children who had not participated, were looking sad. Mama thought that it was not fair. From the temple of Maharaj, every child must go back happily. God is equally fond of each child. Whether they perform or not. Mama announced in the program, ¬‘All those children who have not participated in the program, will also receive a silver coin blessed by Maharaj as a momento. They have not participated, but they are also affectionate towards Maharaj. God always responds to true affection, therefore all the children will receive the coin.' All the children stood up and welcomed this announcement with clappings of hands. A child sitting next to Mama jumped. Immediately, he fell at the feet of Mama. Mama offered him a coin. Mama noticed that every child in the program was happy now. All of them were looking joyous. Mama was satisfied noticing this.

Mama made that day memorable for lifetime for each and every child present.

Difficult words:
Congregation - Small gathering of like minded people
To liberate - To make free
To derive - To prove by reasoning
Momento - An article for remembrance of a specific occasion

Points to ponder:
- To develop the hidden talents in children, Mama used to organize functions where children could perform
. - Affectionate nature of Muktaraj towards children is highlighted here.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What important day was that for the Mission?
2. To whom did Mama ask to perform? Why?
3. How did the child interprete the word ‘Mama’?
4. Why did Mama suggest presenting a silver coin as a momento to all the children present?

Fill in the blanks:
1. It was the day of __________ in the Mission.
2. As a mother protects from the ___________ of this world.
3. He blesses us to attain the _________ with divine form of Maharaj.
4. God always responds to true ________.
5. Mama made that day__________for lifetime.