My Mother's Wish
Once my mother was attending a performance by a local theatre company of a play based on the life of Sri Chaitanya, the great Bengali spiritual Master. At one point in the story, Sri Chaitanya's mother was shedding tears because her son had taken a solemn vow to renounce the world and follow the spiritual life. My own mother, in the audience, became racked with sobs. My brother Chitta attempted to console her. 'Mother, don't cry! Sri Chaitanya was disobedient to his mother, but we will never be so. We will remain with you always. Have no fear.'
My mother protested, 'But you don't understand why I am crying. It is because I want all my children, sons and daughters alike, to follow that path. I long for each one of them to be able to realise God in this life!' Such was my mother's inner cry.
