December 8, 2016 – It’s the day before the big event, i.e., the start of the sacred “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” class. Devotees started arriving from early morning until late at night. Those who arrived early had the opportunity to participate in the impromptu satsang with Amma in the Yaagashaala.???

That’s the Sree Harry gang of Malaysia which includes their three charming daughters, setting a record for the youngest participants ever for a Yoga class.?

The family prays together and eats together — and, stays together!

As the evening approached everyone gathered at the temple for the Rudrabhishekam. And soon Amma arrived and the crowd now moved to the footsteps of the temple to eagerly listen to Amma.?

Everyone gathered witnessed the sacred Mangala Arathi that concluded the evening worship.?

We have all returned to the Nageswaramma hall to have our sumptuous dinner and soon gathered in one of the large halls in the building for a quick orientation for the class. Pyda garu who spearheaded this holy task had a few volunteers to assist putting together packages of class materials for the participants — included in the goody bag are a handsome custom printed carry on bag, a notebook, a pen, class handouts, a yoga-mat, and a Darbha mat.?

Just like the young kids ready to go to school with their new books and school supplies on the first day of school everybody looked excited. After I spoke up for my preference for a purple yoga mat others followed with their own color choice. ?

December 9, 2016 – The sacred Gita Jayanthi Day, and a very historic day when out of her infinite Divine grace will bless her devotees by starting a unique yoga class under the title of “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana”. It is a rare and privileged opportunity indeed to learn the essence of yoga practice from Amma herself who brings the experiences of personal spiritual sadhana of two lifetimes. How blessed are these participants!

We are very grateful for the leadership of Dr. Srinivas Pyda (Livermore, California, USA) who has made it his mission to make the “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” class a reality enabling so many sincere spiritual seekers from around the world to benefit from this unique opportunity. He has spent many hours, day and night, over the past year in translating the primary spiritual book in collaboration with a few volunteer devotees. He has also spearheaded in conducting several study circles on the subject book in the Bay Area (USA) inspiring many devotees. In addition, for the class material Dr. Pyda made extensive summaries from the book of the key spiritual concepts and practices which were based on the authentic personal experiences of a great Divine incarnate herself. His zeal and commitment for this cause are truly laudable.???

Welcome to the rigorous 10-day Yoga camp; the classes started in the very early morning hours of Brahma-muhurtam, 4 AM in the large ground floor hall of the Smt. Nageswaramma Building.
A total of 36 devotees (auspicious number!) are enrolled and everyone showed up bright and early with much excitement and anticipation.???

The source and the Inspiration – besides our Beloved Amma and other great Divinities like Sri Penumathsa Sitha Mahayogini experiences and rich spiritual insights gained by the great saints and sages of Sanathana Dharma over the millennia formed the foundation for the curriculum of the yoga class. But this group of students is especially blessed to have our Beloved Amma herself to personally coach and guide.?

As mentioned earlier the first day class started at 4 AM and until 6 AM the participants were deeply immersed in practicing silence Japam ( contemplation) and meditation. And, many chose to repeat the following sacred recitation for the Japam.?

At exactly 6 AM Amma graced the Hall amidst the chanting of Guru Stuti (verses on adoration of Guru), like “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Gurur-devo Maheswarah ?”.

Everyone was eager to hear the nectarine words from Amma. And, Amma quickly dived right into the subject starting with the Ashtanga Yoga, also known as Patanjali Yoga Sutras. After a quick overview on the first three stages (Yama, Niyama and Asana) Amma spent much of the nearly next hour-and-half of the class by meticulously guiding the participants on the “Praanaayaama” involving concentration and breath control. The class for the next four days continued just focusing on controlled breathing exercises through the right nostril.

Amma is a perfect Master and the best Teacher. Amma embodies all the noble qualities of a world-class teacher – passion, patience, personal attention, and inspiration. Above all the authenticity with which Amma shares the knowledge and wisdom, and patiently explains, prods and inspires the students to practice truly sets Amma apart. After all it comes from the personal practice and experience gained over two lifetimes — It is not mere “Vaacha Vedanta”, talk of Vedanta but really experiential. And, it is not informational but transformational; not to be bought but to be sought from a true Guru like Amma. Truly, how lucky and blessed are these sincere spiritual seekers many of whom came from far off places like the USA, Malaysia and Singapore.?

Did I tell you that Amma is a tough taskmaster? And that is another hallmark of a great teacher. When it comes to what matters, Amma is uncompromising, and gets to the heart of the matter. And that comes from having no expectations from the participants except discipline, determination and sincerity in practice. There are no fees or hidden charges for this class — including, boarding and lodging and all class materials.

As much as Amma set the serious tone in delivering the subject matter, Amma makes the classes lively with very animated humor. No dull moment!

Also like the great teacher Amma has the finger on the pulse of how well the group is grasping subject and how well the individual participants are progressing. And as much as there was a set curriculum Amma was very fluid in modifying the program and the length of the classes so that it was not too demanding yet remain challenging. The goal appears to be that ‘No one will be left behind’?

The morning class ended around 8 AM; so, that’s about 4 hours of class from 4 AM. Amma out of her infinite grace modified the overall program letting the participants take the program on a more relaxed pace. Yet, the day was filled with learning either in class or in satsang with Amma, starting at 4 AM until the bedtime around 9 PM. There will be many precious memories for the participants to carry home when the camp ends. More importantly there will be carrying ample practical skills and tools to continue the Sadhana when they return home.?

Amma has explained at length on various aspects of Pranayama with regards to awakening and ascension of the Kundalini energy opening the six chakras or spiritual centers. [There are six Chakras.

1. Muladara is in the anus.
2. Svadhishthana is near the genital organ.
3. Manipura is in the navel.
4. Anahata is in the heart.
5. The Vishuddhi Chakra is at the root of the neck.
6. The sixth Chakra, the Ajna is in the head (between the two eyebrows). And, the blossoming of the Sahasrara, the thousand-petalled lotus on the head and the seat of enlightenment.]

Amma went on to detail the three aspects or stages of breath control, viz., Poorakam, Kumbhakam, and Rechakam.
Amma elaborated on the concept of ‘nadis’, that the human body contains 72,000 nadis which channel prana to every cell. And, that the Muladhara Chakra is the meeting place of the three main nadis: Ida, Pingala and Sushumna with a downward movement of energy (atho-mukham). As soon as one begins working with Muladhara chakra, this dormant energy awakens, raises its head and flows upwards (Oorthva-mukham) freely into the channel of Sushumna, the central nerve canal that runs along the spine.?

Amma has cautioned participants and spiritual seekers in general not to get overzealous about the Kundalini raising, rather focus on practicing the pranayama with rigorous discipline and the results will naturally follow. Amma also warned not to share their experiences with anyone other than Amma herself otherwise the sadhaka will lose the benefits of any progress made; nor make up any imaginary experiences.

Amma has also demonstrated the seated posture, and the Shavasana (lying down like a corpse) to practice the pranayama. As Amma walked around the participants Amma corrected the breathing exercises as well as the posture of sitting or lying down.?
On a humorous note some participants found the Shavasana too comfortable to snooze!?

Many spiritual teachers believe that it is better to learn and practice Pranayama under the guidance of a true Master or Guru to avoid any potential pitfalls.

Amma advised that anyone with a heart condition not practice Pranayama.??

Impromptu satsang with Amma following the morning class (in front of Amma’s residence)?

Around 9:30 AM we are back in the class. This time it is a treat of a lifetime! Amma spoke about the “Divya Darshanam” or “Divine Vision” as originally described by Sri Penumathsa  Sitha Mahayogini, now narrated or retold by the very same Divine embodiment. What a great fortune! The vivid descriptions of the heavens and the interaction with various divinities is beyond comprehension for ordinary mortals. As Amma read out the passages we were transported to that mystical realm. We felt that Amma was reliving those sacred experiences because it was her own, and Amma’s body language and passion gave away the clues. It was that authentic!!!???

The class ended, soon it was time for lunch. Prasuna and Jhansi took the lead in setting up the menu for each day; many of the women devotees volunteered to assist the kitchen by cutting vegetables or in other ways. Our beloved Venu Gaddam of California, USA has been doing yeomen service assisting in purchasing groceries, arranging for the classroom, and in a variety of ways making him indispensable and “Mr. Go-to man”.
After a sumptuous meal everyone took a little rest until 3 PM when the class resumed. And the subject of the study this time was “Sri Krishnuni Raasa Kreeda” (Sri Krishna’s Divine Amorous Play).???

The subject of Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda or the Divine dance and play of Sri Krishna with Gopikas is much admired and much misunderstood concept. Amma was determined to bring the right understanding and perspective by authoring a book entitled “Sri Krishnuni Raasa Kreeda.
This is the first written work of Amma which came out like a river of love within a month’s time about ten months ago. You wonder — As the selfsame Gopala, is Amma trying to defend his reputation from false allegations? For the rational beings who realize the fact that Sri Krishna was a mere 8-year old lad when the Gopikas ran after Sri Krishna leaving their hearth and home in a disarray, it is easy to see that this is no ordinary lustful love. It is that indescribable and incomprehensible love between the Jeevatma (the Individual Soul) and the Paramatma (Supreme Soul) rushing to meet each other for union like the river gushes forth towards the ocean.
As Amma read out page after page of this beautiful work it was as if Amma is walking us back in time picturizing every scene and emotion. In Amma’s tone of reading and elaboration of the events you hear the passion and the sweetness of that Divine relationship. Above all Amma beautifully connected this whole play in a very meaningful way to the Pranayama.???

After the class the kitchen served refreshing beverages, coffee and tea. Devotees then went on a stroll around the Ashram, enjoying the well laid out garden, some went to the temple to do circumambulation while others went to have the darshan inside the temple. As the evening approached devotees stayed at the temple to participate in the Rudrabhishekam and attend the evening Arathi. Amma too joined soon and we all sat around Amma to have a Divine chit-chat, and receive prasad from Amma’s hands.
It was time for dinner m, and we are back at the Smt Nageswaramma Building. With dinner over we gathered around Amma in the open yard in front of Amma’s residence. Amma patiently addressed many lingering doubts and questions on practical spirituality that the devotees raised. And that ended the day.?

December 11, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

Considering the fixed daily program and the familiarity of the reader regarding the place and significance I will cover the missed days with limited commentary ???

Amma giving individual coaching on Pranayama

Amma conducts a Study Circle on her own work entitled “Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda”, in the afternoon session

During the evening poja at the temple, Amma keenly listening to the Tattwas (ballads with most profound spiritual messages) being sung by the simple villagers.

December 12, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

The day of the cyclone; after the morning session we started assembling under the kitchen shed. Many expressed the desire to have a nice hot snack to go with the rainy weather; and I chimed in for roasted peanuts. Before Prasuna could talk Amma out of it Amma rushed to the kitchen to roast the peanuts. We all enjoyed having the heavenly snack made by the Divine hands.

The afternoon class on Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda.??

After dinner huddle with the Divine in the Dining Hall?

December 13, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

Morning yoga practice session under Amma’s guidance and supervision ???

Morning class?

Afternoon session on Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreedas???

The satsang with Amma continued in the Dining Hall while some of the women devotees carried on the service of preparing the vegetables for the next day cooking.?

December 14, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

That enchanting smile and that world bewitching beauty.???

Amma sets up the stage for an impromptu study circle to have the participants pose spiritual questions and discuss among themselves, while the all-knowing Amma just watched on and at times went into the kitchen to assist.?

That was Ivy gourd curry fry the kitchen staff were preparing for the lunch, but Amma took over, finished the preparation and distributed it as a snack long before the lunch time.?

Few if us followed Amma to the Goshaala and found that several of the lady devotees were wirking hard to pick up the cow dung, haul it to the manure pit and clean up the facility.?

December 14, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat (contd.)
Amma instituted the Omkar recitation (108 times) to start in the early morning hours prior to the morning Pranayama practice and personal coaching session that started at 6 AM. Despite Amma’s clear demonstration on the recitation of Omkar with proper distribution of the “A”, “U” and “M” sounds, Amma noticed that the group’s recitation was not synchronized and harmonious. With Amma’s feedback the group corrected with proper recitation in the days that followed.
The overall schedule and sequence of daily events being same I will limit my commentary to noteworthy happenings for the remaining days of the program.?

There is something very natural and auspicious to visit the Goshaala in the early morning hours; and it has always been Amma’s daily routine.
A small band of devotees followed Amma today to the Goshaala. Amma has instructed one of the devotees to capture the Go-panchitam (sacred cow urine), and many partook the collection but a few with some reluctance.?

Of course not before coffee ??

Following the visit to the Goshaala we followed Amma to the temple for the morning worship.?

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha! Several women devotees went to the nearest Parijatha tree and brought flowers to offer at Amma’s lotus feet.??

Onto the class…
To learn from the guru of gurus, God itself the very personification of Sri Dakshinamurthy.???

If you see the pictures below you would conclude only the Divine has the best palette of colors and the most creative brush strokes, not Picasso, not van Gogh, and no amount of the Photoshop creative skills.???

December 15, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

The morning practice of Pranayama under the watchful eye of Amma.?

Here are the memorable glimpses of that first walk into the woods with the Divine.??

Afternoon reading of Amma’s classic work entitled “Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda.”?

Satsang in the open yard in front of Amma’s residence.?

At the temple???

After dinner satsang in the Dining Hall of Smt Nageswaramma Building.?

December 16, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

Ramaraju of California, USA accompanied Amma on the morning walk.?

And by then everyone was hungry and soon we all huddled at the Kitchen.
Like a seasoned Professional Chef Amma prepared and served Dosa while the kitchen staff busied themselves making Idli, the other South Indian delicacy for breakfast.
And there was that healthy Ambali, a very nutritious Ragi (a type of millet) malt drink.
Why such heavy breakfast? Well, Amma has planned a nice day retreat in the nearby forest involving a good deal of trekking. ?

After a heavy and Divine breakfast we followed Amma to the forest beyond the railroad tracks behind the Ashram. What a treat to walk with God and to witness the interplay of Prakruthi (nature) and Purusha (God).?

Walk into the woods with the Divine.?

Get this! I am doing this right from the forest where thanks to the new Jio Hotspot (Reliance company, India) I get good internet connectivity.??????

Amma lead a half-an-hour long Omkar recitation, followed by a half-an-hour of relaxation exercise. Amma asked the devotees to find a suitable position for relaxation. And as you can see many resorted to the “Shava Asana” ; with the cool breeze blowing many transitioned into the deep sleep state with echoes of snoring reverberating the forest.?

Ramaraju distributes the delicacy of fried Karela (bitter gourd)

Amma demonstrates how the sins that accumulated sit on our head by delicately balancing the water bottle over the head. Did the Lord learn the art of balancing on the head from being around the Gopikas (who mastered carrying milk vessels on the head) in the Dwapara yuga???

What a blessing to have Amma read out and lead the Study Circle on very profound spiritual truths!?

This is a wonderful story that Amma narrates with much relish and spicing it up along the way; Amma is a great story teller.  It is about a wealthy man with a large family who regularly visits a holy man and has done much for his Ashram. One day the holy man asked him to spend the night at the ashram but the rich man was reluctant and replied that his family will miss him and cannot stay away from them. The Guru wanted to teach him that these relationships are impermanent. So the guru told him that he will help him realize the impermanence of his worldly relationships that when he returns home he should keep the pill he gives under the tongue. And, it will make him look lifeless but that he will be fully conscious to witness the drama that unfolds. At that moment the guru arrived at the home of the grieving family of the rich man telling that he can revive the dead person if any of his loved ones is willing to give their life in his place. When each of the so called loved ones refuses to offer their life in exchange citing their own reasons the rich man man gets the realization and follows his beloved guru renouncing the family.??

The class concluded and as we waited for the lunch to arrive some of the adventurous devotees began exploring the woods. Inspired by Narayana the young lad who helps at the Goshaala who showed the technique of tree climbing some of them followed their innate primate skills. Only the other day Amma said how many of us exhibit the undesirable animal qualities of a pig, dog or a cat rolling in filth of worldly talk and move around door to door for gossip. Now you can add to the list the unstable and restless qualities of mind relating to the monkey.?

Besides Narayana of the Ashram the adventuresome include Selvandra of Malaysia, Priya and Venu of California.

This is no ordinary canine – “Rajesh”, the Ashram dog?

While the names of Rajesh (the Chief Priest of the Ashram and the saintly dog) will go into the annals of Ashram’s history; for many of us there are more profound spiritual learnings from “Rajesh” the dog.???
Today is a classic example. As we all headed to the woods with Amma he too followed faithfully. For this dog it is a well travelled road as he regularly follows the Ashram herd as they go for grazing. If you haven’s carefully noticed him in the today’s videos go back and check, he was there quietly lying down very near Amma during the Omkar recitation, and he was there soaking up every nectarine word that fell out of Amma’s lips. He fully understands and obeys to Amma’s commands, and leaves when ordered. His only weakness is food; and Prasuna caters to his weakness and so follows her wherever he sees her. But he is truly different from the dogs Amma refers to when talking about animal qualities of man. He is truly a breed apart!?????????

It’s chow-time! The Ashram staff brought the lunch; what a service! What a treat! ?

As we finished our lunch we saw the Ashram cows came by for grazing, and besides Amma who they are truly bonded to we all got the opportunity to interact with them.

Along with everyone including Sri Sheshagiri Rao garu of Hyderabad were engrossed in watching the cows and lost in enjoying the nature.
Just then it happened, Amma slowly sneaked up on Sheshagiri garu and lovingly rested his head on the shoulder. Sheshagiri was oblivious to it while I went on to silently capture the precious moment. When he finally realized his good fortune he was embarrassed and elated.
For me personally, there is a profound spiritual message — we are so near and yet so far to the Divine. The problem is that we are so quick in getting lost engaged in worldly distractions we are unaware when God is so near, and even resting on our shoulder.?

Tap! Tap! Your Beloved Lord calling!

Selvandra of Malaysia plays around with a millipede from the forest floor.

And passed it on to Amma. Amma shared a very cute story on many occasions about this creature. A simple village woman visited the temple of a well known goddess and took a vow that if the goddess fulfilled her wish she will offer a special porridge dessert called “Chitikala Pongali” and sacrifice a thousand-legged animal. Soon the goddess fulfilled her wish and the devotee made the usual Pongali dessert and snapped her fingers (Chitikelu in Telugu) around the dish; thus fulfilling her first vow. For the second promise of sacrificing a thousand-legged animal, she brought the millipede. The goddess (stone idol) was shocked at the audacity of the misrepresentation in fulfilling her vows and poised her hand under the chin with the expression of disbelief. The word was out that the idol in the temple has this new expression away from the original benevolent blessed hand position. When the devotee who was the cause of the situation came to know of the rumblings about this, she rushed at once to the temple. The devotee confronted (?!!!) the goddess saying that she is getting a bad wrap for her changed posture, and said “Did I not fulfill my two vows? Why then all this drama?” And she reached out to her shoe threatening to hit if she did not return to her blessing posture. Promptly the goddess (stone idol) resumed her original blessing posture.
Amma tells this story to illustrate that sometimes devotees are very clever when asking for the boons from the Divine.???

After a sumptuous lunch it’s time to return to the Ashram with Amma leading the pack along a new route. Good exercise after that heavy meal.?
Along the when reached the main road Amma satin the middle of the road letting the slow walkers to catch up.
All in all it was a spiritually elevating and enriching experience and was a good opportunity for exercising the body.?

Kartik the beloved son of Latha and Venkatesh Kandaswamy is truly enjoying his Ashram visit with all that special love and attention from Amma.  That hat of his is a nice touch too!

I overslept after we returned and failed to make it the class at 3PM. The all merciful and considerate Amma was so concerned as to have coffee delivered to my room. I did make up by joining Amma for the evening visit to the temple while the rest of the class was doing rigorous yoga practice.?

Now for the sights and sounds of the evening worship at the temple.??

December 17, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

Morning session ?

Another beautiful day and the Andhra delicacy of Pesarattu (Green Gram pancake) for the breakfast from the very Divine hands of Amma.
Around 8:30 AM we were off again to the nearby forest lead by Amma who has extensive experience wandering the wilderness of Himalayas and beyond.
Based on the visits to the woods over the past two days the class was enthralled for that wonderful occasion one more time to be with the Divine in the stillness of nature.
A good friend of mine reminded me of the ancient tradition when the Gurukuls (schools even the children of royalties attended) were located in deep forests surrounded by the beauty of trees, birds and wild beasts. In the cool shade if a large tree (typically Banyan) while the teacher sat on an an elevated platform the earnest pupils would sit around facing him in a semicircle. The cool shade of the tree with mild breeze of air and in the stillness of the forest only interspersed with the chirping of the birds made it very conducive learning environment both for the teacher and the taught. And there is probably something beyond — on the last visit Amma said that the trees are full of consciousness and they do have an Atma. Amma also noted that we may have also been trees at some point in our spiritual evolution. When you recall that the famed Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment or sacred Shami tree which guarded Arjuna’s bow and arrows when he was exiled, or the sacred Neem tree seated under which Sri Shiridi Sai Baba spread his message you see the sacred connection of the trees in the spiritual life.???

Amma took us to another location in the forest, a bit far from the one we went on December 16th and asked each of us to find a shaded spot away from each other and facing East start the recitation of Omkar. Being a bit far from each other the lack of synchronization in the recitation was very evident. Amma walked around to correct the posture of some of the participants. “Rajesh”, the Ashram dog was taking it all in, and it was amazing to watch how quiet he was going into deep sleep with the Omkar sound.. After 108 recitations of the Pranava-naadam, Amma had everyone take a brief rest before starting the discussion on “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana.”
With the class ended we all walked back to the Ashram, a bit physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted. Soon the lunch was served.???

On the way back to the Ashram Rajesh wanted to cool off from all that heat generated from the Sadhana and found this little puddle to make himself comfortable — what else do you expect from a dog!

The afternoon session on “Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda” continued…

A key message that Amma underscored to take home.?

Evening at the temple with Anma.???

While the satsang for the evening was called off there was still an informal gathering in the open yard in front of Amma’s residence with Amma helping out the participants with the tune for the Tatwas that the participants are going to present on the final day of the class. As I was busy with some other work in my room upstairs I missed much of the rehearsal session, but was able to record the last one.?

December 18, 2016 – “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

THE FINAL DAY! It is very hard to sum up the 10-days of the unique Yoga Sadhana retreat. As you have witnessed each day brought a special experience and thrill. It was a successful collaboration and cooperation between the participants, the Course Director (Dr. Srinivas Pyda), the Logistics Coordinator (Sri Venu Gaddam) and the Coordinators of the Delicious meals and snacks (Smt Prasuna Reddy and Smt Jhansi Tumu). Above all it was the good fortune to have our Beloved Amma herself as the teacher who poured the very essence of Yoga Practice with passion and authenticity; after all Amma is the very source of that highest wisdom.??
Obviously it would not have been possible without the support of the Ashram staff who provided courteous service to make the stay comfortable.
One aspect of the program that I have not adequately captured and shared was that many of the participants spent their precious little rest period in the afternoon in cleaning up the Ashram campus — weeding around the temple, cleaning up the Goshaala and removing the clutter and overall improving the appearance of the Ashram grounds.???

The program got started as usual with early morning Pranayama practice, and with Amma’s guided practice from 6 AM.
With rare exceptions most of the participants were very punctual to the class, but Amma was on-time every time; that’a perfect Master!

The morning practice.?

The foggy winter mornings.?

Today morning Amma expounded on one more chapter of the “Sri Krishna’s Raasa Kreeda”. But, there is neither a beginning nor an end to the eternal story of the beautiful pure Divine love of Sri Krishna and the Gopikas.???

Being the last day of the program everyone got a little extra break to relax and pack up to return to their homes. A few of them left at night after dinner; and most departed on the following day.

At 4 PM the final concluding session of the program was held in the Mandap of the sacred Sri Rajarajeswari Devi temple of the Ashram.
The first order of business was to recognize the rigorous sadhana and enthusiasm of each of the participants with a Certificate of Recognition in the Divine Presence of Amma. Amma noted that this is no graduation but a sort of initiation to serious Sadhana. Amma inspired the participants to continue their individual Sadhana and begin sharing their learnings in their home countries.???

Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to the Participants follows.???

Thanks to all the participants who graciously received the Certificates of Recognition for their enthusiasm and dedicated participation in the “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” class.??

The next part of the program was the presentation of Tatwas in Telugu language, a form of Ballards with the highest spiritual truths and concepts put in very lucid but simple language that even the most illiterate can comprehend. Dr. Srinivas Pyda, the Program Architect and Director used many forms of persuasion and inspiration to volunteer to rehearse and present them as an offering to Amma on this final day. Amma was very pleased with their loving presentation. The night ended with giving Mangala Arathi to Amma.????

Mangala Arathi – Amma came to the rescue to support the singing.??

The grateful participants line up to grab that precious parting Paadanamaskar for one last time.?????

All Programs end with a group photo — but this is no ordinary group photo! It is precious and historic in many ways! You figure!

With the program concluded we were all back to Smt Nageswaramma Building to have dinner. Some of the participants were taking leave of Amma as they were leaving soon after the dinner, and others were packing up to leave the next day.?

December 19, 2016 – THE DAY AFTER the ten-day “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana” Retreat; Sri Vasudevananda Swamy Ashram, Naidupeta, Nellore Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India.

It is the rise of a new dawn – Amma wrote the next chapter of the glorious Mission with the launch of the “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana”, a program of spiritual practice in its most authentic and pristine pure form.?

Despite the spiritually uplifting experience the atmosphere turned a bit somber from serene as the participants began leaving one by one. By the end of the day pretty much everyone left.

I have followed Amma to the temple where we found several of the participants are engaged in one final practice of Pranayama in the holy premises.??

Amma then entered the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Rajarajeswari Devi temple, and gave me the rare opportunity of capturing the loving interaction with the Goddess — a form of self-admiration!!! ???

As we walked out towards the pond in front of the temple I noticed the renunciant mendicant who took shelter at the Ashram offering his prayers to the Go-Maatha.?

The imposing statue of Lord Hanuman which stands watch over the Ashram and serves as the landmark and a beacon welcoming the devotees from world over.?

As we started our return to the kitchen the Malaysian contingent was just about to takeoff.

Once at the kitchen Amma wasted no moment to jump in to help.

Another keepsake memory; I believe this is from the first of the three outings with Amma to the forest area behind the Ashram, beyond the railway tracks. (December 15, 2016; courtesy of Smt Latha Kandaswamy)??

Certificate of Recognition awarded to the Participants of the “Nirmala Yoga Sadhana”???

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