October 1st 2003:
This writer came home from work and tried to "prepare"
for serving Shri Mataji and Sir C.P. That meant some
footsoaking and chakra clearing. When I arrived at Her
house, it turned out a MacDonald's meal had just been
brought in and served. Fast food prasad was served to
the yogis.
I waited in the front hall. Time passed. Yogis came
and went. Suddenly, there was an insistent message
from inside, "it's time!" Time to serve dinner, my
brain interpreted. I headed for the kitchen. Alga
motioned yogis to go into the dining room, just
outside Shri Mataji's bedroom.
I sat down, and directly in my line of sight was Shri
Mataji, sitting in a chair in Her bedroom. A puja was
about to begin. I couldn't see all that happened, but
later I learnt that a full puja was offered, including
Oti. We stood for Aarti, and after about two or three
verses we were silent again, offering pranaam to our
Holy Mother.
Shri Mataji's voice was strong and clear during Her
brief talk. She praised us for desiring to do Her puja
on such an auspicious night, the sixth night of
Navaratri. Again and again She thanked us. Again and
again She blessed us.
Shri Mataji has named Her house in New Jersey "Nirmal
Prasad." A song written by Linda was offered at the
end of the puja. It was melodious and had beautiful
lyrics. A copy of the lyrics was given to Shri Mataji,
and She followed the words as the song was sung by
Linda. I could see Her gaze return to the chorus at
the top of the page as it was repeated after each
verse.
We were then offered generous amounts of prasad. Manoj
told Shri Mataji that one of the cakes offered was
sugar-free. Then the puja was over. Manoj gently
suggested that now the house should once again be a
quiet, private residence for Our Mother, and we should
not linger too long.
I remained "on duty" for some time longer. I had much
time to survey the workmanship of the house, to admire
and appreciate the moulding work and the wood carving
which was everywhere the eye travelled. The house
settled down, and became silent. Much later, a soft
tapping sound brought me to the kitchen door to let
the cooks in, who had been over at the ashram. It was
midnight, and they started putting away the dinner.
Shri Mataji's room was dark, the whole house was
silent. My "shift" was over. And what an unexpected
gift I had received: puja with the Adi Shakti. Walking
up the steps to the ashram a little after midnight, I
felt tremendous energy-there was no tiredness anywhere
in my body.
Here is the song that was sung to Shri Mataji at the
puja:
Nirmal Prasad
Chorus:
Thank you for this beautiful house,
An offering, a gift of pure love,
Your love for us, our love for You
Your love for us, our love for You
Nirmal prasad, Nirmal prasad.
Oh Queen of the Universe
Welcome to Your house,
So full of divine vibrations,
Please enjoy the beauty of Your creation.
Our golden brothers came from many countries
To build Your first house in the West,
With Your divine direction
We see ourselves, we change, we grow and we are blessed. | 
