He was certainly immensely attracted by Mataji’s radiant personality. But it seems, due to the peculiar circumstances of this meeting at an odd hour and without previous intimation, he could not find leisure to talk to Mataji in private, although this was the cherished desire of his great disciple, Seth Jamnalal Bajaj. This was all Mataji’s own Lila .

Below, a report of the meeting taken from Gurupriya’s Diaries Vol 10 (English translation).

20th February 1942,  Friday 

Mahatma Gandhi was not in Wardha, but he arrived yesterday. This afternoon a meeting was organised in his ashram. Jamnalalji had taken responsibility for several projects. In his absence they were to discuss who would take charge of each project. Mahatmaji had sent a person to specially request Ma to be present at this gathering. Ma, however, sent a reply saying, “What is the need for an invitation? When this little girl has the kheyal she would go to Bapuji without anyone requesting her to do so.” 

Before leaving for the meeting, Janakibai repeatedly urged Ma to go with her, but Ma did not go. She just said, “There is no kheyal right now. You people go. If the kheyal arises, I shall go on my own.” 

There was talk of Ma going elsewhere this evening. After they had all left for the meeting, Ma said to us, “If there is no particular reason to prevent it, you people can get ready.” 

When they returned from the meeting in the afternoon, they were astonished to hear that Ma was leaving. Janakibai said, “Ma, if he had been here, he would have made you stay here for at least a month. I was also thinking you would stay for at least 7 to 10 days. I have just told Bapuji that I will take you to Sevagram once. Today many people will participate in the prayer meeting. They will all get your darshan, but if you leave this evening, none of this will happen.” 

Just then we received the information that the evening train was not running. Ma could take the 5 am train next morning. 

Kamalnayan and Janaki Bai started saying repeatedly, “There is no way you will be able  to leave without meeting Mahatmaji. We have told Mahatmaji that we will take you to Sevagram with us. We will either take you with us to Sevagram or we will have to make arrangements to bring Mahatmaji here.” 

Ma said slowly, “There is still no kheyal to go right now. A daughter can run to her Bapu any time, but is not this girl crazy, therefore the kheyal to do everything does not always happen. Moreover, Bapuji is my Pitaji. This girl is already with her father, so how is there any question of coming and going?” 

Kamalnayan spoke with conviction, “With you is everything, but we need to see it in its physical form. That is why you have come to Wardha, otherwise you were not in Wardha at all. 

Ma laughed and replied, “You are absolutely right. This body does not come or go anywhere at any time. However, whatever you are all saying, if the kheyal occurs, it will happen. You don’t even need to say it.”

Kamalnayan said, “It will happen if there is the kheyal, but why are you so controlled by kheyal?” 

Ma responded immediately, “This girl is not the least controlled by kheyal. This is all His unbounded will. There is no binding in this.” 

A little later Kamalnayan came and said that Bapuji had been informed on the phone. about Ma’s departure. As soon as he heard this Bapuji said that Mataji cannot leave without meeting him. If Mataji would not go to meet him, he would come to meet her.

Kamalnayan said, “Bapuji has just left for a meeting. He has a lot of other work to do. He is not keeping well. Even so, I will convey whatever you say to him.” 

Ma replied, “What shall I say? There is no kheyal to say anything right now.” 

Hearing this, everyone went outside Ma’s room and, having no other option, started organising transport for Mahatmaji. They did not, under any circumstances, want that Ma should leave without meeting Mahatmaji. It was decided that Ma would leave by the 5 am train next morning. 

Many people came to see Ma before the prayer meeting. Babu Rajendra Prasad also came and sat in Ma’s room. There was some conversation. When it was time for the prayer meeting, they all left to attend it. Ma also got up to go outside, when Acharya Vinobaji arrived and said to Ma, “You had probably decided to leave today. Bapuji wants to meet you, but he is not keeping well. Yet he is being brought here to meet you. I think this will be very difficult for him. You have perhaps said that if there is no obstacle, you may leave tomorrow, but is this not an obstacle in itself?” 

Ma laughed and replied,  “Pitaji, this girl’s head is not right. Whatever has to happen will happen.” Saying this, Ma fell silent. 

Vinobaji left for the prayer meeting.  Ma went out of her room. We also followed her. Suddenly, Ma said to me, “Call Kamalnayan.”

Kamalnayan arrived immediately.  Looking at him, Ma said, “Let us leave at once for Sevagram.  Let us start from right here. I will not enter the room again.” Everything about Ma is wonderful. Overjoyed, Kamalnayan went to get his car. It was the same car in which he was going to fetch Gandhiji. 

As soon as the car arrived, Paramanand Swami, Abhay, Hariramji, Janaki Bai and I set out. Babu Rajendra Prasad also went with us in the same car. As soon as we reached Sevagram, Kamalnayan ran to tell Mahatmaji about Ma’s arrival. Ma went along with him. 

As Ma climbed on to the verandah around the room in which Mahatmaji was seated with all the people, he said, “Come  Mataji  come.” Ma responded with “Pitaji, Pitaji”, as she entered the room. Mahatmaji extended his arms and made Ma sit next to his lap and hugged her head to his chest. Ma also placed her hand on Mahatmaji’s heart and sat like a little girl. All those present were extremely happy to witness the sight of the meeting of these two. 

Mahatmaji spoke first, “Do you know who first sent Jamnalal to you? I had sent him. I also sent him to bring you. Jamnalal told me frankly that the peace that eluded him while he was with me, the peace that I was not able to give him, he found that peace with you. Having found you, you know how crazy he had become about you!”

Ma laughed and only nodded her head. Mahatmaji continued to speak, “Do you know who first told me about you? Kamala Nehru. She had specially requested me to meet you.” Addressing all those seated around him, he said, “Kamala considered her to be her Guru.” 

Ma spoke immediately, “Pitaji, I am not anybody’s Guru-Turu. I am just a little girl.” 

Mahatmaji laughed and said, “Accha, accha, well, well.” 

Thus the conversation continued on various topics. A flood of bliss seemed to envelop all those who were present. Mahatmaji was still holding Ma close and Ma continued to sit with no inhibition like a little child, close to his bosom. Kamalnayan told Mahatmaji all about Ma. 

On the matter of Ma’s departure, Gandhiji said, “Look, do not speak at all about leaving right now. Stay here for at least another 2 days. We have work for 2 more days to deal with issues about Jamnalal. If you stay on these people too (Janaki Bai and Kamalnayan) will find much peace.” 

Laughing, Ma replied, “Pitaji, but this little girl’s head is not quite right. She cannot comply with all requests all the time. What can be done about that, Pitaji? This daughter has acquired your nature!” Hearing Ma speak thus, all burst into laughter. 

Mahatmaji tried in various ways to persuade Ma to stay on and when he realised that he was making no headway, he pointed to the gathering and said, “These people will all laugh and say, ‘he is unable to negotiate with some mad girl he has brought from somewhere, how is he going to negotiate with the chief of the military in China?’  Everybody will make fun of me!” 

Ma smiled and said, “That is very good. If people laugh at my father and have fun with him, then let them do so. My father is not affected by all this at all. He neither gains nor loses from all this.” 

Mahatmaji – “I am father to many people. It is good that you are also calling me father. I mistakenly addressed you as Mataji to start with.” Saying this, he laughed for a long time. Then, addressing the people he said, “Jamnalal was spinning thread in jail. He wove a set of two pieces of cloth with that thread and kept it for Mataji. From those pieces, Mataji gave one piece to me, one to Janaki Bai,  one to Vinobaji and kept one for herself.” 

Ma laughed and said, “Pitaji, I too had spun thread and made a set of dhotis.” 

Pausing a little, she continued, “Once, when you had gone to Dhaka, I had gone to see you. You were spinning thread on the spinning wheel.” 

Later, in some context, Ma said, “The dhoti I wear is Pitaji’s.” 

Ma said this in such a way that Mahatmaji could not quite understand what she implied. He replied, “Yes, yes, wherever khaddar, hand spun cloth is worn, they are all my clothes.” 

Saying this he looked at Ma because Ma was wearing a khaddar shawl. After quite a long conversation, when Ma showed no indication she was staying on, Mahatmaji laughed and said, “You are a girl who is good at fooling others. You will not be able to cheat and fool me!” Ma laughed and replied, “It is good to cheat a cheat, tell me Pitaji, is that not right?”

Kamalnayan said to Mahatmaji, “Bapuji, I am leaving Ma with you, then she will not be able to leave in the morning. You could force her to stay on.” 

Mahatmaji agreed, “That is quite right. Janaki Bai and Mataji can both stay here. I will arrange for them both to sleep next to me.” 

Milk and sago had been cooked for Ma’s meal, in Gopuri. It was decided that someone would go and fetch that. 

Just then Hariramji said to Mahatmaji that it was the desire of Bhaiji and others that Mahatmaji should meet Mataji and converse with her privately. 

Hearing this, Ma looked at Mahatmaji and said, “There is no need for that. What do you say Pitaji? Do you have anything to say?” 

Gandhiji replied, “I have no private conversations. Everything I do is open and in the midst of everyone.” 

Abhay reiterated, “I also strongly wished that you would have a conversation with Ma about spiritual matters, but none of that has happened. Who knows when you will meet Ma again?” 

Even before Abhay finished speaking, Mahatmaji said, “You are all those who serve. If you try, we could meet again.” Then addressing Ma he said, “We are talking so much, but you are not saying what is essential. What about that?” 

Ma replied, “Leave that. The dialogue with Pitaji has happened.” 

Again the topic of Ma’s departure came up. Laughing, Ma said,  “My Baba will certainly agree with what I say. He will surely let me go tomorrow.”

Mahatmaji – “I am not that kind of a father that you can so easily persuade and leave. I am not the type that agrees so quickly.”.

Ma laughingly replied again, “Baba will surely listen to this little girl’s request.” 

Finally, when Mahatmaji realised that he could not hold Ma back, he asked Kamalnayan,  “What are the arrangements for her departure?” 

Kamalnayan was very disappointed when he heard Mahatmaji say this. Bapuji himself was unable to make Ma stay on. Kamalnayan was compelled to say that he would leave his car behind for Ma to use. 

Paramanand Swami and Abhay left for Gopuri to bring Ma’s meal and the bedding for all of us. Hariramji and I stayed on with Ma. 

Meanwhile, Mahatmaji’s blood pressure was checked and one of the people serving him announced that it was very high. Everyone was greatly concerned and involved themselves with that. Mahatmaji rose and went to wash his hands and face. Dr. Sushila Nayyar approached Ma and said, “Mahatmaji is very tired. His physical condition is not good. It would be good if he were not to speak or converse now.” 

Ma immediately replied, “I have nothing to say at all.” Dr. Nayyar said, “You may have nothing to say but Mahatmaji will himself start a conversation with you, therefore I have requested you.”

By this time, Gandhiji returned and sat down. He asked Hariramji,  “Joshi, are you staying with Ma?” Hariramji replied that Ma had asked for a telegram to be sent to him and got him to come here from Kashi. Hearing this, Mahatmaji turned towards Ma and asked, “Why, were you afraid to come here alone?” 

Ma laughed and replied, “There is no question of fear whatsoever.  He had said he should be informed if we were to come in this direction, and so he was informed.” 

I said, “Ma has never had the slightest trace of fear. Sometimes, she sets out alone at night. Once she set out at night  in Tarapeeth. She forbade us from going with her in such a way that we did not have the courage to defy her. She went alone and walked about.” 

Looking at Ma, Mahatmaji laughed and said, “Right! So you also issue orders that cannot be disobeyed!” 

After a few more such exchanges, Gandhiji went to the bedding that had been spread out for him on the verandah and lay down. On either side of his bedding there was a bed for Janaki Bai and one for Ma. Ma went to the bedding next to Mahatmaji and lay down like a little girl. Many other people came and slept near Mahatmaji’s feet and all around him. 2 or 3 people started doing service to him by pressing his feet and dabbing ghee on his forehead. I, along with Hariramji and others, continued to sit there. 

Suddenly Mahatmaji’s hand touched Ma’s body and she said, “Is that Pitaji’s hand?” 

Gandhiji immediately took Ma’s hand in his and went to sleep. I had never seen Ma sleep in this way before this. We watched in amazement at the sight, which was exactly like a daughter sleeping next to her aged father. There was not a trace of inhibition or shyness. 

Ma was sleeping quietly. Mahatmaji was speaking about some essential matters with the women who were attending to him. Suddenly, Ma, in her own bhava, said to one of the women, “What if I were to take Pitaji away from you? What would you do? Would you guard him with a stick?” 

Immediately many women responded that they would go along with him. 

Ignoring their reply, Ma looked at Mahatmaji and said, “I will take you away at the right time. What do you say, Pitaji?” 

Perhaps Mahatmaji understood the implication of what Ma was saying to some extent. I could not say if anyone else understood it or not. In a grave voice, Mahatmaji replied slowly, “Yes.”

Ma said instantly, “So then this is a pact between Pitaji and this little girl.” 

Hearing Ma utter these words, Hariramji and I looked at each other questioningly. Why did such statements emerge from Ma all of a sudden? Did this mean that Mahatmaji’s time was coming to an end? Hariramji was about to say something but I stopped him from doing that. 

The lights in the verandah were switched off and we lay down quietly. Gradually the women in attendance left. I spread a blanket near Ma’s feet. No other male member was allowed to sleep here except Gandhiji. According to Mahatmaji’s instructions, sleeping arrangements had been made elsewhere for Paramanand Swami, Abhay and Hariramji.

It was past 10 pm when Paramanand Swami and Abhay arrived with Ma’s meal and our things. Ma got up very quietly and had the milk and sago and then returned silently and lay down next to Mahatmaji. She left us with instructions to be quiet and not make any sound. I also went to sleep without making a sound. 

21st February, Saturday 

As soon as the bell rang at 4 am, Mahatmaji and all the others sat up. I had woken up a little earlier and was sorting all our things. The moment he got up, a woman arrived with all the items to help Mahatmaji wash his face. As he was washing, he asked Ma, “You slept well, didn’t you?” 

Ma skirted the question and said softly, “Whatever had to happen, did happen.” Ma does not sleep in the way that we do. Therefore, I felt that she had steered away the possibility of this question leading to others. 

It was time for Ma’s departure. Janaki Bai arrived in a hurry and said to Ma, “Just now everyone will gather for prayers. Come there  before you leave.” 

Simultaneously, Mahatmaji replied, “If you stay for the prayers you will have to let the train go, and if you want to catch the train you have to drop the prayers.” 

Ma said softly, “So many people obey what Pitaji says, and this crazy girl, in spite of being persuaded and cajoled in so many ways, did not comply with his request. Pitaji will not be angry, will he?” 

Mahatmaji smiled sweetly and said, “Do you care about that at all?” 

Ma also laughed and replied, “If there is the kheyal, I will come into Pitaji’s room myself. What do you say, Pitaji? This head is made that way!” 

Mahatmaji said slowly, “Yes, thieves and thugs do just that. One such has arrived here from Dehradun. What can I do?” 

Laughing gleefully, Ma said, “Vah! Pitaji has given the title of thief and thug! That is good. Pitaji, I will rob you of everything. ‘Robber’, that is a very good name indeed.” Saying this she laughed out loud. 

Mahatmaji murmured softly, “Where will you find a robber like this one?” 

Last evening, Kasturba Bai had come and offered pranam to Ma.  She had said, “I am very fortunate to have got your darshan. I had a strong desire to see you.” Attenders had supported her and taken her indoors. We heard that she was also not keeping at all well. 

At the time of leaving, Ma bid farewell to Mahatmaji and all the others. On the way to the station, Ma was taken to the women’s ashram for a little while. Shantaben had expressed a great desire that Ma should visit her there. 

We reached the station to find that the train was very late. Ma was accompanied by Janaki Bai, Kamalnayan,  Shantaben, Mahatmaji’s nephew and 2 or 3 others. Janaki Bai was asking Ma several questions about Jamnalalji. Ma told her, “In such a short time he had related to this body like a little child. This does not happen usually.” 

On the question of whether Jamnalalji would be born again or not, Ma replied, “I shall not say anything about this, but if he is born again, it will not be into a lower state. He will be in a higher state only.” 

When the train arrived and Ma boarded it, she said to Janaki Bai, “Tell Bapuji it is now time for him to go to his own home. Tell him to be ready.” 

Hearing Ma reiterate what she had said the previous day, we were alarmed. Janaki Bai,  having understood what Ma was saying, asked, “Really?”

Ma changed the direction the talk was going   and said, “No, no. I am not speaking of it as now, but he has aged too.” Saying this, she was silent. Ma rarely makes these kinds of statements. I wondered why she had said this in connection with Mahatmaji, not once but twice. There was no doubt that the condition of Mahatmaji’s health had been very worrying a few times. Today, the whole of Bharat was looking up to him with great hope. The nation desperately needs him  in its current state of distress. 

We reached Nagpur from Wardha and halted at the station. A Punjabi doctor, on his way to Wardha, met Ma at the station and was strongly attracted to her. He pleaded with Ma and took her to his house. 

We left for Sagar by train the same evening. 

Below from “Ma Anandamayi Lila”, Memoirs of Hari Ram Joshi.

As soon as Mataji entered Bapuji’s room where he was plying his charkha, (spinning-wheel) She called out loudly: “Pitaji, your pagal bachhi (crazy daughter) has come to see you!

Bapuji remarked laughingly that if She really were a pagal bachhi, She could not possibly have impressed men like Bhayyaji, whom Bapuji was unable to give inner peace, in spite of his best efforts during thirty years of close association with him. Bapuji also told Mataji that he himself had asked Bhayyaji to meet Her, the Guru of Kamla Nehru. Mataji at once emphatically declared that She was neither Kamla Nehru’s nor in fact anybody’s Guru. Bhayyaji had been so much attracted by the Divine Personality of Mataji that he had repeatedly written to Bapuji from Dehradun for permission to stay with Her for longer periods. Bapuji consented as he felt that Mataji’s presence was helping Bhayyaji to get peace of mind.

Bapuji now told Mataji that a mad child could not possibly give peace of mind to persons like Jamnalal Bajaj. Bapuji also related to Mataji Bhayyaji’s cherished desire that She should stay in Gopuri for at least a month, so that Bapuji, Bhayyaji, Rajendra Babu and Swami Atmananda could discuss with Her many intricate and complex problems facing the present war-ridden world. Bapuji did not allow Mataji to move to Wardha that night and succeeded in persuading Her to remain with him at Sevagram.

Beddings were spread for Her and Bapuji on two wooden planks close to each other in the open veranda of Bapuji’s cottage. Bapuji, being a patient of high blood pressure, had to go to bed at about 10 P.M., when light massage was administered to his body by his attendants, Dr. Sushila Nayyar, Amrit Kaur, and others. Bapuji got hold of the wrist of Mataji’s right hand as She was sitting close to him. While the ladies were busy massaging Bapuji, Mataji asked them what they would do if Bapuji were taken away by Her. Mataji repeated this question three times and one of the ladies replied that they would go with Bapuji. Mataji then told Bapuji that at an opportune time She would take him away.

I was greatly upset on hearing this, as I thought that Mataji was perhaps giving an indication of the early death of Bapuji which might occur within a year or so. Mataji did not appreciate my interruption and ordered me to keep quiet and watch. This I did, though reluctantly. The following morning, Mataji left Sevagram for Wardha on Her way to Sagar (M.P.) via Nagpur and Itarsi. At Sagar, Mataji wanted to remain in seclusion for some time. Only Gurupriya Didi and Abhaya stayed with Her. From Wardha to Itarsi, I travelled with Mataji in a first class compartment. Thus I could get ample time to discuss with Her in private Her strange behaviour during Her short stay at Sevagram. It puzzled me that She did not give Bapuji the necessary help to understand Her real Swarupa (Nature) and philosophy. This had been the great desire of both Bhaiji and Bhayyaji. Mataji told me many things about the doctrine of non-violence as propagated by Bapuji. I wanted to communicate to him through a letter all that I had heard from Mataji so that Bapuji might perhaps remodel his future plans of action. Mataji at first did not agree to my suggestion but when persistently requested, She finally permitted me to do so.

She however told me that all She had stated was meant for my own personal guidance. I then wrote a letter to Bapuji in the presence of the Divine Mother, and after reading it to Her, dispatched it from Lucknow in the first week of March 1942. A copy of this letter and Bapu’s reply which was in his own handwriting, and their English translation are reproduced below for the benefit of the readers. They may draw their own conclusions about Mataji’s personality, about Bhayyaji’S devotion and his spirit of self-surrender to Her after a brief meeting at Raipur, about his full faith in the philosophy of life as explained to him by Mataji which had given him complete peace of mind. I have tried in this letter to give, as far as possible within my own limitations, a correct version of all that I had heard from Mataji in private while travelling with Her in the train. This letter gives in a nutshell some clue to Mataji’s teaching, which is universal, and also depicts to some extent Her real Divine Nature. I am confident that a careful reading of the letter with reverence and in a meditative mood will be very helpful to the reader.

Letter of Sri Hari Ram Joshi to Bapuji Nazarbagh, Lucknow March 1942.

 

Revered Bapuji’s reply Sevagram, Wardha, M.P. 10-3- 1942.

The last meeting in late 1947
Haribabaji was also in Delhi. He wished to meet Gandhiji who was in town at this time. Sri Ma’s name was enough for opening all doors. We arrived at Gandhiji’s residence in a motorcade because all who were at hand wanted to go with her wherever she went. Gandhiji received her with great affection and pleasure. He talked of her visit to Sevagram and how she would not stay with him and was against her wandering around so much. Sri Ma with some emphasis said, “Pitaji I do not need go anywhere away from you, I am ever with you. Believe this. This daughter never speaks an untruth.”

Gandhiji did believe her, but was reluctant to let her go away, quite like everyone else from mahatmas to the merest child. He put his arm round her and led the way to the prayer meeting. It was obvious that he was not interested in the mahatmas who had come to visit him. Sri Ma held back till he had acknowledged their presence and it was arranged that the mahatmas also would be accommodated on the dais. Upadhyayaji (a close friend of the Nehru family) who knew Sri Ma since the days of Smt. Kamala Nehru was there; he made all the arrangements most satisfactorily. Gandhiji made Sri Ma sit close to him. He was in a happy mood. He would talk to her, and then he would talk about her to the congregation. I think he was asking for some donation or other. I remember him saying, “Do give generously; see my daughter ( bachhi ) is here. What will she think of you if you behave in a miserly way!” He made the congregation laugh a number of times.
This was their last meeting. The tragic date of 30th January 1948, was not far away.