Chapter 3September 6, 1970

(Sujata furtively goes and sees Mother.)

You’re sweet....

I am better.

THE HELL

(Mother seems very slightly better, though still quite exhausted.)

I had something to tell you, but I don’t remember at all.... Maybe it’ll come back.

(very long silence, then

Mother gestures that she remembers

and plunges in again)

It’s coming, but not yet precise enough.

Do YOU have anything to ask?

Was it related to “that night,” when you were as if in hell?

Yes, it was related to that. It was... I’ll try to explain. You know that OM is said to be the sound of the whole universe turned towards the Supreme, imploring the Supreme – and the result is OM. I had the impression that I was all the pain of the world – all the pain of the world (how can I put it) felt together. I don’t know how to explain.

It must be that – it must be that because, before, I was dominated, you understand: when it came, I was as if crushed by the thing; whereas from the moment I understood that way, I was able to be above pain. And I am much better. But just when I said it, it was very... it even had the character of a revelation. So then, it was very precise – very precise, very concrete. Now... it’s a translation, of course.

I felt, I felt at the same time something like an extraordinary Protection which prevented from going