Saturday night, I went to the Amma Auction with Anna. We ate good Indian food, had some lassis, and in general enjoyed ourselves thouroughly. Anna got three little statues (two Ganeshas and a Kali, I believe) and a 108-bead rudraksha mala blessed by Amma that she ended up giving to Mike the next day.

I got a choker. I wish I had a picture to post! OMG, it’s the bestest thing ever – it’s got a giant rudraksha in the center and is flanked by two red coral beads, and then the rest of it is rudrakshas in decending size. It’s on silver wire, and many of the beads have silver caps. It’s GORGEOUS. It retailed at $130 but I got it for $80. It makes me soooooo very happy.

The opening bid was $40. (It was a ‘silent’ auction, so the bidding was on paper.) I went back an hour or so later, and still had the only bid. Then after som lassi and watching the satsang as a whole buy a purple bag for Puffer (because he was wearing a purple suit), I went to check the bid sheet again.

Someone was bidding against me!

I bid again, and then she bid again, and then she and I talked and she told me she didn’t want it that much and that she’d let me have it. I went off to the bathroom – only ten minute left! – and Anna saw her bid again anyway!

Anna, bless her soul, bid for me. I got the necklace for $80. I had to put it on plastic because I didn’t have that much cash with me. But yay anyway!

The satsang also bought Amma’s shoes for Vaju. Since she’s got the temple in her basement anyway, it’s a great place for them to be since we can all enjoy them.

(There’s a ritual in Hinduism of doing pada puja to the guru’s feet. When the guru is not present one would use a stylized icon, like a pair of brass “slippers”, for the puja. Having a pair of the guru’s actual shoes – in this case a pair of Birks – is a blessing because the shoes are prasad. )

All in all, the evening was quite fun and I’m glad I went. Only about seven people signed up for Seva, though.
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