August 9, 2000

Yesterday, was my birthday. I fasted the whole day asking for Lord Skanda to bless me on this day. I went to the temple that day and waited for some signs, in the form of flowers falling from the vikgram, but nothing happened. Not losing faith, I kept thinking of Murugan’s feet and dedicated all that I did during the day to Him. For example, whenever I ate, I said,”Aum Skanda-Parnam Astu (Let this be an offering to Lord Skanda).” Whenever I finished doing service to a person, they would say,”Thank you.” I would reply,”In Skanda’s Service.” Hence, my day came to an end.

That night, I had a wonderful dream. I dreamt that I was in a room with Sri Narayani Amma. A person through whom, Lord Skanda, sometimes speaks to me by. She told me that she had something to give me. She gave me kum kum, flowers, and vibhuthi prasadam in my hand. And then Amma raised her right hand and blessed me. Then my uncle, who often assists Amma, came into the room. Thinking that he wanted to speak to Amma privately I left the room and went outside the house. I sat down in the grass. Then I noticed a hen-like animal approaching me. As it came closer, I noticed that it was not a hen but a brown female peacock. Immediately following her, was a beautiful male peacock. I thought it was going to peck at me, but instead they both came and sat beside me towards my left. My birthday request had been fulfilled! Sri Skanda blessed me on my birthday! 😀