For the past decade or so, devotees of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) often have seen two dogs following her when she comes and goes to and from the Darshan Hall in Amritapuri Ashram. These dogs were local street dogs that were rescued by devotees out of fear that feral dogs in the surrounding villages would devour them when they were small. Once the dogs met Amma, they both become spontaneously devoted to her. The female, aptly named by Amma as “Bhakti,” passed away in the early morning of November 21st due to heart failure. She was first brought to Amma’s attention after a car had run over her leg as a puppy. Thereafter she was never far from Amma. Like Tumban, she enjoyed physical freedom in the ashram, having access everywhere, including Amma’s room, with no one questioning her authority. She had a very special connection with Amma. Her enthusiasm, devotion and surrender to Amma were inspirations to devotees all over the world, many of whom knew Bhakti from her appearances on Internet videos and in photographs of Amma. After the evening bhajans on Sunday, last rites were performed in Amma’s presence. Amma said, “Today my daughter, Bhakti, died and merged into the Paramatma. She would always come for bhajans, archana and satsangs. She had the surrendered attitude of Radha, the dasya-bhava [the attitude of a devoted servant].”
