Embracing Amma, a non-random meeting. Ashram of Embracing Amma

No one brings anything into this world, nor does anyone take anything with them. Amma

Meeting. It is true that all meetings in life are not accidental; in India this becomes more obvious than anywhere else. When we were still in Tiruvanamalai, an acquaintance of ours invited us to darshan of an enlightened woman who was to visit Chennai. But inside there was some resistance to go to reverse side from the place where we were planning to go next... Our friends and the company still went to Chennai, and we went to Auroville to the ocean.

The river always flows, but after building a dam, we complain that we do not receive water. We will receive the ever-flowing Grace of God if the dam of ignorance and ego we have built is broken.

From Auroville we went to Rameswaram, and then we got to Varkala, which is the most wonderful resort in the state of Kerala. By chance we found out that not far from Varkala there is the Amritapurna Ashram of that same holy woman (Amma), and it’s just a couple of hours away by car. And by the grace of fate, she was now in the ashram at that time, after a long tour of the cities of India. We traveled through so many cities, 2 weeks passed from the moment we learned about its existence, and we received the first invitation to a meeting and such a wonderful coincidence. Wherever you go, wherever you don’t move, meetings will happen...

And of course we ordered a taxi and went to the ashram.

Remove the border between two fields, and then there will be only one field. Borders and divisions are artificial and man-made. See the One in everything.

Amma (Mata Amritanandamaya) is a Hindu spiritual leader revered as a saint by her followers. Amritanandamayi means "Mother of Absolute Bliss" in Sanskrit. Amma is often called the "hugging saint" or "hugging mother" as she is known for hugging people, thus imparting "good energy" to them. During her life, Amma hugged more than 30 million people, sometimes more than 50,000 people a day. Amma also gained fame for her charity work. (Wikipedia)

We found ourselves on the day when Amma gave darshan (translated to see reality, realize, see) with her hugs and kisses. There were many people in the ashram, many people who came from different parts of the world and India. Amma hugged. Sitting on stage surrounded by devotees, and hugging, hugging, hugging... To get into her arms, we had to register in the morning and only after 2-3 hours we found ourselves next to the Divine Mother.

By engaging in selfless service, the mind becomes purified. Don't waste any chance to serve others. Such opportunities may not always arise.

In the meantime, we met some Russians who have been coming to Amma’s ashram for several years now. They told us about her story. I'll retell what I remember.

Amma was born enlightened and from an early age demonstrated this by starting to walk and talk early, spending a lot of time composing songs and praising Lord Krishna in them. Many in the village and in her family began to be annoyed by the attacks of uncontrollable ecstasy experienced by the girl; many believed that she was crazy and sometimes she had a hard time. And the suffering that she personally encountered and what she saw around led her deeper; as a child, she had already explored the question of human suffering, where and why it exists.

Before the tree can emerge, the shell around the seed must break. You have to get rid of the ego before you have knowledge.

The parents tried to marry Amma off as usual in India, but the girl was very reluctant and her puzzled parents abandoned the idea. Their daughter was destined to become the Bride of God and the Mother of all mankind.

One day, Amma spontaneously began to manifest Krishna while someone was reading sacred texts, her body and face were transformed and became very similar to Krishna (Krishna-bhava). After this appearance, Amma often appeared as the image of Krishna, people began to flock to the young woman for meetings and conversations about truth and life. But some radical young people persecuted Amma, but she persistently continued her work...

Further, more... At this time, Amma's brother, angry that a lot of people were gathering around his sister, kicked his sister out of the house and from then on the girl began to live in the open air, without a roof over her head, surrounded by birds and animals. It was this time that became the very moment when internal and external unity with the Divine Mother took place.

There are two ways: to think of everyone as their own higher self, or to see God in everyone and serve Him.

Her subsequent transcendental union with the divine Mother is touchingly described in the bhajana composed by Her.

Since then, not perceiving anything as separate from
My own Supreme Being - the One and Only
Unity, and dissolving in the divine Mother,
I renounced all feelings of pleasure.

Mother told me to ask people to fulfill
The purpose of their human birth.
So I proclaim to the whole world
The sublime Truth that She spoke:
“O man, reunite with your Supreme Self!”

Now Amma receives a large number of people in her ashram and travels a lot both in India and abroad, continuing to sow the teaching of non-duality, the unity of everything, giving compassionate hugs to those in need.

Here's the story. It's time for a hug. We walked to the queue near the stage... What’s interesting is that this whole process looks very formal, a large flow of people, an almost conveyor belt, quick hugs, Amma’s quiet Russian whisper in her ear “Hello, daughter” and the next...

Everyone will see their own way in this. Either in the rush and bustle of that meeting I was unable to merge with the divine flow :), but what I definitely managed to feel from being in the ashram was a lot of strength, a lot of energy, a lot of love, and I didn’t even have to go for it into the arms of Amma , it was enough to sit in the quiet small temple of the goddess Kali and be in silence contemplating the life flowing in the ashram. Sometimes simple things do more than the great things you strive for...

At Amma Ashram (Kerala)

In the evening we went home by car, and in the morning I returned again. I don’t know why... I got on a local train and just came back. On this day, Amma held a conversation in the meditation hall about truth, about the unity of all things, and I even managed to see the wedding ceremony and Amma’s blessings. And then the Mother personally distributed prasadam. The day continued to flow... In the evening there were bhajans, Amma sang, played the drums, the audience sang along... Life was celebrated, life was rejoiced in hundreds of eyes, faces and words.

I left with the feeling that I had met an ordinary woman, as ordinary as me, you, she, like God...

Be like a stick of incense that allows itself to be burned, giving its aroma to others. Be like a tree that provides shade even to those who are cutting it down at that moment. Serve others through self-sacrifice, just as a candle gives light to others while it itself melts and burns out.

And a video telling about Amma's life.

Random non-coincidental meeting - Amma.

Location: Kollam, Kerala
Address: Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri. p. o, Kollam, Kerala, South India, 690525. Telephone: (+91) 476 - 289-6399 / 7578 / 6278
Website: www. amritapuri. org
Email mail: inform@amritapuri. org

About the Ashram

The founder of the Ashram, Mata Amritanandamayi, who is called "Amma" or "Ammachi" (mother) by devotees, is today known throughout the world as an outstanding spiritual leader.

One of the many awards awarded to Amma is the “Ganda-King Award for Nonviolence”, which has been recognized by the international community more than 10 years ago. She warms thousands of her students with warm words, darshans and support, for which they come to her main Amritapuri Ashram, which is located in India, Kollam district, 110 km north of Trivandum.

It is a spiritual home for monastic disciples and devotees who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and the world, for students and visitors who come here from all over the world to have Amma's darshan, tell her about their worries, live under her guidance and find the meaning of life - to become Amma's child. She sees everyone, listens to their worries and concerns, guides and instructs them.

The place in which Amritapuri is located, reminiscent of a town in infrastructure, is secluded and very picturesque - the south Indian state of Kerala, which local residents called the land of the gods.

There is a six-story temple complex, several hostel buildings, a darshan hall, two libraries, an Ayurvedic clinic, a swimming pool, canteens and cafes, a bank, a post office (opening hours: 10:00 to 14:00) kindergarten, laundry, embankment and own garden.

The people living in the Ashram dress in all white, they are very friendly, hospitable and open to communication. Amritapuri - can receive up to 1,000 visitors, but the living conditions here are very modest, and you need to be prepared for this. While staying here, pilgrims participate in seva every day (in order to receive seva, you need to go to the Seva Desk), practice yoga, listen to lectures, and study the scriptures. But the main goal of all seekers is Amma's darshan - blessing through an embrace. They say that she hugs at least a thousand people a day. More than 50 thousand people gathered at the Ashram for Ammachi’s birthday, and she warmed everyone with her hug and said warm words. Devotees say that she hugged around 20 million people in her lifetime.

How to get there

From Delhi to Kayankulam (nearest to Amritapuri railroad station) - KERALA EXPRESS train No. 12626 (11:30 am). From Bangalore to Kayankulam - train KANYAKUMARI EXP No. 16526 (departs daily) From Mumbai to Kayankulam - trains KANYAKUMARI EXP No. 16381, NETRAVATI EXP No. 16345 Bangalore also has several transport companies, through which you can purchase a bus ticket on the Bangalore-Thrindavam route (these buses call at Kayankulam).

Payment and accommodation

Accommodation in one-room dormitory-type apartments (2-3 people) will cost you 150 rupees/day. Each of them has several mattresses, a shower room and a toilet. Bed linen is provided with a deposit of 500 rupees. You can ask for buckets and other cleaning supplies in the Office pantry.

Keeping the room clean is an indispensable condition of living in the Ashram. According to the administration and the visitors themselves, Amritapuri is considered one of the safest Ashrams in terms of hygiene. Everything here is disinfected and treated with bleach, which is why it is so important to maintain cleanliness. The administration requests advance notice of the arrival of groups of six or more people. The deadline for advance notice is 7 days.

You can eat for free in the Indian canteen (rice), for more intricate vegetarian food go to a European dining room. One meal will cost you 30-50 rupees. Please note that catering establishments in Amritapuri are open only 2-4 hours a day, so keep an eye on the time. Ashram tea is free and served twice a day: at 6:00 and 16:00. The cost of the Internet cafe is 60 rupees/hour (outside the Ashram - 15 rupees/hour).

Sample daily routine

4:50 - 6:00 Archana
8:00 - 9:00 Meditation
9:00 - 9:30 Breakfast
10:00 - 13:00 Seva
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 18:00 Seva
18:30 - 20:00 Bhajans (traditional singing of songs of devotion to the Lord)
20:00 - 21:00 Dinner

Archana is the repetition of 1,000 names of the Divine Mother. The day in the Ashram begins with it and continues with seva (selfless service), yoga, meditation, study scriptures, lectures and relaxation. The daily routine may vary depending on the season. However, the given schedule remains valid whether Amma is in Amritapuri or not.

Details of meetings and events are available every day on the notice board near the Information Office. If Amma is in the Ashram, she gives darshans on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Morning darshans usually take place at 11 am.

On Tuesdays and Fridays there is meditation with Amma. On Sunday there is a special darshan of Devi bhava. During the services, Amma reads mantras, sings, she reaches an ecstatic state, raises her hands to the sky and shouts out the names of the Gods. During Devi Bhava, Amma dresses in special clothes and a crown and goes into a trance, personifying the image of the Mother Goddess. For many pilgrims this is a moment of deep spiritual experience. We recommend that first-time visitors to the Ashram also sign up for a tour, which starts every day at 17:00 in front of the international office (main temple, second floor).

Rules of conduct in the Ashram

• Upon arrival at the Ashram, each pilgrim is required to register with the Foreigners Registration and Accommodation Office. Your passport must be kept here throughout your stay.
• You should check out of the hostel only during Office hours; if you are forced to leave at night, please notify us in advance.
• In the Ashram, refrain from verbosity and idle talk. This will help you keep your mind turned inward.
• It is prohibited to publicly express signs of personal relationships on the territory of the Ashram. In particular, hugging, kissing, holding hands and more intimate relationships are prohibited, since celibacy is part of spiritual practice.
• The use of nicotine, alcohol, intoxicating and narcotic substances, and non-vegetarian food (including eggs) is strictly prohibited.
• Dress in clean, modest clothing that covers your arms, legs and body. Shorts, T-shirts and short skirts are not suitable clothing for Amritapuri.
• The ashram allows pilgrimages with children. However, in this case, it is strongly recommended to have all the necessary medications and things with you. You can purchase essential items for adults in stores located on the territory of the Ashram.
• Photo, video shooting and use mobile phones prohibited.
• The Amritapurti administration does not recommend visiting the area around the Ashram. Before you plan to visit any local attractions, check with the Office for advice about the activity.
• After sunset, visiting teahouses and the beach is not recommended. Swimming in standard Western-style swimwear is not permitted.

Amma (full name Mata Amritanandamayi) - founder of the ashramAmritapuri, which is 110 km from the city of Trivandrum.

She is one of the most famous Indian female gurus, with a large following all over the world. She is also called the "hugging saint" for her famous darshans(meetings with the guru) - during which for several hours she hugs everyone who comes to the ashram.

Initially, we did not plan to visit Amma's ashram, but after living for 2 weeks in, we heard so many reviews that we could not pass by. Photography is prohibited on the territory of the ashram, so there are not many photos in this post.

The reviews were quite different, some liked the atmosphere, the lack of a clear schedule, the variety of food, some, on the contrary, were uncomfortable with the freedom provided, among a huge number of pilgrims, mostly Hindus, while others felt the energy, composed their own mantra and received what I went for.

A small digression about how we got there. From Varkala to Amritaupri Ashram The best way to get there is by train - it only takes a couple of hours. But since the train was passing, finding seats, and simply getting into the carriage, turned out to be a difficult task - the vestibules were crowded with people, there was not even room on the step, and I didn’t want to wait for the next train for 2 hours.

And then we saw the last one carriage for disabled people, with a special door that was closed - only people with disabilities and their accompanying persons with a supporting document are allowed to travel in the carriage.

The door at the station is specially closed so that ordinary passengers cannot enter, although usually no one tries, because... When checked, this can result in a very serious fine.
Luckily for us, at this station they forgot to close the door, and we decided that if we passed one station, nothing bad would happen, but at the next one, maybe someone would get out and we could get into a regular carriage.

In the carriage they treated us with understanding - apparently a white man in India, too, to some extent, it is limited in its capabilities :) We were only warned about fines and asked not to occupy seats, so yoga mats came in handy here - we settled in the aisle and 2 hours of reading passed unnoticed :)

At the station we started asking how we could get to the ashram. As usual, we were attacked by rickshaws from all sides, and then one of the passengers who was traveling with us in the carriage (an accompanying person returning home) offered to take us by car to the village, from where we can leave by bus - we never cease to be amazed how sometimes you can meet us on time good people.
In the village we stood at the bus stop for half an hour, the locals were confused about the indications - some said that the bus would be in 15 minutes, others that in an hour, and still others even claimed that the bus did not run here!

The locals mostly ride rickshaws, but they charged us such a price that in the end we decided to walk - fortunately the distance is not very long, about 5 km. We had just left the stop when a school bus caught up with us, which we stopped. Friendly schoolchildren even offered to give us their seats, just like last time :)
It turned out that these were students of one of the colleges built by Amma not far from the ashram territory, which means we were on our way.

The ashram is located in a very picturesque place, on a wide spit, between the ocean and a canal, surrounded on all sides by palm trees

A cheerful truck carries construction materials to the university construction site

We spent 2 full days and one night in the ashram. Cost of living - 250 rupees per person, including 3 meals a day. At 10 am, the room must be vacated, and things can be left in the storage room and continue your stay in the ashram. Accommodation is usually for 4 people, but for married couples they provide a double room for the same price and amenities in the room. The rooms are simple but clean.

The food is also simple - usually rice and dal(lentil soup), but there are additional cafes on site with Indian and European cuisine, as well as a juice bar. Prices are very reasonable everywhere, almost like in a cafe for locals in a neighboring village.

I was very pleased with the variety of juices and milkshakes, apparently almost at cost ( banana milkshake- 18 rupees). In 2 days we drank as much of them as we didn’t drink in 2 weeks at the ashram on yoga vacation, so this ashram, unlike , is more of a non-profit institution.

Arriving at the ashram, we filled out forms, handed over our passports and received a room key. By the way, questionnaires can be filled out in advance on the website, then the registration process is reduced to a minimum.

The ashram territory is huge, 2 sixteen-story buildings to accommodate guests

park, cafes, canteens, darshan hall, temple
as well as the swimming pool, Amma's house, Amma's parents' house, hospital and administrative buildings.
Every day, new arrivals are given a tour of the ashram, told who Amma is, and shown a film about how she helps millions of people every day not only in India, but all over the world, mostly victims of disasters and natural disasters. Such powerful charity is carried out through the competent distribution of the inexhaustible stream of donations coming to her ashram. So Amma like Robin Hood- takes money from the rich and gives it to the needy.

After the tour of the ashram, everyone receives a number with a time interval during which they can (in order of turn) receive a hug - darshan.

The whole process is structured very clearly. Amma sits in the middle of the stage, around her on the floor there are novices, and those whom she has already hugged in the past days, but who still want to feed on her energy.
Directly next to her are several assistants, each with their own role - one asks from which country (then quietly tells Amma to say something in her native language during the hug).

Another controls the order (women go on the right, men and married couples on the left), the third helps you kneel and then on a stand so that it is more comfortable for Amma to press to your chest, another one puts your head on Amma’s chest, after which she hugs and speaks words - different wishes, approvals (whispered to us by my/my good/good, dear/darling)
After which another assistant gives a gift from Amma - candy and paint for a dot on the forehead, and then helps her get up and leave the stage.

Amma hugs from 11 am to 12 midnight, 5 days a week, and on weekends she comes to the temple, but she is found there too. There is no sign of fatigue on her face, we received our hugs around 10 pm, she was fresh, energetic, kind and happy to see us.

Hugs last from 5 seconds to several minutes. We had mixed impressions from this process - of course, hugging is wonderful and the event itself is unusual, so we can’t say that we didn’t like it, but a state of lightness, euphoria and bliss (as some describe) also did not appear. I guess everyone gets what they expect, we had fun and had a good time :)

There is a schedule in the ashram, but the schedule is free - there are fixed times for meals and tea, evening prayers, satsangs and pujas (optional for visiting), and the rest of the time you can walk, meditate, swim, read, and generally go about your business.

The Amritapuri Ashram also offers yoga classes for different levels preparation - 100 rupees per visit, first visit is free.

Over the course of 2 weeks, we became so accustomed to the daily set of exercises that we decided not to go to classes, but to do them on our own. At 7 am we went up to the roof of the 16-storey building, from where a wonderful view of the coast, canals and palm trees opens - a simply excellent place for yoga

and the whole ashram at a glance

We weren’t the only ones who guessed that it must be nice to be on the roof; there were also people who wanted to meditate, do yoga and breathing exercises, do exercises, or just drink tea and watch the sunrise.

It seemed to us that two days was enough to get into the atmosphere and understand that we prefer small ashrams. In Sivananda’s ashram there were 100-150 of us, here there are about 1 thousand, and of course I would like to live in a more secluded place, away from the villages, in a small ashram for 15-20 people. There are such in the north of India, perhaps on our next visit to India we will visit one of them.

We went back to the station by regular bus

(who is often called simply Amma) is a modern saint of India from Kerala, who founded and gives her name to Indians and foreigners. Amma means Mother, but she is also known as the Hugger, as Amma hugs her devotees and others, giving her blessings in this way.
They say that Amma hugged lepers and cured them, they tell a lot of other things, but one fact is undeniable - Amma is revered as a saint, and a saint is the exception rather than the rule.

So, Amritapuri Ashram is located on the coast near Vallikavu, between Kollam and (Allepey).
Next, I will give a quote from the ashram website, which will put all the points in place.

Activities in Amritapuri
During her stay in Amritapuri, Amma usually holds darshan on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Selfless service (seva) is one of the main practices that residents of our ashram perform in addition to their other spiritual activities. We offer free meditation and yoga classes (subject to teacher availability). We invite guests to take part in all types of daily activities of the ashram.

Warn in advance!
International visitors are kindly requested to inform in advance of their arrival by registering at www.amritapuri.org/v... . Indian visitors are kindly requested to send an email to: [email protected]. If you are traveling in a group of six or more people, please notify your arrival at least 7 days before arrival.

Registration and meals
If possible, separate rooms are available for married couples. The rest of the visitors stay in common rooms. All rooms are very simple, usually with a mattress on the floor and a bathroom with shower.

In addition to accommodation, you are offered food - simple Indian and European cuisine.

Attention! To stay in the ashram, you must have your international passport with you, as well as a copy of it and a copy of your visa.

Household accessories
Most of the household supplies (including sheets, pillows, mattresses, buckets) are provided by the ashram. However, you may want to bring some essentials (air mattress, earplugs, luggage lock, etc.) if you plan to accompany Amma on her trips around India. We also advise you to take with you the vitamin and protein supplements you need. You can purchase many other everyday items - clothing, toiletries and other household and household items - in the ashram store.

Services provided in Amritapuri:
Bank (currency exchange, receiving cash by card, money transfers)
Health facilities: holistic treatments, Ayurvedic hospital, Ayurvedic medical clinic and pharmacy, allopathic clinic

Love, compassion, empathy and tolerance - under the pressure of modern life, these qualities have almost disappeared. Through her loving embrace and charitable activities, Shri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (fondly called Amma or Mother) heals the heart of the world, revives love and mutual respect and awakens people to their fundamental unity.

By her extraordinary acts of love and self-sacrifice, Amma endeared Himself to millions of living beings. By tenderly caressing Her “children” who come to Her, holding them to Her heart in a loving embrace, Amma shares boundless love with everyone. Young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor - everyone who comes to Her receives the same unconditional love.

Amma's compassion knows no barriers of nationality, race, caste or religion. She has established an extensive network of charitable activities that reaches people around the world. At the heart of this service is Amma's teaching that the divine resides in everything - in every person, plant and animal. The perception of this unity is the essence of spirituality and the means to end all suffering.

Through this simple yet powerful message, Amma transforms our world with every embrace. Over the past 33 years, Amma has physically hugged more than 24 million people. Amma's teachings are universal. Whenever She is asked about Her religion, She replies that Her religion is Love. She does not ask anyone to believe in God or change their faith, but only to explore their own true nature and believe in themselves.

Amma was born in a poor fishing village in Kerala, South India, in 1953. Her father sold fish for a living. Her mother said that this child was born not crying like ordinary babies, but with a radiant smile on Her face. Amma was given the name Sudamani - “Wonderful (“nectarean”) treasure.”

Even when She was still a small child, it was clear that She was unique. At six months She could walk and talk, and by the age of three She was constantly singing. By the age of five, She was composing beautiful, unusual songs and poems filled with deep meaning dedicated to Her beloved.

Sudamani fascinated and aroused admiration from everyone who was near Her. But as She grows. Amma's divine states of consciousness, including frequent meditative states, singing and ecstatic dancing on the seashore began to irritate Her family. IN early age five years old, Sudamani has already become the object of cruel abuse. When She was nine years old, Her mother fell ill. Although Sudamani was the brightest student in Her class, Amma was forced to leave school and take care of Her entire family.

In Her youth, Sudamani was in an experience of inner bliss. By 1975 - at the age of 22 - Amma was completely established in a state of transcendental Love. A significant incident occurred in September 1975, which lifted one of the veils hiding Her divinity. One day, when Sudamani was walking home, carrying a bunch of grass on her head, Amma accidentally heard the concluding verses of the Srimad Bhagavatam being recited in a neighboring house. The reading came to an end and the singing of bhajans (religious songs) had just begun.

Sudamani suddenly stopped and seemed to be listening intently to the singing. Suddenly Amma ran to the place where the devotees had gathered. Sudamani was overwhelmed with divine bliss, and Her internal identification with Lord Krishna transformed Her appearance and movements into those of the Lord.

Boundless compassion is the nature of God. He doesn't reject anyone. His heart is like the vast heavens that embrace the universe with all its creatures. The never-ending flow of His love and compassion embraces every being in the world.

All the great saints and sages of the past and present are embodiments of divine Love and Compassion. One who meets Amma can experience this all-consuming and all-encompassing love of God. The following story is a touching testimony of this endless love and compassion.

Leper Dattan

Dattan was born and brought up in the village of Perumpalli near Kayamkulam in Kerala. When he was still very young, he became a victim of a terrible disease - leprosy. His own parents and his relatives kicked him out of the house. Finding no other way to earn a living, Dattan became a beggar. Begging for alms, he spent his days and nights in the temple courtyard. As the disease progressed, his entire body became covered with infected wounds, from which pus was released.

Dattan says, "My vision was almost lost. Instead of my eyes there were only two small slits. The hair on my head fell out. Nobody gave me any food. I was not allowed to travel in the bus. I used to cover my body with a piece of cloth, but even Amma stuck to my body and stank because of the pus and blood that came out of the wounds that emitted a putrid stench. Even my beggar friends did not allow me to eat or sleep near them. Insects always flew around me, causing me concern.

Even just seeing me, people held their noses and cringed. For years I haven't heard a single one loving words and did not see a single compassionate face. Everyone hated me and spat when they saw my ugly looking body and face. I led a terribly unhappy and despairing life. All my hopes are gone.

Then I heard about Amma from Vallikavu. I went to see Her on the day of bhava-darshan, but no one allowed me to enter the temple. Fueled by disgust, people urged me to “Go away, go away!”, for my wounds emitted a disgusting smell. But Amma called me to come to Her, consoled me and treated me like Her own child - just like She treats everyone else."

For those who witnessed this healing, it was a chilling sight to see the Holy Mother licking his pus-infected wounds and sucking the pus and blood from them. Every day of bhava-darshan She washed him by pouring pots of water on his head. Amma smeared sacred ash all over his body and treated him with the same love and compassion that She showed to other devotees. The sight of the Holy Mother's merciful service towards him caused some devotees to vomit, others to faint, and others to watch with fear and reverence, weeping with love and devotion in the knowledge that they were sitting in the holy Presence of the divine Mother Herself.

Who else but Her could show such love? Amma said about Dattan: “Who else will take care of him and love him? Mother does not look at his outer body. She sees only his heart. I cannot reject him. He is My son and I am his mother. How can mother to abandon her son?

Now Dattan has changed. Almost all of his wounds have healed. Amma's saliva is his divine medicine. His eyes have opened and he can now see clearly. Hair grew back on his head. He can ride on the bus and people are willing to talk to him and serve him food. Although the scars of the terrible disease still remain on Dattan's body, they no longer leak blood or pus, nor is there any putrid stench. He can wear a shirt or a loincloth without it sticking to his body and therefore causing him no pain. He is happy. Amma gave him a new birth. He found meaning and joy in life through Her blessings.

Amma blessed many married couples who remained childless for many years by giving them a child through Her divine intention (sankalpa). Such couples often took refuge at the feet of the Holy Mother. Sincere prayer and unshakable faith under any circumstances are the two most important factors that enable petitioners to receive the fruit of their cherished desire. They must also have the self-confidence, mental strength and dedication to persevere through all the challenges they may face during pregnancy.

Amma is very strict in choosing people who deserve this rare gift. Its decision is entirely determined by various subtle considerations that are beyond the limits of human intellect. Below are the stories of four couples who were able to receive this great blessing from the Holy Mother.

Every morning around nine o'clock the Holy Mother comes to meet the devotees who come to large quantities to have Her darshan. Addressing everyone near Her, She carefully listens to their problems. Amma says: “Children, I do not need anything from you except the burden of your suffering. Mother is here to shoulder it.” She sits there until everyone is accepted and comforted. Almost every day She completes darshan only by two or three o'clock in the afternoon. Returning to Her room, Mother goes through all the mail or gives instructions to the residents of the ashram.

Amma gives necessary advice regarding the efficiency of the ashram administration. Even while eating, She gives orders to someone or reads someone's letter. Often She calls a family or a person who came to darshan too late. If it is the day of bhava darshan, then Amma again comes out around five o'clock in the evening to lead the program of singing songs of devotion to the Lord. After the chanting, bhava darshan begins, which can last until three or four hours the next morning. Till this time, the Holy Mother sits in the temple, receiving the devotees one by one and listening to their problems, be they spiritual or worldly.

She not only listens to them but also solves their problems with a simple touch, a glance or through pure sankalpa (solution). Holy Mother Amritanandamayi is a unique phenomenon even for this sacred land of India. Revealing the bhava of Adi Parashakti, or the Primordial Transcendental Energy, She tirelessly performs service to the Creation of the Lord with each of Her breath. In the spiritual history of India, Amma is unparalleled in Her boundless display of Grace and Compassion for lost humanity. Let Her divine life serve guiding star for all those who strive to realize the transcendental Peace and Bliss of Self-Realization.

Question to the visiting yogi(not):

Have you attended Amma's lectures?