218. Om maha-ratyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is boundless delight
Today I had an important thought which needed some introspection: Do I love Amma or do I love the concept or the thought of Amma? While it was blasphemy for me to even think this, I didn't sweep it under the carpet. I wanted my mind to be very clear. So I dwelled on it for a bit. And the answer was resounding. Amma is not just a person we meet once or twice a year and pray to everyday. She's an experience. She's an emotion. She's a feeling. She's a reason. She's an answer. She's hope. The love She exudes is so incredibly strong, you can't walk away from it. We hang on to Her for different reasons. For me She's the shade on a hot day. The umbrella in the rain. The spot of sunshine on a cold winter morning. She's everything I seek.
When I think of what all is happening around Amma, I remember the times I went through in late Nov and Dec, when a woman decided to malign me. I'm human and so I felt a deep sense of hurt and fear. I crumbled under the pressure. And my biggest shade, was Amma. For a person of Amma's stature and power, She is truly so humble. Even at this time, Amma is displaying only humility. The following words are so touching. Amma, you truly are divinity on earth!
Today I had an important thought which needed some introspection: Do I love Amma or do I love the concept or the thought of Amma? While it was blasphemy for me to even think this, I didn't sweep it under the carpet. I wanted my mind to be very clear. So I dwelled on it for a bit. And the answer was resounding. Amma is not just a person we meet once or twice a year and pray to everyday. She's an experience. She's an emotion. She's a feeling. She's a reason. She's an answer. She's hope. The love She exudes is so incredibly strong, you can't walk away from it. We hang on to Her for different reasons. For me She's the shade on a hot day. The umbrella in the rain. The spot of sunshine on a cold winter morning. She's everything I seek.
When I think of what all is happening around Amma, I remember the times I went through in late Nov and Dec, when a woman decided to malign me. I'm human and so I felt a deep sense of hurt and fear. I crumbled under the pressure. And my biggest shade, was Amma. For a person of Amma's stature and power, She is truly so humble. Even at this time, Amma is displaying only humility. The following words are so touching. Amma, you truly are divinity on earth!
Amma’s Response to the Allegations Against the Mata Amritanandamayi Math
[Said by Amma during her the Brahmasthanam Festival, Puthur, Palakkad – 22nd February 2014]
[Said by Amma during her the Brahmasthanam Festival, Puthur, Palakkad – 22nd February 2014]
“Every year the Ashram [The Mata Amritanandamayi Math] submits its accounts without fail. Every
thing is being done as required. Some people are now trying to create misunderstandings, making
various claims and misinterpretations. If we had the millions that they allege, I would have already
wiped out poverty, both in India and throughout the world. That is my desire. No religion or any
specific community donates to the Ashram, nor do we collect any membership fees. What we have is
only because of my children’s self-sacrifice.
thing is being done as required. Some people are now trying to create misunderstandings, making
various claims and misinterpretations. If we had the millions that they allege, I would have already
wiped out poverty, both in India and throughout the world. That is my desire. No religion or any
specific community donates to the Ashram, nor do we collect any membership fees. What we have is
only because of my children’s self-sacrifice.
“This is an organization that does service. It’s an organization that helps people to cultivate servicemindedness.
After the earthquake in Gujarat [2001], the Ashram reconstructed three villages there.
Now, when the Ashram builds houses for the poor after disasters like the tsunami, even people 85
and 90 years old come from those villages to offer their service.
After the earthquake in Gujarat [2001], the Ashram reconstructed three villages there.
Now, when the Ashram builds houses for the poor after disasters like the tsunami, even people 85
and 90 years old come from those villages to offer their service.
“Whatever be a person’s level of comprehension, whatever be his perspective—he will believe that
alone to be right. This is the way most people think. We have sight, but lack insight—this is the
situation we are seeing now. I have never asked anyone to serve me. I am serving everyone. I am
simply a mother serving my children. We are not stealing or begging from anyone. Nor is anyone
sitting idle; we are working hard and serving others. I only eat once a day. On some days, I may not
eat at all. Regardless, every single day, I sit for hours on end and meet the devotees. Back in my room,
I read hundreds of letters sent to me from all over the world. There are institutions to manage. I lead
the children in meditation and give question-and-answer sessions. Here, no one sits idle. I have no
hesitation to do any kind of work.
alone to be right. This is the way most people think. We have sight, but lack insight—this is the
situation we are seeing now. I have never asked anyone to serve me. I am serving everyone. I am
simply a mother serving my children. We are not stealing or begging from anyone. Nor is anyone
sitting idle; we are working hard and serving others. I only eat once a day. On some days, I may not
eat at all. Regardless, every single day, I sit for hours on end and meet the devotees. Back in my room,
I read hundreds of letters sent to me from all over the world. There are institutions to manage. I lead
the children in meditation and give question-and-answer sessions. Here, no one sits idle. I have no
hesitation to do any kind of work.
“I am not blaming anyone. I am just speaking about my children’s self-sacrifice and surrender.
Because of that, we have been able to accomplish various things. Many people are making allegations,
but none of these people are coming down to help society. That’s sad. Amma doesn’t ask anyone to
believe in God. ‘Does God exist?’ is not the question. ‘Do suffering people exist?’ That is the
question. ‘How can we relieve their suffering?’ Amma is ready to come forward and wash the feet of
anyone who puts in sincere effort to that end.
Because of that, we have been able to accomplish various things. Many people are making allegations,
but none of these people are coming down to help society. That’s sad. Amma doesn’t ask anyone to
believe in God. ‘Does God exist?’ is not the question. ‘Do suffering people exist?’ That is the
question. ‘How can we relieve their suffering?’ Amma is ready to come forward and wash the feet of
anyone who puts in sincere effort to that end.
“This Ashram is a centre of peace. I put my faith in self-surrender, selfless service and love. This is
what I am teaching my children. I am an open book. All the rumours that are being spread are
untrue. Because certain desires of theirs went unfulfilled, they have started making all sorts of
allegations. Someone, somewhere, with an agenda is trying to stir up religious conflicts, making
people fight each other, trying to start a war. My prayer is that goodness fills up everyone’s hearts and
that everyone’s mind becomes filled with virtue. My children, please pray that you develop the
strength to forgive and forget. Within and without, there is agitation. I don’t know where we are
headed. May everyone’s mind be filled with only virtuous thoughts.”
what I am teaching my children. I am an open book. All the rumours that are being spread are
untrue. Because certain desires of theirs went unfulfilled, they have started making all sorts of
allegations. Someone, somewhere, with an agenda is trying to stir up religious conflicts, making
people fight each other, trying to start a war. My prayer is that goodness fills up everyone’s hearts and
that everyone’s mind becomes filled with virtue. My children, please pray that you develop the
strength to forgive and forget. Within and without, there is agitation. I don’t know where we are
headed. May everyone’s mind be filled with only virtuous thoughts.”
[The above message was given by Amma in Puthur, Palakkad, during the Brahmasthanam Festival
there on 22nd February 2014.]
there on 22nd February 2014.]
Om Amriteswariye namah!
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