She's watching us, every day!

282. Om sahasra-sirsa-vadanayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has a thousand heads and faces

Amma sees everything we do, think and hear. Which is why the mantra says She has thousand heads and faces. She is everywhere. Omnipresent. With a view of this, hereby is my humble plea to Amma. Please don't forget my wish I expressed to You. I don't know what more to do to make the world happy. I always play by the book and by the rules. Please deflect any bad karma that may be coming my way. Please help me keep the faith.

Amma's presence helps us keep on the spiritual path. It helps us realise that we must only do that which She would approve off. We are always so wonderfully behaved when in Amma's physical presence. What we totally forget is that Amma is always present with us. She is always watching and listening! So the good side of us that we reveal only during Amma's visits, should also be displayed at all times. The world would be so much easier to live in then!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A helping hand!

281.Om unmesa-nimisotpanna-vipanna-bhuvanavalyai namah: I bow down to Amma who causes a series of worlds to arise and disappear with the opening and closing of Her eyes.

Amma, if you can make worlds disappear, why can't you make my problems disappear? You know which ones I am talking about. And You could do it so easily! If you did a sankalpa for me, it would just disappear. I have kept a stone at the altar today Amma. That is representative of my problem. Please help me sort it out and I know that only You can do this for me. For You are the ultimate judge and jury of the Universe who will mete out to us karma or the sum total of our actions.
What am I still paying for? For trusting outright? For helping? Surely these can't be faults! Foolish perhaps but not a vice that I need to be taught a lesson! Please hear my pleas and help this child of yours. Unless the problem is sorted, how can I enjoy the beauty of the moment? With the closing of Your eyes You can make worlds disappear. In the larger scheme of things, my problem isn't much then, is it?

I hope You get to read this Amma. I hope my message will reach You.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

She who guides...!

280. Om padma-nabha-sahodaryai namah: I bow down to Amma who is Lotus-Navel's (Visnu's) sister

Amma makes everything perfect. Amma makes everything beautiful. Amma makes everything simple. When we look back on our lives, every turn and twist in the road is orchestrated by Amma. She knows everything that is required to strength our spiritual lives. She can see what we can't. I have the best experience of this. For a year I sat on a movie that would not get released. And I wondered and I worried and I questioned Amma. But Amma would not budge. She knew it needed a tweak. She knew I would develop as a film maker and look back critically on my work. She knew I needed that year of perspective. And She gave it to me. And I am grateful for that. Thank You Amma for allowing me that time and thank You for only giving things to me when You knew I was ready! You always know when to guide me and when to do what is needed for my growth. In Your hands, I am moulded and I grow. I surrender my entire life at Your feet. Please bess my family forever!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

In absolute protection!

279. Om bhagavatyai namah: I bow down to Amma who protects those who worship Her

I know this very well. When down in the dumps and going through a bit of hell, Amma wrapped Her protective arms around me and held on to me very tightly. She said Swamiji to Singapore and that calmed me much. She reached out to me in every which way only so I would feel the highest sense of protection.

A few months after this incident, there was much furore in the press about baseless allegations against Amma and this entire tirade by someone not worth mentioning here. What did Amma do? Did She hide in a room and wonder, why Me? Amma continued to go about Her business and continued to give darshan. Amma did everything that She normally does. And in these actions, Amma was really protecting us! She was, yet again, teaching us a very valuable lesson. Once again, the subject, was faith. That absolute faith would see us through. That unquestioned faith would help us cross any hurdle at all. And in that lesson lies the universe's biggest life lesson to us. Amma has sacrificed everything to be a Universal Mother to Her children. She will always protect us, no matter what! She will always be there for us, come what may. And in that peaceful thought, let us keep the faith!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Because Amma knows....!

278. Om padmasanayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is seated in the lotus flower

Dreams are in color. I had the most incredibly vivid dream. Amma arrived in a car. She was wearing the most gorgeous saree of blue and pink. She blessed me and we spoke to each other! When I woke up from that beautiful dream, my heart swelled with gratitude. Amma knew how important a day it was for me. Amma knew just how much I was relying on Her. So She obliged. As a mother does to Her daughter's wishes. She came in my sleep and gave me darshan. How can my heart not swell with gratitude? I feel humbled by the fact that Amma gave me darshan in such a unique way. I feel humbled to know that Amma cares about each and every one of us. On this incredibly special day or me, Amma  did not just send a blessing byway, She came Herself to deliver a blessing. Thank you Amma for making it extra special for me. Thank you for knowing that I need Your presence. And thank you for obliging this child of yours. Because You know what makes each of Your children happy!

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

The excellence of the universe!

277. Om bhaga-malinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who wears a garland made of the six excellences

"If we watch Amma, we will see the embodiment of all the divine qualities she is constantly encouraging us to cultivate. If you want to understand devotion, watch the tears as they roll down her cheeks during bhajans. If you want to learn about serving the world selflessly, sit by her side one evening as she embraces 12,000 people. If you have questions about sadhana, envision her years on the seashore when she sat motionless, completely estranged from the world. And whatever Amma does, it is meditation, whether sitting in silence, speaking to thousands or sweeping the ashram courtyard."

When we garland Amma, we garland Her with our love and devotion. Amma is also garlanded by the universe with all the excellences of the world. She holds within Her, the beauty of the world. It is all these excellences that we touch when Amma hugs us. When She wipes a tear from our faces, it is all the beauty of the universe that is reaching out with its compassion, towards us. Everything Amma does is what the universe wishes. Amma's will is the universe's will. Amma is the goodness in each of us. She is the brilliance of the sun and the beauty of nature. How incredibly lucky and blessed we are, what incredible karma we have been born with to be Amma's devotees in this birth! Imagine not knowing Amma!!! What a frightful thought. How incomplete our lives would have been. We would possibly have lived this life in search of compassion and beauty and fallen short. Everything, absolutely everything we search for in our lives, lies with Amma. All we need to do is keep the faith. 

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

The charioteer of our lives!

276. Om bhairavyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the wife of Bhairava (Shiva)

I love the whole concept of Amma and Shiva as the yin and yang of the world. The feminine and masculine. The whole concept for me, is that there is a feminine and masculine in each of us. We just need to balance it out as best as we can. The Amma and Shiva in us. Amma, with Her absolute gorgeousness and Her unending compassion. Shiva, our father, with His extremely protective circle of love around us. With both of them watching over us, we are protected and safe. We are living on the right path. We will always have compassion for everyone around us. We will always recognize the futility in exercising the destructive power of our ego. We will always know that goodness will go a long way. We will hopefully always realize that only faith can save us. My favorite lines: Vishwasam tannanne rakshikyu! The reins of our lives lie in Amma's hands. May She always steer us. May She always be the charioteer of our life.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The center of our universe!

275. Om bhanu-mandala-madhyasthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who abides at the center of the sun's disc

Amma abides at the center of the life giving sun's disc. She is the center of my universe. Not a leaf from a tree falls without Amma's knowledge, let alone a life lived everyday. We are extremely fortunate to lead Amma-centric lives. She is the strong anchor who keeps us rooted to the spiritual path. Amma will never allow us to stray or surrender to the vagaries of the material world. She will ensure that at all times, we are protected from life's many knocks. I read this beautiful article dated 2004 in amritapuri.org:

"Amma is full of surprises. She bestows upon Her children many beautiful situations that ever remain fresh and bright in their hearts. These precious moments, however, are not planned; they are spontaneous. As Amma beholds the entire creation as a wonder, whatever She does automatically becomes a wonder itself.

I am reminded of Lord Krishna’s words to Arjuna: “Some see the Self as a wonder. Similarly, others speak about It as a wonder. Others hear about It as a wonder. Yet, no one knows the Self as one’s pure existence.” (Bhagavad Gita, 2:29)

It is indeed true in our relationship with our most beloved Amma. As She spends hours on end with us—laughing, playing, singing, meditating, sharing Her infinite wisdom and even joking—we forget the greatest of all truths, that within this short form of Amma’s resides the infinite shakti of pure consciousness, which is none other than our very own Self."

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma everywhere!

274.Om panca-krtya-parayanayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is devoted to the five functions (mentioned in the mantras above)

Amma protects, blesses and makes everything auspicious. I love my Mother. She's like the most incredibly sweet person in the whole wide world. And somedays, even before the thought has crossed your mind, She makes it happen. There are many a times I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. How does Amma do it? How does She know? How is it that Amma can just be in my heart at the very right moment? Whatever the connection and however strong the signal, I'm just glad we have this. Amma will always know our mind. Which then puts a greater responsibility on us. If Amma is dwelling in our hearts and minds, we need to make it a very clean and pure place with absolutely no place for anger, avarice, jealousy. As Amma sees, if only we could see Amma in everybody, we would be so much happier. It isn't Amma's attempt at ensuring we only think of Her (But that's hardly difficult!). It's only Amma's way of ensuring that we are always happy. We get really happy when in Amma's presence so why not see Her in everybody and stay happy and vice free all the time?

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Blessed by an angel!

273. Om anugraha-dayai namah: I bow down to Amma who confers blessing.

The only thing that keeps us going despite the pressures of daily life, is hope. Hope for a better future, hope for a better life, hope for our family, for health, wealth, spiritual advancement etc. And not one of these is possible without Amma's grace and blessing. Whenever we get Amma's hug, She sends us away with a circle of Her unending Love and blessing around us. It is this blessing that keeps sadness from creeping into our lives, that keeps us safe when we cross a road. Amma's blessing is always there with each one of us. It's there when we wake up every morning. It only gets strengthened through meditation and prayer. When we do these, we reconnect with Amma. Amma knows of our every move. She knows what we are feeling and what we are going through because we are very strongly connected to Her via this incredible spiritual umbilical cord. May this cord always stay strong. Amma would never sever it. If anything, caught up in an ego trap, we just might foolishly do so. Amma, please give us the mental strength to always keep this cord alive.

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Amma, the final truth!

272. Om sada-sivayai namah: I bow down to Amma who as Sadashiva always bestows auspiciousness

Read a beautiful quote by Sai Baba: "God is the truth - You are the seeker. Without you, the search cannot begin. Without Me, the search will not end! God, my dears, is the truth and you are the truth of God"

Amma is our truth. Thankfully. And we aren't seeking a rose in the desert. God becomes a rose in the desert when our faith is feeble. Amma is a flower whose fragrance lingers on in each of us. When our faith is strong and rock solid, Amma will always be there for us. Not because She would leave otherwise, but only because faith gives us strong powered glasses. And this time around, we can see Her crystal clear. Amma had never left us. She was always there. In all Her infinite glory, Amma bestows on us the power to stay on the moral path, to see right from wrong, to incur Amma's grace, to have a shield of Amma's love around us so that we are always protected. She gives us the strength to face life head-on, and to measure the events that occur in our lives. She gives us the ability to see the good in people and to only speak well of others. In all, She bestows auspiciousness in all our doings so that everything we say, do, see and hear is a constant dedication to God.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

For She who rules our lives...!

271. Om isvaryai namah: I bow down to Amma who protects and rules everything

And thank goodness for that. I can't even begin to imagine my life without Amma's hand over my head; without Her supreme protection. It is Amma's protection over all Her children that helps us go from day to day. It is Amma's role as a supreme Mother in our lives that helps us face the many tribulations. She protects and rules everything. As Amma Herself states, even our next breath isn't a certainty. So when nothing is in our hands, how possibly can ego come into play ever, in our lives? The only way forward is to surrender absolutely everything by Amma's feet and then allow Amma's spiritual magic to do the trick. Amma represents the entire universe that conspires to make things happen in alignment with our positive thoughts. Self fulfilling prophesies are nothing but our strong thoughts manifesting. And thus we must only think of Amma all the time. We need to totally forget the "I" in our lives and look at the true director of our lives. For only Amma knows the story, the script, the angles and the picture to follow.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Removing the vices!

270. Om tirodhana-karyai namah: I bow down to Amma who causes the disappearance of things

Somedays when life really gets me down, I feel the need to walk away to the kerb side of life and pause for awhile. For us, that kerb side is really Amma, isn't it? This is the reason there are mile long queues to meet Amma. Each of us, fighting our own set of battles, feels the need to set down our heavy burden and rest for a bit. To rest, rejuvenate. To tell our stories to someone who will understand us and not judge us in any way. Who will allow us a good cry but ensure that She washes away the deep stains made by our desolate tears.
That someone can only be Amma. She will not judge. Neither will She use our stories against us. Instead, She will wholeheartedly accept us for what we are. Or rather, whatever we are. And for Her, that becomes the new Good. When Amma does that, what She is also surreptitiously doing, is causing the disappearance of sorrow, doubt, jealousy, anger and some such, from our lives. We don't know when it happened but it did that our levels of sorrow got diluted, our intense anger calmed down or our doubts got clear, Amma wipes it all away, all with the power of one hug! How lucky we are the the Goddess who removes every vice and every shred of darkness from our hearts is also our own darling Mother!

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Letting gratitude flow!

269. Om rudra rupayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of rudra (Shiva) for the dissolution of the universe

How wonderful that my Mother represents my 2 favorite Gods: Shiva and Devi! She is the most wonderful of all people in the world who ensures that all the fate lines etched out in the universe for us stay on the right course. All we need to do is praise the universe for its infinite wisdom.

Destroying all the negativities in the world, Amma cleanses our minds and souls. She is the ultimate karmic cleanser. Amma is the final stop for all of us. I think the reason we cry when we reach Amma is that our hearts finally begin to let go of the burdens we have been carrying all this while. And it is thus a cry of relief! It is a cry that holds in it all our vices that require destruction. It is a cry that is also an outpouring of all the negativities we have accumulated. In all, Amma is cleansing us thoroughly. She is preparing us to seat God within us. Normally we are the ones who have to clean the altar. Imagine our luck for here the Goddess Herself cleans the altar, i.e our hearts. We should always look towards the universe in gratitude. Imagine, we could well have lived our lives with no knowledge of Amma!! On that note, let the flow of gratitude begin.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The destroyer & the creator!

268. Om samharinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the destroyer of the universe

Dear Amma, today I visualized myself covered and protected by Your white saree. And I felt a deep sense of calm and peace. Because I know that You will always be there for Your children. You will always ensure that we are on the right path, with our minds trained on the divine. When our minds are occupied so, no vice will enter it. We will not allow anything negative to enter it because there is only place for the highest of the high positives: Amma! In this way Amma is destroying the negativities in the universe. She is cleansing us from the inside and the world from the outside. She is removing each strand of negativity that we choose to burden ourselves with. One day when Amma succeeds in the spiritual clean up, what a beautiful world we would have helped Her create after destroying the darkness that existed before! Hope this actually comes to fruition. For then, finally, a world worthy of Amma's presence will exist.

Om Amriteswariye namah!  

Amma, my best friend!

267. Om govinda-rupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of Govinda (Vishnu) for the preservation of the universe.

I think I'm quite sure on this one: Amma is my best friend. Friends normally come and go out of your life so easily. Sometimes they are there heaving you through good times and bad. Sometimes the villainous ego comes into play and friends leave your life in the blink of an eye. Not all can be trusted. Sometimes circumstances take friends away from us. There are so many variables when it comes to friends. But think about this: Imagine living life having Amma as our best friend. We will tell only Her our deepest darkest secrets. Only She will be privy to our tears and we will share our joy first with Her. How do I contact Her, you say? Why, speak to Her of course! Yes there is no physical number one can call but Amma makes it easy for us. She's omnipresent. Sit in a corner and speak to Her and Amma's for sure listening. I find the idea of sharing our tears only with Amma very cool. She's the only one who won't disconnect the phone and call others to gossip about us. She's not going to sit in judgement of our situation. She'll actually give us a solution. She'll handle us with love and care. What's not to be best friends with our dearest, darlingest Amma?

And my best friend is also the preserver of the universe. She preserves each of us in Her cocoon of unending love. She preserves the moral fibre of society. She preserves the goodness in each of us. Like a good friend would!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

My support forever!

266. Om goptryai namah: I bow down to Amma who protects

It was my birthday today and I was lucky to start the day by being at Amma's ashram. I had a strange experience as soon as the prayer commenced. I felt uneasy. I felt like I was going to pass out. I felt a deep panic overtake me. It was frightening and painful. That's when I looked at Amma's picture and asked Her to take care of me. I want to finish this puja, I told Her. I requested Amma to let me be fine. The panic passed only to be replaced by a deep sense of calm. The switch was so immediate, even I was taken aback. I felt Amma's gaze upon me. And in that instance I knew Amma had looked at me and decided to calm me down. I felt happy, relieved, at ease. In all, I felt a deep and wonderful sense of being protected by the protector of the universe. I know that every step we take, Amma protects us. She is there as only a Mother can be, overseeing us and ensuring that we are taken good care of. Thank you Amma for helping calm my panicked heart. Thank you for being there, my stoical divine support!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A Mother, our Creator

265. Om brahma-rupayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of Brahma for the creation of the universe

To me, Amma is the creator. The creator of my life and my life path. And the beautiful thing is Amma is the creator of all our life paths. Each of us is able to relate to Amma as our Mother. A Mother, our creator. She protects us from every obstacle and ensures that we are able to leave fearlessly and happily.

"If you put your hand in fire, it is going to get burned. If you touch a live wire, you are going to get a shock. It doesn’t matter whether you did so inadvertently or not. Whether our actions are done with or without awareness, they still bear fruit. So, we should be extremely alert. All of our actions must first go through the filter of awareness. Awareness can protect us.

The guru is like a chumatu tangi [a roadside rack onto which travelers can set down their loads]. When a traveler sees one near, the load he is carrying becomes more bearable just because he knows that he can set it down at any time. So, too, it is with the guru’s presence. We know if our load becomes unbearable, we can always set it down. Thus, the guru gives the disciple the strength to forebear.

Children, adversity and death come for everyone. Our prayer should be, 'May my mind become capable of only thinking good thoughts and only doing good deeds.' Such people live forever." Excerpts from www.amritapuri.org

I hope I am able to live my life in exactly the perfect line that Amma has drawn for me. May my life be lived in the shade of Amma's ever compassionate love. 

Om Amriteswariye Namah!

Every moment in gratitude!

264. Om srsti-kartryai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the creator

The creator of our world. The creator of everything beautiful in our world. The creator of everything we should be grateful for. She created us and the many journeys on our life line. We owe Her everything that is beautiful in our lives. Today is my daughter's birthday and I am reminded of a day 12 years ago. The pregnancy was a tough one. Bindu and Menon Aunty sat down on the floor outside the operation theatre and recited the Sahasranamam. For me, that was a moment of Amma's creation. A creation of a life long friendship. A creation of eternal gratitude and of knowing that once Amma has done a sankalpa, even the Universe puts its own plans aside. Amma created for us the best life possible. She gave me a daughter who has given us so much learning and happiness. She is Amma's child in every way. Everyday I thank Amma for giving me such meaning in my life. For giving me a higher purpose of bringing up a child. For giving me an opportunity to make myself a better person. Amma has defined my life in the bestest way possible. I look into my daughter's eyes and see Amma's love, generosity and compassion. Now if only my heart were bigger like Amma's and I had the grace to see this in everyone! Thank you Amma for everything.

Om Amriteswariye Namah!

Encircled by the Divine!

263. Om sarvavastha-vivarjitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who transcends all states

In The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother, the description of the mantra says that a yogin who has reached the state beyond the turya is known as mahayogin. All his words become mantras, because his mind is pure. Such great souls should always be approached because even when they are not instructing, their conversation itself is instruction. Their every movement is a gesture of worship.

To me, this description is for Amma. Amma's words are mantras of spirituality and goodness. When Amma gives us a mantra, it's actually a protective cloak She is handing over to us. When Amma gives darshan, why do so many people flock around Her? Only to hear pieces of Her nuggets. Even a smile from Amma is like an offering to the Universe. Everything Amma does is like a cleansing of the world. Her one gesture seems like She is removing pain. A smile seems like She is eradicating jealousy and hate. And of course that world famous embrace is Amma circling us with Her unending, compassionate Love. Amma's conversation truly is instruction and yes, Her every movement is a gesture of worship to the Divine. When Amma walks into a hall and greets all of us with folded palms, it is a gesture of acknowledging the divine in each of us. Amma knows our every move, our every thought. She knows when we are sad, frightened, happy. Her divine powers allow Her to understand everything about us. Which is why we must totally surrender to Amma. Heart, body, mind and soul. Amma is the only person we can totally and uninhibitedly surrender to. She will ask no questions. Nor will She judge. All She will do is take us into Her beautiful embrace and make our lives ever so divine.

Om Amriteswariye Namah!

The best choice ever!

262. Om turyayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the state of turya, the fourth state.

"Turya is the state in which the experience known as suddhavidya is attained- the ultimate realization of the Atman...In turya, the jiva exists just as a witness....The supreme state of turya can only be described as a wonder. Yoginis consider only this state as real. The concept of turya is one that astonishes modern psychology. The modern intellect retreats from the effort after talking about the conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind, whereas thousands of years ago, the rsis of India declared the existence of the turya state which was attained by the yoginis."
Excerpts from "The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother"

I find such things very difficult to understand because I am not well read in the scriptures. The only thing I understand crystal clear is the love I have for Amma. I adore Her and at the same time, I am also scared of Her. I don't wish to displease Her in any way. Over the years Amma has taught me some valuable lessons and while initially I may resist the education, I realise Amma always does it only for my good. While waking on this path which we have chosen...of being Amma's children...we need to keep in mind that we have chosen God for our Mother. Now this all powerful God can watch us at all times. While our own biological Mother has an unbreakable bond with us, Amma's bond with us goes much more deeper on many levels. And Amma will do anything for our happiness while also ensuring that we stay on the straight and narrow path. She can be a strict disciplinarian. But we've aimed highest and chosen God for our Mother. Could there be a better choice?!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Omniscient Amma!

261. Om prajnatmikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is not separate from the jiva in the state of deep sleep

"In the Devi Bhagavata, Devi says 'I Myself am the universe, there is nothing different from Me.'"
"Deep sleep is the state in which there is no power of discrimination. The experience in deep sleep is indeed: I know nothing. What remains afterwards is only the memory of: I knew nothing." From The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother

Amma is not separate from anything or anyone. We just need to recognize and realise this fact. Amma is there, omniscient, omnipresent. She is there to help us surrender ourselves to God. For some of us, God is Amma and so we find it easier to surrender ourselves at the feet of the most Divine Mother. Some days when the stress is high and life throws it usual curve balls at us, it is so much easier to just surrender everything to Amma than fight a losing battle. It is so much easier to just put down our defenses and tell Amma: I am tired and weary. Would you please help me out with this one?
We don't need to bribe Her or threaten. We just need to lay our soul bare and Amma listens. She hears each word we speak and each thought we have. Somedays when I am down and out I wonder if Amma is ever listening to me. But most days when the ego is under control and my spiritual quotient is at its highest, I just know that a Mahatma like Amma can't but be in the know of every heartbeat of Her devoted children.

Om Amriteswariye namah!  

Amma's wise words!

260. Om suptayai namah: I bow down to Amma who assumes the form of the jiva experiencing deep sleep

I read this in Amma's website and it's like a question I have asked for a long time has been answered: "If you can see goodness everywhere, then there is no need for chanting mantras, doing puja, or any other form of spiritual practice. You don’t need anything.

If you see that someone has fallen into a ditch and you say, “He is Brahman, the ditch is Brahman” and keep on walking, then there is something wrong with your understanding. If you really see him as Brahman, you will help him out. Compassion will arise within you.

If someone scolds you, mocks you, gets angry at you, you must invoke that knowledge and discriminate “I am not the body. I am not the mind. Who is there separate from me with whom to become angry?” and maintain your equanimity. If you can do that, then that is sufficient.

Until then, we need to continue doing spiritual practices and other observances that will help us purify the mind.

Children, we need nitya-anitya vivekam—the ability to discern between what is permanent and what is temporary. At the same time we need practicality. This is why it is important to study the scriptures.

Once there was man who learned from his guru that everything is Brahman. One day he and his brother were walking when a dog charged toward them. The brother ran, but the man stood firm. His brother said, “Hey! Run! It’s a rabid dog!” The man still didn’t move. The dog bit him. The next day he complained to his guru, “Hey, you told me that everything is Brahman. I thought, ‘I am Brahman, the dog is Brahman. Why should I run?’ But still I got bit.” The guru responded, “Why couldn’t you see your brother who was instructing you to run as Brahman as well?”

Until you have proper insight, you need to put in effort to purify your mind, you need to discriminate neti neti—“Not this, not this.” You need to study the scriptures.

Speak good always, do good always, think good always. Stay away from bad influences. This is how we should live our life."

I find Amma's concept of neti-neti so powerful. There are times I walk about trying to set things right for other people without proper discrimination. I haven't gauged who the recipient of my goodness is. And this is where I need to assess and practice neti-neti. Thank you Amma for showing me the way - once again!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma and faith!

258. Om svapantyai namah: I bow down to Amma who assumes the form of the jiva in the dream state

One day when I sit down somewhere and look back on my life, I know the defining moment of all things to come would have been the day my father decided to take us all to Vallickavu to meet this Guru he had heard of. Amma. After that, even though the journey has been slow and my faith has every once in a while been shaken, I know I am under Amma's umbrella of protection. Not even an umbrella, but Her canopy of grace. Whether it is in the waking or dream state, Amma is always there for each of us who believes in Her and has the faith in Her. "Viswasam tannenne rakshikyu". It is faith that will save us. That will help us cross the many difficult bridges we so often encounter. That will make us realise the folly of our ways and correct it. It is faith that will make us look at experiences as the road we have taken for the betterment of our future. Amma has Her own methods. And one of them is to put us on paths that will cleanse us. Acknowledging that, is the first step towards faith. May Amma shower me with the grace to realise this wonderful truth!

Om Amriteswariye namah!   

Amma: our very soul!

259. Om taijasatmikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the soul of the jiva in the dream state

To me, Amma is the soul in every state. But it's wonderful that Amma is the soul of the jiva in the dream state. There is a murkiness connected to a dream state. It's like a space we aren't too clear about where dreams and nightmares visit. So if Amma is pervading that space, it is wonderful because even in our subconscious level, Amma is present. She is always there to guide us and show us the right path. Even in a dream state, Amma is gently nudging us to get onto the right path. She is ensuring that even when our eyes are shut, our minds are still receptive to the higher levels of spirituality. Amma is there to help us go through life accumulating the least amount of Karma. Amma is there to make this journey enjoyable. Yes, we have worries and troubles and enemies but in the great balance of life, against all of these negativities stands Amma, balancing everything out and teaching us that Her divinity will see us through. All we need to do, is stay on the right path. Isn't it wonderful that all our Mother wants is for Her children to stay honest and good?

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Cleansing ourselves for Amma!

257. Om jagarinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who assumes the form of the jiva who is in the waking state

Just as tears wash away pain and the rain washes away accumulated muck, so also Amma's mere presence washes away all of our prarabhda karmas. Just being in Amma's presence helps us cleanse ourselves. Amma's divinity is the essence of the goodness meant to be in the world. It's the sum total of all the goodness there possibly ever can be in this world. As we exult with joy when Amma gives us a hug, it really is all our negativity washing away and leaving us. The filth that we have accumulated in our mind finds a way out. Amma opens the taps so that the dirty stagnant water of materialism and greed can find an outlet. Finally, after the filth has gone, the clear water runs. And this clear water is Amma's ever loving presence.

Some days when the burden of everyday life gets too much, I need to take a pause and reflect deeply on Amma. Who is Amma? Why is She here? What do I mean to Her? All these questions whirl about in my head. They answer themselves when in Amma's presence. Swamiji said yesterday that reading Amma's life story is equal to reading the scriptures. And why not? For all of divinity lies very much at the feet of our Holy Mother!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Total surrender!

256. Om visva-rupayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has the whole universe as Her form

At the MA centre today, Swamiji said some beautiful things about Amma. Simple fact: Obviously we feel at deep peace and feel intense happiness when in Amma's presence, which is why we are willing to undertake long journeys or stand in long queues to meet Amma. The bigger truth Swamiji said hit home even more: when we are told to surrender everything at Amma's feet, it does not mean surrender to Her our house, wealth and belongings. It means we must realise that absolutely every experience, while propelled by our prarabdhas, come to us only because Amma has willed it so. Because Amma sees it is necessary for our growth.I have read this thought before but hearing Swamiji say it made it all the more powerful. I find that like Gibran said, it is a truth that nothing is ours. Even our children aren't ours. For us, Amma's children, everything that comes to us is from Amma. A gift. Our family, our possessions. The food we eat, the car we drive, the talent that we have. And just like that when Amma sends an experience our way, it is because we need that lesson in our lives. Amma is the all pervading universe for us. She is the path we have chosen; She is our past, present and future. In all, our entire life should be lived as a dedication to the finest, most beautiful Mother in this world.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

United in Amma's love!

255. Om dharmadharma-vivarjitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is devoid of (transcends) both virtue and vice

We battle with the many vicissitudes of life on an everyday basis. Every minute there's a graph of emotions and behaviours that we chart. So also for virtues and vices in our life. Depending on situations  and people, we play up our virtues or vices. We present differing sides of ourselves depending on where we are and who we are with. And yet Amma, who meets over 6-7000 people a day never shows any other side of Herself except the love She feels for each one of us. Over the past few weeks, I heard the actor Mohanlal speak about Amma. And I realized how many celebrities must go to Amma. Yet when we go to Amma, She makes us feel important. Like a celebrity. She will receive us well, embrace us with all Her heart and shower us with Her grace. The same goes for the person in front of you and behind you. There is no extra love for the rich or no extra pat for the actor. Amma has a sameness in Her that is beautiful to see. As Her children, we know we are not being judged on anything: none of the many superficial ladders life has given us. A Mother is hugging us and She has transcended any prejudice, any virtue or vice. For Her, we are one. United in Her Love!

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Amma's true power of Love!

254. Om dhyana-dhyatr-dhyeya-rupayai namah: I bow down to Amma who shines as meditation, meditator and the object of meditation

Can there be a better person we can meditate upon than Amma? Amma is the ultimate symbol of the goodness in this world. Amma is hope. Amma is the silver lining. Amma is the belief that the higher power of the world will set everything right. Amma is the reason we know that the sun that has set will rise tomorrow morning. Amma is the reason the sun shines every morning. Today what we are seeing of Amma is but an infinitesimal portion of Her true powers. We know Amma can remember people in a crowd but I think the real truth is that Amma can see inside each of us every second of every day. The phrase that "She lives within each of us" isn't just some divine symbolism. It is the truth. There's a part of Amma within each of our hearts. And this is what we must meditate upon and think about when we give in to our vices. Putting any negativity in our hearts is akin to throwing negativity in Amma's way. May we always have the grace to see the true might of Amma!

Om Amriteswariye namah!