In surrender of the ego!

289. Om sruti-simanta-sinduri-krta-padabja-dhulikayai namah: I bow down to Amma the dust from whose feet forms the vermillion marks at the parting line of the hair of the Sruti devatas (vedas personified as Goddesses)

This mantra reminds me of Amma's programs and the times we go to receive Her at the airport. Despite numerous reminders not to bend down and touch Amma's feet, so many of us want to do it. So many people end up doing it or even just touching or kissing the ground Amma has walked on. It is our way of still holding on to someplace Amma has touched. It is our way of giving thanks to the universe for giving us someone like Amma! Caressing a petal from a garland Amma wore, touching the chair Amma sat on, dividing into minuscule amounts and savoring prasad that Amma distributes - these are just our own ways of showing our affection and unbridled love for Amma. And why shouldn't we? She is hope, fate, destiny. She is compassion, love, faith. She is our yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are happy that Amma is the order of our universe. One glance at Her, and everything is set right. So why allow the dust from Her feet to settle back to the ground when it can be lovingly put on the parting line of our hair? Maybe it's our way of also surrendering our mind-directed egos to Amma!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's teaching!

288. Om punyapunya-phala-pradayai namah: I bow down to Amma who dispenses the fruits of both good and evil actions

When Amma dispenses the fruits of both good and evil actions, Amma isn't judging us. Just ensuring that our actions are rewarded justly. That we realise that our actions create a ripple in the world that will come back to us. As we do good, so will the good vibrations come floating back to us. When we do evil, the negative vibrations will find their way back to us. Everything is connected with spiritual strands. If we create tears, they will find their way into our eyes. If we generate laughter, they will upturn the corners of our own mouths soon. That's Amma's spiritual justice. Her cane for keeping us on the right road always. And as usual, Amma only does this so we are more self aware and only notch up positive points in the ledger book that karma maintains!

May Amma's grace always goad us to doing the right things.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

In the divine words of Amma!

287. Om nijajna-rupa-nigamayai namah: I bow down to Amma whose commands take the form of the vedas.

Everything Amma utters is the universal truth. I was lucky to find a book titled Messages from Amma, with some priceless gems in them. I find that if we follow Amma's words closely, there are very important life lessons hidden in them. These are the ways Amma wants us to live on a daily basis. If only we could constantly remember these. If we did, we would never walk down the path of vices or suffering, ever!

"If you take each step
with good thoughts in your mind
and a smile on your face
goodness will come
and fill your being.
Then how can God resist?
She will embrace you
and every moment will bring you
peace and happiness"

"Man egotistically claims
he can push a button
and burn the world to ash
when he doesn't understand
the power that moves his own finger"

"All of us are burdened
by the sorrow and pain of past experiences.
All of us have numerous festering wounds.
The cure for these wounds is
love and compassion for others.
Love is the universal remedy."

Om Amriteswariye namah!

I look unto You, Amma!

286. Om varnasrama-vidhayinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who established the order of the social division in life

Today I have had many chats with Amma. Sometimes I have lost my composure and questioned Her plenty. Sometimes I feel like Amma isn't really listening to me. Maybe I just need to find my own peace with Amma. Maybe I'm going through a period where I am doubting Amma's intentions for me. Is Amma listening to me? Does She know what's happening? Will She reach out and make it all right? Really, where is Amma? Why isn't She using Her infinite powers to make everything ok? Amma need not even pick up that magic wand. After all, all She needs to do is make a sankalpa and the world will right itself again. I'm going through a rough patch spiritually Amma. I have asked and begged but not got anything definitive from You. Today I am asking again. And wondering why You are silent despite knowing everything. You are the all knowing, all seeing Mother of the Universe. If I don't/can't come to You, who can I possibly go to?

I await Your answer.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The Mother of all!

285. Om abrahma-kita-jananyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the mother of everything from Brahma to the lowliest insect

I love seeing pictures of Amma with animals. There is innocence reflected on both faces. Amma anyways has the innocence of the entire universe. The animal, whether it be a dog, cat, bird or even a snake, sits quietly near Amma, enjoying the presence of the Divine. Beautiful stories about Tumban and Amma are a pleasure to read. A dog's innocent yet possessive love for Amma. How lucky is Tumban to be born a dog that Amma loves! Sometimes Tumban even sleeps in Amma's room! He walks the grounds of Amritapuri and can even be seen with Amma during darshan. How fortunate are the elephants and the cows that Amma has adopted?! When Amma was young and thrown out of Her home, it was many animals that came to Her rescue and looked after Her. Way before we humans had the intelligence, these animals knew of Amma's spiritual greatness! I think to have that level of luck, we must totally stay innocent. Not give in to any of the guile the world throws our way and keep with the express intent of 'staying gold'. Amma is everyone's Mother. She cares for each of us and loves us all equally. We just need the grace to have the mind to recognize this.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The best support!

284. Om sahasra-pade namah: I bow down to Amma who has a thousand feet

Spiritual leader, humanitarian and visionary Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known throughout the world simply as “Amma”, has served the world-community for decades, imparting wisdom, strength and inspiration. Through her extraordinary acts of love, inner strength and self-sacrifice, Amma has endeared herself to millions and inspired thousands to follow in her path of selfless service.
This is an introduction to Amma in embracingtheworld.org. 

Amma's gigantic footprints of love that span the earth, is what echoes the meaning of this mantra. Look at the number of people Amma has consoled, the number of lives She has touched. Amma has walked the earth ensuring the happiness of each of us. We always get our hearts desire when we leave the reins of our future in Amma's all knowing hands. Amma's entire life is a dedication to the happiness of Her children. She will walk miles to reach us and smoothen everything out in our lives. All Amma wants us to do is walk the mile of unquestioning faith. That mile where we, no questions asked, surrender every fate and destiny line to Her. Amma knows what to do with these twisted lines. She knows that life's blips will go away. The minor glitches will only show up a small curveball. What will actually endure and remain will be the faith we show at such times. It's so tough to keep it going. Ask me! My faith has been shaken a few times and I get into a verbal argument with Amma over it. I question Her. "Are You even looking out for me, Amma? Are You even watching?" "Do You really have the power to watch over me?" But when the bitterness settles down like dregs, I know Amma is the only gentle wall I can lean on. She is the support. She is my past, present and future.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's watchful eyes!

283. Om sahasraksyai namah:  I bow down to Amma who has a thousand eyes

A thousand eyes through which Amma savors the beauty of this world and watches over the evil that unfolds; A thousand eyes that can see into the depths of our soul and feel our pain and happiness. Her eyes hold in them our lives stories. Everything is there seen and stored in those eyes. Amma watches over Her children, mindful of each of our thoughts and feelings.

Amma is the universal Mother. She has made such a big difference to all our lives. Today when I was walking in one of the most beautiful parts of this city, all I could think about, was how I could just sit there and chant Amma's names. Just a small space where I could sit and feel the massive expanse of Amma's beauty. We all seek Amma in our own way. We look for Her in every event, situation, space. We hope for Her at every corner of our life. Here's praying that Amma fulfills our every positive desire and wish and may we always be protected by Her infinite grace!

Om Amriteswariye namah!