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Mata Amritanandamayi, also called Amma or Ammachi,
is a modern-day Incarnation of Sri Kali Ma. She took birth in a village in
Kerala, Bharat for the sake of Her
children who are suffering in today's materialistic world of
Maya. Amma is truly the manifestation of the Supreme Devi. Since early childhood
She has used Her Divine power to relieve people of their sorrow and troubles.
She has established Ashrams in Bharat and around the world, as well as numerous
charitable institutions including a hospital, schools, and orphanages, all
entirely free to those in need. Amma teaches humanity the highest spiritual
Truths, of the eternal atman which is what really matters in this world,
and the need for selfless service to others which She has performed tirelessly
Herself.
Article on Ammachi showing Her support for our jawaans:
By Swami Amritatmananda Puri
Mother weeps. She weeps-taking into herself the tears of a thousand mothers, who have lost their sons, and countless of our sisters who have been widowed. Her tears are the divine tears of the Universal Mother-tears, ensuing from the sorrows of thousands, made Her own. It is the other face of a historic victory. The recent battle of Kargil (in Kashmir) may have been a small battle. Still, in the world history of wars it is a most miraculous chapter. In no other country anywhere in the world has such a war been fought in the lofty heights of snow-capped mountain peaks, where the temperatures are so low that one can easily freeze to death. It was an unbelievable victory, won only because of unequalled courage, sacrifice and willpower. The enemy were in a vantage position near the top of the mountain peaks, fighting from concealed bunkers. Because of the difficult terrain, our soldiers weren't able to carry enough supplies, only the barest essentials; they didn't have proper clothing to resist the cold; many went without food for days, and they didn't sleep. If you went forward, there was no turning back-you were met by either victory or death-and being captured was worse than death. Still, our most valiant brothers won, only because of their unthinkable valour and selfless dedication to our country. It is true that we have won the battle. However, any battle victory is soaked in tears. There are the brave who sacrificed their lives. Many of the soldiers have lost their limbs. There are the parents who are mourning the loss of their sons. Wives have become widows while still in their youth. Children have been orphaned. The tears of all these people will not dry soon. Having just returned from the world tour, I was talking to Mother about the suffering and sacrifice of those who had fought in the battle, and the grief of their families. Mother, in Her compassion, decided to donate a good sum of money as an offering to the victims and their families, on behalf of the ashram. I pointed out to Mother that the ashram is under considerable financial strain because of the AIMS hospital, the house-building project for the homeless, the orphanages, the widows' pension scheme, etc. In this situation, could we really afford to give away such a large amount? No sooner had I said this than the expression on Mother's face changed and Her eyes were flooded with tears. A moment later She burst out sobbing. I was at a loss, not knowing how to console Her. After a few minutes, Mother wiped Her tears with the edge of Her sari, and said, "Son, how could you think like this? Those young men who were writhing in pain, and who died for the sake of this soil, were they not your brothers? Son, what need have we of money if we cannot use it to help such dedicated souls. They lived and died for this country, for all of us." "Son, love others-love everyone. Where there is love, figures do not matter. In love there is no thought of gain or loss. Think of the sacrifice those children made! Pray for them and for their families." As She spoke, tears continued to course down Her cheeks. I stood there wonderstruck. I was seeing a side of Mother I hadn't known before. The sorrows of thousands were reflected in Her. I felt that Her sorrow was the sorrow of Bharatamba (Mother India). And I felt ashamed of myself. An awareness grew within me that Mother, who was sitting there before me, was not just my Mother, but the Mother of every Indian-She is Bharatamba Herself, and the Cosmic Mother. Mother's motherly heart cannot be confined to the needs of just one or two of Her children. Her love flows spontaneously to every sorrowing heart in every corner of the world. This being so, how could Her love not reach her valiant sons as well, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Motherland? Those who do not love their own country, cannot love the world. Those who do not love the soil onto which they were born, their own heritage, and their fellow brothers and sisters, who are the heirs to that heritage, cannot love humanity as a whole. If spirituality is supreme selflessness, first of all it should manifest as love for those around us. Anyone who has been born in Bharat, be he or she a worldly person or a sannyasi, a yogi or a warrior, if that person is a true son or daughter of this country, he or she will love this holy land and all its people. Bharat is not a mere piece of land made of the five elements-it is a living manifestation of the Divine Mother, who is Pure Consciousness. It would be a grave sin to consider this land as nothing more than mere matter made of hills and valleys, rivers and fields. We won't find fulfilment unless and until we look upon this holy land as our own mother, loving, serving and adoring her accordingly. The picture of Mother, sitting there before me shedding tears, made me aware of this truth. Janani janma bhumishcha swargadapi gariyasi (Mother and the Motherland are even greater than heaven). These are the immortal words of Lord Sri Rama, who is the God of all of Bharat. Mother, who, in this age, is an incarnation of that same Divine Principle, conveys that same message with Her tears. Mother's heart is in Bharat, and Bharat is in Mother. She is in the people of Bharat, and they are in Her. Whenever Mother travels abroad-spreading the eternal spiritual message of Bharat throughout the West-witnessing Her homesickness for Bharat is a daily experience for those who are travelling with Her. She counts the days to when She will be going back to Bharat, and can often be heard giving apt and emotional answers to people who criticise our culture and the state of affairs in our country. I remember the golden words that issued from Her mouth a few years ago: "Every place has a heart centre, where all its power is concentrated. Bharat is the heart of the world. Its charm is unique. Just to hear the name "Bharat" instils peace and life within us. Sanatana Dharma (the Eternal Religion), which evolved in our country, is the origin of all other spiritual philosophies. Bharat is the land of the rishis. They are the ones who have given strength and power, not only to Bharat, but to the whole world." In the golden age of the past, this holy land was known as Sri Mahabharat. In the course of time, with the degeneration of dharma, it changed into the India of today. One of the aims of Mother's incarnation is to re-elevate India, to transform our country into 'Amritabharat' (Immortal Bharat). And if India becomes 'Amritabharat,' the world will become 'Amritabhumi'; for if the heart flourishes, all the cells of the body pulsate with life. The Kargil war can be seen as a symbol of the eternal fight going on between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness) in every part of the world. It is the battle being fought both within and without. If we are to emerge victorious in this battle, tireless effort is needed on our part-and God's Grace. Etra Yogeshwarah Krishno Etra Partho Dhanurdharah Tatra Shrir Vijayo Bhuti… 'Where Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, are united, there is victory, prosperity and upliftment… 'From time immemorial, sublime spiritual power and indomitable will to fight adharma have been the gifts of Bharat. At this point in history, The Incarnation that is Mother is proclaiming this truth once again. And, having Mother with us-who is the Lord of Yoga, and who showers us with Her nectarine love and affection-how can we, Her brave children, the soldiers of dharma, possibly be defeated? May the courageous sons of Kargil be an inspiration to us all, to fight the Kurukshetra battle of life, to conquer all selfishness and narrow-mindedness-flying high the flags of renunciation and love.
To learn more about Amma, please visit Her websites:
Official Ammachi
Homepage
Amritapuri
Quotes
From Her spiritual teachings
Mata
Amritanandamayi Bhajans
English translations of some of Mata Amritanandamayi's most beautiful bhajans.
The original words in Malayalam, Hindi, Thamizh, etc. can be found in Amma's
Bhajanamritam books, and the recordings on Her tapes, all available from
Mothersbooks.org.
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