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 Vol. 20, No. 12
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CONTENTS
2 amma's message

5 amma dedicates 'green year'

6 you've got a mantra

haji shearer, u.s.a.

8 beware (be aware) of anger

swami amritageetananda puri

11 divine love-2
swami paramatmananda puri

19 the first darshan

t. vasudevan nayar, india

24 amma in my life
suma unni, india
31 lilas around amma R.S.
34 news
Some articles use tl1e masculine pro11oUt1 when referrillg to God, in keC'ping with conventwn a11d
to avoid the clumsiness ofcons!ruction> such as "lie or She" or "lfim or Ilcr." Needless ro say, God
is neill1er male nor female. but transcends gender.
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 ~ £\nun;l..., J'vh?...,<;a~.i,P

god's nature
IS LOVE

W e arc able to function only because of the

blessings of' the Lord, who is most compas-
sionate. Some ''viii say there is no God. This is
like saying "I have no tongue" with the tongue!
Can someone without a tongue to say "I do not
have a tongue?" Similarly, in saying there is no
God , we arc acknowledging the existence of God.
The reason is, if' we are to say that an object does
not ex1st, we must have pnor knowledge of' that
objec t.
Darling children , we have come f'ror-1 Cod. The the attitude "0 Lord , I am think that there are many
dim awareness of this is within us. That awareness Your servant" dawns will our people in this world who love
must become fully realized. God is within you. innate divinity-or our true us selflessly. Those types of
The Clower, fruit. branches and leaves are all latent nature-become manifest. love arc all selfish. To illus-
in the seed. However, if' it proclaims , "Everything Darling children, do not trate this, Amma will tell you
is in me. I will bow down to none!" will its true waste your God-given time. a story.
nature become manifest'? No. Only when it goes Seck refuge in the Universal Once, a father and daugh-
underthe soil will the tr·ee that exists in latent f(mn Mother. Children, only the ter set out on a journey. Dur-
in the seed start emerging. Similarly, only when Divine Mother loves us self- ing the day, they saw many
2 lessly. We are mistaken if we sights in town. In the evening,
,1.nl£u,.( 2000

3
 Children, only the Divine Mother loves us seH~ Am rna Dedicates 'Green Year'
lessly. We arc mistaken if we think that there arc June 5th, 2009- June 5th, 2u10

many people in this world who love us selflessly.

• • • • ' Amma has been encouraging everyone to serve Nature through ac-
tivities such as planting trees, starting vegetable gardens, and walk-
ing instead of driving whenever we can. We can thus be in harmony
with the oneness that pervades all of Creation, thereby restoring
they went to a hotel to rest. As getting ready to leave, the
the lost balance of Nature.
soon as the hotel proprietor daughter said, "Daddy, how
Amma has dedicated the coming year-June 5th (World
saw them, he welcomed them loving these people are!" Be-
Environment Day) this year to June 5th next year-as 'Green Year.'
with great cordiality and re- fore he could respond, an at-
All efforts that benefit the environment will be redoubled . Thou -
spect. Two or three attend- tendant appeared and pre- sands of trees will be planted in the more than 25 countries where
ants appeared and escorted sented them with the hotel Amma's GreenFriends units are already active. Organic gardens will
the father and daughter to bill. be sprouting all over the world, since Amma has highlighted the im -
their room. The room was The father told his daugh- portance of taking responsibility for our food production. Recycling
beautifully decorated. Within ter, "This is the consolidated centres for waste management will be organized in all of Amma's
moments, waiters came with bill for the love and service schools and spiritual ce.ntres to help lessen the burden of trash on
platters of l(>od. They happily rendered yesterday. They Mother Earth. Composting workshops are planned so that we can
took away the father 's and have itemized the cost oF the learn and practise the simple technique of turning food waste into
daughter's clothes to the laun- services.. " organic soil for gardens. Learning how to conserve energy and water
dry. They washed the clothes Their love was based on in all our daily activities will help reduce the carbon pollution in the
thoroughly and ironed them selfish interests. Darling chil- atmosphere; the less carbon, the less global warming.
Amma uses the water she washes her hands with to water plants.
well before returning them . dren, the love of most people
Whenever we wash a plate or cup, we can be aware of how much
The attendants also gave them is like this. E ven the show of
water we are using and try to reduce it to the minimum. If we see a
hot water· for their baths. In love between people is based
water tap dripping or running, we can take a moment to turn it off. If
these ways, the staff attended on selfish motives. We can get we see that a light has been left on unnecessarily, we can turn it off.
to every one of their needs. At true love o nly from God. God Using less plastic is another way to stop the destruction of Nature.
night, the resident singers of is of the nature of love. Un- Using. cloth bags for. shopping can save billions of plastic bags.
the hotel serenaded them and derstand this, children. Un- · If there isn't already a GreenFriends group in your area, start
other musicians regaled them derstand the Lord. Utilize the one! If you haven't been active in Green Friends, now is the time to
with instrumental music. · true wealth in us in the right get involved. We all need to do our part.
The next morning, when way. Children, don't forget For more information, write to:
the father and daughter were this!~ Coordinator, GreenFriends, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
'Amritapuri Campus, Clappana P.O., Kallam- 690525
4 u.,.,..,,._.lll AuJ.fust. 2000 Email: weenfriends@amritapuri.org
You've got a mantra
by Haji Shearer, U.S.A.
1 sit in boring meetings
half my life it sometimes seems.
I space out, getting sleepy,
my mind wanders and daydreams.
Boredom gets the best of me,
I silently fuss and rant.
'lhen Amma whispers in my car,
"You've got a mantra. Ch ant."
I check the online paper ·
when I get back t:o my cube.
The stories arc full of people
robbing, }6'' mg, acting rude.
Sadness engulfs my being.
This can't: go on, it simply can't:.
'Then Amma whispers in my car,
rou' vc got a mantra. Ch. ant. "
"'iT
Going home I see a pretty girl
as I'm walking down the street:.
I gaze at her with wonder
hoping soon our eyes will meet.
(j
- ~- - - · - -- ·-·- ----
•h•t.<· "'''~"' August 2009
Blood rushes round my body,
my breath gets short, I nearly pant.
Then Amma whispers in my car,
IOU' ve got a mantra. C'h
"'iT _ ant."
I'm tired, late and hungry
when I walk into the house.
Maybe a bit impatient
I speak coldly to my spouse.
Weeds of conflict grow
from careless words I harshly plant.
'!hen Amma whispers in my ear,
"VIOU ' ve got a mantra. Ch
_ ant."
The kids refuse to do their chores
and argue back at me.
I'm the one who pays the bills.
They're living here for free.
I load my meanest words,-
prepare to crush them like an ant.
'Then Amma whispers in my ear,
IOU' ve got a mantra. Ch
"'iT _ ant.,
'Ihe best part of my day
is when I sit in meditation.
Every morning I get to take
a mystical vacation.
'The bliss begins to flow.
Beautific visions She can grant.
All because She's given me
a mantra I can chant. ~
----
,'\ugust ~000 :tl al•••u·aui '1
 ~ J~·flflPctiDn her and-the devotees organ-
izing the program, she
could not get Amma's dar-
shan! Usually, those who
travel with Amma don't go
beware (be aware) for her darshan because of
the huge crowds that come
OF ANGER to see her. However, Amma
had told the devotees in her
entourage that they could
_ by swami amritagcctananda puri
come if they really feel like
having her darshan, but
that darshan would be
brief because of the huge
crowds.
For us-Amma's chil-
0 n her way to the lkahmasthanam Festival at
Mangalore , Amma stopped at the Kan- dren-Amma is the living
God. Remembering this,
hangad Amrita Vidyalayam (school) for evening
tea, meditation and bhajan practice. During the _let us try to give Amma the
question-and-answer session, a devotee asked, "Is best. Sri Ramakrishna their intense love towards
it wrong to get angry with Amma?" Paramahamsa once said, - Lord Krishna and attained
The question revealed her pm·ity c~f mind, child.- "Whatever you offer God liberation. Kamsa, who knew
lilce simplicity and straightforwardness. I was comes back to you multiplied that he was to die at Krishna's
reminded of a beautiful saying: a thousand times. So be care- hands and continuously
I ~as angry with my friend, ful what you offer Him!" thought of Him with intense
I told mv wrath, my wrath did end, However, God's compas- fear, was finally killed and
v -
1 was angry with my foe: sion is so great that au r holy became liberated. Sisupala,
I told it not. my wrath did grow. books say, 'Every emotion who developed intense hatred
directed towards God with towards Lord Krishna, fought
-William Blake
concentration and intensity against the Lord, was killed
The devotee then explained why she was angry. gets purified.' The gopu (milk- by the Lord and thus became
Because of a small communication gap between maids) ofVrindavan directed eternally free .
------------------
s Au~ust 2009 '>i•tt•·""'"'' 9
f~d.~·h~-~'ldt .o~.\ugusl 2000
 We arc really blessed to be
in her divine presence. In her
luminous presence, our nega-
tive tendencies become re-
vealed to us, and we sincerely
make efforts to remove them.
Amma puts us in situations
and circumstances that make
us aware oCour imperfections.
Gradually, we become puri-
fied in her divine presence.
The beginning of our pmgress
is becoming aware of our false
values and the low tendencies
within us.
1Vlany years ago, during
one of' Arnma's foreign tours,
when I was Brahmachari
Sathyatma Chaitanya,
dressed in the yellow robes
of initiated brahmaci1aris I
brahmacharinis, there were
occasions when I became
very angry. I felt sad and
decided to ask Amrna when
she returned why she had
given the yellow cloth to
smneone as short-tempered
as me.
When Amma returned af-
ter the tour·, I went for dar-
shan with the intention of
!0 lt;..tt_ .•.• ,,_. Au~ust 2009
asking her this question. ~ SntS!Ul{<
When my turn came, she
hugged me, put me on her lap
and announced, "I am going
to gi,•e him ,ttumya,ta f''l DIVINE
The beginning of progress
is becoming aware, more and love-2
more aware. This is possible
only in the presence of an
by swami paramatmananda puri
enlightened Master like
Am ma. In her presence, we
can slowly feel the change
taking place within us, the
cloud within us getting
cleared by the winds of Am-
n1a ,s n1antra anc1 grace. I" '1-
nally, we discover her divine
presence within us in the
form or
pure awareness, mak-
ing us realize that she is
present in all beings too in
the same 1(xm. This realiza-
tion alone binds us all to-
gether as one family and thus
helps us fill it with peace and
JOY.
Let us bow down and sur-
render to Amma, the Univer- Amma says,
sal Mother. C\'Y The Nature of Pure Devotion cannot be JeGned
precisely. Bbal.:ti (devotion) andmukti (liberation)
., ...................... ······· ············
1 On)iualtdll llfJt' 1n(mkboud/ t/;~ final ,<~tag~ tif arc not two separate entities. There is no libera-
dpiritual.tlrL('lll-!}·
tion without devotion.
Au~ust2olm - - ---- 11
What is meant by devotion? that is a sign of devotion. you're worshiping God, then We come here, and every week
What is meant by liberation? you know that you're on the somebody gets up after I talk,
They just may be wonls for Devotion is the complete royal road of bhakti!" and nags you and pesters you
some of' us. NaracJa B/.1akti dedication of all activi- \Vhen we feel that every saying, "Amma is coming and
Stt!l'rhf is the deCinitivc text on ties to God, through action is being offered to God there is so much work to do.
devotion. Even though devo- self-surrender and ex- You should all come and do
or to the Guru, and our mind
tion is such an abstract thing, treme ang·uish in the seva. Seva is karma yoga be-
is constantly flowing towards
the great sage Narada was event of forgetfulness of Him, we have devotion. We cause it is not for yourseif'."
able to explain it as Jar as pos- Him. will feel extreme anguish This is not a plug right now !
sible in words . He says, -NBS, 19 when we forget Him, even for I'm not doing the same thing.
According to Sage Vya...'>a,
a moment, because that ex- Karma yoga is not just karma .
bhakti expresses itself When you have real bhakti,
perience of devotion is so Every action we do is binding
as devotion to puja and your mind constantly flows
sweet, so intense, and so full us; it is going to have a reac-
the like. tovvanls God the way a river of peace and life. It never gets tion. If it is a good action, we
-JVam()a B/.1akti 5'utm., flows towards the ocean. It stale. It goes on increasing will get a good reaction-
(NBS), 16 may be in f'its and stat"ts at the happiness, pleasure. And if it
more and more. When_ we
beginning-now and then you forget that for a moment, it is is a bad action, we arc going
This is one sage's opm10n. may think of God. It m~ be
so painful that we feel like to get a bad reaction-pain,
People who like to do or at- very i ntcnsc, but there will be
dying. We never want to lose suffering.
tend puja, go to temples, or do so many breaks in the flow. it, and that leads us to the Doing 1\:arma yoga is dif-
difTcrent kinds of rituals arc Gradually, it becomes a con-
state of complete God-con~ _fercnt. When you do an action,
expressing signs of devotion. tinuous flow of the feeling of sciousness. Devotion is not . not for yourself, but as a serv-
God's presence, and at that some silly thing. It is not for ice to God, that action doesn't
According to Garg·a (an- stage, all your actions arc
weaklings. It is only for the ·bind you. You will not get
other mahatma), devo- automatically being offered to
very strong of mind and either a good fruit or a bad
tion expresses itself as God. One sage told me a very
heart. fruit from it. You will get pu-
love £(H· Divine stories. strange but interesting thing. rity of mind . Your mind is
-NBS, 17 I asked him, "How will I Bhakti is superior to going to become calm and
know when I'm really on the karma, Jiiana and yoga, strong. The light that is al-
People love to hear stories royal road of bhabi?" ' for it is of the nature of ready in you will become clear
about Amma , Krishna or He replied, "When you're the fruit of all these. to you; your mind will reFlect
other spiritual stories, and in the toilet and you feel as if -NBS, 26 the light of the soul. That feel-
- --- ---··- --~- ---· -- --·---·--- ··--·~----
l2 ~~ ,,,,.,., ·• " .'l.n~nst 2000
.\n~nst 2000 ~#a1 ,• .,,..,.,! 1.:1
ing of' purity of mind is also or anything like that. lie One sage told me a very strange but interesting
another word for devotion . knows that will lead us to thing. I asked him, "IIow will I l<now when I'm
\Vhenyou practice jnanayoga. bliss-to Him. l Ic also doesn't
really on the royal road of'bhakti?"
you inquire into your true like self-conceit or pride.
nature and try to find what 1t What 's the easiest means to
He replied, "When you're in the toilet and you feel
is that shines with i n as ' I .' get rid of pride? Give some- as if you're worshiping God, then you know that
\Vhcn you do yoga in the sense body some suffering. That you're on the royal road of' bhakti!"
of controlling your life force, person becomes humble. So,
your mind becomes still. The we have to sec things in a big-
• • • •
f'ruit of these practices is to get ger picture . devotion and humility in or- Some people think that the
the f'low of the mind to go Most of us are always der to take us back to God. path of jilana or sclf-mquiry
towards the Supreme Being. thinking only of o~r selves, Then we stop accusing God of is the main means to attain
There i~ nothing more blissful our problems, our family. In- being mean and indifferent. liberation. Some people think
than that experience except stead. we should think: ''I'm a Otherwise, we may feel that that a combination of bhakti,
,,rzllwd/.1/, which is becoming ;i"Prz, an individual soul. I'm on I Ie's not listening to us, not jnana and karma yoga is
one with God. And there is my way back to God. I came helping us, and that He's giv- needed.
another thing. from God. I'm going back to ing us suffering, that even
I lim. This life is just one stop though we want to be happy. But. Narada holds that
Bhakti is superior, be- on the way, one bus-stop on l-Ie's making us miserable. But bhakti is its own fruit.
cause (and this is kind of the journey back to where I it is not really lih that. Ulti- -NBS, 30
surprising) God dislikes came from." If we think that mately, Amma wants us to be
self-conceit and likes we've come here to learn some always happy. not just tempo- That is the nice thing about
one to feel di~· ressed. lessons, and after learning rarily so, and that is gained bhakti; we don't have to wait
-NBS. 27 them, w<! can go home to God, only through the realization for its fruit. Even if we have a
and that each lifetime is lil{.c of the Self. little feclingoFiove of God. of
Some people might say, "God going to a class, then, when devotion, even if we're doing
is so mean. He's really cruel." we graduate, we can become Some think that jfiana l{.arma yoga and off-ering our
Well, in a way. He is cruel. one with Him. Our way of alone is the means; oth- actions to God, we will start
because. yes, He lil~cs us to looking at things becomes a ers deem that these var- to get the benefit then and
(eel distressed. But for what little diHerent, and we start to ious means are interde- there. When we listen to
reason? It is not because He understand that the suffering pendent. bhajans, our mind will be
has some sadistic tendencies we get is only to increase our -NBS, 28-29 flowing towards God. Though
---- ----------- --- - - --
14 n ... ,... ,,.,., Au,:u .. t 2009 Au,:u .. t 2009 l iHll'u,imi 15
 not completely pure, we arc was torn asunder, and he saw stead of milking the cows, practically speaking, unless
gcttil:1g a reflection, a glimpse the Reality, Krishna, which they sometimes would try to we're yogis in a cave, and
of what we're aiming at. When was his own soul. Devotion milk a bull. They were absent- there aren't too many caves or ·
that becomes full. we 've made his mind so one-pointed minded as a result of thinking real yogis nowadays, so we
reached the goal. Bhakti is on God ·that he attained lib- of Krishna all the time. It was gradually learn the skill of
able to completely wipe out all eration in that moment. He agood thingthattheyweren't abiding in God and also living
the obstacles. did not inquire, "Who am J?" driving cars in t:hose days! in the world.
There is a story about Ar- I-ic did not try to control his There was a devotee of One night, Krishna was in
juna. Nlany of you have read breath. He did not say, 'Tm Amma who was like that. I~Ie the Forest, and started play-
about him in the Bha!Jm'acJ going to go and do seva at the was madly in love with her, ing His flute . Krishna's flute
GiLa, but this isn't told in the 1\1.A. Center," because his and used to drive his car from represents the call oF God to
Gila, it is in the Bha,qtmz!a. mind dived into its core. At Trivandrum to Vallild<.avu. the soul. "Come back to Me .
Arjuna was Lord Krishna's that moment, illusion was He would come on the week- What are you doing out there
closest f'r·iend, and so, when destroyed, and he attained the ends and then go back. Soon, in the world of pleasure and
Lord Kr-ishna passed away, state oF Self-realization-so it fie couldn't keep his eyes on pain? Come bad<. to Me. I'm
i\rjuna was miserable. He is told in the Bhagtmzla. the road, at which time Amma bliss, I'm fearlessness, I'm
carne back to the city where The gopt:f (mill<.maids) were told him to stop driving. There immortality. Come , hurry!"
his brothers were living. They also like that. They ·were is a stage of Divine Love The gopis were all doing
asked him. "Why do you look Krishna's devotees. They when we cannot function very something or other at the
so miserable?" They did not knew that Krishna was 13/.?aqa- well outside. Once we get es- time. One was milking the
know that Krishna hacJ died. Pan-God Himself. They did tablished in that, we can live~ cows, one was feeding the
As Arjuna was recalling all not think that he was just a in God-consciousness and at children, one >Vas taking a
the incidents of his life with sweet human being. They the same time have our mun- bath, and another was getting
I
11 Krishna , he remembered the were mad\y in love with Him. dane consciousness, and they dressed. But when they heard
II' 11 love that Krishna had shown All they could do was think of don't seem to interfere much that f'lute , they just threw
him. When he finished telling Krishna day and night. They with each other. However, down everything and went
everything, he stopped ta11<- were going through the streets when it is first starting to running to Krishna in the
ing, and his mind became so selling milk yoghurt and but- dawn, God-consciousness can forest. .
one-pointed on Krishna , out ter, and instead of saying, Their Families were shout-
Jl of his love for Krishna, that at "Milk, yoghurt, butter for sale,"
be a very difficult situation,
because we want to be im- ing, "Where are you going?
that mo ment the curtain of they said, "Keshava, Naraya- mersed only in that all the Where arc you going?" But
Ifill I Maya, the screen of' illusion, n~ , Madhava for sale." In- time. We can't live like that, they did ~ot care. Those who

:IW A .. lfust 2009

11:1:1
t' <b' "''"'"
August ;ooo >&,.In••""'' !7
got to Krishna had a very
blissful time, but there were a
few who got locked inside
their houses. Their husbands
and children did not like that
they were running lil<.e crazy
people out of the house to sec
that boy Krishn?"J.. and so they
locked them inside.
Those gopis that got locked
in their houses felt such a tre-
mendous pain of separation
and such a longing to be with
God that they died. At that
very moment, all their bad
karmas got exhausted through
the pain of' separation. The
union that they experienced
with God exhausted all their
karmas. Their bodies fell
down and they attained lib-
eration through Divine Love!
So how to get this love?
Narada says,
One means is renuncia-
tion of sense objects,
also of attachment and
association. Ceaseless
adoration is another.
Hc~u·ing and singing of
the qualities of God,
even while engaged in
lS A u gust 21109
the w o rld , is a n o ther.
-NBS, 35-37
These arc all ways of increas-
ing devotion . T his also implies
that the opposite will decrease
devotion . For exam ple, take
renunciation of sense objects.
lf we are always seeking sense
objects, we arc not going to
have much devotion. There is
a saying, "Where there is
Rama, there is no kama, and
where there is kama, there is
no Rama." Kama means de-
sire and Rama means God. If
we think of God intensely, at
that time, we won't be <.tblc to
in.d ulgc in desires. They can't
coexist with the thought of
God.. \Ve can't be up in heaven
and on the earth at the same
time. Similarly, attachment to
~orldly objects implies that
the mind is bound to them,
which takes away the feeling
of devotion. De,'otion is some-
thing ethereal. something di-
vine. It is in the heart, in the
depths. not on the surface oF
the mind.~
(lobe continued)
C\.'\J F.xp~h~nc~
the first
DARSHAN
I still remem,ber, as if it were
yesterday, my first 'encoun-
ter' with Amma. I call it an
encounter becaw;c it stood mv
life on its head and changed
it beyond recognitmn. It was
lil<.e nothing I had luwwn
before.
or
All I lwew Amma at that
time was that she was sup-
posed to be a SelF-realized
Master from Kerala who was
visiting New Delhi for the
first time. There were stories
that she was born with a smile
on her tiny Face and her Fin-
gers in cbin mudm/ that she
was dark blue in complexion
and that many villagers had
1 A gesture of mystic:.! 1mport formed
with the tips of the thumb and index !i nger
joined to l(>rm a ring. and the other three
fi ngcrs stretched- out. Thisnuu}ra $:,nnhol-
by t. vasudcvan nayar, izes the oneness of the jimlma [i n<livi,!ual
soul] and the paramalma [Supreme Soul
india or Ovt•noul].
August 20 0 9 t e>t '""""' 10
taken her to be Lord Krishna
reborn. lt was said that she
had started walking and talk-
ing very much earlier than
was normal and that she had
stc\rtcd composing and sing-
mg hha;ans to Kr·ishna when
she was four or five. She had
attained Self-realization when
she was about 20. "I Iere's a
young lady in <J hun·y," I had
said to myself' rather irrever-
ently when told these stories.
I laving been brought up in
God-loving bmilics, my wife
and I have alw<~vs been fasci-
nated by highly spir·itual peo-
ple. It was, thcrcf(xe, 'l.vith a
great sense oL1nticipation that
we decided to meet Amma
when she visited New Delhi
fix the f'irst time in the spring
of 1987. An evening program
of' bha]ans and darshan had
been arranged in a local
Ayyappa temple, which is gen-
erally frequented by a large
number of' devotees. My wife,
daughter, younger son and I
presented ourselves at the tem-
ple at the appointed time. The
program venue was a grassy
20 August 200!)
plot sloping down from the
temple, with a small platform
at one end. We had darshan of
Lord Ayyappa and thereafter
moved towards the program
site. There were only a handful
ol people, maybe 200, in the
enclosure. On the stage, I saw
a very dark young lady dressed
all in white, singing, with a few
boys and a girl seated around
1 heart. Time seemed to stand
her. I assumed they were her
disciples. \Vhile singing, she
would occasionally throw up
her arms in wild abandon, like
someone transported to an-
other realm. The music came
wafting on the wind,. serene
and soothing, touching un-
known chords in my heart.
I started walking down the
slope. looking all the while at
the ladv .:>n the stage. Sud-
dcnlv, her eve seemed to catch
v ~ .
mine, and then it happened.
The scene before my eyes dis-
l which I had been immersed experienced. Soon we were
appeared. I found myself
standing in chest-deep water.
There was water all amund
me as far as the eye could see
and nothing else. It seemed to
be a shallow sea, placid and
warm. Little wavelets were steeled myself' to move for-
coming and breaking against ward and found to my surprise
my chest, their touch as ca- that my Family was just a cou-
ressing as a baby's hand. After ple of steps ahead of me. What
the Grst Clash of panic, I was appeared to have lasted ic)l'
beginning to enjoy the experi- hours had actually happened
ence. A sense of' ineffable in seconds! We moved for-
peace and well-being filled my ward and found scats close to
still. l was experiencing a
the stage. By that time. dar-
shan had started. I watched,
happiness I had never known fascinated, as people moved
before. I wanted to immerse forward in a queue, knelt be-
myself in the sea and become fore Amma to be held in a
one with it forever. I realized close embrace and released
(hat the water of the sea was wtth a final peck on the check,
not wetting me, and intui- their faces aglow with inner
tively, I knew that it was not happiness . .:\1any had tears
water but Love. streaming down their !'aces.
As suddenly as it had hap- but their smiles broke through
pened, the scene changed and lilw the sun on a rainy day.
I was back on terra .Grma. I~ This was very difTcrent from
realized that the sea of'love m what I had expected or ever
had emanated from Amma. A getting closer to Amma. There
gr·eat sense of loss filled my were butterClies in my stom-
heart, and tears welled up in ach as we inched forward and.
my eyes. "Whv did I have to befc)re I lmew it. I was lmeel-
come back to this ugly world? ing before Amma, looking up
Why could l not be submerged into her benign face. l-Ier eyes
'in Amma's love forever?" my were deep pools of compassion,
heart asked, disconsolate. A and unconditional love radi-
sense of desolatiOn filled me. I ated from her bemg. She held
August 2000 2l
me close and whispered en-
deai .nents into my ear. I felt
like a child of two or· three,
meeting its mother after a long
time. Tears were pouring
down my race uncontrollably.
All the pretensions of everyday
life fell away. I was reduced to
the innermost core of my be-
ing, which is child-like, inno-
cent, pure. A deep love for this
being welled up in my heart.
Amma bid me in her lap and
stroked rny back. I was enjoy-
ing heaven~y bliss. In my mind,
I said, "Amma, I oHer myself
to you, body, mind and soul."
Instantl,y, I heard Amn1a's
delighted chuckle. I knew in-
stinctively that it was a com-
ment on my chi !dish ''C>w. I
r·ealized that to commit oneself
entirclv to another means total
annihilation oC one's ego, a
rebirth in every sense. I was
miles away !'rom the state of
mind needed for total surren-
der, and Arnma knew it.
When the darshan ended, I
felt light as a bird, as if some
heavy weight ha~J been taken
ofT my shoulders. I wanted to
22 ;\ugnst 2000
dance, to sing, to fly! This
ef1crvescent mood remained
with me for a number of days.
I was seeing the world through
rose-tinted glasses. It was as
if life had taken on a nevv and
deeper meaning. I could sec
that my wifC. daughter and
son had also been deeply
touched by Amma. Although
he did not mention it to us, our
son apparently told his school
friends the next day that he
had met his Guru the previ-
ous evening. Sure enough. as
soon as he graduated, he left
us to join Amma's ashram as
a brahmachari.
Amma has remained the
mainspring of our lives ever
sinc;e. We m<w have strayed,
but she has heen steadfast. .I
know that 1 have been remiss
and negligent in following the
path of ,trz()halla [spiritual
pri!;ctice], b11t Amma's love
and compassion have re-
mained undimmed. Her un-
bounded love has helped us
surmount many problems in
our lives, of which I will re-
count just one.
Amma laid me in her lap and stroked my back.
I was enjoying heavenly bliss. In my mind,
I said, "I offer myself to you, body, mind and soul."
Instantly, I heard Amma's delighted chuckle.
I knew instinctively it was a comment on
my childish vow.
• • • •
Our elder son had enrolled abandon his research and re-
in an American university to turn to India, that he told us
pursue his master's degree in the facts. As there was nothing
engineering. He got along else we could do, we went to
with the professor who was Vallikl<.avu and told Amma
guiding his research. Sud- about our son's desperate situ-
denly, his professor left the ation. Amma listened to us
university. The person who with concern, consoled us and
')Ok over seemed stiff and of- said, "Amma ·will make a
hcious, and our son could not ,,mzkalpa [divine resolve], chil-
strikc the right chord with Jren." \Ve did not know what
him. The new professor start- - making a sankalpa meant but
ed finding fault with all that we returned to New Delhi the
he had done, and our son had next day, Full oF hope. A day
to restart the project practi- after our arrival. our son
cally from scratch. Even there- called f'rom ·the U.S. and said,
after, the professor would find "A little while ago, I took my
fault with his work and ask thesis to tJle pmfcssor, ready
him to redo it. Our son never for his final rejection. I fe tool<.
told us about this problem the thesis, signed it and ga,·e
vihen he tall<.ed to us. It was it back to me with a smile. It's
only much later, when it a miraclcL" I Ie never spoke a
seemed that he would have to truerword! ~
August. 2000 2:~
1
!11
II ~"Exp~ienc" us Amma rings and lockets. I
went to Vallickavu with my
parents and brothers in 1987.
I wanted Amma to bless my
husband with b/1akti (devo-
tion) because whenever I
AMMA wanted to go to the temple, he .
would object. When my turn
in my life for darsha.n came, A mma
I!ill
spoke to me for a full five
minutes about what gives true
by suma unni, happiness, and asked me why
india I was giving so much impor-
tance to transient things. 1
realized how superficial my
own bhakti was, and yet, 1
could · not appreciate her
I
words. My experiences over
I I was born and
raised in New
Delhi. My mother
the next four years were prac-
tical demonstrations of those
was highly religious, and truths. I had to suffer many
my father supported her. blows to my ego through
My parents were always on various people and experi-
the lookout for opportunities ences. Many relationships
to meet mahatma.1 (spiritu- and possessions that earlier
ally exalted souls). After had given me pleasure be-
my father retired, we moved came causes of pain and un-
to Chennai since my maternal grandpar- happiness.
ents were living there. When my mother heard After two miscarriages, my
about Amma in 1986, she went to see her, and from son was born in 1991. During
then on became her devotee. She bought subscrip- the course of his birth, I ex-
tions to Matruvani for all her five children, and gave perienced several miraculous
24 :tlut•••n:ani August 2009
recoveries from pain through
prayer to Amma. In response
to my mother's prayer to
Amma. my son was born on a
KarLika 1 day. and the delivery
was a smooth, normal one.
From then on, there was no
looking back. Amrna became
the proverbial wish-fulFilling
tree For me. Whenever I faced
any problem, big or small, I
would pray to Amma, and the
problem would be solved. I
visited Amma as often as I
could. Amma's darshans were
always sweet and beautiful.
It~as in 1996, in Madurai ,
that Amma's disciplining
started. My five-year-old son
and I travelled to Madurai
_from Chennai in an ashram
van. As both of us were suf-
fering from respiratory infec-
tion and cough, I was [~cling
a little like a martyr for hav-
ing travelled so far to see
Am mal In Madurai, we stayed
in a big marriage hall, located
about a kilometre away from
I Name of the third constellation ol stars.
the Pl ciatlcs. Also. Amma's Girth star·.
- -~~-------- -
Au#!ust2009 -~~"''"'"'"' 25
1!1111
the lVladurai ashram, with Amma came for darshan Amma sang songs that per- upset. I had never undergone
other devotees from Tarni l at about 10:30 a.m. \Vhen my fectly echoed my feelings, surgery before, and thoughts
Nadu. As soon as we arrived, turn came, instead of the and tears poured from my of the pain I would have to
I was caught up with giving usual loving darshan (actu- eyes Jn a torrent. bear frightened me. I was also
my son his bath and feeding ally, r was expecting more in During my next darshan, anxious about the inconven-
him. Later, while my son was view of our sickness and Amma curtly asked, '1?n!tz.-r)i?" ience my bmily would have
playing with his toys. I start- travel!), I got a cold and in- ("What is it?") I cried and to undergo. As mine was a
ed packing things that he eli fferent reception, as if mentally begged her for for- painless growth, some other
would need for the rest of the Amma hardly knew mel I giveness. On the third day. doctors advised .me to wait
d~\y-dothes, to\vels, etc. In was , devastated. After dar- when Amma came on stage, and sec if the fibroids would
the end, I decided to pack his shan, I stood aside, looking instead of sitting down im- cause severe problems. In the
toys as well. \Vhen I turned at Amma,·hoping for a glance, mediately, she stood gazing at meantime, I decided to start
amund, I couldn't Cind a sin- but she ignored me. After all those present. When her homeopathic treatment. How-
gle toy. .My son ha<l a good some time, I started wonder- eyes fell on me, she gave me a ever, my homeopathic doctor,
collection of expensive toys ing if r had done something J..ong, loving look and smile. I who is also a staunch Amma
that included push-bade cars wrong. Was that why she was could not hold bade my tears. devotee, was sceptical. saying
and trucks. I looked around. so cold towards me? All of a My son, who was in my arms, that she had never treat~d
Some distance away, I saw a sudden, I recalled my suspi- l(ept saying, "Amma, don't such big fibroids. I decided to
group of devotees who looked cion about the poor children. cry!" and wiping away my asle Amma about the course
'p oor. Among these devotees Yes, that was it, I thought. tears. I had learned my les- of action I should follow.
- were young boys. A nasty Amma wants us to be gener- son! A.mma told me to follow the
suspicion arose in my mind: ous to the poor. Instead, I The following experienc~­ doctor's advice. By this time,
perhaps those children had had suspected them of a is one of the most memorable I had two doctors, an allopath
stolen the toys! My tension crime they had not commit- ones in my life. In November and a homeopath. I conven-
mounted and my suspicion ted. Although I had not ex- 2007, at the age of 44, I was iently opted for the homeo-
grew stronger. At that point, pressed my suspicion to any- diagnosed with fibroids in my path!
my son brought the food bas- one, omniscient Amma I{ new uterus. The highly-experi- After several months, I
ket and told me that he had all about it. In deep remorse, enced gynaecologist said that underwent a repeat scan but
put the toys in it. Relieved to r mentally prayed to her to the growths were too big and the homeopathic doctor said
sec the toys. I packed them in forgive me. I felt so miserable too many to be treated with she was not satisfied with my
the bag and we left for the that I developed a headache. medicines, and that my uterus progress. She repeatedly told
111 Madurai ashram. During the evening bhajans, must be removed. I became me to get Amma's advice
1

Au¢u"'t 2009 :~lal """""' i

'I 26 :>tah•u•··~~~~ A,t¢n"'t 2000 27
 again. In September 2008, I
went to Amritapuri. When I
went for darshan, at first
Amrna gave me a much-de-
sired loving smile, but as soon
as I told her about my problem,
there was an instant change
in her expression. With eyes
shining lil<e two balls of f'ir·e,
she burst out against my deci-
sion to post pone the operation.
With great concern, she ex-
claimed that she was extreme-
,. ly pained by the manner in
which her children take such
serious illnesses lightly. She
was so angry with me that she
turned her face away from
me! She kept talking to the
people standing next to her
about my wrong attitu·d~ to-
wards the illness. I humbly
said, 'Til do anything you tell
me." ·This elicited a queer
glance Fnnn her (which I
thought meant "Can you?").
Amrna then told me to get my
uterus removed as soon as
possible.
After· that overwhelming
darshan, my fear vanished
totally. While in Amritapuri
2S t!.-.•. t-.~t~~-,,$, .t\ug~1st
itself, I spoke on the phone to
a friend who had undergone
a hysterectomy. As soon as I
landed in Chennai, I went to
the hospital, and within min-
utes, my operation was fixed
for September 12th. I felt
calm and relaxed. I even
went to work the day before
I was adm.itted. My col-
leagues were surprised that I
was not talking about the
operation. Qn the day of the
surgery, I went to the Chen-
nai ashram, prayed and then
proceeded to the hospital
with my husband. I was ·ad-
rn it ted into a nice, cosy room.
I was chanting my mantra all
along and was in a relaxed
state of mind. From time to
time, I would read Aroma's
biography. The anaesthetist
carne in an hour later. She
said she was p.leasantly sur-
prised to see a cheerful pa-
tient. The next rnorni ng, at
9:30 a.m .. I was wheeled to
the operation theatre. The
anaesthetist and my doctor.
were waiting for me. General
anaesthesia was adminis-
2009
tered through a gas rnasl<. and
I blacked out. At 1:15 p.m.,
my eyes opened. I knew the
'4 time because there was a
'- huge clock in front of' me in
the post-operative ward. r
touched my stomach. No,
there was no pain. "So far so
good," I thought. I was still
feeling relaxed, and contin-
ued chanting my mantra. I
then dozed off. After two
hours, a nurse came to ask if
I needed a pain-killer. As I
did not feel any pain, I said
"No." She told the attendant
next to her, "This patient is
highly tolerant!" My doctor
and anaesthetist came later.
They said the operation had
proceeded smoothly and that
they had removed only the
uterus and not the ovaries,
which meant that I would not
need hormone treatment. At
7:30 p.m., I was shifted back
to my room. Even then, I did
not feel any pain. I slept well
that night. After two days,
the antibiotics were stopped.
I had heard from many
people that hysterectomy is
more painful than child-birth
even, although the pain var-
ies from person to person.
However, I have never heard
~
painless.
-
anvone say that it is totally '
This operation has been the
biggest miracle in my life. I
have always been head over
heels in love with Amma be-
cause of her unmatched beau-
ty and the love she showers
upon us, but this was the First
time I was experiencing her
omniscience and omnipotence
so powerfully. She made the
operation totally painless for
me. Although there were at
least 15 stitches, I did not
experience even the pain of a
pin-pride The absence of pain
made the whole operation an
easy one for me and my fam-
ily. Even the post-operative
recovery was smooth and htst.
In fact, I hardly feel as if I
have undergone any opera-
non.
Now, my prayer to Aroma
is to mal<.e the operation of
ego-removal as painless as the
uterus removal! C\.\.1 .
Au~ust. 2009 ~ .... ,.,,,,.,,., 2!)
 (\.\,) LiL-'15
,

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30 :tlat•·n~·ac•l Atigust 2009 August 2009 l~.,~ ,.,., a•li :u

 "You won't believe what I'm Both of us had secretly made without me. When she re- Amma's darshan agaw carne
going to tell you!" he said, a wish and Amma had ful- turned, she gave me a hug and to mind. "But how is it going
"Try me," I said, curiosity filled both our wishes. In this some prasad from Amma. I to be possible now?" I won-
aroused. way, she had wiped away the could feel Aroma's love dered. The next d<ry". the tour
"Yesterday evening, after shadows of doubt and opened
through it, but my mind was · group was scheduled to visit a
Am rna let go of my hand when up our hearts. My heart was
telling me, "You still have to few places, including India's
she was entering the car. I filled with gratitude, and my meet Amma!" very first wax museum, mod-
made a wish," he said. ''I eyes with tears of joy.
Soon after that, my hus- elled afte1·lVladame Tussaud's
wished that if she really knows -,)'anr)/Jya Kulkami, U.S.A.
band planned a vacation, a in r,ondon. The museum was
what I am thinking, she should
conducted tour of South 1n- crowded. While moving
appear Hl. my <1ream.1" A Different Darshan dia. I was thrilted to learn through the crowd and lcx>king
I was very curious now, that we would pass through at each world-famous figure, I
. because my husband has al- I had heard a lot about Amma
Kerala. Now there was no suddenly spotted Amma~ Was
ways claimed that he never through my sister Sandhya
doubt that I would get a that really a wax figure? There
dreams·. "Well, what hap- who lives in the US. When-
cf1ance to meet Amma! I was it was, the loving Form of
pened?" I asked. ever Sand hya comes to India,
very happy with the thought Amma looking directly at me
"Amma came in my dream she always spends a few dcry'S
that my dream would finally with a smile! I went close to
last night. She was giving in Amritapuri. I never really
be ' coming true. Our tour Amma's form and felt as if I
darshan to many devotees; I understood why she had to
started -and I eagerly asked were basking in her love! Fi-
was one of them. I have never see Am rna again and again. In
the organizers when we would nally, I got Aroma's darshan,
seen her giving darsh;in, nor August 2008. my sister asked
he in Amritapuri. They told in the most unexpected way!
have I seen devotees waiting me yet again to join her on her
me that Amritapuri was not It had been my strong de-
in line [(w her, but I saw that trip to Amritapuri. Somehow,
one of the stops. I was disap- sire to get Aroma's darshan.
scene in my dream. And she this time, I felt I should ac-
pc>inted at first, but then I Even though it had seemed
hugged me again!" company her. I was suddenly
thought, "If I want to get . impossible under the circum-
I was stunned! I then told curious to know more about
Amma's darshan on this tour. stances, Am rna had heard my
him what I had wished-that Amma, and eager to feel the
she will make it happen!" ci1ll and given me darshan in
Amma would do something 1ove in her hug. Unfortu-
We visited several he<mtiful her own wq_,v. I now believe
specialf(n· him-and how de- nately, family responsibilities
places and finally reached that Am rna knows our minds
lighted I had been when she and other factors did not al-
Kanyakumari on ~n,lia's so_u th- and fulfils all our innocent
had stopped and held his hand. low me to fulFil my wish:
ern tip. Whjlc enjoying its desires! O.V
We were both awestruck! Sandhya went to Amritapuri
natural beauty, the thought of - VirJI1ya D~·~,ai, India
3':! _lw:at!.fi· August 2000 ---------~ ---·-----
· .\ugn .. t :enoo ~h•i .... ><.u;i 3:J
 ~ Ni?.WS
GURU PURNIMA
july 7th . 2009, Amritapuri: The Kali temple was artisti-
cally decorated with flower garlands. and a beautifully
adorned chair for Amma was placed in front of the shrine.
Amma's picture was placed on the chair. and it felt as if
she was gazing at us with affection. The brahmacharinis
had built a fire-pit for the homa. and the flames were
dancing joyously. At 8 a.m.. Swami Turiyamritananda per-
formed the paduka puja, the worship of Amma's sacred
sandals. Those were the most intense moments of the
34 Mntruvani August &009 .
day. All the ashram residents had us the vision of Knowledge
gathered in the temple. Amma's and Truth .
presence is felt so strongly that
tears come. During the puja , eve- If we reflect upon these verses a
ryone chanted sacred verses such little. we will see that this is the
as the Guru Stotram and Guru greatest possible miracle: to over-
Paduka Suktam. After bhajans. come our sense of bemg limited
all those present offered some and to merge with That. which is
· flowers before Amma's photo. We infinite and limitless: and to evolve
then partook of the Guru Purnima from the state of ignorance to the
prasad. After this. there was a sat- knowledge of the Truth . Can we do
sang by Swami Jnanamritananda . it alone? No. we need the Guru 's
In the afternoon , the brahmach - help and guidance.
arinis recited the whole Bhagavad The lineage of Gurus. whom we
Gita. In the evening, we chanted pay homage to on Guru Purnima.
the Lalita Sahasranama Stotram is the real wealth of humankind
and sang bhajans . as usual. and the greatness of India. If not
The day was full of joy. It was for these Gurus . we would not
a festival for our hearts. Guru have the Vedas. Upanishads or the
Purnima is a special occasion Bhagavad Gita.
that expresses our gratefu Iness Turning to the Guru helps us to
towards Amma. and it reminds us · be free from all other attachments .
of the purpose of life. The first two which we would otherwise find
verses of the Guru Stotram mean: hard to renounce. When we watch
I. Salutations to the Guru who Amma showering her love on all
reveals the Supreme, u~di­ beings. we forget everything else.
vided essence that pervades Sometimes. thinking of Amma .
this entire universe of moving I remember the following lines
and non-moving beings. from the French poet Aragon:
2. Salutations to the Guru who Que serais-je sans toi qui vins a
rescues us from the darkness ma rencontre?
of ignorance and restores to Que serais sans toi, qu'un creur
Augusot t009 ll<~i•·tn<uti 3ii
 au bots dormant?
Que cette heure arretee au
cadran de Ia montre?
Que serais-Je sans 101 que ce
balbutiement?
What would I be without you,
who came to me?
What would I be. but a heart
·m the sleeping wood?
What would I be. but this hour.
stuck on the dial of the clock?
What would I be. but just a
stammering?
('Siee,Ping beauty' in French is
Hail to the Guru. whose love
transforms us! Prostrations to
Amma. who has given meaning
to the lives of so many seekers all
over the world!
- Bri. Amritapriya (Marie-Claire
Vandroux. France)
Muscat: Amma's Muscat children
celebrated Guru Purnima at the
Muscat Shiva Temple Hall with
Paduka Puja. the chanting of the
Guru Stotram. Amma 's Ashtot-
taram and the Lalita Sahasran -
Kolkata: A large number of devo-
tees gathered at the Prayer Hall
in the ashram's Kolkata branch
for the Guru Purnima celebra-
tions. The function started early
in the morning with the Maha
Ganapati Homa. and continued
with the chanting of the Lalita
CLEAN-UP PROJECT BY AYUDH MAURITIUS
june 21st, 2009: Members of
AYUDH Mauritius went to River
Promenade Pere Laval in Vacoas/
Sahasranamam. Br. Sadashiva
Chaitanya and Br. Rudra Warrier
then performed Paduka Puja while
devotees chanted Amma's Ashtot-
taram and the Guru Stotram. After
a satsang by Br. Sa dash iva, bhajans
and meditation . everyone partook
of prasad.
• 1ll· ,.

..: ...

•. !
•. · '
-~

·.
..
';..,_; ... -.!' _.:.,
. ' :~ "
· •n •. '
;_~/?~' !\ '~ .
.' ,.;~ \
•·~ ·~ -·
,.
• . "l;OJ.r.

• •·. tr.;
'f.
'
Y,.•. '<:.
\
.
/ ~\'1{;' ~:~-
'- .. .t_•. I'!·'
i..tl!'"'. ~' ~
'
7'_ .
t: '·"'
/l
?iJ·. .. 'A

.... .,··. .;;.. ··.-~--'

"":

translated as 'th e beauty in the amam. and the singing of bhajans. Phoenix to clear its banks of litter. , f''".
···.· ... . ·. ,_.
-.~
·
sleeping wood.') After arati. prasad was distributed This was one of the projects AY-
r~ ~.
-==- ·~ ~... ·. ;e. .
to all the devotees present. Many UDH Mauritius had committed to '~'\'A ' 4•x.
ti..
The poet celebrated how his wife participated in this function. at its inception in February 2009. 4 ~I ..
E'! )l '

"'
•

~-
had helped .him to open his heart ·-Narayana Menon The members of AYUDH Mauritius
and taught him to love. It-is sur.ely had also made their undertaking their energies on thoroughly clean-
good to love one's spouse and Baroda: Guru Purnima was cel- official in Amma's presence during ing the main area.
family. but it is still limited love. ebrated at the B.N. Nair Memorial her visit in April. It was with a sense of deep con-
Amma's love is for all beings. It Hall. Sarna. Vadodara. Brahmashri Twelve AYUDH members tentment that the team concluded
is without any limits in time and Parameshwaran Namboothiri. reached the place at 10 a.m. The their activity. The once badly-lit-
space. and is unconditional. Her chief priest of Shree Ayyappa Municipal Council of Vacoas/ tered area is now' an inviting space
satsangs always begin with this Temple, performed the Paduka Phoenix, keen on AYUDH's initia- of pristine greenery. By channelling
sentence: "Amma bows down to Puja. Devotees chanted Amma's tive. provided rakes. baskets and a their energies into constructive
all of you who are verily embodi - Ashtottaram and the Lalita Sahas- waste truck. Thus equipped. the work. the AYUDH members real-
I ments of supreme love." To reach ranamam. and sang bhajans. The youth jumped into action , col- ized the difference that even a
I
a state where we are able to love program ended at 9:30 a.m. after , lecting heaps of litter. Since many few committed people can make
li ke Amma-this is the goal of prasad. areas were filled with litter. the through inspired action.
I
AYUDH members concentrated -Dustin Bhoyrul
~~ our lives . -Mohan Nair-
-- -.0-------- -~--- ··-· ------··---·· ------·---'-·------------·--- -----
;~a •h.u· "'"' ; .1\. ugust ~000 August 2009 ~lat.-nu•.ni 37
 is engaged in empowering women
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR and children through relevant and
accessible livelihood programs. As
the current chairperson of the sen-
For devotees at the Kolkata ashram , Court justice j.A. Santos and P.A. .ate committee of youth, women
June 21st , 2009. was a Sunday Santos, who founded the socialist and family relations. Senator
with a difference. They had a party of the Philippines-is also Madrigal is working specifically in
distinguished visitor, Philippines the granddaughter of Senator the areas of juvenile justice, gender
Senator 'jamby Madrigal,' and her . Vicente Madrigal. Even before equality, anti-trafficking and anti-
husband . Eric Valade. Guided by becoming senator, she had already pornography.
the Honorary Consul General of set up numerous foundations to The Senator gave a short talk
Philippines K.K . Khemka and ac- help the Filipino people. Her books on her experiences with Amma.
companied by !ric Arribas of the foundation has shipped millions She met Amma for the first time
Philippines Embassy, New Delhi , of books to Philippine elementary in 1995. Following that darshan in
they arriv_ed at the Kolkata ashram and high school students. The Singapore, she rushed to.Mumbai
to participate in the Brahmasthan-
am Temple celebrations there .
Since then. she has been having
Amma's darshan at least twice a
year. Her husband . Eric, was an
agnostic who had refused to meet
Amma. In 2005, Senator Madngal
persuaded him to meet Amma
in Trivandrum. There. they were
blessed with a private audience
with Amma. Eric received a mantra
from Amma. Soon thereafter. he
became a total vegetarian . He is
now an ardent devotee of Amma .
~

e.
at 3:00 p.m . to participate in Abad Santos Madrigal foundation
the distribution of
pensions to poor
widows and the
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences ~
destitute. They
also took part in
the Bhagavati Seva
Puja , performed
AIMS.a multi- super-specialty hospital invites
on Kartika day of applications from qualified MBA/ MHA/Bcom
each month . and candidates for filling the present vacanc ies.
Selected cand idates wil l be given attractive salary
remained for the including PF,Medicai lnsurance and other benefits.
satsang , bhajans Freshers can also apply
and prasad. ·
Detailed blo-data to be sent 10 the following address:
Maria Ana Mad- The Manager HR [AEPL)
rigal-who hails Amrlta Institute of Medical Sciences
Elamakkara P.O, Kochi-682026.Tel: 4008310
from a family of fa- Fax: 2802176. Email: aeplhr@aims.amrita.edu.
mous nation build-
ers like the Supreme Senator Madrigal (right) distributing pensions
39

:~s u,.,..,.,,._, • AnJ!ust 200f)

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