Everyone may not accept her as a Deity to worship, but to millions of people around the world, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is ‘Amma’ or Mother, whose love, care, affection and compassion transcend religions, faiths and ethnicities.
People afflicted by physical ailments, disabilities, mental depression and a host of other problems would be at huge gatherings in villages, towns and cities, hoping that Amma would set her eyes upon them. Invariably she would do so and with a single smile and embrace, cure them of their afflictions.
More than the proverbial Midas touch, her compassion heals people. It is little wonder that their initial awe and admiration make them a follower and soon they begin to consider her as a Supreme Being, worthy of worship.
With her charming smile and humility, ‘Amma’ has endeared herself to millions of people around the world, starting from her native ‘Parayakadavu,’ a village in the Quilon district in the South Indian state of Kerala, where she was born on September 27, 1953 and named ‘Sudhamani.’
Even as a child, she displayed a distinct compassion towards the poor, the needy and the downtrodden and wanted to do her best to alleviate their pain and suffering.
She was also known for her famous hug that cured people of stress, illnesses and suffering and was affectionately called, ‘The Hugging Mother.’
Amma’s following is said to be growing in New Zealand and each year her Birthday celebrations witnesses increasing number of people dedicated to spreading her concept of social service and community care.
Her devotees here belong to the ‘New Zealand Satsang Group,’ which meets every fourth Saturday at the Mt Albert Senior Citizens’ Hall (Corner of Wairere Avenue and New North Road) at 530 pm.
President Varima Narula said that the Group marked Amma’s 58th birthday recently, with ‘Paduka Puja’ and ‘Lalita Sahsra Nama Strotram.’
“As a part of the Birthday celebrations, we launched a ‘Food Link Drive’ in association with the Auckland City Mission. We collected food packets at the workplaces of devotees and other centres and handed them over to the Mission,” she said.
For further information, visit www.amma.org.nz
