Amma's 52^nd Birthday - A Report

September 27
Amritapuri, India

Some 200,000 people descended on Amritapuri for Amma's birthday this year. The seemingly gigantic bhajan hall was deemed too small a venue, and a special temporary hall was therefore erected, with a capacity to seat nearly 50,000. But in the early hours of the morning, when pujas such as the Ganapati Homa was performed by Brahmasri Surya Kaladi Jaisuryan Bhattitiripad, that temporary hall was already nearly full.

At 8:45 a.m. Amma walked to the dais. She offered her prostrations to everyone assembled, and then Swami Amritaswarupananda performed the traditional padapuja. He was assisted by Swamini Krishnamrita Prana. When the padapuja was complete, the senior swamis all garlanded Amma, as she sat in meditation, with hands folded in prostration.

This was followed by Amma's benedictory address.

Amma said: "In Amma's world, there is no such thing as birth or death. So for her how can there be a birthday? Amma sees this event simply as an opportunity to love and serve her children. Amma isn't looking at the number of her children who have come together, but at the unity of your hearts."

"When Amma looks back upon the last year, so many tragedies come to her mind." The foundation for Amma's birthday address was a solemn one, as Amma immediately began recalling all the tragedies of the past year: the tsunami, the floods in Mumbai, the recent hurricanes in America , the various terrorist attacks that have taken place. Amma said that when she thinks back on all these events she feels that the whole world has fallen into the grip of an octopus of fear.

Amma then told everyone that when faced with such trying times we have two choices: to runaway or to confront them by kindling the strength born of love within us. "If we chose the first option, all of our strength will be drained, and we will be blown about like dry leaves in the wind. It's impossible to escape one's own shadow. One who tries to run away from it will simply collapse due to exhaustion. This shadow of fear will only disappear with the dawning of the light of love. Love is our strength. Love is our refuge."

The Vice Chairman of the Math, Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, officially welcomed the gathering, which included His Excellency Sri. R.L. Bhatia, the Governor of Kerala; Sri. Sri Prakash Jaiswal, the Honourable Minister of State for Home Affairs, Smt. K.R. Gowri Amma, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Kerala; Sri. Babu Divakaran, the Honourable Minister of Labour for the Government of Kerala; Sri. Jagadambika Pal, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Sri. Tukaram R. Patil, Member of Parliament, Maharashtra ; Sri. P. Narayana Kurup, esteemed poet and literary critic.

In Swamiji's talk, he spoke of Amma as a modern spiritual leader, one who both embraces the present while holding onto the past. "Perhaps, it is in Amma that the art of embracing the new while holding on to the past has reached its perfection. As Amma says, 'For one who has realized their Oneness with the entire creation, what is there to reject?' At the same time, when asked by reporters what was unique about her teachings, so as to draw so many people from around the world, Amma responded, 'My way is the way of Lord Krishna. The way of the Rishi parampara . There is nothing new here.' Are these two statements a contradiction? If we think deeply we will see that, in truth, they are not. This ability of Amma's to weave the ancient with the modern is seen throughout the educational institutions and social-welfare programs of the M. A. Math. Advancements in science and technology are not only welcome, they are doggedly pursued, but with one constraint--they must be in the service of dharma (righteousness) and love."

On behalf of the M. A. Math, His Excellency the Governor symbolically handed over keys to 550 homes to tsunami-affected people in Kerala. Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency said, "In the coming years, India will be known not for its population of 100 crores (23 million) or its nuclear power, but for the far-reaching humanitarian activities of Mata Amritanandamayi." He commended the excellent work done by the M. A. Math.

His Excellency also presented the M. A. Math's Amritakeerti Puraskar to poet and literary critic P. Narayana Kurup. The award carries a citation, a cash award of Rs 123,456 (~ $2750) and a handcrafted idol of Saraswati Devi crafted by noted artist Nambootiri. Upon receiving the award, the renowned poet said that he did not consider this recognition as a mere literary award, but as a blessing for the soul from one of the greatest humanitarian leaders of our times. "Now I have a great responsibility to uphold, and I give the assurance that I will endeavor to give my best and live up to the expectations of Amma," said Kurup in his evocative acceptance speech.

Honourable Minister of State for Home Affairs Sri. Sri Prakash Jaiswal symbolically handed over certificates to 150 free fishing boats, engines and nets to fishermen who had lost theirs in the tsunami. In his address Sri Prakash Jaiswal said he appreciated the wonderful charitable work done by the M. A. Math under the guidance of Amma. These 150 boats were in addition to the 550 that have already been given in Tamil Nadu.

Smt. K. Gowri Amma handed over keys to 16 tsunami houses to residents of the Karunagappally Panchayat.

Sri. K. Divakaran launched the Mata Amritanandamayi Math's Matru Gramam project. The aim of the project is to reduce the dependency of village folk on fishing and to provide them with other options of livelihood. Along these lines, the M. A. Math is training villagers in such jobs as tailoring, embroidery and shoe or sandal-making and helping them to form self-help groups.

Amma's Birthday function also saw the mass marriage of 52 impoverished couples. Amma herself solemnized these weddings. The M. A. Math provided the wedding dresses, gold ornaments and other traditional items, the total cost of which amounted to Rs. 45,000 (~ $1000) per couple.

Sri. Vellappalli Natesan, the General Secretary of the SNDP, also participated in the function, officially releasing a book by Amma's disciple Swami Ramakrishnananda titled "The Blessed Life." The first copy was received by Sri. Jagadambika Pal, the ex-Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

After the formal program, Amma began giving darshan to one and all, and free food was distributed.

--- Amritapuri.org