Tsunami relief efforts update

Br. Dayamrita Chaitanya
January 5, 2005

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

Many have been mystified by Amma’s announcement pledging one billion Rupees (23 million USD) toward Tsunami relief aid. People have reacted differently and one question seems to remain in everyone’s mind - “How can Amma make a pledge of such magnitude?”

Obviously Amma is not like any of us, who might make a statement without thinking through the execution, promising something which cannot be fulfilled or taking advantage of a situation for personal gain of wealth or fame. Amma who still lives in a small room in Amritapuri Ashram, who sleeps very little and eats sparingly, needs no money. In regards to her name and fame, it is impossible even to imagine the magnitude of the fame she has achieved – certainly over and beyond what an ordinary individual can ever hope to attain. Through her compassionate gestures, wise suggestions, timely spiritual advice and the thousands of blessings she has bestowed upon the people who have come to her, her name has already been inscribed in the hearts of millions all over the world. Such people who have experienced her empathy, understanding and spiritual counseling can never erase these memories from their hearts.

Why then, did Amma make this announcement? Amma herself described to me that she had never seen such mass suffering before. Many villagers whom she knew died in the calamity. Most of the remaining villagers lost everything including their houses and belongings. Many have lost their relatives- their grief is unfathomable for a person who has not gone through such a tragedy. The dead did suffer, but those who are left alive are suffering even more. When Amma talked to me, she described that many of the women and children did not even have proper clothing or underclothes to wear and her compassion was so overwhelming that she herself started stitching undergarments for these women and children. This was in the time left over after giving guidance to government officials, ashram residents and visitors with regard to concerted relief efforts and following many sleepless nights. Amma has been the perfect role model of how a human being should be, like the candle giving out light to others while melting itself.

It is true that a person cannot do this by herself or himself. But Amma has inspired thousands around the globe to perform selfless service through her own example. The ashram residents are no exception. They were able to take care of visitors, cook food for the tens of thousands at the tsunami shelters, work in hospitals, print books and do their many other activities without a break in their daily spiritual practice. Many a time they had to sacrifice their food and sleep. Even as late as last Tuesday, the residents did not get any lunch. Since the food was distributed to the relief camps, there was none left over!

Amma’s followers and devotees too set a remarkable example. Many who work long hours earning a livelihood come back home to do ‘Seva’ or Selfless service, which is the real joy in their lives. Most of the weekends are spent at their nearest Amma Center or at home, working for a selfless cause. They do not indulge in the pleasures that ordinary people do. They save their money and make donations for a worthy cause, dedicated by Amma’s example. Today the Ashram and its efforts run on the sweat and blood of such people who have spent their entire lifetime serving Amma and emulating her example. Thus when someone gives the ashram a donation of say $1, it is magnified into $10 worth of effort and result, thanks to the selflessness of the people involved in such projects. The benefit is not only received by the recipient of this benefit but also by the donor and the person who puts the effort of selfless service into it. This is the way that the Math can build houses, hospitals and schools without incurring a huge expense. Today what Amma has as her wealth are her followers whom she considers as her own children. Amma’s followers or disciples have the courage, strength and confidence imparted to them by Amma to move forward during dark times such as this. They shine as beacons of light during the times of darkness.

Many people who heard the pledge announcement asked me if this was realistic. If one looks at what Amma has done in the past- her track record, so to speak- one would say that all what Amma has done alone is realistic. During some other such disasters many individuals and organizations gave out plenty of promises. Most of them have not become a reality. One of the best examples is in Gujarat where an earthquake hit four years ago. Though Amma did not make any promises then, she reconstructed three villages, built 2500 homes and today the villages adopted by Amma stand out as role models for others. Many of us have personally witnessed how many a time when Amma promises to adopt a project or wants something done, it surely gets completed. Though some may feel it to be a wonderful dream at the time of initiation, the project comes to fruition in a few years.

Amma has said that some of the money would come from different funds that she had set aside for distribution. This is from the widow’s pension scheme and also the money kept aside for the project for the rehabilitation of prostitutes. These projects may suffer a temporary delay. But Amma feels that since the relief efforts are the urgent need of the hour, other projects can wait. As for the rest of the money, Amma has said that God will provide for it. Amma ended saying that she has the strength of the dedication, self-sacrifice, surrender and humility of her children. With this she will certainly be able to fulfill the needs of the Tsunami victims and make this pledge a reality.

Thank you all.

Namah Sivaya,
Dayamrita
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