17 Oct – 25 Nov – Europe Yatra 2025
The recently concluded Europe Yatra witnessed an extraordinary wave of spiritual awakening, with Amma blessing 10,429 people across ten cities with sacred Guru mantras. Each person received not just a mantra, but a living seed of divine remembrance—a silent prayer placed gently in the heart.
The response at each location reflected a profound yearning for inner growth: The Hague, Netherlands – 412; Esher, London – 809; Brombachtal, Germany – 519; Piacenza, Italy – 1,364; Munich, Germany – 509; Chartres, France – 1,696; Aix-en-Provence, France – 1,620; Helsinki, Finland – 410; Granollers, Spain – 1,200; and Winterthur, Switzerland – 890.
Each aspirant received a personal mantra corresponding to their spiritual inclination and chosen ishta devata, or preferred aspect of the Divine. Every seeker connects with the Divine differently—some are drawn to the formless through love, light, peace, or awareness, while others revere deities such as Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Kali, Muruga, or Ganesha. Many requested mantras related to the elements—earth, water, fire, trees, and the sun—reflecting the inclusive spirit of Hinduism, which embraces all paths of worship.
People from varied cultures and faiths found unity in Amma’s universal vision. The participants included followers of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and those unaffiliated with any religion. Amma’s compassionate approach welcomed all, offering mantras that harmonized with each person’s inner faith and devotion.
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Touching Moments
Many beautiful and deeply moving experiences unfolded during the mantra initiations.
During the mantra intiation, one aspirant shared that his favorite aspect of the Divine was creation. Amma smiled and said gently, “Creation and Creator are not different,” before blessing him with the mantra of the Creator itself.
In another tender moment, a Japanese family approached Amma, wishing for their two-year-old daughter to receive a mantra along with them. Understanding their devotion, Amma agreed. Since the child was too young to choose, the parents selected a mantra for love. Amma joyfully initiated the child, blessing the parents also with mantras.
Receiving a mantra from Amma was an invaluable blessing. The parents knew that instilling spiritual values early in life would help their child grow with awareness and compassion. They deeply understood the importance of this moment—if not now, when would they meet Amma again? After all, Amma was visiting their country after six long years.
During another initiation, a devotee asked Amma for a love mantra. Amma reflected, “Does anyone have pure love? All human love is mixed with selfishness. Then what is the purpose of asking for a mantra for love?” She explained that chanting transforms the heart—beginning from selfish love, we evolve toward pure, unconditional love. “It’s like using bait to catch a big fish,” Amma said.
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The Process of Receiving a Mantra
Aspirants would approach Amma during darshan to request a mantra. Before receiving it, they attended a short session explaining the significance and the need of proper practice. Only those who committed to chanting the mantra daily for at least ten minutes were allowed to proceed.
Amma would often pause her darshan to give mantras to groups of 50–100 people at a time, softly whispering each sacred sound into their ears. The swami assisting Amma would listen carefully, as the mantra was unique for every individual, and note it down on a piece of paper. Later, a volunteer would provide the recipient with a printed copy of their mantra.
At times, she gave mantras by the side after giving darshan to 10-20 people. Many times they were waiting for hours patiently,their hearts filled with devotion and anticipation.
After initiation, participants received guidance on posture, pronunciation, and how to maintain regular practice. Dedicated volunteers joyfully helped ensure that each person left with clarity, devotion, and renewed spiritual purpose.
Across every stop of the yatra, the devotion of the gatherings was palpable. The event was not merely like a festival—it was a living movement that reminded thousands of their innate connection to the Divine and the universality of love, faith, and awareness.
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Guru Dakshina for Guru Mantra
You may wonder whether Amma receives Guru Dakshina for giving these mantras. The answer is a resounding NO. Amma never accepts any offering for mantra initiation. As Amma beautifully explains, “If someone were to charge for a mantra or meditation, it would be like a mother asking for money for the breast milk she gives her child. These are given purely out of love and compassion.”
Each mantra is a gift from Amma’s boundless heart—an expression of divine grace, not a transaction. It is this selfless spirit that touches people deeply.
According to tradition, when one receives a Guru Mantra, it is customary—our āchāra, or code of conduct—to offer Guru dakshina, an expression of gratitude to the Master. Guru Dakshina is not what we give, instead what Guru asks you to give. It can take many forms, depending on the Guru’s wish. What Amma asks from us is only one thing: “Let your life be of some use to society. With our life, try to wipe the tears, ease the suffering of at least two people. Love the world more and more selflessly. Show compassion to those in need.”
When we begin to see the entire world as the form of the Guru or the Divine, and learn to love and serve it with that awareness, that is the highest Guru Dakshina one can ever offer to Amma.
Amma’s compassionate act is more than a blessing—it is the quiet sowing of spiritual seeds. Even if only a fraction of these seeds — say, ten percent — take root and bloom, their fragrance will uplift the world through peace, compassion, and selfless love.
—Sakshi