Category: Ashram
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Scripture classes
When Amma leaves for Her world tours, the ashram continues to be a hub of activity. Recently a brilliant, visiting lecturer, Swami Anubhavananda, conducted classes at the ashram. Mixing humour and dramatic language, his talks inspired profound reflection. He gave lectures on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and on ‘Panchadasi’ a Vedantic text. He spoke for four…
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What is Kali Puja
Kali Pujas take place on the veranda of the Kalari at Amritapuri, which is prepared with exquisitely coloured drawings, made with coloured powders. The diagram represents the peetham (seat) of the goddess who is symbolically present in the form of a tall lamp standing in the centre. Kali is the compassionate Mother in Her fierce…
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Kali puja on Karthika
26 July 2000, Amritapuri On Wednesday 26 July, Amma’s Birthstar (Karthika) was celebrated with a Kali puja in the Kalari. The entire ashram had been decorated with garlands and lamps, and the Kalari itself was graced with traditional motifs (mandalas) and more lamps and garlands. The highlight of the ritual occurred during the singing of…
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Sannyasa, in the service of the world
A Sannyasi is a real servant of the world. In fact, he or she is the only one who serves and loves the world without receiving anything in return.
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Brahmacharya Deeksha ceremony
many of the brahmacharis serve in various branch ashrams or by going on tours to various parts of India and the world. Thus they spread Amma’s message of Love and Compassion.
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Even Sannyasi’s breath should be for the good of others
Now he doesn’t have a particular God. This son should serve the people seeing them as God. His remaining life is to serve them.
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Shankaracharya’s four Sannyasa orders
Hinduism is still a dynamic and all-encompassing religion stands as ample testimony to the deeds of Adi Shankaracharya.
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Discussion & Study groups
Before Amma left for the US tour She spoke to the ashramites about ashram dharma and asked everyone to form study groups and to discuss in depth the meaning of the scriptures for everyday life. A plethora of classes is in full swing, and everywhere one goes, one can hear chanting or scriptural discussions at…
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Baby Ram settles into his new home
Like all babies, Ram is endearing himself to the hearts of his Amritapuri family, from whom he is receiving continuous vibrations of affection, if not actual hugs. “Is he eating, sleeping, taking his bath, is he happy??”, they ask. According to his keepers, he is progressing well, although they would like him to eat a…
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Ram’s arrival
On May 15th, 2000, a baby elephant, the gift of a devotee, arrived in Amritapuri. The little one had traveled for 5 days by ship and truck from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where he was born. He was just 15 months old. His mother from Bihar and father from Kerala worked in the forests.…