festivals Archives - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Playing Holi at Amritapuri

21 March, Holi Festival – Amritapuri

Normally the festival of Holi takes place when Amma is traveling in the North of India as part of her annual Bharata Yatra. This year Holi took place just a few days after Amma returned to Amritapuri so all the residents in the ashram were fortunate to celebrate with Amma in person. Some of those devotees from North India that usually get to be with Amma on this day traveled all the way to the Ashram to make sure they didn’t miss the chance to celebrate with Amma…and they did not come empty handed… they came with trays of multicolored powders and many large water pistols and a large pot filled with colored water…all kept ready in case Amma came out.

Around midday Amma came without any prior information to the Kali Temple to “play Holi” with everyone. In Kerala, Holi is not a widely celebrated festival and people are more focused on Onam and other local holidays, so before celebrating with everyone Amma explained the significance of Holi to better understand the beauty and deeper meaning behind the festival. {news}

After the brief explanation Amma shared some humorous anecdotes of her own childhood and how she celebrated Onam. Amma asked everyone to pray for the martyed soldiers in the recent terror attack.

Next Amma sang two Holi themed bhajans as the whole hall clapped in joy. Half way through the second bhajan, Aye He Holi, Amma could no longer resist the trays of colored powder next to her or the large pistols filled with colored water and to the delight of everyone she began ‘playing Holi’ as she sang. Clouds of colored powder and streams of colored water rained down on all within range of Amma. As the bhajan reached its crescendo Amma stood up and began to dance as she continued to color everyone around her; even the musicians and their instruments who thought they were safe sitting behind her.

As the song concluded all were blissfully doused in a rainbow of colors and Amma asked everyone to meditate together and pray for world peace, concluding the celebration with everyone chanting Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

-Dass

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Flood relief and overflowing compassion – Amritavarsham charitable projects

27 September 2018, Amritapuri

The 65^th Birthday Celebrations of Amma were focused on helping Kerala recover from the recent monsoon floods. Both Amma’s annual birthday address {news}, as well as several of the function’s charitable initiatives, were aimed at uplifting victims of the flood, which took the lives of nearly 500 people in August.

Following Sri Guru Paduka Puja performed by Swamiji, Amma gave a Satsang that stressed the lessons taught by the flood. {news} Amma’s Satsang was immediately followed by Amma guiding the devotees in meditation, Manasa puja, a prayer for world peace, and bhajans.

Earlier in the morning, 18 Brahmacharinies performed Ganapati Homa in the venue, creating a new energy for the whole day’s function.

Amma took the occasion to acknowledge the compassion and selflessness of individuals who came forward to help the flood victims. Amma gave one lakh rupees to 10 families of those who had died trying to rescue flood victims. She also presented certificates of commendation to the more than 400 volunteers who manned the Amrita Help Line—a 24-hour call-in centre set up at the Amritapuri Campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham that over five days fielded more than 25,000 calls, connecting more than 100,000 flood victims across the state with relief services. {news}

“Several hundred students worked together for days on end to help rescue people trapped in life-threatening situations,” Amma said. “They were able to bring timely help to many people in many areas. What invoked their unified response was the love and compassion they felt towards those trapped by the floods. The selfless love they experienced made their actions extremely beautiful and successful, and an inspiration to everyone.”

MAM was not the only entity to acknowledge the selfless service rendered to flood victims. The 200,000-plus members of the 13,000 AmritaSREE SHGs saved the money that they would have spent on travelling to Amritapuri for Amma’s birthday celebrations and instead donated that amount—Rs. 10 lakhs—to Amma to help the Math in its continued flood relief-and-rehabilitation efforts.

As happens every year on Amma’s birthday, MAM also gave away certificates for free surgeries at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi. These included 60 neurological surgeries, 15 kidney transplants, 62 head-and-neck surgeries, 75 urological surgeries, 250 oncological treatments, 80 gastrointestinal surgeries, 50 orthopaedic surgeries and treatment for 150 dialysis patients.

Cheques for Rs. one lakh were also issued to widows of Kerala fishermen who died at sea in 2017-18, free weddings were performed to 16 couples and free saris were given to 400,000 women.

MAM had also completed the construction of 900 toilets in Kollam District Kerala, taking its total of toilets constructed for the poor in the state to 12,000. Certificates of receipt were given to 200 representatives during the function.

Ten spiritual books published by MAM about Amma’s life and teachings were also released, as well as was the Malayalam version of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new book, Exam Warriors, written to inspire students preparing for their exams and life. The book was released by Sri. Kummanam Rajasekharan, Governor of Mizoram, who presented Amma with the first copy.

Amma was also garlanded by a number of dignitaries who came to offer Amma their birthday wishes including Sri. Kummanam Rajasekharan, Governor of Mizoram; Ramachandran Kadannappally. Minister for Ports, Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of the Opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly, K.C. Venugopal, MP, All India Congress Committee General Secretary; and Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of the SNDP Yogam, among others.

Giving darshan to thousands upon thousands of devotees who came for the program, finishing darshan at 8.00am on 28th, being on the stage for the last 22.30 hours straight.

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Lessons of Nature’s Power & The Power of Unity, Compassion & Service

From Amma’s 65th Birthday message

27th September 2018 — Amritapuri, Kollam

The state of Kerala is still reeling from the shock of witnessing the massive floods that took place this past monsoon season. At this tragic time, words have no place. All we can do is rise to the occasion, think positively and take to action. This is the most important thing now.

Amma’s heart is deeply pained when she thinks about those who lost their loved ones and livelihoods in the disaster. Amma feels their pain and prays to the Paramatman that they may regain their self-confidence and attain happiness, peace and prosperity.

When people are undergoing such an extreme crisis, just feeling sorry for them is of no use. We should also empathise with them and express that empathy through love and selfless service. The response and service we saw invoked by the floods is living proof that the mental strength and compassion needed for this empathy is always alive within us.

When the rain beat down incessantly, flooding the rivers and starting landslides, turning Kerala into an ocean of disaster, people here forgot all divisions. Separations of caste, creed and religion disappeared. Thoughts of rich and poor, high and low, all vanished. Party politics faded away. All thoughts and actions flowed in one direction, toward a single goal. Due to this, people had no difficulty in understanding and supporting one another. Moreover, they found the strength to overcome all obstacles. Hearts came together as one, and only compassion flowed. Actually, it overflowed, and we saw a second ocean rising from the floods— an ocean of compassion.

Here, at our university, too, several hundred students worked together for days on end to help rescue people trapped in life-threatening situations. They established a Help Line and worked its lines 24 hours a day, without caring about food or sleep. They were able to bring timely help to many people in many areas. What invoked their unified response was the love and compassion they felt towards those trapped by the floods. The selfless love they experienced made their actions extremely beautiful and successful, and an inspiration to everyone.

During those days, they did not think of “me” and “them.” The power of compassion raised them to the unified awareness of “we.” It was this awareness that guided them forward. If we can always kindle this miraculous force within us, our lives will flow as smoothly and beautifully as a river. This doesn’t mean there won’t be obstacles, but those obstacles will not be able to stop us. Life will move forward like a river’s flow, going around and beyond everything, overcoming all obstructions.

With his limited strength and intelligence, man cannot stop natural disasters from happening. However, we can extend a hand to help and heal those who have been plunged into misery by these catastrophes. During such times, we are spontaneously able to express our compassion and love through our words and deeds. This strength is inherent in us. That is why it awakens in crises such as this. Only that which is inside the mind can come to be expressed outside. However, people are unable to sustain the bright flame of compassion and the strength to face and overcome any obstacle that they feel during such crises. These soon die away. Before we know it, people begin diverging back into their religious, political and communal groups. They start finding fault and clashing with each other. How much time and energy is wasted in such useless conflicts.
In each natural disaster, there is always a message. Three of the most important ones are:

1. Just as humans have their system of laws, Nature also her laws as well. We have to understand and abide by Nature’s laws. We should have the awareness that, in fact, Nature governs all the governments of the world.

2. We should always have the awareness that the Nature we behold is a massively powerful force. Before its immense strength, mankind is incredibly trivial and helpless. Hence it is crucial to approach Nature with respect and reverence.

3. It can take only a moment for Nature to take back everything she has so benevolently bestowed upon us.
If we understand these truths, we will be able to cultivate humility in our thoughts, actions and perspective, and in our approach towards Nature. Then the realisation will dawn on us that “Nature is not against man; she is a trusted friend who only desires mankind’s welfare.”

Our desires have increased one by one, and in our rush to fulfil them, we have been abusing Nature. What we are seeing now is Nature’s retaliation. When we lost our dharma, Nature lost hers too. Just as each nation has a set code of laws, the universe too has a set code of conduct called dharma. It is this code that maintains the harmony of life. This code of conduct is applicable to all countries and all people equally. For example, there is a set of road rules that we all have to obey when we drive. If we do not obey them, saying, “I will drive however I like,” then we will only be endangering ourselves.

This is the age of the computer and Internet. Man’s excessive fascination for technology and the many illusions he builds around it is giving him a false sense of security. The recent floods taught us that however important science and technology may be, they will never be able to replace the quality of humanity. Many people had houses equipped with all modern facilities but could not stay in them. Many had cars but could not drive them to safety. Many had ATM cards but could not withdraw money. Many had mobile phones but did not have the electricity to charge them. Man will never be able to achieve complete security by relying on machines. We have to find the real security within ourselves. Technology is a good servant but a dangerous master. When our relationships with the world are defined solely through machines, we are pawning our very consciousness to the unconscious machine. We should be using machines and loving people. Never allow the trademark of our society to become “Use people and love machines.”

The more space we create in our heart for others, the more happiness and contentment we will feel. The law of the universe and of life is selflessness. This is why selfish and egoistic people are unable to wholeheartedly enjoy life and be happy: because their behaviour is out of tune with the law of the universe. This creation unfolds to the same tune and beat. Understanding this, when we fall in line with this law, peace, happiness and prosperity automatically become ours.

The love and compassion that overflows from our heart is the power that leads us to victory. How was Kerala saved from the great floods? What saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people? It was the love and compassion that filled the hearts of people all over. This strength destroys all barriers and joins all hearts on a single string. May this love and compassion ever illuminate our hearts.

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Every day should begin with the remembrance of God

15 April 2018, Amritapuri – Vishu celebrations

The Vishu celebration was carried out with great enthusiasm all around the ashram. There were separate Vishukkani* arranged in the Kalari, near Amma’s house, and on the stage of the bhajan’s hall. Along with Vishukkani, saplings and plant seeds were also kept on the altar. Each devotee who came for darshan received a packet of seeds along with the typical Prasad. Devotees also received blessed saplings, along with a rupee coin, which serves as a Vishukkai neettam** on the holiday.

Prior to Darshan, Amma sang a set of Krishna bhajans, and addressed the audience, saying: “Like the cheerful blooms of the golden April laburnums (Konna), Vishu is a celebration that fills our hearts with joy. Vishu is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. Vishu brings us the message of an ancient agrarian culture that existed in harmony with nature. Over and above that, Vishu also brings us the message of devotion, surrender to God, and equal vision.

“We start the Vishu day thinking of God. The message here is that every day should begin with the remembrance of God. When we begin a day with a positive thought its motivation remains with us throughout the day. This is why the image of God should reflect internally in our mental mirror as the first thought of the day. Keeping a mirror as part of the Vishu kani symbolizes our effort to look within and wipe away the blemishes from our mind. Awakening the remembrance of God within is also to clean our mind of its impurities.

“If God-remembrance does not awaken internally, it may be good to practice this externally by waking up to see the image of God or our Guru with our physical eyes every morning. Then take a resolve to maintain that remembrance in our daily actions. Pray that we gain a mind that does not harm anyone with our thought, word, or sight.”

Amma giving seed packets along with prasad

Devotees were also served a feast replete with payasam. Ashram residents presented tabla performances and dance programs as part of the celebrations.

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* Vishukkani – meaning that which is seen first on the day of Vishu. The altar is arranged with a statute Lord Krishna along with the yellow Cucumber, Mangoes, Jackfruits, all available vegetables, halved coconuts with oil lamp inside, and ‘Konna’ flowers. A starched ironed cloth made into a hand fan, kept inside ‘Kindi’, is decorated with gold ornaments, and a mirror is also kept in the front of as part of the arrangements. All these are kept in a ‘uruli’ (a brass vessel) which is filled with polished rice.

** Vishukkai neettam – the elders in the family have to gift all the younger members with money, usually in the form of newly minted coins. Here Amma has introduced a sapling along with it, encouraging the younger generations to care for nature, calling it – Vishuthai neettam.

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Walking Beside Us: Christmas in Amritapuri

25 Dec 2017, Amritapuri

As is the tradition in Amritapuri, Christmas was celebrated in grand style on Sunday, with more than 1,600 visitors from more nearly 100 countries, and more than 600 participants of a national AYUDH India summit also here for the festivities.

During Amma’s darshan in the afternoon, groups of international residents and visitors sang Christmas carols to the delight of all, infusing the atmosphere with an air of festivity and joy.

After Amma’s darshan concluded around 11:00 pm, Amma came down to sit among the devotees to enjoy the annual Christmas musical, written and performed by Amma’s international children. More than 120 people came together to create the performance, entitled, “Walking Beside Us,” featuring an original script, music and lyrics, dance choreography, extensive hand-painted sets, hand-made costumes, elaborate lighting and special effects. This year’s performance was all the more impressive in that it featured many children in leading roles. The children performed with confidence and skill in tightly choreographed scenes. This year’s play was conceived as the story of Christmas told through the eyes of little children.

After the musical concluded, Amma’s gave her message in which she said “Celebrations such as Christmas are mankind’s songs of awakening. Occasions like Christmas Deepavali and Onam remind us of sacrifice, compassion, humility and firm faith in God and the need to put them into practice in our life.”

The Christmas festivities concluded with Amma leading the entire assembled crowd in two bhajans (Only Love is our guiding light in English and Jai Mata Di Jaykar bulavo in Punjabi) calls of Mata Rani Ki Jai and a group prayer for world peace with the chanting Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. Finally Amma personally blessed tray after tray of a chocolate Christmas cake – enough for each person at the festivities to get a piece, and ending the holiday with a tangible sweetness that had imbued each moment of the day.

– Kannadi

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Diwali is a reminder to invoke the divine within our heart

17 & 18 October 2017

Diwali celebrations in Amritapuri
Diwali was celebrated throughout Amritapuri in many ways. In the morning, as Amma made her way to the stage for the day’s darshan, she was welcomed by a group of Amma’s children from Tamil Nadu, dressed in beautiful attire and holding diyas (lamps) in their hands. They chanted hymns of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. That night, when the day’s darshan was complete, another set of children, this time from North India, lined Amma’s path, dressed in their own traditional attire and each holding a diya in their hands. Near Amma’s residence, the soldiers stationed at the ashram also got to celebrate Diwali with Amma. Amma lit the lamp with them and then and sparklers, taking her sparkler and drawing playful patterns in the air, cheering Mata Rani Ki Jai and Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Before returning to her room, Amma distributed sweets to the soldiers. There were rangolis in front of Amma’s room. Small and beautiful diyas decorated Amma’s steps.

The next day, Diwali was celebrated in grand style. The staff of Amrita University and devotees stood in line to receive Amma onto the stage when Amma came for morning darshan. In the evening, at the end, while Amma was still giving darshan, the hall was cleared and filled with beautiful oil lamps. Brahmacharis chanted Sri Sukta and Vedic mantras. Amma sang two bhajans of Sri Rama, as Diwali is also the remembrance of the return of Sri Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years, gaining victory over the demon Ravana. “Deepavali (Diwali) is a celebration, a reminder – reminding us, by lighting the lamp of goodness to remove the darkness of wickedness within. Like the people of Ayodhya welcomed Sri Rama, Diwali is a reminder to invoke the divine within our heart,” Amma reflected, imbuing the two days of celebrations with deep meaning and inspiration for all who participated, and for Amma’s children all over the world, whose hearts were there in spirit.

This is the first time in the last two decades that Amma was in Amritapuri for the Deepavali celebrations.

-Kannadi

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Amritavarsham64 – Amma’s birthday celebrations

9 October 2017, Amritapuri – Amritavarsham64
Monday marked the 64th birthday of Amma. The celebrations focused on extending the breadth and depth of the charitable initiatives of her ashram, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), in areas such education, sanitation, housing and healthcare for the economically challenged.
“Amma is not interested in celebrating her birthday,” said Amma. “Yet, I am grateful that during this occasion some good initiatives can come out that shine some small light of love into the darkness of at least a few lives. When we do something to alleviate the sorrow of others, in that moment we are able to create at least a small wave of celebration—both internally and externally—in those people’s lives.”

New projects inaugurated and continued old ones included:
New:-
1. The provision of running water in Pandori, Jammu
2. Training of more than 1,000 tribals in digital literacy
3. Free homes for 37 impoverished Keralites
4. Construction of 8,000 toilets across the state.
Continued:
5. Amrita Keerti Puraskar to Dr M Lakshmi Kumari (a statue of Goddess Saraswati and Rs.123456/-
6. Gave away the first of what will be 1,000 e-Cycles—bicycles capable of generating and storing electricity via a dynamo and solar panel by which they can power their home.
7. Gave certificates to graduates of MAM’s health-worker-training programme and tailoring-and-embroidery classes.
8. Distributed saris to 5-lakh women enrolled in various humanitarian programmes of MAM, with Amma herself handing out the initial few hundred saris.
9. Amma performing the wedding of 54 couples who could not afford a traditional wedding without the aid of the MAM, which provided all gold jewellery and wedding garments, etc.

Seated aside Amma on the dais were dozens of political, social and spiritual leaders from within and without Kerala, all of whom inaugurated various charitable projects by the MAM. These included:
Spiritual leaders included His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostam, Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan; Swami Prakashananda, Head of Sivagiri Math, and Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi, Organizing Secretary of Santhigiri Ashram.

Political and social leaders included: Prof. P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Sri. Jual Oram, Honourable Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Sri. Y.S. Chowdry, Honourable Union Minister of State for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences; Sri. Satyapal Singh, Honourable Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education); Sri. K.C. Venugopal, MP & All India Congress Committee General Secretary & MP; Sri. Shyam Jaju, National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party; Sri. Pramodh Madhwaraj, Honourable Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment & Sport (Karnataka State); Sri. Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of the Opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly; Sri. Oommen Chandy, former Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala; Sri. M.K. Raghavan, MP; Sri. O. Rajagopal, MLA; Sri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MLA; Sri. P.C. George, MLA; Sri. R. Ramachandran, MLA; Sri. V.S. Sivakumar, MLA; Sri. Prasad Gaonkar, MLA Goa; Sri. Suresh Gopi, MP Rajya Sabha; Sri. P.K. Krishnadas, BJP, National Executive Committee Member; Sri. R. Chandresekharan, President of INTUC; and Smt. Jagadamba Teacher, Kollam District Panchayat President.

Amma was also garlanded upon her arrival by Padmsri Sobhana, who had also performed a Bharatanaytam dance to the delight of devotees.

Amma’s head disciple, Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, the Vice-Chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, offered Sri Guru Pada Puja, and Amma was then garlanded by all of her sannyasin disciples. This was followed by Amma’s annual birthday address, in which Amma stressed the importance of holding onto one’s culture and respect for Nature.

The remainder of the Amritavarsham64 Celebrations comprised of Amma blessing the thousands upon thousands of devotees who had come with her motherly embrace.

The villagers, members of 13 Karayogams came and offered Amma Purnakumbaham, as a mark of respect.

During Amma’s darshan time there were a lot of cultural program by the students of Amrita Institutions. Folk music and dances added a variety to the performance. But the Baduagas came and rocked the hall with their traditional dance & music. Amma enjoyed a lot.
The pracharaks of Matruvani who enrolled the maximum number of subscribers also received prizes from Amma. Each year on Amma’s birthday, this darshan continues well into next morning the following day. This year also was not different. At the close of the formal program for her 64th birthday celebration, Amma remained on the stage long enough to embrace each person who had attended the event, one by one and the Darshan ended at 10.20 am.

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I feel like a squirrel: Lakshmi Kumari on receiving Amrita Keerti

October 9, 2017, AmritaVarsham 64, Amritapuri Ashram
In conjunction with the 64th birthday celebrations, the 2017 Amrita Keerti Puraskar was bestowed upon Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari for her noteworthy contributions to education about Sanatana Dharma. She was presented the AmritaKeerti Puraskar by Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs in Amma’s presence.

Accepting the puraskar on behalf of women everywhere, Lakshmi Kumari said:

“I feel like a squirrel who took part in the Rama Setu construction and got Sri Ram’s blessings as his reward. Amma who is initiating great Dharmik undertakings; like a squirrel of Sri Rama’s, I am also transporting some grain particles in those projects. Amma has recognised the grains which I have brought. This is the fulfillment of my life.”

“The droplets of love which I have received from people all over, inside and outside the country, have become consolidated as the Ganga of Amrita Keerti and has fallen towards me from our beloved Amma’s hand. How can I offer thanks for that? What we can offer to Amma on her birthday is to transform ourself as “deva karya samudyata” — participants in the great work she is doing, imbibing her spirit, dedicating yourself for the work of Truth and Dharma.”

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari has dedicated her entire life to service of society after finishing her higher studies. She is currently serving as Chairman of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation. Dr. Lakshmi Kumari has undertaken the task of spreading Swami Vivekananda’s messages and philosophical thought, the strength of ancient India’s perspectives that ensued from direct experience, and the extent of its triumph in the world. As such, her work has been successful in raising the stature of Swami Vivekananda among contemporaries and youth.

Dr. Lakshmi Kumari has served as President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Motivated by Sister Nivedita’s women’s welfare principles, Dr. Lakshmi Kumari has devoted herself to the uplift of Indian culture and the ancient spiritual tradition of India.

We should leave Mother Earth with flowers bedecked in her hair

9 Oct 2017, Amritapuri – Amritavarsham64 (Excerpts from Amma’s Birthday message )

“India is one of the fastest-developing countries. We need development, but it has to be sustainable and based on culture and respect towards nature. No progress that alienates culture or nature will ever be successful. If we cut the string of a flying kite, at first it will fly higher, but soon it will start its descent. It may even land on thorny bushes and become completely shredded. Respect for nature and culture should become the life breath of every Indian.”

Amma then pointed out various flaws in society’s concept of progress: “In the past, we would always grow bitter-neem in our yards. We may no longer plant such trees, but that bitterness has saturated our words and actions. In the past, people didn’t have watches but still found time for everything. Today, even children wear watches, yet no one has time for anything. Everyone has so many friends on Facebook, but people are lonelier than ever before. The wide-open spaces of our outdoor playgrounds have shrivelled to the dingy confines of our mobile and TV screens.”

Amma concluded her address by stressing the importance of cultivating compassion for all beings and service-mindedness. “Life should be raised on the foundation of compassion. Never waste any opportunity to serve. The entire world looks up to those who have the heart to do selfless service. We should not leave Mother Earth with scars. On the other hand, we should leave Mother Earth with flowers bedecked in her hair. Amma prays to the Paramatman that the flowers of innocence and selfless service remain in my children’s lives without ever fading away.”