Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

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We have to find the real security within ourselves

9-10 April, Kozhikode, Kerala – Bharata Yatra 2019
Amma visited Kozhikode two days for the annual Brahmastanam Festival.

Like at every visit, Amma was welcomed by a sea of devotees, waiting to catch a glimpse of their beloved Amma as she arrived. Accompanied by traditional drumming, Amma stood gazing down at her children from the ashrams inner courtyard balcony for some time.

On the first programme day, Amma handed out samplings to AYUDH members in continuation of the Vishuthaineettam project. This was followed by Satsang, Bhajans and Mansa Puja. In her talk, Amma said: “This is the age of the computer and the Internet. Man’s excessive fascination for technology and the many illusions he builds around it, is giving him a false sense of security. Recent natural disasters have taught us that however important science and technology may be, they will never be able to replace our basic 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.”

Students of Amrita Vidyalayam displayed an array of stunning dances and heart stirring bhajans. Two of the school teachers also gave a special performance of the traditional Kerala Dance form Katakali, depicting the story of Krishna, who went to the house of Radha, but found the door locked. Only when Radha heard her beloved Krishna say: ‘I am your Prana, there is no difference between the two of us’ Radha opened the door and the devotee and the Lord met in divine reunion. The story was based on a poem written by Ottoor, the renowned Kerala poet who also composed Amma’s 108 names.

As always in Kozhikode, the crowds coming to receive Amma’s blessings were huge, even despite the scorching heat. On the second programme day Amma went on to give Darshan for more than twelve hours, followed by baby feeding (annaprasham) and baby writing (vidyarambham) ceremonies with over 50 children. As Amma was giving the first feeding in the form of payasam to those kids, many in the audience were reminded of the sweetness of the motherly love that only Amma can shower on one and all – without end.
-Kannadi

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Let our land be full of birds, butterflies and flower groves

6 April 2019, Amritapuri

Upon the Vishuthaineettam campaign’s fifth year, a new facet “മുറ്റത്തൊരു പഴത്തോപ്പ് മുകളിലൊരു കിളിക്കൂട് Muttathoru Pazhathopp, Mukaliloru Kilikkootu—“An Orchard in the Yard, a Birdhouse in the Treetop” was launched by Amma in Amritapuri Ashram on Saturday.

Speaking about the importance of setting up birdhouses and feeders, Amma said, “On the plank, leave some water for the birds to drink and a handful of grain. In the heat of the summer, let the birds come and drink the water and eat the grain. Whether you are a university student or schoolchild, it is Amma’s dream and desire that all of you take part in this new initiative.” Amma launched these new projects by handing over the saplings and bird feeders to the AYUDH members at an event held today, just before Darshan.

After blessing thousands of fruit saplings prepared for distribution, Amma said, “Let our children plant and nurture these saplings. We must protect plants, trees and every other living being, understanding them be a part of ourself. Each year may Vishu mark the start of such worship. Our children should be taught to love and protect nature. This Vishu, may this culture be what we impart to them as the real Vishukaineettam.”

“How beautiful would our land be if it were full of birds, butterflies and flower groves!” Amma said. “If the land were to become rich, that richness will reflect in our individual lives as well. We will be full of joy and beauty, within and without.”

The campaign pushes to infuse the Vishu with a new green tradition: Elders gifting children not only Vishukaineettam—pocket change—but also Vishuthaineettam—saplings.

During the last five years, AYUDH volunteers have distributed more than 3.5 lakh saplings in Kerala through 230 Vishuthaineettam events, conducted in all 14 districts. And since 2000, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has planted more than 10 lakh trees as part of the United Nation’s Billion Tree Campaign.

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Environmental conservation is not so much part of mankind’s dharma towards Nature

Excerpts form Amma’s Vishu message.

15 April 2015, Amritapuri

Vishu is an expression of our culture’s deep connection with Nature. The Kani Konna flower, the Kani Vellari vegetable and all the various fruits of Vishu are not only are associated with a successful harvest, they also symbolize the love and respect our ancestors had for Nature.

2015-konna

Sanatana Dharma teaches us that the creation and the Creator are not two but one. Nature is a visible form of God. Our birth-mother might carry us for two or three years, but Mother Earth allows us to tread on her our entire life. Our birth-mother might allow us to spit up on her during our childhood, but Mother Earth receives our waste throughout our life. She forgives our mistakes and continues to give and give.

In the past, Nature was like Kamadhenu—a wish-fulfilling cow. Today, that cow has become sick and old and is stumbling towards death. We alone are responsible for this. Our indiscriminate exploitation of Nature can be likened to sawing off a tree branch on which we are seated.

Along with festivity, every Vishu reminds us of our losses as well. Agriculture all but vanished from Kerala. Even the vegetables used in our Vishu decorations are imported from other states.

We need to regain the inner connection that we had with Nature. We need to protect Nature. We need to awaken from our inertia. A tree offers fruit and shelter. It also purifies water and air. It even gives shade to the one who cuts it. Educate our younger generation about the importance of tree planting. Usually, on Vishu, the elders in the family give the children Vishu-kaineetam [Vishu pocket money] and wish them a prosperous New Year. Along with the Vishu-kaineetam, from now onwards, please present children with a gift of a sapling,  Vishuthaineettam, as well. {news}

Some of the students from our college say, “Amma, we used to think of Nature as inert. Now, we feel life in it. Previously, we would pluck leaves unnecessarily. Now we don’t even feel like plucking even a single leaf. If we do, we feel a kind of electric shock within. We don’t harm Nature anymore.”

So, love for Nature can be awoken and cultivated.

Those who farm will continue farming wherever they go. Even if they stay in a small room, they will plant something in the corner. Because they have become habituated to loving Nature, the tendency to grow plants and vegetables will not leave them.

Without Nature, neither human beings nor human civilization can exist. Nature is our very life’s breath. Environmental conservation is not so much part of mankind’s dharma towards Nature, as it is a part of his dharma towards himself. Why? Because without Nature, human beings cannot survive.

May the Paramatman bless my children so that the right attitude awakens within them.

 

 

Saplings distributed for Vishuthaineettam

This year, Amma asked all those who celebrate the Kerala festival of ‪Vishu‬ to incorporate love and reverence for nature into their celebration {news}. It was Amma’s dream that this new tradition could help to imprint a deep bond with nature in the coming generations. Today, that dream is beginning to come true. Students of Amrita University planted 100,000 saplings for the occasion. Renowned artists, writers and activists helped to distribute the saplings at our ashrams and centers throughout Kerala, including celebrated actor Mohanlal and actress Seema G Nair, writer KL Mohana Varma, poet/activist Sugata Kumari, poet and environmentalist Injakkad Balachandran, Deputy Director of Kerala’s Agriculture Dept. Smt. Nandini, Kozhikode District Collector Prashant Nair, IAS, and Kerala Excise Minister Shri. K. Babu.

mohanlal

Film actor Mohan Lal distributing sapling to a little girl

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100,000 saplings at Amrita University

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100,000 saplings at Amrita University

Vrukshakkani and Vishuthaineettam instead of Vishukkani and Vishukkaineettam

Vishu is a festival specific to Kerala and to Malayalees, and it symbolizes the age-old bond with Nature. The highlights of Vishu are known as Vishukkani and Vishukkaineettam.

As part of this year’s upcoming festival of Vishu, Amma has launched two initiatives to help foster love for nature in the hearts of the younger generations, and to teach them to protect and preserve nature. These initiatives are known as Vrukshakkani and Vishuthaineettam, as they augment the existing highlights of Vishu.

15vishuthai

Vishukkani is the first darshan (sight) the members of each household will have after waking up on the day of Vishu. A picture of Lord Sri Krishna and an abundant display of fruits and vegetables form the main part of the Vishukkani. Traditionally, the parents blindfold the children or cover their eyes and lead them in front of the Vishukkani altar, to guarantee that this is the first thing they see on Vishu. This year, Amma is asking everyone to add one more item to the Vishukkani altar: a few seedlings of any tree or vegetable—hence the name Vrukshakkani.

The tradition of Vishukkaineettam is a gift, usually money, which the elders give to the young members of the family on that day. But this year, Amma is asking the elders to gift the seedlings kept in the Vishukkani to the younger ones so that they will plant it and nurture them. This will be known as Vishuthaineettam.

15vishukaineetam

This is a special moment in the history of Vishu. If enough people would incorporate these new traditions, it will allow the festival of Vishu to help imprint a deep bond with and love and concern for nature in the coming generations. This kind of fundamental shift in humanity’s attitude toward nature (from exploitation to loving protection) is essential in order to preserve nature’s harmony and a safe place for human beings to call home.

 

This years Vishu falls on 15th April.