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{{short description|Indian Hindu spiritual leader}}
{{Infobox_Biography |
{{Other uses|Amma (disambiguation){{!}}Amma}}
subject_name = Sudhamani / Mātā Amritanandamayī Devi|
{{pp-pc}}
image_name = Amma1.jpg|
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}}
image_caption = Mata Amritanandamayi|
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
date_of_birth = ], ]|
place_of_birth = Parayakadavu, ], ]|


{{Infobox religious biography
| name = Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī
| title = ] <br /> ] <br /> ]
| image = Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī.jpg
| religion = ]
| caption = Amma in 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1953|09|27}}
| birth_place = ], ], ], ], ] (now in ]), India
| birth_name = Sudhamani Idamannel
| death_place =
| nationality = Indian
| founder = ]
| philosophy =
| honors = ]
| website = {{URL|amma.org/}}
| literary_works = {{Bulleted_list|''Awaken Children'' (1–9)|''Compassion: the Only Way to Peace''|''May Peace and Happiness Prevail''|''Infinite Potential of Women''|''Unity is Peace''|''Living in Harmony''|''Man and Nature''|''May Your Hearts Blossom''|''Understanding and Collaboration Between Religions''|''The Awakening of Universal Motherhood''|''Cultivating Strength and Vitality''}}
| footnotes =
| birthname = Sudhamani
}} }}


'''Sri Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi''' (born '''Sudhamani Idamannel'''; 27 September 1953), often known as '''Amma''' ("Mother"), is an Indian ] spiritual leader, ] and humanitarian,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mata Amritanandamayi Receives Honorary Doctorate From University of Mysore |url=https://starofmysore.com/mata-amritanandamayi-receives-hon-doctorate-from-university-of-mysore/ |work=The Star of Mysore |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Perez">{{cite news |last=Perez |first=Zaira|date=14 June 2018 |title= Indian Hugging Saint Opens Arms for Denton Next Week|url=https://dentonrc.com/news/indian-hugging-saint-opens-arms-for-denton-next-week/article_6c82bec6-0187-5186-a6a4-8d9340253fbd.html |work= Denton Chronicle|location=Denton, Texas |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> who is revered as 'the hugging ]' by her followers.<ref>www amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/hugging-the-hugging-saint-amma-made-others-cry-but-it-was-different-for-me</ref> She is the chancellor of ], a multi-campus research university.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Correspondent |first=Special |date=15 March 2019 |title=Honorary doctorate for Amritanandamayi, Tiptur seer |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/honorary-doctorate-for-amritanandamayi-tiptur-seer/article26548513.ece |access-date=27 April 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
'''Mātā Amritanandamayī Devi''' (]: माता अमृतानन्‍दमयी, ]: മാതാ അമൃതാനന്ദമയി), also known by her followers as 'Amma', 'Ammachi' or 'Mother' (], ] - ), is an ]n spiritual leader revered by her followers as a ]. She is a widely respected ] and called by some 'the hugging saint'.<ref name="latimes.com:weekphotos">, (2006). www.latimes.com. Retrieved on October 15, 2006.</ref>


In 2018, she was felicitated by ] ] for making the largest contribution to the ]'s Clean India Campaign ]. She was the first recipient of Vishwaratna Puraskar (Gem of the World Award) by Indian Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mata Amritanandamayi felicitated by PM Narendra Modi for her support to Swachh Bharat |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/kerala/2018/oct/03/mata-amritanandamayi-felicitated-by-pm-narendra-modi-for-her-support-to-swachh-bharat-1880300.html |date=3 October 2018 |access-date=19 January 2024}}</ref>
==Early life==
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2007}}
Amritanandamayi was born ''Sudhamani'' in the small village of Parayakadavu (now partially known as Amritapuri), near ], ] in 1953. Sudhamani was born to a fishing family of the ] caste. Her schooling ended when she was nine, and she began to take care of her younger siblings and the family domestic work full-time.


==Rise to fame== ==Life==
Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi is an Indian ] from Parayakadavu (now partially known as ]), ] Panchayat in Karunagappally, ], in the state of ].<ref>{{cite book|author=Cornell, Judith|title=Amritanandamayi: Healing the Heart of the World|publisher= HarperCollins|place= New York|year= 2001}}</ref> Born to a family of backward-] ] fishermen on 27 September 1953, she was the third child of Sugunanandan and Damayanti. Her mother Damayanti died on 19 September 2022. She has six siblings.<ref name=RS2>{{cite news|last=Amsden|first=David|title=The Hugging Saint|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-hugging-saint-20120816?page=2|access-date=27 March 2014|newspaper=]|date=16 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122064454/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-hugging-saint-20120816?page=2|page=2|archive-date=22 January 2014}}</ref>
Her devotees claim that she had many ] experiences as a child. Since ], she has been teaching spiritual aspirants all over the world. She founded a worldwide organization, the ], which is engaged in many ] and ] activities. From humble beginnings she undertook a journey to attain "universal motherhood". She addressed the ] ].<ref></ref>


As part of her chores, Amṛtānandamayī gathered food scraps from neighbours for her family's cows and goats, through which she was confronted with the intense poverty and suffering of others. She would bring these people food and clothing from her own home. Her family, which was not wealthy, scolded and punished her. Amṛtānandamayī began to spontaneously embrace people to comfort them in their sorrow. Despite the reaction of her parents, Amṛtānandamayī continued.<ref name="ReferenceA">Amritanandamayichi – A Biography of Mata Amritanandamayi by Swami Amritaswarupananda, {{ISBN|1-879410-60-5}}</ref> Regarding her desire to embrace others, Amṛtānandamayī commented, "I don't see if it is a man or a woman. I don't see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ETW2012.pdf |title=The Humanitarian Initiatives of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Mata Amritanandamayi Math) |publisher=embracing the world |page=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916081829/http://www.embracingtheworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ETW2012.pdf |archive-date=16 September 2012 |quote=I don't see if it is a man or a woman. I don't see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.}}</ref>
===International events===


Amṛtānandamayī rejected numerous attempts by her parents to arrange for her marriage.<ref name="thestar.com.my">. Thestar.com.my. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref> In 1981, after spiritual seekers had begun residing at her parents' property in Parayakadavu in the hopes of becoming Amṛtānandamayī's disciples, the ] (MAM), a worldwide foundation, was founded.<ref>On 6 May 1981, "with a view to preserving and propagating the ideals and teachings of the Holy Mother, the ] and Mission Trust was founded and registered under the Travancore-Cochin State Literary and Charitable Act of 1955, at ], Kerala, ]." ''Amritanandamayichi – A Biography of Mata Amritanandamayi'' by Swami Amritaswarupananda, {{ISBN|1-879410-60-5}}</ref> Amṛtānandamayī continues to serve as chairperson of the Math. Today the Mata Amritanandmayi Math is engaged in many ] and charitable activities.<ref name="embracingtheworld.org">. Embracing the World. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* ], ]: speech at the "]" 100th Anniversary.
* ], ]: address at the ] at the 50th Anniversary of the UN.
* ], New York: keynote address at the ], UN General Assembly.
* ], ]: keynote address at the ] of ] at the UN.
* ], Geneva: "]" from ] at UN headquarters.
* ], Barcelona, Parliament of World Religions.
* ], New York, .


In 1987, at the request of devotees, Amṛtānandamayī began to conduct programmes in countries throughout the world. She continues to do so annually.
===Recognition===


==Darshan==
In ], she was one of the representatives of ] at the ] in ].
Amṛtānandamayī's form of giving ] is hugging people.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite web|last1=Kuruvilla|first1=Carol|title=This Week In Pictures: Faith In Practice Around The World, November 9–15|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/15/week-in-pictures-nov-9_n_6161650.html|website=The Huffington Post|date=15 November 2014|access-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> As to how this began, Amṛtānandamayī said, "People used to come and tell their troubles. They would cry and I would wipe their tears. When they fell weeping into my lap, I used to hug them. Then the next person too wanted it... And so the habit picked up."<ref name="im.rediff.com">. Im.rediff.com (2 August 2002). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref> Amṛtānandamayī has embraced more than 33 million people throughout the world for over 30 years.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>


When asked, in 2002, to what extent she thought her embraces helped the ills of the world, Amṛtānandamayī replied, "I don't say I can do it 100 percent. Attempting to change the world is like trying to straighten the curly tail of a dog. But society takes birth from people. So by affecting individuals, you can make changes in the society and, through it, in the world. You cannot change it, but you can make changes. The fight in individual minds is responsible for the wars. So if you can touch people, you can touch the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/02inter1.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandamayi|work=rediff.com}}</ref>
Amritanandamayi was the keynote speaker at ], at the UN in ] held in October ]. This was an initiative of the UN' ], in which Amritanandamayi spoke in August ].


Amṛtānandamayī's darshan has been the centrepiece of her life, as she has received people nearly every day since the late 1970s. Given the size of the crowds coming to seek Amṛtānandamayī's blessings, there have been times when she has given darshana for more than 20 continuous hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17811665|title='Amma' in Australia: India's hugging saint spreads love down under|date=24 April 2012|publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/hugging.guru/|title=Guru fights world's 'poverty of love,' one hug at a time|date=22 August 2007|publisher=CNN}}</ref> At the time of Covid-19 she stopped giving ] and hugging people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2020 |author=Gladwin Emmanuel |title=Coronavirus scare: Daily darshan stopped at Amritanandamayi Math in Kerala |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/coronavirus-scare-daily-darshan-stopped-at-amritanandamayi-math-in-kerala/articleshow/74511206.cms |access-date=2024-04-20 |newspaper=Bangalore Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-06 |title=Coronavirus in India: Mata Amritanandamai's darshan's stopped at Kerala ashram |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/coronavirus-in-india-mata-amritanandamai-s-darshan-s-stopped-at-kerala-ashram/story-t7U4pXJ6YQycKlWctpsVcI.html |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2020-03-06 |title=COVID-19 {{!}} Amritanandamayi stops darshan at Kerala ashram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/covid-19-amritanandamayi-stops-darshan-at-kerala-ashram/article61966436.ece |access-date=2024-04-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
In 2002 Amritanandamayi was presented with the ] for ] by ] at the UN General Assembly Hall (Palais Des Nations) in Geneva in recognition of her lifelong work in furthering the principles of non-violence. The three previous recipients of the award were ], ], and ] Dr. ].


==Teachings and public image==
She is also considered an ] of the ].
]
In the book ''The Timeless Path'', Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, one of Amṛtānandamayī's senior disciples, wrote: "The path inculcated by Amma is the same as the one presented in the ] and recapitulated in subsequent traditional scriptures such as the ]."<ref name="ReferenceB"> by Swami Ramakrishnananda, {{ISBN|978-1-879410-46-6}}</ref> Amṛtānandamayī herself says, "''karma'' , ''jñana'' and ''bhakti'' are all essential. If the two wings of a bird are devotion and action, knowledge is its tail. Only with the help of all three can the bird soar into the heights."<ref name="ReferenceC">Lead Us to the Light: A Collection of Mata Amritanandamayi's Teachings Compiled by Swami Jnanamritananda</ref> She accepts the various spiritual practices and prayers of all religions as but different methods toward the same goal of purifying the mind.<ref>"The goal of all religions is one—purification of the human mind." ("Living in Harmony" By Mata Amritanandamayi)</ref> Along these lines, she stresses the importance of ], performing actions as ], selfless service, and cultivating divine qualities such as compassion, patience, forgiveness, self-control, etc. Amṛtānandamayī has said that these practices refine the mind, preparing it to assimilate the ultimate truth: that one is not the physical body and mind, but the eternal, blissful consciousness that serves as the non-dual substratum of the universe.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> This understanding itself Amṛtānandamayī referred to as ''jivanmukti'' . Amṛtānandamayī said, "''Jivanmukti'' is not something to be attained after death, nor is it to be experienced or bestowed upon you in another world. It is a state of perfect awareness and equanimity, which can be experienced here and now in this world, while living in the body. Having come to experience the highest truth of oneness with the Self, such blessed souls do not have to be born again. They merge with the infinite."<ref name="ReferenceC"/>


Amritanandamayi is known for ] as "Amma", which is a common spiritual practice in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/02inter1.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandmayi|work=rediff.com|access-date=7 October 2015}}</ref>
===Senior disciples===


==Social issues==
The first set of ] ]s of Amritanandamayi came to her in the late ]. Today, they as well as other disciples and devotees look after the ]'s multifaceted activities. The first disciple to be initiated as a ] was ].<ref>''Ammachi - A Biography of Mata Amritanandamayi'' by Swami Amritaswarupananda, ISBN 1-879410-60-5</ref> Other senior disciples are Swami Turiyamritananda, ], ] and ]. The Ashram is now known as ].
In her public talks and in articles, Amritanandamayi has taken up several ], including the importance of selfless service,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Amritanandamayi |first=Mata |date=29 December 2016 |title=Making Spacew in Our Hearts for Others |url=https://thriveglobal.com/stories/making-space-in-our-hearts-for-others/ |magazine=Thrive Global |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> the need for inter-religious harmony,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Amritanandamayi |first=Mata |date=26 February 2017 |title=Unity in Diversity |url=https://thriveglobal.com/stories/unity-in-diversity/ |magazine=Thrive Global |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> for environmental protection<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Amritanandamayi |first=Mata |date=3 June 2017 |title=Our Responsibility to Our Mother |url=https://thriveglobal.com/stories/our-responsibility-to-our-mother/ |magazine=Thrive Global |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> and of desegregating science and spirituality.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Amritanandamayi |first=Mata |date=10 November 2017 |title=Desegregating Science & Spirituality |url=https://thriveglobal.com/stories/desegregating-science-spirituality/ |magazine=Thrive Global |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> She also regularly speaks on the importance of ] and ] as well as that of humankind cultivating what she refers to as ''viśva-mātrutvam'' — an attitude of motherliness towards all beings in creation, specifically through expressing compassion, patience and selflessness.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Amritanandamayi |first=Mata |date=26 August 2017 |title=The World Needs Motherhood |url=https://thriveglobal.com/stories/amma-why-the-world-needs-motherhood/ |magazine=Thrive Global |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> She has also spoken out against ] and ], speaking at the Vatican and signing the Universal Declaration Against Slavery in an event organized by ] at the Vatican in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Philip |first=Shaju |date=3 December 2014 |title=Amritanandamayi Meets Pope Francis in Vatican |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/hugging-mother-mata-amritanandamayi-meets-pope-francis-in-vatican/ |work=The Indian Express |location=Thiruvananthapuram |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hooper |first=John |date=2 December 2014 |title=Pope and Welby Joined by Imams and Rabbis for Anti-Slavery Declaration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/02/religious-leaders-pope-vatican-slavery-declaration/ |work=The Guardian |location=Vatican City |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
And in 2018, under the patronage of ], the Crown Prince of ], she participated in a similar event aimed at protecting children from abuse and predation via the Internet.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=World Religious Leaders' Meet Ends in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/nov/21/world-religious-leaders-meet-ends-in-abu-dhabi-1901232.html |work=The New Indian Express |location=Bengaluru|date=21 November 2018 |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> In July 2015, Amritanandamayi delivered the keynote address at a ] conference on technology and sustainable development, co-hosted by ]. There, she requested the scientific community to infuse its research with awareness and compassion, stressing the importance of keeping the aim of uplifting the poor and suffering in mind when undertaking technological research.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/reduce-divide-between-science-spirituality-amritanandamayi-115070901358_1.html|title=Reduce divide between science, spirituality: Amritanandamayi|work=Business Standard|date=9 July 2015|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Bridge-Gap-Between-Science-Spirituality/2015/07/10/article2912168.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715010526/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Bridge-Gap-Between-Science-Spirituality/2015/07/10/article2912168.ece|archive-date=15 July 2015|title=Bridge Gap Between Science, Spirituality|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> She has spoken several times at the ] and twice at the ].


== Darshan == ==Bhajans==


Amṛtānandamayī has recorded more than 1,000 ], or devotional songs, in 35 languages.<ref>McGregor, Gretchen Kusuma, "In the Shelter of Her Arms," 2012, MA Center, page 199. "It's hard to imagine, but now, in 2012, Amma has recorded well over 1,000 songs in 35 languages."</ref> She has also composed dozens of bhajans and set them to traditional ]. Regarding devotional singing as a spiritual practice, Amṛtānandamayī says, "If the bhajan is sung with one-pointedness, it is beneficial for the singer, the listeners, and Nature as well. Later when the listeners reflect on the songs, they will try to live in accordance with the lessons enunciated therein."<ref>Awaken, Children, Volume 2: Dialogues with Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi</ref> Amṛtānandamayī has said that in today's world, it is often difficult for people to attain deeply focused concentration in meditation. A person can be aided in reaching this level of concentration with bhajans.<ref>For My Children: The Teachings of Her Holiness, Sri Mata Amritanandmayai Devi, page 70</ref>
Amritanandamayi is known to the world media as 'the hugging saint'. She offers warm hugs to everyone who approaches her and in India she has been known to individually hug over 50,000 people in a day {{Fact|date=March 2007}}, sitting sometimes for over 20 hours. Worldwide, Amritanandamayi is said to have hugged at least 30 million people in the past 30 years.<ref></ref>


==Humanitarian work==
"Darshan – The Embrace", a film on the life of Amritanandamayi was officially selected for showcasing at the ] ]. Jan Kounen, an award winning filmmaker who was born in Netherlands and is based in France, directed the film. Manuel De La Roche of ], is the producer. Jan Kounen and his crew began shooting the footage for the film in 2003 during Amritavarsham50 <sup></sup>, Amritanandamayi's 50th birthday celebrations in Kochi. The team also traveled with Amritanandamayi on her Indian and International tours in order to complete the movie. About the film, Kounen says, ''"when I first took up the project and started filming, I thought, 'Amma is a good person, doing good things, in turn I can do something good for her'. But as it went on, I realized, no, I am the one who is receiving the gift"''.<ref>''I am Receiving the Gift'', Interview with Kannadi on September 10th 2004, Cochin, Kerala, </ref>
Amritanandamayi is founder and chairman of the ] and the founder of Embracing the World.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-amma/|title=About Amma |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.embracingtheworld.org|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> Embracing the World is a global network of local and regional charitable organizations and projects that has grown out of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math's India-based charitable projects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-us/ |title=About Us: Who We Are |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.embracingtheworld.org|publisher=Embracing the World |access-date=28 June 2019|quote=Embracing the World is a global network of regional humanitarian organizations inspired by the India-based humanitarian initiatives of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.}}</ref> The organizations' focus is on providing the poor with the five basic needs of food, shelter, healthcare, education and livelihood.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= PM Narendra Modi lauds contributions of Mata Amritanandamayi|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-lauds-contributions-of-mata-amritanandamayi/393876/ |work=Financial Express |location=Kollam|date=27 September 2016|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Perez"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-us/ |title=About Us: Who We Are|author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.embracingtheworld.org|publisher=Embracing the World |access-date=28 June 2019|quote=Embracing the World exists to help alleviate the burden of the world's poor through helping to meet each of their five basic needs – food, shelter, healthcare, education, and livelihood – wherever and whenever possible. We are especially focused on helping to meet these needs in the aftermath of major disasters.}}</ref> The organizations also conduct work in the fields of disaster relief and environmental protection as well as on conducting research and developing new technologies to help the poor and needy.<ref name="Halpern">{{cite news |last=Halpern |first=Jake|date=26 May 2013 |title=An Empire Built on Hugs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/business/ammas-multifaceted-empire-built-on-hugs.html |work=The New York Times= |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=APN News |url=https://www.apnnews.com/spiritual-leader-amma-to-visit-mumbai-on-march-4-and-5/ |location=Mumbai |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=28 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Prasanna|first=Laxmi |date=18 December 2016 |title=Humanitarian Connect Led Robotics Research at Amrita University |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/its-the-humanitarian-connect-that-led-robotics-research-at-amrita-university-mata-amritanandamayi-amma/articleshow/56059648.cms|work=The Times of India|location=Kollam, Kerala|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last= Puri |first= Nikita |date= 22 September 2017| title= Meet Mata Amritanandamayi, Spiritual Guru And Pusher of Innovation |url= https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/meet-mata-amritanandamayi-spiritual-guru-and-pusher-of-innovation-117092201320_1.html |work=The Business Standard | access-date= 28 June 2019}}</ref>


==Matruvani== ===Food===
In India, the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math provides 10 million free meals to poor people annually via its various centres. Likewise, Embracing the World feed more than 150,000 annually in North America through 49 centres that conduct a program called Mother's Kitchen, started in 1987. Other feed-the-hungry programs exist in Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Spain, Kenya, Brazil, Slovenia and Australia.<ref>{{cite news| last=Rosenfeld |first=David| date=21 June 2018 | title=Famed spiritual leader Amma visits Los Angeles for three days of hugs and devotion |url= http://tbrnews.com/news/redondo_beach/famed-spiritual-leader-amma-visits-los-angeles-for-three-days/article_aac2ae82-7101-11e8-ba5a-af8fabb71158.html| work=The Beach Reporter| location= Los Angeles| access-date= 28 June 2018}}</ref> The Math is deploying filtration systems with the goal of providing clean drinking water in 5,000 village centres throughout India, which would provide water purification to 10 million villagers.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=World Water Day: Over One Lakh Villagers in Kerala Receive Clean Drinking Water; |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/world-water-day-over-one-lakh-villagers-in-kerala-receive-clean-drinking-water/articleshow/63416495.cms |work=The Times of India |location=Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala|date=22 March 2018|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>


===Shelter===
'''Matruvani''' is one of the most well-known monthly ]s concerned with ] in ]{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.
Since 1998, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has constructed over 47,000 houses for the homeless in 75 locations throughout India.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Amritanandamayi Math to Gift 100 Houses to Poor |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/sep/26/amritanandamayi-math-to-gift-100-houses-to-poor-1523056.html| work=The New Indian Express |location=Kollam, Kerala |date=26 September 2016|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=President Ram Nath Kovind to Unveil Charity Projects of Math on October 8 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/290917/president-ram-nath-kovind-to-unveil-charity-projects-of-math-on-october-8.html| work=The Deccan Chronicle |location=India |date=29 September 2017| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> It runs an orphanage for 500 children in Kerala, and Embracing the World manages a children's home in Nairobi.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Meet the Hugging Saint Who has Cuddled 20 Million People |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meet-the-hugging-saint-who-has-cuddled-426623 |work=The Mirror |location=London |date=23 October 2009| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>


===Healthcare===
It is published by the ] in both ] and European languages. With the blessings of Amma, Sri ] ''Matruvani'' was first published in 1984. The magazine has be translated into
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math manages the 1,100-bed super-speciality hospital ] in Kochi, which it launched in 1998,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amritahospitals.org/SubPages/History |title=About Amrita Hospital |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.amritahospitals.org|access-date=28 June 2019 |quote=Founded in 1998 by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known worldwide as AMMA), Amrita Hospital offers a full range of primary and specialty care medical services, with cross-specialty consultation. Amma's vision of providing advanced medical care to the poor and disadvantaged was the inspiration for Amrita Hospital, which today is a 1100-bed (490 units) tertiary referral and teaching hospital, serving more than 10 lakh outpatients and more than 70,000 inpatients annually.}}</ref> as well as several other free healthcare clinics, medicine dispensaries, hospices in India.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=UN Recognises Spiritual Leader |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/un-recognises-indian-spiritual-leader/73928/| work=The Financial Express |date=2 March 2003| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> It is also in the process of constructing a 2,000-bed hospital in Delhi NCR.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Haryana CM Lays Foundation Stone for 2000-Bed Hospital in Faridabad|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/un-recognises-indian-spiritual-leader/73928/| work=The Economic Times| location=Faridabad |date=9 May 2016| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> In total, the math has provided totally free medical care and surgeries to more than four million people since 1998.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=APN News |url=https://www.apnnews.com/spiritual-leader-amma-to-visit-mumbai-on-march-4-and-5/ |location=Mumbai |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=28 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Haryana CM Lays Foundation Stone for 2000-Bed Hospital in Faridabad| url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/un-recognises-indian-spiritual-leader/73928/| work=The Economic Times| location=Faridabad |date=9 May 2016| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> This includes super-specialty surgeries including heart surgeries, brain surgeries and kidney transplants.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=President Ram Nath Kovind lauds Kerala harmony| url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/091017/president-ram-nath-kovind-lauds-kerala-harmony.html| work=The Deccan Chronicle| location=India |date=9 October 2017| access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> Aside from free treatment, Amrita Institute provides care on a sliding scale, allowing people to pay what they can afford. This is often a minimal percent of the total medical cost.<ref name="Halpern"/>
], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. ''European Matruvani'' is also published in ], ], ], ] and ].


On 24 August 2022, another hospital named Amrita Hospital was inaugurated by the ] ] in ], ]. This hospital is reportedly the largest private hospital ever built in India with 36 lakh square feet in built up area and a capacity of 2600 beds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/24/pm-modi-inaugurates-amrita-hospital-in-faridabad-indias-largest-private-hospital-2490949.html | title=PM Modi inaugurates Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, India's largest private hospital | date=24 August 2022 }}</ref>
These editions of ''Matruvani'' reach more than 200,000 subscribers{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.


==Bhajans== ===Livelihood===
In 1998, the Math started a program titled Amrita Nidhi that provides lifetime pensions to destitute widows and to people who are physically and mentally challenged.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mata Amritanandamayi Math Extends Help to Sivakasi Victims| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Amritanandamayi-Mutt-extends-financial-help-to-Sivakasi-victims/articleshow/16537937.cms
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}}
| work=The Times of India| location=Coimbatore|date=24 September 2012| access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> As of 2019, a total of 100,000 people were enrolled.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mata Amritanandamayi Receives Doctorate From University of Mysore| url=http://www.uniindia.com/mata-amritanandamayi-receives-doctorate-from-university-of-mysore-vc/south/news/1537880.html |work=United News of India| location=Kollam|date=23 March 2019| access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/livelihood/|title=Lifetime Pensions For 100,000 Widows, People With Disabilities And Women in Poverty |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.embracingtheworld.org |publisher=Embracing the World |access-date=1 July 2019|quote=Since 1998, we have provided monthly pensions for widows and other women in poverty. In 2006, the project was expanded to benefit the physically and mentally challenged and now serves a total of 100,000 beneficiaries. ... Recognizing that disability and/or the loss of a family member can consign those in the developing world to a lifetime of hardship, our pensions have no expiration date—they are given for life..}}</ref> It also started AmritaSREE (Self-Reliance, Empowerment & Employment) in 2006.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Faith Movements and Social Transformation: Guru Charisma in Contemporary India |last=Pandya |first=Samta P. |year=2019 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-981-13-2822-0 |page=119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BYN-DwAAQBAJ |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> This program has helped more than 200,000 women form ] throughout India.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Man's Ego Is a Horse Without Reins| url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/mans-ego-is-a-horse-without-reins/299663 |work=Outlook|date=22 December 2017| access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref>
Amritanandamayi is also well known for her singing of ], or Indian devotional chants. Amritanandamayi joins the daily chanting when she is present at ashram. She has sung in over 30 different languages. Since her early childhood she has composed hundreds of bhajans. The senior swamis are accomplished musicians in both vocal and instrumental areas of music.


==Amritapuri== ===Education===
Amṛtānandamayī is founder and chancellor of ], an eight-campus,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=NIRF Ranking 2023 Updates: List of best colleges, universities in India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/nirf-ranking-2023-live-updates-top-10-educational-institutes-released-iit-madras-iisc-bangalore-aiims-delhi-nirfindia-org-8644726/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> multi-disciplinary research university that in 2020 was ranked as the fourth-best university in India by ], is accredited with an 'A' grade by ],<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=AVV Ranks 8th at NIRF | url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/avenues/avv-ranks-8th-at-nirf.html |work=The Daily Pioneer| date=11 April 2018| access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> and was selected as an "Institute of Eminence" by the Indian Government in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham among 13 to get IoE status| url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-among-13-to-get-ioe-status-751694.html |work=Deccan Herald| date=3 August 2019| access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref> Under her guidance, the university puts a strong focus on research-and-development to uplift the sick and poor.<ref>{{cite news| last= Puri |first= Nikita |date= 22 September 2017| title= Meet Mata Amritanandamayi, Spiritual Guru And Pusher of Innovation |url= https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/meet-mata-amritanandamayi-spiritual-guru-and-pusher-of-innovation-117092201320_1.html |work=The Business Standard | access-date= 2 July 2019}}</ref> The Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math also runs a scholarship program that currently provides 50,000 scholarships for economically challenged children throughout India,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=APN News |url=https://www.apnnews.com/spiritual-leader-amma-to-visit-mumbai-on-march-4-and-5/ |location=Mumbai |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> and Embracing the World provides scholarships outside of India in times of need, such as in the wake of ] in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Cyclone-Hit Filipino Students Graduate with Mata Aid |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180518/cyclone-hit-filipino-students-graduate-with-mata-aid.html| work=The Deccan Chronicle| location=Kochi |date=18 May 2018| access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
'''Amritapuri''' is the main ] of Amritanandamayi. It is located in ], ], ] about 120km north of ] and 120km south of ]. Amritapuri is also the name by which the location of the ashram is now known.


===Disaster relief===
Amritapuri is also one of the campuses of the ].
Within India, the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math has been involved in relief-and-rehabilitation efforts following natural disasters since 2001,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramanathan |first1=Chathapuram S. |last2=Juvva |first2=Srilatha |last3=Dutta |first3=Subhabrata |last4=Khaja |first4=Khadija |date=7 October 2016 |title=Spirituality, Culture, and Development: Implications for Social Work| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FSkiDQAAQBAJ&q=2001+disaster |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=36 |quote =Since 2001, Amritanandamayi Math has been responding to a number of natural disasters, providing both immediate emergency relief and implementing a long-term rehabilitation program...| isbn=978-1-4985-1967-0 }}</ref> and Embracing the World has come to aid in the wake of several disasters outside of India as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-amma-to-donate-2-mn-to-philippines-typhoon-haiyan-victims-1925333 |title=Amma to donate $2 mn to Philippines typhoon 'Haiyan' victims| author=<!--Not stated--> |date=26 November 2013 |website=www.dnaindia.com |access-date=29 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/355296/india-based-group-donates-1m-to-yolanda-victims/story/|title=India-Based Group Donates $1M to Yolanda Victims |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=3 April 2014 |website=GMA News Online |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mata-Amritanandamayi-donates-1-million-for-tsunami-victims-of-Japan/articleshow/9380636.cms|title=Mata Amritanandamayi Donates $1 Million for Tsunami Victims of Japan| author=<!--Not stated--> |date=11 July 2011 |website=Times of India |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> Embracing the World has provided a total of $75 million in disaster-relief work since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/ |title=What We've Achieved |website=www.embracingtheworld.org |access-date=29 June 2019 |quote=75 million in disaster relief since 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Indian spiritual leader, Amma, visits Denmark to give more hugs| url=http://cphpost.dk/news/indian-spiritual-leader-amma-visits-demark-to-give-more-hugs.html |work=CPH Post Online |location=Copenhagen |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> The disasters after which the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math and Embracing the World have conducted relief-and-rehabilitation work include: the ],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramanathan |first1=Chathapuram S. |last2=Juvva |first2=Srilatha |last3=Dutta |first3=Subhabrata |last4=Khaja |first4=Khadija |date=7 October 2016 |title=Spirituality, Culture, and Development: Implications for Social Work| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FSkiDQAAQBAJ&q=2001+disaster |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=36 |quote=Amma's reconstruction of three villages in Bhuj following the Gujarat earthquake of 2001 made a huge impact on the people of Bhuj...| isbn=978-1-4985-1967-0 }}</ref> the ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Halpern |first=Jake|date=26 May 2013 |title=An Empire Built on Hugs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/business/ammas-multifaceted-empire-built-on-hugs.html |work=The New York Times| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> ] (2005),<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Amma Offers $1m for Katrina Victims| url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/amma-offers-1m-for-katrina-victims/articleshow/1241174.cms?from=mdr| work=The Economic Times| location=Kollam| date=24 September 2005| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60">{{cite book |last=Amritaswarupananda Puri |first=Swami|date=2014 |title=The Color of the Rainbow: Compassionate Leadership|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mPm4BQAAQBAJ |publisher=M.A. Center|page=60 |isbn=978-1-68037-146-8}}</ref> the ],<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the ],<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> ] of 2009,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the ],<ref>{{cite news | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Amma, Embracing the World| url=https://www.citylifemagazine.ca/2011/08/general-interest/lifestyle/amma-embracing-the-world/| work=City Life| date=12 August 2011 | access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Amritanandamayi Donates $1 Million to Japan Tsunami Victims| url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amritanandamayi-donates-1-million-to-japan-tsunami-victims/article2293544.ece| work=The Hindu| location=Hyderabad| date=26 July 2011| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref>{{cite book |last=Amritaswarupananda Puri |first=Swami |date=2014 |title=The Color of the Rainbow: Compassionate Leadership| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mPm4BQAAQBAJ |publisher=M.A. Center| page=60 |isbn=978-1-68037-146-8}}</ref> ] in 2013,<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=$1-m Donated to Haiyan Victims| url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/1-m-donated-to-Haiyan-victims/article20748238.ece| work=The Hindu Business Line| location=Thiruvananthapuram| date=3 April 2014| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the ],<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=AIMS to Send Relief Team to Nepal| url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2015/may/01/aims-to-send-relief-team-to-nepal-754758.html| work=The New Indian Express| location=Kochi| date=1 May 2015| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the ] of 2016,<ref>{{cite news | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Kollam Fire Tragedy: Ban Firecrackers in Temple Festivals, Says Mata Amritanandamayi| url=https://www.india.com/news/india/kollam-fire-tragedy-ban-firecrackers-in-temple-festivals-says-mata-amritanandamayi-1097348/ | work=India.com | location=Kollam| date=10 April 2016| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> ] of 2017,<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Quenching Thirst of Body and Soul: Amma Returns to New England June 28 & 29| url= https://indianewengland.com/2018/05/quenching-thirst-of-body-and-soul-amma-returns-to-new-england-june-28-29/| work= India New England| location=Marlborough, MA| date=24 May 2018| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> ] of 2017,<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Mata Amritanandamayi Math Donates Rs 2 Crore to Ockhi Fund| url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/mata-amritanandamayi-math-donates-rs-2-crore-to-ockhi-fund-118021200941_1.html| work=The Business Standard| location=Thiruvananthapuram| date=12 February 2018| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the ],<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Mata Amritanandamayi Announces Rs 10 Crore for Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund| url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/aug/17/mata-amritanandamayi-announces-rs-10-crore-for-chief-ministers-disaster-relief-fund-1858826.html| work=The New Indian Express| location=Thiruvananthapuram| date=17 August 2018| access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Kerala rains: Amritanandamayi Mutt announces Rs 1 lakh to kin of dead| url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/08/16/kerala-rains-amritanandamayi-mutt-announces-rs-1-lakh-to-kin-of-dead.html| work=The Week| location=Kerala| date=16 August 2019| access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> In 2019, the Math gave Rs. 500,000 to each of the families of the 40 CRPF soldiers who were killed in the ].<ref>{{cite news| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title=Can't Rule Out Terror Hit on West Coast: Rajnath Singh| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cant-rule-out-terror-hit-on-west-coast-rajnath-singh/articleshow/71343722.cms| work=The Times of India| location=Kollam| date=28 September 2019| access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref>


===Environmental protection===
==Humanitarian activities==
On 11 September 2015, Amṛtānandamayī donated US$15 million to the Government of India's Namami Gange "Clean the Ganges" program for the specific purpose of constructing toilets for poor families living along the Ganges River.<ref>{{cite news|title=Can $15m worth of toilets finally clean up the Ganges?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/11/india-amma-15-million-dollars-toilets-open-defecation-clean-ganges|access-date=1 October 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref> On 27 September 2015, Amṛtānandamayī pledged that her NGO would dedicate the value of another US$15 million to toilet construction and other sanitation efforts specifically in the Indian state of Kerala.<ref>{{cite news|last1=PTI|title=Mata Amritanandamayi Pledges RS Crore for sanitation work in Kerala|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mata-amritanandamayi-math-pledges-rs-100-crore-for-sanitation-work-in-kerala/articleshow/49126096.cms|access-date=1 October 2015|work=The Economic Times}}</ref> Amritanandamayi's organization has been cleaning the ] and ] ] Temple pilgrimage site annually since 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=35,000 bags of garbage collected in Sabarimala clean-up|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/35000-bags-of-garbage-collected-in-sabarimala-clean-up-524154.html|access-date=1 October 2015|website=IBN Live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Amritanandamayi Madhom to clean up Sabarimala|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/amritanandamayi-madhom-to-clean-up-sabarimala/article6536744.ece|access-date=1 October 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Amritanandamayi math to take part in cleanliness|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article239673.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003123029/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article239673.ece|archive-date=3 October 2015|access-date=2 October 2015|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sabarimala clean-up: 35,000 bags of garbage collected|url=http://www.ndtv.com/south/sabarimala-clean-up-35-000-bags-of-garbage-collected-505984|access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref>
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}}
]'s website describes various charitable and humanitarian projects undertaken by the organisation.<ref>,</ref> Examples include a program to build 100,000 homes for the poor; hospitals; orphanages; hospices; women's shelters; pension disbursements for widows; community aid centers; homes for the aged; eye clinics; and speech therapy centers.<ref>,</ref> Many of Amma's centers in the US run 'Mother's Kitchen', or 'vegetarian soup-kitchens', where volunteers prepare and serve meals to the poor and needy.


==Controversies==
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math runs 33 schools, 12 temples, one super-speciality hospital in Kochi, feeds thousands during mass kitchen, provides pension every year to over 15,000 widows, builds 25,000 houses annually for the homeless and has 35 Amma welfare centres all over the world to spread her spiritual message.<ref>Hindustan Times, ''"Healing wounds with a hug"'' by Surendra Singh, October 9th 2003, </ref>


===Book by Sreeni Pattathanam===
Recently, Mata Amritanandamayi Math announced a billion rupees (23 million dollars) in aid to the victims of the ].<ref></ref> The Math's relief work is happening in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar islands and in Sri Lanka<sup></sup>.
], the Kerala-based head of the ], wrote ''Matha Amritanandamayi: Sacred Stories and Realities'', a controversial critique first published in 1985. The author said all the "miracles" of Amṛtānandamayī were falsified. It was further written that there had been many suspicious deaths in and around her ashram that required police investigation.<ref>Mass Publicationas, Kollam, Kerala, revised edn. (The ] subtitle is "Divya Kathakalum Yatharthyavum".)</ref>


On 9 August 2002, a '']'', a left-leaning Malayalam daily, published a similar account, demanding investigation into the same deaths Pattathanam found suspicious.<ref>"Report that Suspicious Deaths at Amritanandamayi Math Are Growing", ''Deshabhimani'', 9 August 2002.</ref> On 24 September 2002, ''Deshabhimani'' officially apologised for the report, publishing an article titled "Report that Suspicious Deaths at Amritanandamayi Math Are Growing Was Incorrect". The article stated: "We now state with conviction that there was nothing suspicious about deaths that happened in the Math. Some of the deaths mentioned in the article did not even take place at the Math." The article went on to explain that relatives of the deceased had personally contacted Deshabhimani in order to correct the misinformation conveyed in the original article. In several cases, the editors noted the relatives had contacted Deshabhimani to explain they were at the bedsides of elderly kin who had died of natural causes, with no suspicious aspects regarding the passings.<ref>"Report that Suspicious Deaths at Amritanandamayi Math Are Growing Was Incorrect", ''Deshabhimani'', 24 September 2002, p. 6.</ref>
In ], Mata Amritanandamayi donated $1,000,000 to the Bush-Clinton ] fund.<ref></ref> She also sent a top aide to the devastated areas soon after the storm struck in the United States to assess the kind of help needed by victims.


In 2004, the Kerala State Government sanctioned criminal prosecution of Patthathanam, the owner of the publishing company, and the printer of the book on grounds that religious sentiments had been offended and for the libelous statements in the book. The order followed directions from the ] to the Home Department for considering an application by T. K. Ajan, a resident of the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2004/01/28/stories/2004012805950400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218183723/http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/28/stories/2004012805950400.htm |archive-date=18 February 2004 |title=Rationalist association leader to be prosecuted |date= 28 January 2004|access-date=15 August 2012 |work=] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> ] leader ] protested the move against Pattathanam.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/29/stories/2004012902660300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604114355/http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/29/stories/2004012902660300.htm |archive-date=4 June 2004 |title=Move to prosecute rationalist leader criticised |date=29 January 2004 |access-date=15 August 2012 |work=] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The contents of this book in English: {{Cite book |url=https://nastiknation.org/product/mata-amritanandamayi-the-death-of-her-own-brother-and-other-mysterious-stories/|title=Mata Amritanandamayi & Mysterious Stories|date=4 October 2020 }}
In ], thousands of blankets were sent and distributed to the survivors of the Kashmir and Pakistan earthquake.<ref>M. A. Math Responds to Kashmir Earthquake </ref>


===Source of foreign aid===
==Miracles==


In June 2007, Shantanu Guha Ray wrote in '']'' weekly that Amṛtānandamayī Math, Ravi Shankar, Baba ], and other NGOs and religious organisations had large annual turnover of INR crores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Ne300607Business_Of_the.asp |title=The People's Paper |publisher=Tehelka |date=30 June 2007 |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419104750/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Ne300607Business_Of_the.asp |archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref> In June 2007, novelist ] wrote on Tehelka that Amṛtānandamayī is free from the typical scrutiny on money that has foreign connections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Ne300607The_Lakshmi.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117204715/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Ne300607The_Lakshmi.asp|archive-date=17 January 2008|title=Tehelka – The People's Paper|work=tehelka.com}}</ref> In May 2008, the president of ], U. Kalanathan, urged the state government to conduct an enquiry into Amṛtānandamayī's assets. He said the sources of her income and its utilisation should be investigated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://malayalam.webdunia.com/newsworld/news/keralanews/0805/22/1080522060_1.htm |title=News, What's happening in kerala |publisher=Malayalam.webdunia.com |access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref>
Many of Amritanandamayi's followers believe in her powers to perform ]. For instance, she mentioned in an interview <sup></sup> given to ''The Week'' (], Kerala, ], ]) that she is often asked by her devotees to perform miracles. She goes on to say that water was miraculously changed to ''panchamrutham'' (a sweet often prepared for ] religious ceremonies) in her presence and that her devotees were able to light ]s out of conches filled with water. Such claims cause many people to be ] of her powers while fueling more devotion in others<sup></sup>.


===Allegations by Gail Tredwell===
==Criticism==
In 2013, ], a former disciple of Amṛtānandamayī, self-published a memoir of her 1980–99 tenure in Amṛtānandamayī's ashram. She made some allegations in this memoir as well as media interviews which preceded and followed the release of the book.<ref name="RS2"/><ref name=TNIE1>{{cite news|title=Withdraw Controversial Book on Mata Amritanandamayi|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Withdraw-Controversial-Book-on-Mata-Amritanandamayi/2014/02/25/article2075923.ece#.UxWPiduNm_8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302103532/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Withdraw-Controversial-Book-on-Mata-Amritanandamayi/2014/02/25/article2075923.ece#.UxWPiduNm_8|archive-date=2 March 2014|access-date=26 March 2014|newspaper=]|date=25 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=FP1>{{cite news|title=Amritanandamayi scandal: Kerala leaders break silence on book|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/amritanandamayi-scandal-kerala-leaders-break-silence-on-book-1403999.html|access-date=26 March 2014|newspaper=Firstpost India|date=22 February 2014}}</ref> The allegations, including the claim that Tredwell was physically assaulted by Amṛtānandamayī, have not been substantiated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rumpus in the ashram|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140302/jsp/7days/18036887.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305032330/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140302/jsp/7days/18036887.jsp|archive-date=5 March 2014|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> Both Amṛtānandamayī and representatives of her ashram denied the allegations, saying that they were untrue and were aimed at exacting revenge for unfulfilled desires.<ref name=TNIE3>{{cite news|title=Mata Amritanandamayi Refutes All Allegations|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Mata-Amritanandamayi-Refutes-All-Allegations/2014/02/23/article2072630.ece#.U0X9VPmSy0I|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517140326/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Mata-Amritanandamayi-Refutes-All-Allegations/2014/02/23/article2072630.ece#.U0X9VPmSy0I|archive-date=17 May 2014|access-date=13 April 2014|newspaper=]|date=23 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=TH3>{{cite news|title=My life is an open book, says Mata|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/my-life-is-an-open-book-says-mata/article5718308.ece|access-date=13 April 2014|newspaper=]|date=23 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=IBN1>{{cite news|title=Mata Amritanandamayi says the institution was an 'open book', dismisses allegations|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mata-amritanandamayi-says-the-institution-was-an-open-book-dismisses-allegations/453704-62-126.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301110757/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mata-amritanandamayi-says-the-institution-was-an-open-book-dismisses-allegations/453704-62-126.html|archive-date=1 March 2014|access-date=13 April 2014|newspaper=]}}</ref> In an interview in April 2014, Amṛtānandamayī spoke in depth about the incident, saying, "Even now, Amma is only filled with love for that daughter. I am praying that virtue and goodness come. Time will shine forth the truth."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Raghunath|first= Rashmi |title=Sneham Matram|journal=Grihalakshmi|date=16 April 2014|page=21|quote=അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ആ മോളോട് ഇപ്പോഴും നിറഞ്ഞ സ്നേഹമേയുള്ളൂ. നന്മയുണ്ടാകട്ടെ, നല്ലതുവരട്ടെ എന്നു പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുന്നു. കാലം സത്യം തെളിയിക്കും.}}</ref>


==Attacks==
A book by rationalist writer ] entitled ''Matha Amritanandamayi: Divya Kathakalum Yatharthyavum'' (Matha Amritanandamayi: Sacred Stories and Realities), first published in 1985, talks of deaths reported from the precincts of her ashram which the author says are suspicious and need investigation (for more details, see ] article). The book contains critical comments about Matha Amritanandamayi's personal life and sexual behaviour. The book also has references to court records, newspaper reports and quotations from some literary figures, and attempts to refute the Math’s claims to miracles and contends that there have been many suspicious deaths in and around her ashram, which he says need police investigation
In August 2005, Amṛtānandamayī was attacked by a man named Pavithran. He was sitting with other followers praying and singing in front of Amṛtānandamayī. He rushed to Amṛtānandamayī with a knife, but was overpowered by a group of disciples. Amṛtānandamayī's disciple Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said Pavithran was of "unstable mind".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/21mata.htm |title=Amritanandamayi unhurt in attack |work=Rediff.com |access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> Pavithran was bruised and taken to a hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/assault-attempt-on-kerala-preacher/cid/860758|title=Assault attempt on Kerala preacher|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> Amritanandamayi, who forgave Pavithran,<ref name="Padanna">{{cite web|title=Mata Forgives Attacker; disciples see larger design|last=Padanna|first=Ashraf|url=http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/articlearc.asp?AID=46035&Section=Asia|publisher=Gulf Today|access-date=3 September 2012|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195215/http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/articlearc.asp?AID=46035&Section=Asia}}</ref> said, "All those who are born will die one day. I am going ahead keeping this reality in mind. I will carry on. I will continue to give darshan to the devotees coming here to meet me."<ref>{{cite web|title=Amritanandamayi unfazed by attack, to continue with darshan|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/22mata.htm|access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>


On 1 August 2012, ], a 23-year-old law student from ], charged Amṛtānandamayī at her ashram in ]. According to police, he was screaming and reciting words in Arabic. He was overpowered by the crowd, who handed him over to the police.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Devasia |first1=T. K. |title=Kerala orders Crime Branch probe into Bihar youth's death |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20120807/ARTICLE/308079931/1028 |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=Khaleej Times |date=7 August 2012 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114041350/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20120807/ARTICLE/308079931/1028 }}</ref> He was later taken to the government mental hospital in ], ], where he died three days later.
According to an article by Anivar Aravind published by the ], this book later became controversial and brought the threat of legal action and pressure for criminal prosecution from one high ranking resident of the ashram against the author for "insulting or attempting to insult the religion or religious beliefs of any class of citizens with an intention of outraging its religious feelings". This action was, according to Aravind, widely criticized both locally and internationally by activists, writers and rationalists, and eventually the threat of criminal prosecution was dropped.<ref>, retrieved 15 February 2007</ref>


==Awards and honours==
According to the newspaper, Metro Now <ref></ref>, In June 2007, the ashramites of Mata Amritanandamayi had put up a sign for Amma's visit, which New Delhi's Green Ave. residents agreed to. But after Amma's visit, the residents wanted the sign down as it was in breach of the local covenant. After a long period without response from Amma's ashram, the residents took it upon themselves to remove the sign. When they showed up to do so, the ashramites attending the sign made some phone calls. Soon afterward, an ashram bus showed up with 50 devotees who attacked the residents with canes and crow bars. The ashram has not yet responded to the allegations.
* 1993, President of the Centenary Parliament of World Religions' (])<ref name=r1>. BBC News (24 September 2003). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 1993, Hindu Renaissance Award as "Hindu of the Year" (''Hinduism Today'')<ref> Hinduism Today, 1993 Year in Review</ref>
* 1998, Care & Share International Humanitarian of the Year Award (Chicago){{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
* 2002, Karma Yogi of the Year (''Yoga Journal'')<ref>Catalfo, Phil. (10 September 2001) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323021349/http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/804?print=1 |date=23 March 2012 }}. Yoga Journal. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2002, ] for Non-Violence by The World Movement for Nonviolence (UN, Geneva)<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523092656/http://www.millenniumpeacesummit.com/wc_awards.html |date=23 May 2010 }}. Millenniumpeacesummit.com (4 April 2000). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref><ref name="geneva2002">The future of this planet depends on the women (Gandhi-King United Nations 2002)</ref>
* 2005, Mahavir Mahatma Award (London)<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714194504/http://www.nonduality.com/news_archive_may_2005.htm |date=14 July 2011 }}. Nonduality.com. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2005, Centenary Legendary Award of the International Rotarians (Cochin)<ref>http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/2005/02/page/2/ {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref>
* 2006, ] Interfaith Award (New York)<ref name="Interfaith"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828002913/http://interfaithcenter.org/james-parks-morton-interfaith-award-recipients |date=28 August 2011 }}. Interfaithcenter.org. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2006, The Philosopher Saint Sri Jnaneswara World Peace Prize (Pune)<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508191638/http://archives.amritapuri.org/news/2006/601viswasanthi.php |date=8 May 2010 }}. Archives.amritapuri.org (31 January 2006). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2007, Le Prix Cinéma Vérité (Cinéma Vérité, Paris)<ref>. BBC News (13 October 2007). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2010, The ] awarded Amma an ] in humane letters on 25 May 2010 at its ] campus.<ref>. Buffalo.edu (26 May 2010). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>
* 2012, Amma featured in the ]' list of the top 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.<ref name="watkins2012"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603182037/http://www.watkinsbooks.com/review/watkins-spiritual-100-list-2012 |date=3 June 2013 }}, ''Mind Body Spirit'', Feb 2012</ref>
* 2013, Awarded first Vishwaretna Purskar (Gem of the Word Award) by Hindu Parliament on 23 April 2013 at Tiruvananthapuram (India)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amritapuri.org/16442/13viswa.aum|title=Vishwaretna puraskar presented to Amma by Hindu Parliament|work=amritapuri.org|date=24 April 2013}}</ref>
* 2013, Awarded proclamation on behalf of the State of Michigan to Amma commemorating Amma's 60th birthday, the official proclamation describes Amma as a true citizen of the world and recognizes Amma's charitable works worldwide.
*2014, Chosen as one among the 50 most powerful women religious leaders by ].<ref name=Huffpost>{{cite news|title=50 Powerful Women Religious Leaders To Celebrate on International Women's Day|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/08/women-religious-leaders_n_4922118.html|access-date=9 March 2014|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309163755/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/08/women-religious-leaders_n_4922118.html|archive-date=9 March 2014|first=Antonia|last=Blumberg}}</ref>
* 2018, Felicitated by Prime Minister ] for largest contribution to the Government of India's Clean India Campaign ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/oct/03/mata-amritanandamayi-felicitated-by-pm-narendra-modi-for-her-support-to-swachh-bharat-1880300.html|title=Mata Amritanandamayi felicitated by PM Narendra Modi for her support to Swachh Bharat|work=New Indian Express, 3 October 2018|date=3 October 2018 }}</ref>
* 2019, Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Mysore<ref>. The Times of India. Retrieved on 20 June 2019.</ref>
* 2023, Chair, Civil 20, an official Engagement Groups of the ]<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2022 |title=Mata Amritanandamayi appointed chair of Civil 20 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/mata-amritanandamayi-appointed-chair-of-civil-20/articleshow/95122619.cms |access-date=27 April 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2022 |title=Mata Amritanandamayi appointed as Chair of C20 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mata-amritanandamayi-appointed-as-chair-of-c20/article66053482.ece |access-date=27 April 2023 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==Positions==
In June of 2007, Amma came under criticism from dozens of elected officials, religious and community leaders throughout the state of California as a result of her choice to stay at the LAX Hilton during a labor dispute. The strongest of criticisms came from Rabbi Michael Lerner, the editor of Tikkun Magazine and a leader of the progressive Jewish community in Southern California. The Rabbi declined to receive an award he was scheduled to receive from the hugging saint, and said in a letter addressed to her"''Amma, there is no possibility of creating a more loving and caring world that I know you are so committed to so long as spiritual leaders like yourself fail to link spiritual ideals to concrete social justice for poor and working people.'' Her decision to stay at the hotel caused public outcry from religious leaders and workers participating in the hotel boycott.
* Founder and chairperson, ]
* Founder, Embracing the World<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/who-we-are/ |title=Who we are |publisher=Embracing the World |access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref>
* Chancellor, ] University<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amrita.edu/amma |title=About Amma |publisher=Amrita.edu |access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref>
* Founder, ] schools
* Founder, ] (Kochi & Faridabad)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aimshospital.org/ |title=Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre &#124; AIMS Hospital, Kochi, Kerala, India |publisher=Aimshospital.org |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018204719/http://aimshospital.org/ |archive-date=18 October 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amrita Hospital Faridabad Doctors Shine In Stanford s 2023 Top 2 Scientists List |url=https://bwhealthcareworld.businessworld.in/article/Amrita-Hospital-Faridabad-Doctors-Shine-In-Stanford-s-2023-Top-2-Scientists-List/22-12-2023-503218 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=BW Defence |language=en}}</ref>
* ], International Advisory committee member<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/index.cfm?n=1&sn=8 |title=ABOUT US / Honorary International Advisors &#124; Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions |publisher=Parliamentofreligions.org |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628173411/http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/index.cfm?n=1&sn=8 |archive-date=28 June 2012 }}</ref>
* President ]'s 150th birth anniversary celebration committee, India<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vivekananda150jayanti.org/sites/default/files/11th%20at%20Siri%20Fort%20Auditorium.pdf |title=Истёк срок регистрации доменаrucracida1987.xyz |access-date=9 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205437/http://www.vivekananda150jayanti.org/sites/default/files/11th%20at%20Siri%20Fort%20Auditorium.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
* Member, ] Board of World Religious Leaders<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/index.php?id=797|title=Elijah Interfaith: Board of World Religious Leaders|author=Alon Goshen-Gottstein, PhD|date=22 May 2007|work=elijah-interfaith.org}}</ref>
* Chairperson,] (engagement group of ]) 2022–2023<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mata-amritanandamayi-appointed-as-chair-of-c20/article66053482.ece|author=Alon THE HINDU BUREAU|title=Mata Amritanandamayi appointed as Chair of C20 |website=] |date=25 October 2022}}</ref>

==Publications and documentaries==
Amṛtānandamayī's disciples have transcribed her conversations with devotees and spiritual seekers to create approximately a dozen books of her teachings known as ''Awaken Children''. The addresses she has delivered at various international forums have also been published in book form. Beginning in April 2011, a bi-weekly message from Amṛtānandamayī has appeared in the Lifestyle section of the ''Express Buzz'' Sunday supplement of the '']'' newspaper. She also writes a regular blog in the spiritual publication '']''.

She has been featured in various documentaries and films:
* 1999 ''''
* 2000 '']'' – "Indian Gurus" (BBC-TV)
* 2005 ''Darshan: The Embrace'' – directed by ]
* 2007 ''In God's Name'' – directed by ]
*2015 ''] – directed by ] starring ] and ]''
* 2016 ''Science of Compassion – a Documentary on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi'' — directed by ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Science of Compassion - a Documentary on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsxZI0PBl_A |website=YouTube | date=26 May 2016 |publisher=Shekhar Kapur}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==


*]
*]

*]
==Notes==
*] <!-- ATTENTION!! You may want to look at the scope of merging/redirecting its contents to the articles listed above --->
{{reflist}}
*] (the University which she founded and is also the Chancellor)
*'']'' - A ] of devotional songs written and recorded by ] ] musician/songwriter ] (]), an open follower of Ammachi. All of the proceeds from the CD go to Amma's charites.
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
*''Amma: Healing the Heart of the World'' by Judith Cornell, (William Morrow & Company, {{ISBN|0-688-17079-X}})
#
*''Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart'' by ] (Ten Speed Press, {{ISBN|1-58761-214-3}})
#
*''Getting to Joy: A Western Householder's Spiritual Journey with Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi)'' by ] (Shantini Center, {{ISBN|0-9643629-2-9}})
#
#
#''Amma: Healing the Heart of the World'' by ], (William Morrow & Company, ISBN 0-688-17079-X)
#''Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart by ] (Ten Speed Press, ISBN 1-58761-214-3)
# ''Department of Health issues measles warning'':
#''Getting to Joy: A Western Householder's Spiritual Journey with Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) by ] (Shantini Center, ISBN 0-9643629-2-9)
#''The Element Encyclopedia of the Psychic World by Theresa Cheung (Barnes & Nobles, Inc, ISBN 0-7607-90233-X)
http://amritapuri.amrita.edu] 13:51, 11 December 2006 (UTC)


== Further reading ==
==Notes==
*{{cite book|isbn=978-0-520-28113-4|last= Lucia|first = Amanda|title = Reflections of Amma: Devotees in a Global Embrace |location = Berkeley, CA | publisher = University of California Press | date = 2014|title-link= Reflections of Amma: Devotees in a Global Embrace}} An ethnographic account of North American devotees, from an academic perspective.
<references/>
*{{cite book|isbn=978-0-415-33988-9|last= Warrier |first = Maya|title = Hindu Selves in a Modern World |location = London | publisher = Routledge Curzon | date = 2005|title-link= Hindu Selves in a Modern World }} An analytical treatment of the movement, from an academic perspective.


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category|Mata Amritanandamayi}}{{wikiquote}}{{wikiversity|Yoga oracle#96. Mata Amritanandamayi}}
* (official mission site - India)
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Latest revision as of 17:43, 22 December 2024

Indian Hindu spiritual leader For other uses, see Amma.

Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī
Amma in 2019
TitleAmma
Satguru
Mata
Personal life
BornSudhamani Idamannel
(1953-09-27) 27 September 1953 (age 71)
Vallikavu, Clappana, Karunagappally, Kollam, State of Travancore–Cochin (now in Kerala), India
NationalityIndian
HonorsGandhi-King Award
Religious life
ReligionHinduism
Founder ofMātā Amritānandamayī Math
Religious career
Websiteamma.org

Sri Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi (born Sudhamani Idamannel; 27 September 1953), often known as Amma ("Mother"), is an Indian Hindu spiritual leader, guru and humanitarian, who is revered as 'the hugging saint' by her followers. She is the chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a multi-campus research university.

In 2018, she was felicitated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the largest contribution to the Government of India's Clean India Campaign Swachh Bharat Mission. She was the first recipient of Vishwaratna Puraskar (Gem of the World Award) by Indian Parliament.

Life

Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi is an Indian guru from Parayakadavu (now partially known as Amritapuri), Alappad Panchayat in Karunagappally, Kollam District, in the state of Kerala. Born to a family of backward-caste Malayali fishermen on 27 September 1953, she was the third child of Sugunanandan and Damayanti. Her mother Damayanti died on 19 September 2022. She has six siblings.

As part of her chores, Amṛtānandamayī gathered food scraps from neighbours for her family's cows and goats, through which she was confronted with the intense poverty and suffering of others. She would bring these people food and clothing from her own home. Her family, which was not wealthy, scolded and punished her. Amṛtānandamayī began to spontaneously embrace people to comfort them in their sorrow. Despite the reaction of her parents, Amṛtānandamayī continued. Regarding her desire to embrace others, Amṛtānandamayī commented, "I don't see if it is a man or a woman. I don't see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering."

Amṛtānandamayī rejected numerous attempts by her parents to arrange for her marriage. In 1981, after spiritual seekers had begun residing at her parents' property in Parayakadavu in the hopes of becoming Amṛtānandamayī's disciples, the Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Math (MAM), a worldwide foundation, was founded. Amṛtānandamayī continues to serve as chairperson of the Math. Today the Mata Amritanandmayi Math is engaged in many spiritual and charitable activities.

In 1987, at the request of devotees, Amṛtānandamayī began to conduct programmes in countries throughout the world. She continues to do so annually.

Darshan

Amṛtānandamayī's form of giving darshana is hugging people. As to how this began, Amṛtānandamayī said, "People used to come and tell their troubles. They would cry and I would wipe their tears. When they fell weeping into my lap, I used to hug them. Then the next person too wanted it... And so the habit picked up." Amṛtānandamayī has embraced more than 33 million people throughout the world for over 30 years.

When asked, in 2002, to what extent she thought her embraces helped the ills of the world, Amṛtānandamayī replied, "I don't say I can do it 100 percent. Attempting to change the world is like trying to straighten the curly tail of a dog. But society takes birth from people. So by affecting individuals, you can make changes in the society and, through it, in the world. You cannot change it, but you can make changes. The fight in individual minds is responsible for the wars. So if you can touch people, you can touch the world."

Amṛtānandamayī's darshan has been the centrepiece of her life, as she has received people nearly every day since the late 1970s. Given the size of the crowds coming to seek Amṛtānandamayī's blessings, there have been times when she has given darshana for more than 20 continuous hours. At the time of Covid-19 she stopped giving darshana and hugging people.

Teachings and public image

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) embraces a child.

In the book The Timeless Path, Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, one of Amṛtānandamayī's senior disciples, wrote: "The path inculcated by Amma is the same as the one presented in the Vedas and recapitulated in subsequent traditional scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita." Amṛtānandamayī herself says, "karma , jñana and bhakti are all essential. If the two wings of a bird are devotion and action, knowledge is its tail. Only with the help of all three can the bird soar into the heights." She accepts the various spiritual practices and prayers of all religions as but different methods toward the same goal of purifying the mind. Along these lines, she stresses the importance of meditation, performing actions as karma yoga, selfless service, and cultivating divine qualities such as compassion, patience, forgiveness, self-control, etc. Amṛtānandamayī has said that these practices refine the mind, preparing it to assimilate the ultimate truth: that one is not the physical body and mind, but the eternal, blissful consciousness that serves as the non-dual substratum of the universe. This understanding itself Amṛtānandamayī referred to as jivanmukti . Amṛtānandamayī said, "Jivanmukti is not something to be attained after death, nor is it to be experienced or bestowed upon you in another world. It is a state of perfect awareness and equanimity, which can be experienced here and now in this world, while living in the body. Having come to experience the highest truth of oneness with the Self, such blessed souls do not have to be born again. They merge with the infinite."

Amritanandamayi is known for frequently referring to herself in the third person as "Amma", which is a common spiritual practice in Hinduism.

Social issues

In her public talks and in articles, Amritanandamayi has taken up several social issues, including the importance of selfless service, the need for inter-religious harmony, for environmental protection and of desegregating science and spirituality. She also regularly speaks on the importance of women's empowerment and gender equality as well as that of humankind cultivating what she refers to as viśva-mātrutvam — an attitude of motherliness towards all beings in creation, specifically through expressing compassion, patience and selflessness. She has also spoken out against human trafficking and forced prostitution, speaking at the Vatican and signing the Universal Declaration Against Slavery in an event organized by Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014. And in 2018, under the patronage of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, she participated in a similar event aimed at protecting children from abuse and predation via the Internet. In July 2015, Amritanandamayi delivered the keynote address at a United Nations Academic Impact conference on technology and sustainable development, co-hosted by Amrita University. There, she requested the scientific community to infuse its research with awareness and compassion, stressing the importance of keeping the aim of uplifting the poor and suffering in mind when undertaking technological research. She has spoken several times at the United Nations and twice at the Parliament of the World's Religions.

Bhajans

Amṛtānandamayī has recorded more than 1,000 bhajans, or devotional songs, in 35 languages. She has also composed dozens of bhajans and set them to traditional ragas. Regarding devotional singing as a spiritual practice, Amṛtānandamayī says, "If the bhajan is sung with one-pointedness, it is beneficial for the singer, the listeners, and Nature as well. Later when the listeners reflect on the songs, they will try to live in accordance with the lessons enunciated therein." Amṛtānandamayī has said that in today's world, it is often difficult for people to attain deeply focused concentration in meditation. A person can be aided in reaching this level of concentration with bhajans.

Humanitarian work

Amritanandamayi is founder and chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and the founder of Embracing the World. Embracing the World is a global network of local and regional charitable organizations and projects that has grown out of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math's India-based charitable projects. The organizations' focus is on providing the poor with the five basic needs of food, shelter, healthcare, education and livelihood. The organizations also conduct work in the fields of disaster relief and environmental protection as well as on conducting research and developing new technologies to help the poor and needy.

Food

In India, the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math provides 10 million free meals to poor people annually via its various centres. Likewise, Embracing the World feed more than 150,000 annually in North America through 49 centres that conduct a program called Mother's Kitchen, started in 1987. Other feed-the-hungry programs exist in Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Spain, Kenya, Brazil, Slovenia and Australia. The Math is deploying filtration systems with the goal of providing clean drinking water in 5,000 village centres throughout India, which would provide water purification to 10 million villagers.

Shelter

Since 1998, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has constructed over 47,000 houses for the homeless in 75 locations throughout India. It runs an orphanage for 500 children in Kerala, and Embracing the World manages a children's home in Nairobi.

Healthcare

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math manages the 1,100-bed super-speciality hospital Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, which it launched in 1998, as well as several other free healthcare clinics, medicine dispensaries, hospices in India. It is also in the process of constructing a 2,000-bed hospital in Delhi NCR. In total, the math has provided totally free medical care and surgeries to more than four million people since 1998. This includes super-specialty surgeries including heart surgeries, brain surgeries and kidney transplants. Aside from free treatment, Amrita Institute provides care on a sliding scale, allowing people to pay what they can afford. This is often a minimal percent of the total medical cost.

On 24 August 2022, another hospital named Amrita Hospital was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Faridabad, Haryana. This hospital is reportedly the largest private hospital ever built in India with 36 lakh square feet in built up area and a capacity of 2600 beds.

Livelihood

In 1998, the Math started a program titled Amrita Nidhi that provides lifetime pensions to destitute widows and to people who are physically and mentally challenged. As of 2019, a total of 100,000 people were enrolled. It also started AmritaSREE (Self-Reliance, Empowerment & Employment) in 2006. This program has helped more than 200,000 women form self-help groups throughout India.

Education

Amṛtānandamayī is founder and chancellor of Amrita University, an eight-campus, multi-disciplinary research university that in 2020 was ranked as the fourth-best university in India by NIRF, is accredited with an 'A' grade by NAAC, and was selected as an "Institute of Eminence" by the Indian Government in 2019. Under her guidance, the university puts a strong focus on research-and-development to uplift the sick and poor. The Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math also runs a scholarship program that currently provides 50,000 scholarships for economically challenged children throughout India, and Embracing the World provides scholarships outside of India in times of need, such as in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Disaster relief

Within India, the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math has been involved in relief-and-rehabilitation efforts following natural disasters since 2001, and Embracing the World has come to aid in the wake of several disasters outside of India as well. Embracing the World has provided a total of $75 million in disaster-relief work since 2004. The disasters after which the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math and Embracing the World have conducted relief-and-rehabilitation work include: the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Hurricane Katrina (2005), the 2008 Bihar flood, the 2005 Gujarat flood, the Maharashtra floods of 2005, Cyclone Aila of 2009, the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the 2013 North India floods, Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the 2014 India–Pakistan floods, the May 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2015 South Indian floods, the Puttingal temple fire of 2016, Hurricane Maria of 2017, Cyclone Ockhi of 2017, the 2018 Kerala floods, and the 2019 Kerala floods. In 2019, the Math gave Rs. 500,000 to each of the families of the 40 CRPF soldiers who were killed in the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Environmental protection

On 11 September 2015, Amṛtānandamayī donated US$15 million to the Government of India's Namami Gange "Clean the Ganges" program for the specific purpose of constructing toilets for poor families living along the Ganges River. On 27 September 2015, Amṛtānandamayī pledged that her NGO would dedicate the value of another US$15 million to toilet construction and other sanitation efforts specifically in the Indian state of Kerala. Amritanandamayi's organization has been cleaning the Pampa River and Sabarimala Kerala Temple pilgrimage site annually since 2012.

Controversies

Book by Sreeni Pattathanam

Sreeni Pattathanam, the Kerala-based head of the Indian Rationalist Association, wrote Matha Amritanandamayi: Sacred Stories and Realities, a controversial critique first published in 1985. The author said all the "miracles" of Amṛtānandamayī were falsified. It was further written that there had been many suspicious deaths in and around her ashram that required police investigation.

On 9 August 2002, a Deshabhimani, a left-leaning Malayalam daily, published a similar account, demanding investigation into the same deaths Pattathanam found suspicious. On 24 September 2002, Deshabhimani officially apologised for the report, publishing an article titled "Report that Suspicious Deaths at Amritanandamayi Math Are Growing Was Incorrect". The article stated: "We now state with conviction that there was nothing suspicious about deaths that happened in the Math. Some of the deaths mentioned in the article did not even take place at the Math." The article went on to explain that relatives of the deceased had personally contacted Deshabhimani in order to correct the misinformation conveyed in the original article. In several cases, the editors noted the relatives had contacted Deshabhimani to explain they were at the bedsides of elderly kin who had died of natural causes, with no suspicious aspects regarding the passings.

In 2004, the Kerala State Government sanctioned criminal prosecution of Patthathanam, the owner of the publishing company, and the printer of the book on grounds that religious sentiments had been offended and for the libelous statements in the book. The order followed directions from the Kerala High Court to the Home Department for considering an application by T. K. Ajan, a resident of the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math. CPI leader Thengamam Balakrishnan protested the move against Pattathanam. The contents of this book in English: Mata Amritanandamayi & Mysterious Stories. 4 October 2020.

Source of foreign aid

In June 2007, Shantanu Guha Ray wrote in Tehelka weekly that Amṛtānandamayī Math, Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev, and other NGOs and religious organisations had large annual turnover of INR crores. In June 2007, novelist Paul Zacharia wrote on Tehelka that Amṛtānandamayī is free from the typical scrutiny on money that has foreign connections. In May 2008, the president of Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, U. Kalanathan, urged the state government to conduct an enquiry into Amṛtānandamayī's assets. He said the sources of her income and its utilisation should be investigated.

Allegations by Gail Tredwell

In 2013, Gail Tredwell, a former disciple of Amṛtānandamayī, self-published a memoir of her 1980–99 tenure in Amṛtānandamayī's ashram. She made some allegations in this memoir as well as media interviews which preceded and followed the release of the book. The allegations, including the claim that Tredwell was physically assaulted by Amṛtānandamayī, have not been substantiated. Both Amṛtānandamayī and representatives of her ashram denied the allegations, saying that they were untrue and were aimed at exacting revenge for unfulfilled desires. In an interview in April 2014, Amṛtānandamayī spoke in depth about the incident, saying, "Even now, Amma is only filled with love for that daughter. I am praying that virtue and goodness come. Time will shine forth the truth."

Attacks

In August 2005, Amṛtānandamayī was attacked by a man named Pavithran. He was sitting with other followers praying and singing in front of Amṛtānandamayī. He rushed to Amṛtānandamayī with a knife, but was overpowered by a group of disciples. Amṛtānandamayī's disciple Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said Pavithran was of "unstable mind". Pavithran was bruised and taken to a hospital. Amritanandamayi, who forgave Pavithran, said, "All those who are born will die one day. I am going ahead keeping this reality in mind. I will carry on. I will continue to give darshan to the devotees coming here to meet me."

On 1 August 2012, Satnam Singh Mann, a 23-year-old law student from Bihar, charged Amṛtānandamayī at her ashram in Kollam. According to police, he was screaming and reciting words in Arabic. He was overpowered by the crowd, who handed him over to the police. He was later taken to the government mental hospital in Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, where he died three days later.

Awards and honours

  • 1993, President of the Centenary Parliament of World Religions' (Parliament of the World's Religions)
  • 1993, Hindu Renaissance Award as "Hindu of the Year" (Hinduism Today)
  • 1998, Care & Share International Humanitarian of the Year Award (Chicago)
  • 2002, Karma Yogi of the Year (Yoga Journal)
  • 2002, Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence by The World Movement for Nonviolence (UN, Geneva)
  • 2005, Mahavir Mahatma Award (London)
  • 2005, Centenary Legendary Award of the International Rotarians (Cochin)
  • 2006, James Parks Morton Interfaith Award (New York)
  • 2006, The Philosopher Saint Sri Jnaneswara World Peace Prize (Pune)
  • 2007, Le Prix Cinéma Vérité (Cinéma Vérité, Paris)
  • 2010, The State University of New York awarded Amma an honorary doctorate in humane letters on 25 May 2010 at its Buffalo campus.
  • 2012, Amma featured in the Watkins' list of the top 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.
  • 2013, Awarded first Vishwaretna Purskar (Gem of the Word Award) by Hindu Parliament on 23 April 2013 at Tiruvananthapuram (India)
  • 2013, Awarded proclamation on behalf of the State of Michigan to Amma commemorating Amma's 60th birthday, the official proclamation describes Amma as a true citizen of the world and recognizes Amma's charitable works worldwide.
  • 2014, Chosen as one among the 50 most powerful women religious leaders by The Huffington Post.
  • 2018, Felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for largest contribution to the Government of India's Clean India Campaign Swachh Bharat Mission
  • 2019, Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Mysore
  • 2023, Chair, Civil 20, an official Engagement Groups of the G20

Positions

Publications and documentaries

Amṛtānandamayī's disciples have transcribed her conversations with devotees and spiritual seekers to create approximately a dozen books of her teachings known as Awaken Children. The addresses she has delivered at various international forums have also been published in book form. Beginning in April 2011, a bi-weekly message from Amṛtānandamayī has appeared in the Lifestyle section of the Express Buzz Sunday supplement of the New Indian Express newspaper. She also writes a regular blog in the spiritual publication The Speaking Tree.

She has been featured in various documentaries and films:

See also

Notes

  1. "Mata Amritanandamayi Receives Honorary Doctorate From University of Mysore". The Star of Mysore. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  2. ^ Perez, Zaira (14 June 2018). "Indian Hugging Saint Opens Arms for Denton Next Week". Denton Chronicle. Denton, Texas. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. www amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/hugging-the-hugging-saint-amma-made-others-cry-but-it-was-different-for-me
  4. Correspondent, Special (15 March 2019). "Honorary doctorate for Amritanandamayi, Tiptur seer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 April 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. "Mata Amritanandamayi felicitated by PM Narendra Modi for her support to Swachh Bharat". 3 October 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  6. Cornell, Judith (2001). Amritanandamayi: Healing the Heart of the World. New York: HarperCollins.
  7. ^ Amsden, David (16 August 2012). "The Hugging Saint". Rolling Stone. p. 2. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  8. Amritanandamayichi – A Biography of Mata Amritanandamayi by Swami Amritaswarupananda, ISBN 1-879410-60-5
  9. "The Humanitarian Initiatives of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Mata Amritanandamayi Math)" (PDF). embracing the world. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2012. I don't see if it is a man or a woman. I don't see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.
  10. Millions flock to India's hugging guru. Thestar.com.my. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.
  11. On 6 May 1981, "with a view to preserving and propagating the ideals and teachings of the Holy Mother, the Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Math and Mission Trust was founded and registered under the Travancore-Cochin State Literary and Charitable Act of 1955, at Kollam, Kerala, South India." Amritanandamayichi – A Biography of Mata Amritanandamayi by Swami Amritaswarupananda, ISBN 1-879410-60-5
  12. (Amma's Charities). Embracing the World. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.
  13. ^ Kuruvilla, Carol (15 November 2014). "This Week In Pictures: Faith In Practice Around The World, November 9–15". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  14. rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandmayi. Im.rediff.com (2 August 2002). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.
  15. "rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandamayi". rediff.com.
  16. "'Amma' in Australia: India's hugging saint spreads love down under". BBC News. 24 April 2012.
  17. "Guru fights world's 'poverty of love,' one hug at a time". CNN. 22 August 2007.
  18. Gladwin Emmanuel (6 March 2020). "Coronavirus scare: Daily darshan stopped at Amritanandamayi Math in Kerala". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  19. "Coronavirus in India: Mata Amritanandamai's darshan's stopped at Kerala ashram". Hindustan Times. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  20. Staff Reporter (6 March 2020). "COVID-19 | Amritanandamayi stops darshan at Kerala ashram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  21. ^ The Timeless Path by Swami Ramakrishnananda, ISBN 978-1-879410-46-6
  22. ^ Lead Us to the Light: A Collection of Mata Amritanandamayi's Teachings Compiled by Swami Jnanamritananda
  23. "The goal of all religions is one—purification of the human mind." ("Living in Harmony" By Mata Amritanandamayi)
  24. "rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandmayi". rediff.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  25. Amritanandamayi, Mata (29 December 2016). "Making Spacew in Our Hearts for Others". Thrive Global. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  26. Amritanandamayi, Mata (26 February 2017). "Unity in Diversity". Thrive Global. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  27. Amritanandamayi, Mata (3 June 2017). "Our Responsibility to Our Mother". Thrive Global. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  28. Amritanandamayi, Mata (10 November 2017). "Desegregating Science & Spirituality". Thrive Global. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  29. Amritanandamayi, Mata (26 August 2017). "The World Needs Motherhood". Thrive Global. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  30. Philip, Shaju (3 December 2014). "Amritanandamayi Meets Pope Francis in Vatican". The Indian Express. Thiruvananthapuram. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  31. Hooper, John (2 December 2014). "Pope and Welby Joined by Imams and Rabbis for Anti-Slavery Declaration". The Guardian. Vatican City. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  32. "World Religious Leaders' Meet Ends in Abu Dhabi". The New Indian Express. Bengaluru. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  33. "Reduce divide between science, spirituality: Amritanandamayi". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 9 July 2015.
  34. "Bridge Gap Between Science, Spirituality". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
  35. McGregor, Gretchen Kusuma, "In the Shelter of Her Arms," 2012, MA Center, page 199. "It's hard to imagine, but now, in 2012, Amma has recorded well over 1,000 songs in 35 languages."
  36. Awaken, Children, Volume 2: Dialogues with Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
  37. For My Children: The Teachings of Her Holiness, Sri Mata Amritanandmayai Devi, page 70
  38. "About Amma". www.embracingtheworld.org. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  39. "About Us: Who We Are". www.embracingtheworld.org. Embracing the World. Retrieved 28 June 2019. Embracing the World is a global network of regional humanitarian organizations inspired by the India-based humanitarian initiatives of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
  40. "PM Narendra Modi lauds contributions of Mata Amritanandamayi". Financial Express. Kollam. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  41. "About Us: Who We Are". www.embracingtheworld.org. Embracing the World. Retrieved 28 June 2019. Embracing the World exists to help alleviate the burden of the world's poor through helping to meet each of their five basic needs – food, shelter, healthcare, education, and livelihood – wherever and whenever possible. We are especially focused on helping to meet these needs in the aftermath of major disasters.
  42. ^ Halpern, Jake (26 May 2013). "An Empire Built on Hugs". The New York Times=. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  43. "APN News". Mumbai. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  44. Prasanna, Laxmi (18 December 2016). "Humanitarian Connect Led Robotics Research at Amrita University". The Times of India. Kollam, Kerala. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  45. Puri, Nikita (22 September 2017). "Meet Mata Amritanandamayi, Spiritual Guru And Pusher of Innovation". The Business Standard. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  46. Rosenfeld, David (21 June 2018). "Famed spiritual leader Amma visits Los Angeles for three days of hugs and devotion". The Beach Reporter. Los Angeles. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  47. "World Water Day: Over One Lakh Villagers in Kerala Receive Clean Drinking Water;". The Times of India. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  48. "Amritanandamayi Math to Gift 100 Houses to Poor". The New Indian Express. Kollam, Kerala. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  49. "President Ram Nath Kovind to Unveil Charity Projects of Math on October 8". The Deccan Chronicle. India. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  50. "Meet the Hugging Saint Who has Cuddled 20 Million People". The Mirror. London. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  51. "About Amrita Hospital". www.amritahospitals.org. Retrieved 28 June 2019. Founded in 1998 by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known worldwide as AMMA), Amrita Hospital offers a full range of primary and specialty care medical services, with cross-specialty consultation. Amma's vision of providing advanced medical care to the poor and disadvantaged was the inspiration for Amrita Hospital, which today is a 1100-bed (490 units) tertiary referral and teaching hospital, serving more than 10 lakh outpatients and more than 70,000 inpatients annually.
  52. "UN Recognises Spiritual Leader". The Financial Express. 2 March 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  53. "Haryana CM Lays Foundation Stone for 2000-Bed Hospital in Faridabad". The Economic Times. Faridabad. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  54. "APN News". Mumbai. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  55. "Haryana CM Lays Foundation Stone for 2000-Bed Hospital in Faridabad". The Economic Times. Faridabad. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  56. "President Ram Nath Kovind lauds Kerala harmony". The Deccan Chronicle. India. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  57. "PM Modi inaugurates Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, India's largest private hospital". 24 August 2022.
  58. "Mata Amritanandamayi Math Extends Help to Sivakasi Victims". The Times of India. Coimbatore. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  59. "Mata Amritanandamayi Receives Doctorate From University of Mysore". United News of India. Kollam. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  60. "Lifetime Pensions For 100,000 Widows, People With Disabilities And Women in Poverty". www.embracingtheworld.org. Embracing the World. Retrieved 1 July 2019. Since 1998, we have provided monthly pensions for widows and other women in poverty. In 2006, the project was expanded to benefit the physically and mentally challenged and now serves a total of 100,000 beneficiaries. ... Recognizing that disability and/or the loss of a family member can consign those in the developing world to a lifetime of hardship, our pensions have no expiration date—they are given for life..
  61. Pandya, Samta P. (2019). Faith Movements and Social Transformation: Guru Charisma in Contemporary India. Springer. p. 119. ISBN 978-981-13-2822-0. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  62. "Man's Ego Is a Horse Without Reins". Outlook. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  63. "NIRF Ranking 2023 Updates: List of best colleges, universities in India". The Indian Express. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  64. "AVV Ranks 8th at NIRF". The Daily Pioneer. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  65. "Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham among 13 to get IoE status". Deccan Herald. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
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  67. "APN News". Mumbai. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  68. "Cyclone-Hit Filipino Students Graduate with Mata Aid". The Deccan Chronicle. Kochi. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  69. Ramanathan, Chathapuram S.; Juvva, Srilatha; Dutta, Subhabrata; Khaja, Khadija (7 October 2016). Spirituality, Culture, and Development: Implications for Social Work. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4985-1967-0. Since 2001, Amritanandamayi Math has been responding to a number of natural disasters, providing both immediate emergency relief and implementing a long-term rehabilitation program...
  70. "Amma to donate $2 mn to Philippines typhoon 'Haiyan' victims". www.dnaindia.com. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  71. "India-Based Group Donates $1M to Yolanda Victims". GMA News Online. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  72. "Mata Amritanandamayi Donates $1 Million for Tsunami Victims of Japan". Times of India. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  73. "What We've Achieved". www.embracingtheworld.org. Retrieved 29 June 2019. 75 million in disaster relief since 2004
  74. "Indian spiritual leader, Amma, visits Denmark to give more hugs". CPH Post Online. Copenhagen. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  75. Ramanathan, Chathapuram S.; Juvva, Srilatha; Dutta, Subhabrata; Khaja, Khadija (7 October 2016). Spirituality, Culture, and Development: Implications for Social Work. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4985-1967-0. Amma's reconstruction of three villages in Bhuj following the Gujarat earthquake of 2001 made a huge impact on the people of Bhuj...
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  77. "Amma Offers $1m for Katrina Victims". The Economic Times. Kollam. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
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