Ammachi

Birth Data

Biography

Indian saint known as Ammachi, Amma, Mother of Immortal Bliss, and The Hugging Saint, a remarkable contemporary woman. Born the fourth of nine children to an extremely poor family in a fishing village on the west coast of India, she was named Sudhamani. A precocious child, she started composing songs of deep mystical significance at the age of five. Her enchanting singing became well known throughout the village. Aware from infancy of her constant connection to the divine, she immersed herself in carrying out compassionate acts towards her family and neighbors. She was often seen singing in a mood of ecstatic devotion or blissfully immersed in meditation. "From childhood I had an intense love of the Divine Name. I would repeat the Lord's Name incessantly with every breath and a constant flow of divine thoughts was kept up in my mind no matter the place where I was or the work I was doing."

Ammachi had only four years of formal education before she was put to work full time. As a teen, she scandalized her family and community by refusing to marry, devoting herself to a life of mystical contemplation and social service. Her family and others scorned her "strange" behavior and threatened her. Eventually the girl was locked out of the house and not even given any food to eat. When sympathetic local women tried to bring her food and care for her, they were sent away by the family. Some of the local villagers who could not understand her state of divine bliss ridiculed her by throwing stones at her, and she endured threats on her life. She slept outdoors with the sand as her bed, the stars as her blanket and the moon her only light. Animals came to feed her, with reports of a dog that brought food packets to her in his mouth and a cow that stood near her so that she could drink from its udder. In late 1975, as she prayed fervently to the Divine Mother, longing for mystical union, she was rewarded with a vision and a message. She began instantly to manifest the qualities of the Divine Mother and became Mata Amritanandamayi, Mother of Immortal Nectar, respectfully called Ammachi, "revered mother." She began to perform small miracles and attain great visions. From 1981, a small group of dedicated devotees began to be attracted to her spiritual wisdom, her amazing command of advanced yogi states and her unceasing radiance that bestowed unconditional love to all.

In the intervening years, she has become one of the best loved saints in India, and she has gained millions of followers worldwide. Hailed by many Indian leaders as a woman of unassailable sanctity and selflessness, she lives the life of a simple village woman, with few possessions. With boundless energy, she has founded hospitals, orphanages, cultural institutions and schools. Her work has blossomed into a worldwide organization, the Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, which is engaged in many spiritual and charitable activities. In 1993 she was elected one of three "presidents" of Hinduism, a lifetime position.

Over the past several years, she has spent a third of each year traveling around the world with her teaching. When she appears in public, as many as a million people come to receive her blessing. She asks for nothing. When gifts are given, they are turned over to her charitable trust fund that feeds an estimated 50,000 poor Indians monthly. As the faithful or the curious line up, she embraces each person, radiating love and compassion. "Hugging," she said, "helps them to unfold and to awaken their true nature."

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