Why They All Come

These past few months, there have been more than few moments when I’ve had to literally stop in my tracks and look out in awe at the tens of thousands of people who come to see Amma during her programmes both in Amritapuri and on tour in India.  It must be more than just the Indian tradition of going to see a saint that brings them to see Amma.  It’s more than just the curiosity seekers.   It’s more than the universal, unconditional love that Amma transmits when she hugs.  It’s even more than the hope and inspiration that Amma gives to people who come to her with their problems, sorrows, and woes.

I began to realize that, of the tens of thousands in a typical public program, most likely each one of them is part of a family or knows of a family whose lives and livelihoods have been directly affected not only by Amma’s hug, but by Her Love and Compassion expressed through her charitable activities.

Countless times, I’ve watched Amma distribute pensions, financial stipends, sewing machines, and keys to new homes on her Tours.   During the ceremonies, generally 10 people from each group come on stage and receive the aid directly from Amma.  But those on stage are only representatives of much larger groups that have been selected to receive such benefits at that time.    And it doesn’t stop there…

There are the beneficiaries of 6200 Tsunami homes.  The recipients of over tens of thousands of homes built for the poor over the past 20 some-odd years.  The thousands of children across India who are attending one of Amma’s 50 schools.  The University students at four campuses across India.   The graduates.  The teachers and staff.    Those who have benefited from treatments at AIMS hospital.   The hundreds if not thousands of women in Self Help Groups that are being nurtured by the Ashram.  And of course there are their families….

Add to that the 100,000 children who will be receiving education stipends to help relieve the financial burdens felt by their families whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and where debt and despair has led to a disturbing number of farmer suicides.

Still, it’s not just individuals and their immediate families.  Amma has showered her Love and Compassion on entire communities.  In Gujarat, where Amma rebuilt three entire villages after the earthquake in 2001.  In Nagapattinam, where Amma has constructed at least four villages of over 300 homes each, for Tsunami victims.

Trying to calculate just how many people are being directly affected by Amma’s charitable activities – the thought is overwhelming.  It’s well into the millions for sure.  One just has to look out at the multitudes who come to see Amma each year.

And then there are those who serve – who are Amma’s hands – doing the work behind the scenes to bring these charitable activities to fruition.  Indeed, as Amma says, ’My children are my wealth.’

When we get a hug from Amma, she reaches in and heals our wounds, awakens our inner light, pointing us in the direction to greater potential and spiritual growth.   We move forward, doing Seva (selfless service) in Her Name – here in the Ashram, and abroad in our communities and homes, hopefully surrendering the fruits of our actions at Her Feet.   Amma takes all that and transforms it million fold – and casts it out upon the poor, downtrodden, the sick, the needy, the seekers.   And we all come together in Her Grace and Light.

This is why busloads and trainloads of people come from all over whenever Amma comes to a city or village.  This is why Amma is revered around the world.  This is why we love Amma so much.

So next time I look out at the crowd and see tens of thousands of people beaming at Amma, I’ll understand better.

– Sri Pati