True to HER divine descent as the UNIVERSAL MOTHER, the virtual incarnation of motherhood, AMMA had a unique childhood, that is verily uncommon and extraordinary. This occurred in the neighbourhood, contiguous villages, and within Mannava, the village of HER birthplace in the Guntur District of South India, In this very phase declared that SHE is the MOTHER OF ALL, the living and the non-living, the totality, entirety of existence with little exception.
That being so AMMA bestowed quite a few mystic experiences on those who associated closely with HER in such tender childhood. AMMA, during this very phase, HER control over human life, its birth and death were proved and confirmed beyond any doubt. AMMA declared in unmistakable terms that SHE controls, conducts the creation, the entire cosmic process, authors, arbiters and regulates the same.
In such childhood strolls, AMMA sees a small group of beggars pooling their alms, sharing the same while partaking such meal, in some temple precincts of those days. AMMA wills that SHE shall be in a village where a temple is hitherto non-existent and create common abode free for all where they pool their means, collectively share and have the common meal made from the same pooled food, without any discrimination, differences of background, or of any kind whatsoever while eating together.
This far-reaching volition of AMMA in truth caused, created the present pilgrim centre Jillellamudi, which virtually has become HER abode ever since the year 1941, after AMMA joined NANNAGARU in the holy matrimony in the year 1936. While a temple can be created, consecrated, which AMMA did in Jillellamudi during HER sojourn in the physical form.
The other aspect of pooling and sharing the common fare requires a forum, a place for the living together and sharing the common lot. This forum is the ‘HOUSE OF ALL’ (ANDARILLU), which has been created. If we observe incisively, the concept of HOUSE OF ALL is ancillary to the preceding volition of AMMA in creating a temple and a common sharing forum of the collected or available lot.
Viewed in this plane, AMMA’S concept of the HOUSE OF ALL is basic, preliminary, supportive, sustaining the other major AMMA’S objectives like feeding, caring. clothing, medical aid, devotion and all other aspects of life.
In truth the abode of the HOUSE OF ALL is the primary forum that AMMAhas created to pursue all living ends and to celebrate all other aspects of human living and the life overall. The process begins here permeating into the outside world. This is the reality that continued, nurtured and actualized continuously for the common wellbeing. Yet rarely observed and understood in its truth and intrinsic essence.
Having crated such a common living abode, the HOUSE OF ALL, the issue obviously arises as to the living modes and common existence in such fellowship among people of widely varied backgrounds. First, mutual acceptance of the anomalous group with much different identities, or even cultures, habits and so on.
This mutual bonding emanates because of the common equation being AMMA around whom the devotee children gather. Further meeting the essential living needs like, food, clothing, and shelter and all also converge that quite likely creates the mutual support and bonding amicably together.
The other important issue among such anomalous group of individuals is the gender equality, equity and tolerance. Here AMMA being the UNIVERSAL MOTHER, virtually the MOTHER OF ALL, the entire existence, all, whosoever, whomsoever are deemed AMMA’S endearing devotee children. If so, by definition, the bond of fraternity emanates obviously, that is self-sustaining. Verily nurtured by AMMA’S copious love ever bounteous and boundless.
Here AMMA’S perspective of the HOUSE OF ALL, needs to be captured. AMMAalways held that the concept of HOUSE OF ALL is neither a monastery nor an ideal spiritual habitat with all its dos and don’ts. “This is virtually a common household, a shelter where people of diverse backgrounds live together in amity and caring fellowship”. To capture AMMA’S original words in the Telugu vernacular defining the ‘HOUSE OF ALL’. “(Idi Ashram Kadu Nanna, Ashrayam)”.
Further, AMMA, clarified that just as you find in the outside world, here in the HOUSE OF ALL too varied kinds of people exist and live together, not giving much room for judgemental concerns of good and bad. Everyone is accepted as a mere human being, individual with all his frailties.
This definition of “Ashrayam” or the concept means literally ‘THE SHELTER’. In a way, the refuge for the troubled, distraught and truly those whom life dealt with roughly to the point of being unable to cope with the same and sustain oneself. The walls and corridors of the HOUSE OF ALL can convey quite a few annals, tales of such vulnerable individuals taking shelter, rather refuge here, partaking the common meal, food served in the ANNAPOORNALYAM, renewing themselves and entering their regular, normal life outside to which they were earlier used.
Quite a few families are rehabilitated, restored and made self-sustaining while living here, partaking the common food and subject to AMMA’S GRACE the true means of sustenance and common wellbeing. Mention not being made of such realistic cases for reasons of dignity and privacy. In the dark days, when gloom and despair overtake the individual, HOUSE OF ALL becomes the true refuge with abounding AMMA’S GRACE.
From the foregoing the shelter or refuge does not prescribe rigid modes, or norms but facilitates living in the normally accepted modes and ways of being. Virtually this is the forum of loving togetherness, caring. fellowship with deeper concern. Such wide spread empathy prevails here, the unique legacy, caring culture of AMMA.
To recall fondly, over the past five decades plus, in my association with AMMA and JILLELLAMUDI been a true witness to such amazing stories of rehabilitation. Some even rising ever highly, over their previous lives. Far beyond their expectations, to the point of supporting the service activity here at Jillellamudi, becoming the donors.
Some of the relationships in this abode, have blossomed into loving equations maturing into fruitful marriages bonding with AMMA and JILLELLAMUDI, supporting becoming part and partnering with the multiple service and devotional activities, Some have also grown from within spiritually blossoming into the Gurus, and Masters with their own present following.
To mention, the overall prevailing bonding of fraternity, also gives room for mature human relationships that are fruitful and of lasting active living. Thus, the HOUSE OF ALL nurtures, promotes human relationships and mutual bonding in the society that is ever meaningful and purposive.
Viewed in any manner, mode, perspective AMMA’S ‘HOUSE OF ALL’ is the very ideal concept, abode and infra structure worthy of emulation anywhere in the world to support life and living in a fruitful, purposive mode.
Philosophically, to present or reflect such a state is that of enlightened anarchy. That is a state of wizened self-control not subject to monitoring or any other external imposition.
To embolden myself and look into the future from what I personally heard from AMMA, people living here, the future inmates shall be so sensitive and sensible that they can merely converse with their eyes without any verbal exchange. Furthermore, they observe very high standards of the ambience that they do not let even a stray paper on the floor. To paraphrase, the same in AMMA’S Telugu vernacular, (“Kalla Thoti Matladukuntaru, Nanna, Vokka Kayatham Guda Kinda Pada Nivvaru”).
Sum up this presentation, with such resplendent hope for the begetting future of the HOUSE OF ALL, as the fleeting time moves on. So, praying AMMA in all surrender and submission.