The convention of devotees (universal family of Amma) held on 12th and 13th September 2009 at Jillellamudi was a different and delightful congregation. It was different because it involved every devotee child of Amma with the sole motive of inviting suggestions for a progressive and futuristic SVJP (Sri Viswajanani Parishat). Many meaningful and valuable suggestions have been made especially by younger folk – the second generation of Amma’s devotees. It was delightful because the elderly lot shared with us their experiences with AMMA
In the spiritual context, one’s experience has a different connotation. One would normally expect mystical and paranormal miracles. Even though that is not an unusual occurrence, the predominant quality that draws more and more people to Amma is Her expression of Love that is unique, unqualified, equitable and Divine. The primordial energy that is Amma came on to this earth with only one weapon, that is, Love. Everyone and everything is the target of this weapon. There is only nourishment and no punishment in the parlance of Amma.
The spectrum of devotees gathered during the two-day convention ranged from the oldest devotees like Sri. Y.Bhaskara Rao, Raju bava, Dr. Pannala Radhakrishna Sarma, Dr. Potturi Venkateswara Rao, Smt Prabhavati, Smt. Katyayani, Sri. Tangirala Keasava sarma, Dr. T.S.N.Sastry as also comparably younger lot like Dharmasuri, Ravuri Prasad I. Ramakrishna, Kamaraju, L.Satyanarayana (Lala), Mohanakrishna, and further younger generation of Mr.Hemakumar, to the youngest Mr.K.Krishna. While all of them gave a glimpse of their experiences with Amma, Raju baava narrated a couple of stunning incidents which have a bearing on the prevailing social customs & practices in the Hindu families of Southern India.
Raju baava’s (Mannava Buchiraju Sarma) revelations are truly stunning which put Amma on a different pedestal when compared to any spiritual or Divine Personality of ancient or recent times. Amma never claimed to be God, God-man or woman or an Avatar. The only claim she made, accepted and endorsed was that She is the Mother. Mother of All – everyone and everything – animate or inanimate. She did not fix any boundaries for Her Love. That includes humans, animals, creatures, nature and also the Gods that we so reverently worship. For Her, the Gods are also her children. Her Love encompasses the whole creation – Her creation. When She entered the sanctum of Lord Sri Ranganayaka Swamy in Nellore unmindful of wearing sandals, Her only expression was Love and affection to the presiding deity. When somebody pointed out that she entered the sanctum wearing sandals, she answered that in Her anxiety to see Her dear child, she did not notice the folly. She caressed the body of the Lord’s image in sleeping posture in the temple, with the tenderness and affection of a Mother fondling her dearest child.
When Sri P.V.R.K.Prasad, the then Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams visited Amma, it was with the same tone of tender love befitting of Universal Mother she observed that “Venkanna (Lord Venkateswara) is anxiously waiting for your arrival back”. Incidents are abounding with many more profound instances.
Sri Sri Sri Poornananda Swamy of Srisailam declared after seeing Amma during his first visit: “Siva has found his mother”. When Amma visited Kanchi Mutt late in the night, Paramacharya of Kanchi Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati offered his pranamam holding his “dandam” and “kamandalam” together – a gesture shown to none except to Jaganmatha (Divine Mother) by a saint of Paramacharya’s stature.
How lucky we are to be the contemporaries of Amma!!