Mata Amritanandamayi

{{Short description|Indian Hindu spiritual leader (born 1953)}} {{Other uses|Amma (disambiguation){{!}}Amma}} {{pp-pc}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox religious biography | name = Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī | title = Amma <br /> Satguru <br /> Mata | image = Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī.jpg | religion = Hinduism | caption = Amritānandamayī in 2019 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1953|09|27}} | birth_place = Vallikavu, Clappana, Karunagappally, Kollam, State of Travancore–Cochin (now in Kerala), India | birth_name = Sudhamani Idamannel | death_place = | nationality = Indian | founder = Mātā Amritānandamayī Math | philosophy = | honors = Gandhi-King Award | 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 = }}

'''Sri Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi''' (born '''Sudhamani Idamannel'''; 27 September 1953), often known as '''Amma''' ("Mother"), is an Indian Hindu spiritual leader, godwoman,<ref name="Woodhead2002">{{cite book|author=Linda Woodhead|title=Religions in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwqFGUKUb58C&pg=PP5|access-date=26 March 2014|date=January 2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-21783-5|page=35|quote=A more modern phenomenon is women who are believed to embody the highest godhead. Instances are Anandamayi Ma (1896–1982), highly regarded by many important Indians; Ammachi, Amritanandamayi Ma (1954), who touches and blesses individually vast crowds of devotees}}</ref> guru and humanitarian.<ref>{{cite news |author= |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> She is the chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a multi-campus research university.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2019 |title=Honorary doctorate for Amritanandamayi, Tiptur seer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/honorary-doctorate-for-amritanandamayi-tiptur-seer/article26548513.ece |access-date=27 April 2023 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2018 |title=Mata Amritanandamayi felicitated by PM Narendra Modi for her support to Swachh Bharat |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 |access-date=19 January 2024}}</ref> She was the first recipient of Vishwaratna Puraskar (Gem of the World Award) by Hindu Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=amrita |date=2013-04-24 |title=Vishwaretna puraskar presented to Amma by Hindu Parliament |url=https://www.amritapuri.org/16442/13viswa.aum |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=Online with Amma |language=en-US}}</ref>

==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.<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 Arayan fishing family, who is subcaste of Dheevara (disadvantaged community) 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=Rolling Stone|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>

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>

Amṛtānandamayī rejected numerous attempts by her parents to arrange for her marriage.<ref name="thestar.com.my">[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/8/apworld/20090308082927&sec=apworld Millions flock to India's hugging guru]. 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 Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Math (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 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}}</ref> Amṛtānandamayī continues to serve as chairperson of the Math. Today the Mata Amritanandmayi Math is engaged in many spiritual and charitable activities.<ref name="embracingtheworld.org">[http://www.embracingtheworld.org/ (Amma's Charities)]. Embracing the World. Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>

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

==Darshan== Amṛtānandamayī's is known for giving darshana by 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> She has embraced more than 33 million people throughout the world for over 30 years.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com" /> She has said this practice began when people would come to tell her their troubles and cry in her lap. In response, she began to hug people.<ref name="im.rediff.com">[http://im.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/02inter1.htm rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/Mata Amritanandmayi]. Im.rediff.com (2 August 2002). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref>

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 [completely] 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>

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 darshana 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>

==Teachings and public image== thumb|Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) embraces a child. In the book ''The Timeless Path'', Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, one of Amṛtānandamayī's senior disciples, wrote: "The [spiritual] 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."<ref name="ReferenceB">[https://books.google.com/books?id=wPq4BQAAQBAJ&q=The+Timeless+Path The Timeless Path] by Swami Ramakrishnananda, {{ISBN|978-1-879410-46-6}}</ref> Amṛtānandamayī herself says, "''karma'' [action], ''jñana'' [knowledge] and ''bhakti'' [devotion] 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 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.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> This understanding itself Amṛtānandamayī referred to as ''jivanmukti'' [liberation while alive]. 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 frequently referring to herself in the third person as "Amma", which is a common spiritual practice in Hinduism.<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>

==Social issues== In her public talks and in articles, Amritanandamayi has taken up several social issues, 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 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.<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 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.<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 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.<ref>{{cite news |author= |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 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.<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 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.<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 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."<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>

==Humanitarian work== Amritanandamayi is founder and chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and the founder of Embracing the World.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-amma/|title=About Amma |author= |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= |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= |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= |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= |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>

===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= |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=== Since 1998, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has constructed over 47,000 houses for the homeless in 75 locations throughout India.<ref>{{cite news |author= |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= |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= |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=== The Mata Amritanandamayi Math manages the 1,100-bed super-speciality hospital Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, which it launched in 1998,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amritahospitals.org/SubPages/History |title=About Amrita Hospital |author= |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= |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= |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= |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= |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= |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"/>

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 a built up area of 3.6 million square feet 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>

===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= |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 | 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= |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= |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 self-help groups throughout India.<ref>{{cite news |author= |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>

===Education=== Amṛtānandamayī is founder and chancellor of Amrita University, 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 NIRF, is accredited with an 'A' grade by NAAC,<ref>{{cite news |author= |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= |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= |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 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite news |author= |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>

===Disaster relief=== 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= |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= |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= |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=| 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 2001 Gujarat earthquake,<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 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami,<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> Hurricane Katrina (2005),<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2008 Bihar flood,<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 2005 Gujarat flood,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the Maharashtra floods of 2005,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> Cyclone Aila of 2009,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the 2010 Haiti Earthquake,<ref>{{cite news | author=| 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 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami,<ref>{{cite news| author= |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 2013 North India floods,<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> Typhoon Haiyan in 2013,<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2014 India–Pakistan floods,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the May 2015 Nepal earthquake,<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2015 South Indian floods,<ref name="Amritaswarupananda Puri 2014 60"/> the Puttingal temple fire of 2016,<ref>{{cite news | author=| 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> Hurricane Maria of 2017,<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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| archive-date=29 June 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629213909/https://indianewengland.com/2018/05/quenching-thirst-of-body-and-soul-amma-returns-to-new-england-june-28-29/| url-status=dead}}</ref> Cyclone Ockhi of 2017,<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2018 Kerala floods,<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2019 Kerala floods.<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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 2019 Pulwama attack.<ref>{{cite news| author=| 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=== 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 Pampa River and Sabarimala Kerala 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|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094608/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/35000-bags-of-garbage-collected-in-sabarimala-clean-up-524154.html|url-status=dead}}</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>

==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.<ref>Mass Publicationas, Kollam, Kerala, revised edn. (The Malayalam language subtitle is "Divya Kathakalum Yatharthyavum".)</ref>{{Original research inline|date=April 2026}}

On 9 August 2002, a ''Deshabhimani'', 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 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.<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=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> CPI leader Thengamam Balakrishnan 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=The Hindu |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 }}

===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.<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 Paul Zacharia 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>

===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.<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=The New Indian Express|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=The New Indian Express|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=The Hindu|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=IBN}}</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== 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, 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.<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 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)<ref name=r1>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3136524.stm South Asia | Devotees flock to hug Indian guru]. BBC News (24 September 2003). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref> * 1993, Hindu Renaissance Award as "Hindu of the Year" (''Hinduism Today'')<ref>[http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1098] 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) [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/804?print=1 The 2002 Karma Yoga Awards] {{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, Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence by The World Movement for Nonviolence (UN, Geneva)<ref>[http://www.millenniumpeacesummit.com/wc_awards.html The World Council of Religious Leaders] {{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>[http://www.nonduality.com/news_archive_may_2005.htm Home] {{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, James Parks Morton Interfaith Award (New York)<ref name="Interfaith">[http://interfaithcenter.org/james-parks-morton-interfaith-award-recipients ICNY] {{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>[http://archives.amritapuri.org/news/2006/601viswasanthi.php Amma Awarded Sant Jnaneshwara World Peace Prize @ Amritapuri.org] {{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>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7043185.stm Entertainment | Film award honours 'hug guru']. BBC News (13 October 2007). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref> * 2010, The State University of New York awarded Amma an honorary doctorate in humane letters on 25 May 2010 at its Buffalo campus.<ref>[http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11390 International Humanitarian Amma Receives SUNY Honorary Degree at UB – UB NewsCenter]. Buffalo.edu (26 May 2010). Retrieved on 24 June 2011.</ref> * 2012, Amma featured in the Watkins' list of the top 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.<ref name="watkins2012">[http://www.watkinsbooks.com/review/watkins-spiritual-100-list-2012 Watkins' Spiritual 100 List for 2012] {{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 Thiruvananthapuram (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 The Huffington Post.<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> * In 2014, Mata Amritanandamayi had refused to accept the Padma awards of 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-12 |title=Ramdev not considered for Padma award, RTI reveals |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Ramdev-not-considered-for-Padma-award-RTI-reveals/article60164429.ece |access-date=2025-01-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-12 |title=Ramdev was not considered for Padma awards: RTI response |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ramdev-was-not-considered-for-padma-awards-rti-response/articleshow/47246766.cms |access-date=2025-01-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> * 2018, Felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for largest contribution to the Government of India's Clean India Campaign Swachh Bharat Mission<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>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/amritanandamayi-gets-honorary-doctorate-from-mysore-varsity/articleshow/68548432.cms]. The Times of India. Retrieved on 20 June 2019.</ref> * 2023, Chair, Civil 20, an official Engagement Groups of the G20<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== * Founder and chairperson, Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math * 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, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amrita.edu/amma |title=About Amma |publisher=Amrita.edu |access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref> * Founder, Amrita Vidyalayam schools * Founder, Amrita Hospitals (Kochi & Faridabad)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aimshospital.org/ |title=Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre | AIMS Hospital, Kochi, Kerala, India |publisher=Aimshospital.org |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=usurped |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> * Parliament of the World's Religions, International Advisory committee member<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/index.cfm?n=1&sn=8 |title=ABOUT US / Honorary International Advisors | 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 Swami Vivekananda'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, Elijah Interfaith Institute 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,Civil 20 (engagement group of G20 India) 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=The Hindu |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 ''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: * 1999 ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEEGpLWjjsw River of Love: A Documentary Drama on the Life of Ammachi]'' * 2000 ''Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends'' – "Indian Gurus" (BBC-TV) * 2005 ''Darshan: The Embrace'' – directed by Jan Kounen * 2007 ''In God's Name'' – directed by Jules and Gédéon Naudet *2015 ''Un plus une – directed by Claude Lelouch starring Jean Dujardin and Elsa Zylberstein'' * 2016 ''Science of Compassion – a Documentary on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi'' — directed by Shekhar Kapur<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==

*Amrita movement

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==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 Janine Canan (Ten Speed Press, {{ISBN|1-58761-214-3}}) *''Getting to Joy: A Western Householder's Spiritual Journey with Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi)'' by Karuna Poole (Shantini Center, {{ISBN|0-9643629-2-9}})

== Further reading ==

*{{cite book|isbn=978-0-520-28113-4 |last= Lucia |first = Amanda |author-link=Amanda Lucia |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. *{{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==

{{commons category|Mata Amritanandamayi}}{{wikiquote}}{{wikiversity|Yoga oracle#96. Mata Amritanandamayi}}  * {{official website|http://www.amritapuri.org/}} * [http://www.embracingtheworld.org/ Embracing the World]

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