Amma’s Birthday; A Celebration of Divine Love

Amma’s Birthday; A Celebration of Divine Love

Amma’s birthday celebrations are over.  In a sense though, they are only a series of spiritual, cultural and charitable activities. Elaborate pujas and yajnas begin in puja rooms and yajna shalas but they don’t end there. Our gurus and scriptures have taught us that God almighty Himself has manifested as the entire creation, and true worship is serving the entire creation, realizing its entire cosmic form. This is why Amma taught us to give equal importance to worship and service.

(“Yajna” refers to Hindu rituals and offering ceremonies normally done in front of a sacred fire.)

We celebrate Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima, birthday of Sage Vyasa, and offer special worship to our Guru. Sage Vyasa taught us the essence of the teachings of the Vedas, that the entire universe is a manifestation of Bhagavan and the entire cosmos is a vast universal family.

We celebrate Ramanavami, the birth of Lord Rama, and also spend one full month reciting His glories in what is popularly known as Ramayana Masa. Sri Ramji also demonstrated in His life that all beings are part of a cosmic family; this was seen on the day of His coronation. Let us learn this great lesson and accept all living beings as a part of our family. Bhagavan was not only born in Ayodhya; let Him be born in our hearts also—that is true worship.

Also, we celebrate Krishna Jayanthi. Let our hearts be Gokul first, then only we truly celebrate Bhagavan Krishna’s birthday. Bhagavan also, in the Bhagavad Gita, says that He Himself is the Supreme Lord who has manifested as the entire universe and true worship is serving all beings in the universe.

(“Krishna Jayanthi” refers to the birthday of Lord Krishna. “Gokul” refers to the region where Lord Krishna lived as a boy and young man.)

One Universal Family

Similarly, we go to Sabarimala where at Erumeli, both the CEO and employee, rich and the poor, intelligent and the dull—all forget their differences and dance as one universal family singing, “Swami Thinthaka Thom—Ayappa Thinthaka Thom.” Again, Adi Shankaracharya, greatest teacher of Advaita, explains that all forms in the universe are only appearances of supreme consciousness.

(“Sabarimala” is a very popular pilgrimage site in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is dedicated to Lord Ayappa.)

But even though we celebrate the birthdays and worship the five Avatars, have we really followed the teachings?

Now, another Avatar has come in the form of our beloved Amma. She was born not only in Parayakadavu, but also in our hearts. Her teachings are the same as the previous five Avatars’. Her teaching is, “Embracing the World” and “Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu.” By nature, we human beings are forgetful, especially of important things. Amma’s birthday, when all of us are together, is one more reminder that we are all beloved children of our Amma—Adiparashakti.

(“Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu.” is a sacred mantra that means “May all beings in all the worlds be happy.” “Adiparashakti” refers to the primordial power of the Divine Mother.)

Author: Swami Amritageetananda

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