Anandamayi Ma

"God's true being cannot be described, for when speaking of being, there is the opposite of non-being. When trying to express Him by language, He becomes imperfect."

- Anandamayi Ma

Anandamayi Ma was born in 1896 and exhibited unique characteristics as a very young child, learning all Bengali vowels and consonants in one day, entering trances during discourses and chanting and, later, deep samadhis. She married young and, remarkably, her given husband bacame a follower early on.

Although she was never initiated into a sect by deeksha and mantra, Ma Anandamayee initiated herself using rituals she visualized and mantras she heard inwardly. As she began her sadhana, followers came in droves. During these intense periods of travel, Ma Anandamayee frequently forgot to eat altogether, creating deep concern for her health.

"Either melt by devotion the sense of separateness, or burn it by knowledge—for what is it that melts or burns? Only that which by its nature can be melted or burnt; namely the idea that something other than your Self exists. What will happen then? You come to know your Self."  - Anandamayi Ma

Her legacy was one of service, intense spiritual practice, and detachment from the world. Her approach was integral, believing that devotion was the important common element rather than the diety involved. She cited verse both from the Holy Koran, performed Namaz, and explained the essense of the Bible to a Christian follower. All were the manisfestation of One Truth.

Click here to read Anandamayi Ma's Aphorisms.

Click here to read Matri Vani by Anandaqmayi Ma.