Profile of Hindu Saint Anandamayi Ma
The First Female Spiritual Guru of Modern India
Born in Kheora, East Bengal (modern Bangladesh) in 1896, Anandamayi Ma was then called Nirmala Sundari (meaning "immaculate beauty" in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit). She was embraced by ordinary people of her time as well as the greatest saints, scholars and politicians of India, including Mahatma Gandhi (who met her in 1942) and Indira Gandhi (who was an admirer of Anandamayi Ma since childhood).
A Self-Realized Sage
On August 3, 1922, Nirmala Sundari broke the Hindu religious tradition by initiating herself as Anandamayi Ma: an enlightened being and universal mother. "Anandamayi Ma" literally translates from Sanskrit as "bliss-permeated Mother."
Yoga philosophy teaches that the guru, the mantra he or she imparts as part of initiation and the disciple are already unified. Believed to be established in a higher spiritual reality, Anandamayi Ma dramatized this unity by simultaneously serving as the teacher and the student during initiation, with her higher self imparting the mantra to her lower self.
Anandamayi Ma was a Compassionate and Fearless Spirit
Anandamayi Ma began life as a semi-literate village girl from Bengal who became a radical example of a truly liberated woman. She was someone who served everyone who came to her as if they were her own children while remaining completely detached from them at the same time.
She served others unconditionally and never worried if those she served were appropriately grateful to her. She traveled extensively throughout India without displaying fear. True to the meaning of her name, Anandamayi Ma perceived nothing but the bliss that she identified as the core of her being - and that of all beings. Indian mystical literature makes references to how traveling throughout the country without a cent for a person with her level of awareness is just as simple as strolling through a park.
An Inspirational Presence
Anandamayi Ma's greatest contribution was indeed not as much about what she did or said, but more related to who she was. She inspired millions of people in India and throughout the world with her purity and presence. She modeled states of spiritual perfection that yoga students ordinarily can only read about in books. Many of her devotees asked her the question "Who are you?" She replied, "I am whatever you think me to be." Anandamayi Ma was a mirror of what is purest within the human.
Teachings of Anandamayi Ma
Unlike many other spiritual gurus, Anandamayi Ma did not lecture or write. She simply lived every moment in a divine blissful state, which enabled those who came into contact with her to experience a higher level of consciousness. She did not believe she served others, because she didn't see others as separate from herself. To soothe the pain of others was the same to her as relieving her own pain.
Promoting Religious Tolerance
Though Anandamayi Ma was part of the Hindu religion, she supported her followers in any spiritual practice they had. She believed that all dogmas and beliefs were one. For example, if someone was a devoted Catholic, but wanted to be initiated into meditation, she would give this person Jesus' name as his or her mantra.
Unlike some teachers who forbid devotees from following other saints, Anandamayi Ma never placed an emphasis on loyalty. This, however, tended to cause her followers to become even more devoted to her.
Anandamayi Ma was a unique spirit and a pioneer for the emergence of feminine leadership in Indian spirituality. Her legacy continues to live on in over 25 ashrams dedicated to her in North India. Readers might also enjoy reading The Spiritual Side of Yoga: An Inspirational Approach to Healing.
Sources:
Johnsen, Linda; Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India,1994.
Anandamayi Ma is one of India's great women sages.
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