Mother of Millions
For some she is an academic leader. For some she is a global humanitarian. For some she is a spiritual guide. For Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, each is true. She has dedicated her every breath to selflessly loving and serving all. She brings each one of us whatever is needed—refuge for the suffering, knowledge for the learner, grace for the seeker. And so across the world she is known simply as Amma.
— Amma
Amma’s Vision
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham was established in 2003 with Amma’s clear vision: compassion-driven research that unites scientific rigor with spiritual knowledge. Her philosophy guides each action, from the classroom to the laboratory to the field. The result is concrete humanitarian work that uplifts people facing hardship, helps heal the planet, and inspires selfless service in the hearts of students and faculty. In this way, the University contributes to Amma’s initiatives across the world.
Where Amma’s Vision
Takes Shape
When Knowledge
Meets Love
Compassion
in Action
Amma’s humanitarian work began in Keralam in 1981. Today, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) is a global network of volunteer-run national and regional nonprofit organisations in 50+ countries.
In 2005, MAM was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in recognition of its extensive humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts.
People given ₹898 crore ($94m) in free healthcare
delivered for disaster relief
villages served across India
homes built for the homeless
women empowered with livelihoods
AmritaSREE self-help groups for women
Jivamritam water purification stations deployed across 12 states
students reached with Amrita RITE tablet tutoring in rural & tribal areas
global participants in Integrated Amrita Meditation & Amrita Yoga
students granted continuous Amrita Vidyamritam scholarships for basic & secondary education
lifetime pensions for widows, women in poverty, & people with disabilities
Meals Served Across the World Each Year
A Mother’s Voice that
Knows No Borders
Amma has never sought recognition, never campaigned, never asked to be heard. Yet, over the past three decades, the world’s most prominent platforms have asked for her guidance. From the United Nations to the Vatican, from the Parliament of World Religions to the G20, her voice has reached rooms where global decisions are made. And in these rooms, she has spoken the same words she says to a single person in darshan: love more, fear less.
On August 29, 2000, Amma spoke at the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious & Spiritual Leaders held at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City. It was the first and only time her mother tongue, Malayalam, was spoken in an official address.
— Amma
Her Arms Are Open to All
Amma embraces one and all with her unconditional love—people of all faiths, all nationalities, all walks of life. She spends nearly every day giving her darshan, once continuing for over 22 hours without a break. In 1987, she began traveling the world in search of her children.
People embraced
countries
A Little Girl Who Could Not
Look Away
In 1953, Amma was born in a small fishing village in the Kollam district of Kerala and named Sudhamani—jewel of divine grace. As a young girl, she was deeply troubled by the suffering she witnessed. Some families did not even have enough to give their children a single meal.
She began to help in whatever way she could. Food for the hungry. Care for the abandoned. Rescue for those drowning in debt.
As the distressed began to come to her, she responded with a gesture unheard of in her village—consoling both men and women with an embrace. Thus, it was the villagers who began to call little Sudhamani “Amma”.
Universal Motherhood
When each person arrives in Amma’s arms, she listens. Many open their hearts to share their sorrows, and drying their tears, she learns of the challenges they face in life—from extreme poverty to family violence to grave illnesses.
Amma compassionately consoles them and initiates solutions, both for the individual and then as massive humanitarian projects that are direct and practical. Her work not only relieves people of their pain, but instills them with the courage to move forward in life.
In the end, most of those Amma reaches through her initiatives have never even met her.
Amma is the embodiment of India’s grand mission. Amma is the embodiment of the fulfilment of the hopes and aspirations of tens of millions of poor people.
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Every one of us—the rich and the poor—can give. There is no greater message than Amma’s giving to all the people of the region, and Keralam, and India, and to the world.
Former President of India & Renowned Aerospace Scientist
Amma, the Universal Mother, has been able to provide love and compassion for people throughout the length and breadth of the world through her loving embrace. For the last three decades, millions of people were transformed into angels by her touching their hearts.
World-Renowned Primatologist & UN Messenger of Peace
