BY VEENA RAO
Photos by Dr. B.K Mohan

During her brief lecture during the final day of the Kumbhabhishekham celebrations at the HTA Siva temple, Amma Karunamayi exhorted devotees to offer Lord Shiva bilva patram (bel leaves) to symbolically denounce all ego and negativity within oneself and adopt spirituality.

“The temple is an energy center,” she said. “Let the energy spread to give peace to people in hospitals, jails, work places and to those who are lonely.”

“Spiritual practices like selfless seva and meditation grant us the highest purity in life and a connection with the God within our hearts,” she said.

“Elevate yourself,” was Amma’s message to the devotees. “Repeat God’s name 108 times. If you do not have time to do that, repeat his name 54 times. If that is difficult, repeat his name 27 times. If your busy lifestyle doesn’t let you enough time even for that, then at least one time,” she said.

Speaking about the importance of contentment, Amma Karunamayi said the western world was plagued with innumerable challenges. There was too much emptiness and no inner values, no destination. On the other hand, India had poverty, but people there are more contented.

“Contentment is natural wealth,” she said and added, “Live your life the same way, but have God in your heart. Work in society until the end of your breath. Be a real sage inside. Do not bow to ego or selfishness.”

“Burn your karma during this lifetime through spiritual practices and the art of giving,” she concluded.