This year, Amma’s birthday was honoured as Vishwa Seva Dinam—a day of selfless service. As humankind faces dark times, Amma’s children across the world fed the hungry, conducted public cleanup drives, planted trees, and prayed for world peace. In her message, Amma said that if we move forward with courage and compassion, humanity can still find a way to unite.
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Excerpts from Amma’s Message – September 27, 2026
Amma sees her birthday only as a day of service. In fact, our life becomes meaningful only when the thought “I am born” dissolves. That is the real awakening. That is true rebirth. Yet, Amma is happy when she sees her children performing their duties with a sense of dharma and engaging in selfless service for the welfare of the world. It is through such selfless service that the pure fragrance of divine love fills the heart.
A silent source of power
Grace is not something that comes or goes from somewhere. It is a constant presence. Indeed, the very existence and sustenance of life rests upon divine grace. Grace is the divine power that is the cause of the origin, sustenance, balance and eventual dissolution of everything in creation.
There are many situations in life when human intelligence and abilities fail us. At such times, some unknown factor comes to our aid from an unknown source. That mysterious power that comes from some silent source beyond is what we call “divine grace.” There is always the presence of grace in our lives. But we need to be open to it—like how to experience sunlight, we have to open the doors and the windows.
Machines must not become masters
Today, human beings are immersed in machines. A machine can be a very good servant, but we should never allow it to become our master. We need to bring awareness into our lives and awaken that awareness within us. At present, it is as though we have knowledge but lack true awareness. We have allowed machines to become our masters.
Nowadays, people have even begun talking to computers. They share their sorrows, their pain and the problems that trouble their minds with them. It may respond, “I understand your sadness. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Don’t worry.” But there is no human touch in those words—no love, no genuine feeling. It simply responds to our questions mechanically. That is all.
Science and technology are essential for human life. But becoming overly identified with machines can lead us into great danger. If we blindly follow everything a machine tells us without thinking for ourselves, we may lose our own power of discernment and judgment. Once we lose that discernment, we will not have the inner strength to face a world that is constantly changing.
Giving instead of taking
Change is the one unchanging law of nature. In the beginning, we are in our mother’s womb; in the end, we rest in the vast embrace of Mother Earth. In life, we may live in the hearts of some; after death, we remain in the memories of a few. That is all. Life is merely a passageway through which events and experiences pass.
Humans have learned to swim like a fish and fly like a bird. But we have forgotten how to walk and live like decent humans. Even an earthworm takes birth, procreates and dies. What are we doing that is any different, even though we have a higher human birth? At least the earthworm fertilises the soil during its life.
Humans, on the other hand, leave this world only after exploiting the earth and polluting the environment. We need to reflect on what we can give to the world, rather than focusing on what we can take from it. Wherever a turtle crawls, it leaves a trail in the sand. Similarly, we should strive to leave the mark that will inspire the generations to come.
Love has no limits
Love and service have no limitations of time or place. They are the fundamental principles that sustain nature and all living beings, including humanity. It is this boundless love and selfless service that is implied by the word “dharma.” This selflessness is what we must learn from nature. It is this force of nature that we call “God.”
A rainbow has sevenfold beauty. Wherever they may be in the world, very few people can resist the beauty of a rainbow. A rainbow costs nothing, belongs to no one, yet gives itself freely for everyone. It lasts only for a few moments. And yet, that wonder in the sky brings joy to all, expecting nothing from anyone. But what is society like today?
Drug addiction is more dangerous war
Everyone seems to be living mainly for themselves. The traditional joint-family has disappeared, neighbourhood bonds have weakened and people have become increasingly isolated. If we try, we can at least preserve the sense of community among neighbours. Otherwise, we risk becoming isolated and falling into unhealthy dependencies, including addiction to drugs.
Today, because of the decline in values, society is gradually losing its balance and harmony. How many young people who could have done so much good for the world are instead destroying their lives addicted to drugs? We are all concerned about the external wars, but a more dangerous war that we should be really afraid of is the drug menace.
Youngsters who could bloom and spread happiness like fragrant flowers are getting destroyed in the bud stage by these pests called drugs. There has to be counselling facilities available in educational institutions as well.
There is always the presence of grace in our lives. But we need to be open to it.
Amma
Pollution of the mind
Today’s educational system is like going to the gym and only working out our arms. This would develop only our biceps while the rest of our body atrophies and becomes deformed. Similarly, our present educational system only aims at developing our intellect and memory and transforms human beings into the most productive machines.
When values are missing in the youth, there is a decline in the moral fabric of society. Crimes like rape are reported to be increasing as people’s minds get polluted by all the negative things they see on their phones and also due to their addiction to intoxicants.
There are two types of education: education for a living and education for life. When we study in college, striving to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer, this is education for a living. On the other hand, education for life requires an understanding of the essential principles of spirituality. The main purpose of education should be to impart a culture of the heart—a culture based on enduring values.
A subtle GPS
Spiritual understanding is like using GPS. The GPS of spiritual knowledge helps us peacefully travel along the unpredictable roads of life without getting lost. We may have to face many challenging situations in this lifetime. But the good deeds we do in this life will serve as a shock-absorber. Having a good shock-absorber in our vehicle doesn’t change the quality of the roads, but it reduces the impact of a bad road on our body.
We lack awareness in thought, word and deed. Either we act without thinking or think without acting. Both are problematic. Currently, when a thought rises in our mind, it immediately manifests as words or actions. There is no time gap between our thoughts and actions.
As a result, we are unable to control our emotions. When the light of awareness shines, there will be a time gap between our thoughts and our actions. When this gap is present, we will acquire the capacity to forgive and stand aside from the situation with a witness attitude.
How many young people who could have done so much good for the world are instead destroying their lives addicted to drugs?
Amma
Time lost can never be found
We often realise the value of time only after we have lost it. A year, a month, a week, a day, an hour, a minute, even a second—each has its own importance and value, depending on the circumstances. We often say, “Let me browse on my phone to pass the time.”
But in reality, it’s not time that is being passed—we are the ones losing out. Our lifespan is slipping away. With each passing day, we grow older. With every passing moment, it is our life that is slowly slipping away.
In the infinite span of time, each of our lives is like a tiny bubble. It could burst at any time. Our next breath may be our last. Even the next moment is not in our hands. So, without wasting time on insignificant interpersonal conflicts, we should try to do as much good as possible in the present moment.
Forward, always forward
Life can move forwards only by facing challenges. As a river flows, it encounters forests, hills, mountains, valleys and many other obstacles along its path. Yet the river never stops. It overcomes every obstacle and continues to flow. The river has a mantra: Forward, always forward.
Life is much the same. Day and night, happiness and sorrow, summer and winter, spring and autumn—all keep changing. Like a butterfly or a honeybee that moves from flower to flower in search of nectar, we too must keep moving forward.
A computer can be divided into two parts, hardware and software. Roughly speaking, hardware refers to the external parts that we can see, while software refers to the internal part that we cannot see. But these two are not really different because neither can the hardware function without the software and vice versa.
So, too, it is with the visible world of name and form and its internal, invisible power. The visible world around us is only the hardware. Like the software that connects a vast computer network, the indivisible consciousness and power that connects everything in the visible world and makes it work perfectly is called God, or the supreme consciousness. We need to maintain an awareness of this power when we perform each and every action.
Life can move forwards only by facing challenges.
Amma
The mantra that gains power when unspoken
All letters are innocent. It is the words formed by putting them together that make us laugh, think and sometimes even cry. All mantras are made up of letters. The truth is that there are no letters unworthy of becoming a mantra, no roots unworthy of becoming medicine, and no human being who is inherently unworthy.
Love is a mahā-mantra. It is a mantra that gives one the strength to face any kind of challenge. But it is not a mantra to be chanted with the lips. It must be chanted with the heart. It has to be expressed through our words and actions. It is a divine mantra that helps one to accept others as they are and gives them relief from their sorrows.
If it becomes a part of life, distance disappears and the feeling of closeness prevails. All sorrows disappear. As love grows within, compassion, patience, prosperity and beauty grow along with it. A kind word, a kind look, a gentle smile or a small act of help. All these have the power to uplift and renew others.
Often, such small acts can give others the hope and motivation they need to keep going and to live with renewed strength. They can bring about a wonderful transformation, not only in others, but also within ourselves. This is rebirth—a new beginning.
Amma offers her children to the Paramātmā, praying that they may have strength, devotion, love and faith. And may these qualities guide their thoughts, words, actions, and lives towards the welfare of all.
॥ ॐ लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ॥
Lokah Samasthah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy
