It was a day to honour the Guru as both the moon of love, which dispels sorrow and brings joy, and the sun of wisdom, which destroys the darkness of ignorance.
“The Guru leads the disciple from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality—a debt that can never truly be repaid,” said Amma during this year’s Guru Pūrṇima address in Amritapuri.
“Guru Pūrṇima is a symbol of the disciple’s surrendering a heart full of gratitude at the feet of the Guru, who severs the bonds of countless lifetimes.”
Amma said the Guru is ever-present, visible in all her children and in nature itself, which constantly teaches through countless examples. She emphasised that learning to share selflessly is the highest lesson.
“Only those who have truly gained can give, and only those who know can impart knowledge—this is the true role of the Guru.”
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, her most senior disciple, led pada puja, the washing of the Guru’s feet as a symbol of reverence. Deeply inspired by his surrender, everyone expressed love and devotion to Amma as a mother to all who have sought refuge in her.
In a state of humility, Swamiji shared how we cannot understand who Amma really is through mere thinking and forming thoughts based on words, images and projections created by our minds.
“Watch your mind when I say, ‘your mind’. It’s mine also. So don’t think that I am excluding myself. I’m included,” he expressed.
“To gain at least a basic understanding, one needs deep observation and meditation. And then when you attune yourself with the Guru—with the Guru’s being—then your heart decodes every single movement of Amma. Even without uttering a word.”
The celebrations radiated Amma’s love and compassion as she led meditation and prayers for world peace and then her uplifting bhajans, instilling minds with hope.
Swamiji then conducted a Nadopasana musical set eloquently performed by more than 250 disciples, devotees, and children. For days, they practised fine tuning traditional rhythms, melodies, and instrumental solos in anticipation of expressing their love for Amma. She observed each and every musician, beaming with joy.
The traditions for Guru Pūrṇima began at 5am as pujaris and pujarinis led ancient fire rituals to remove obstacles, Maha Ganapati Homa, and a homa to honour the Guru. One hundred women and 60 men led the prayers.
The day also included Amma’s release of the book “An Introduction to Indian Jurisprudence,” authored by Dr. K. S. Radhakrishnan, former Vice Chancellor of Kalady Sanskrit University and Former Chairman of the Kerala Public Service Commission.
Happily expressing his faithful commitment, he shared the publication was prepared for the newly launched Amrita International School of Law in honour of a vision that is both scholarly and compassionate.
This pioneering work marks a significant milestone in the restoration of India’s rich and ancient legal philosophy, which has long been overshadowed by colonial influences. It provides a unique opportunity to engage with the philosophy of law through a lens that integrates Vedic tradition, epistemology, Dharma, and Karma.
And then as Amma began giving darshan, youth joyfully presented traditional South Indian dances, including a combination of Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali. The exuberant music, graceful movements, and colourful costumes charmed all.
From across India to around the world, from long-time devotees to people meeting Amma for the first time—all were grateful to take part in these unique expressions of love and reverence for her as a Guru in the form of the Universal Mother.
