In the wake of allegations centred around her ashram, Mata Amritanandamayi on Saturday said that the functioning of the ashram is an open book. She said this during her devotional discourse in connection with the anniversary celebrations of the Brahmasthanam Temple in Puthur here.
Mata Amritanandamayi said that people say many things when they are unable to do things as they like or secure what they wished.
“I am trying to forgive and forget such incidents. While forgiving, we have to experience many unpleasant situations,” she said.
Those who nurse enmity towards others are only treading the path of self-destruction. “Every year, we submit the income and expenditure statement of the ashram in Vallikaavu to the government in a proper manner. I have never asked anyone to serve me. On the other hand, I am in the service of others,” she said.
“Had she got the quantity of wealth that others had alleged, she would have adopted the people of the country in its entirety. This is what I would like to do. In the Vallikaavu ashram in Kollam, the religion or caste of any individual is not asked,” she said.
“It is through the sacrifices and hard work of devotees that I am able to serve mankind in this manner. Nobody sits idle without being engaged in any work. Even I have carried mud, stones and cement as a girl. Though many people talk about sacrifices, they themselves do not do anything. Not everyone has learnt the Vedas fully. Every human is bound to err in life. Nothing wrong has occurred in the ashram, as alleged by some people,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued in Kochi, Mata Amritanandamayi said: “Ashram has been filing accounts as per the rules. If I had that much wealth, as alleged, I would have utilised it to wipe out world poverty or at least from India. Ashram is not getting financial support from any religion and there is no membership fee to join the ashram. Ashram gets all the wealth through the contribution of followers” the statement said.
“Ashram is a centre of peace. I believe in love and selfless dedication and that is what I teach my followers. The information is fake. It seems frustrated people are behind this. There is also an attempt to spoil the communal harmony,” it said.