Narrator:
Bowing to the Gupta Sadhaka Sri Sri Shyamakhyapa. Greetings, from Shantikunja, we begin the program today. Let's all listen to Gurudev's invaluable words together.
Speaker 1:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, pranam.
Speaker 1:
Today, we would like to hear from you about Mother Anandamayi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Oh, I see. Yes, Mother Anandamayi. Many people have seen her. Many of those who are still alive have spent time in her company. A lot of people were with her in the later part of her life. She spent her final years in Kankhal, Dehradun. She stayed in the ashram located there for many years. Many people still living had the privilege of her proximity. She lived for 86 years. She was born on April 30, 1896, so it was around the turn of the century. She passed away on August 27, 1982, in Dehradun. She was entombed (Samadhi) in her ashram there. Her original name was Nirmala Sundari. Her father was Bipin Bihari Bhattacharya. She was born in the village of Kheora in Brahmanbaria, which is a famous place in Bangladesh. That village is quite well-known. Brahmanbaria is a significant place where many great figures have been born. Her mother was Mokshada Sundari Devi. It is said that when she was born, unlike other babies whom the midwife or nurse would dip in warm or cold water to make them cry—tilting them upside down to ensure they are healthy, as not crying could lead to a blue complexion and death—she was an exception. She didn't cry at birth, and despite all efforts, she wouldn't cry.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, during her naming ceremony, her parents, Bipin Bihari Bhattacharya and Mokshada Sundari Devi, named her Nirmala. She possessed a divine glow from birth that many might have witnessed. Her parents saw a formidable radiance, hence the name Nirmala—meaning pure, without any blemish. As she grew older, at the Siddheshwari Kali Temple in Dhaka, she performed many divine acts even at that young age. It was there, in Chittagong, that Jyotish Chandra Roy, after observing her closely, named her Mother Anandamayi. Before that, she was Nirmala Sundari, the name given by her parents. Jyotish Chandra Roy, upon careful observation, called her Mother Anandamayi. Even today, the Siddheshwari Kali Temple exists in Dhaka, where she displayed many divine leelas (miracles).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Since her childhood, she was enrolled in school, but as far as studies go, it was a zero. She didn't pursue academics, but her teachers used to say she was a brilliant student. However, she was always immersed in a sea of divine thoughts. In those days, Kirtans (devotional singing) were common. If there was a Kirtan at someone's house, she would go. There, she would often appear drowsy or in a trance. Her parents would tell her to listen to the Kirtan, but she, in that state of divine trance—not sleep, but a spiritual state—would hear the sound of Krishna's flute or the tinkling of Radha's anklets. She never got overly excited about anything. She was almost always in a state of divine Samadhi. She had a certain radiance in her body, which many people witnessed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, as she grew up, her parents arranged her marriage. She was married to Ramani Mohan Chakravarty from Brahmanbaria. He was also a Bhattacharya. The marriage took place in Vikrampur, Dhaka. It is said that on their wedding night, her husband found her in a deep state of meditation (Dhyana). He was afraid even to touch her body. He was struck by her state—who was this person he had married? Someone so detached and radiant. Later, in that very room, he bowed down and touched her feet in respect. This is the story. In that divine state, he perceived her as Nirmala Sundari or Mother Anandamayi—the Mother of the Universe. He immediately bowed to her feet. Her husband was known as 'Ram Pagla' (Ram the Mad) in Western India. Ramani Mohan was later known by everyone there as Ram Pagla. He looked upon Mother Anandamayi with immense respect and devotion. He recognized her as the Mother of the Universe, having tested and observed her many times without finding any flaw. She was a profound devotee of Krishna. Whenever there was Krishna's Name-sankirtan or Kirtan, she would be overwhelmed with emotion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As she grew older, she travelled to Kamakhya with her husband. There, her husband worshipped her as the Mother of the Universe. It was there she received the title of Mother of the Universe from her husband's worship in the Kamakhya temple. Later, she visited a Shiva pilgrimage site—Vaidyanath. There too, she performed many divine acts and showed various miraculous powers (Vibhuti). People were increasingly drawn to her, and her followers grew significantly. Her radiance was such that anyone who touched her or saw her once would never turn away; they all believed she was the Mother of the Universe. Importantly, she never had a physical relationship with her husband, and thus had no children. Her husband never touched her body in that way. We see a similar instance with Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Mother Sarada Devi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
From Vaidyanath, Mother Anandamayi travelled across the length and breadth of India, visiting all the major temples. She didn't miss a single one. Then she went to Kailash. There, she performed penance to Lord Mahadeva. She also showed many divine acts there. It was in Kailash that Mother Anandamayi initiated her husband. Those who were there witnessed her divine trance and spiritual powers. She was always in a state of spiritual intoxication. She didn't engage much in conversation because she was perpetually immersed in that sea of divine thought. She didn't like small talk, jokes, or idle gossip. She spoke very briefly. People would come to bow to her, and she wouldn't say much.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Once, she came to Kolkata. At that time, Chittaranjan Das was still alive. Looking at his wife's forehead, she predicted that she would soon become a widow, which eventually happened. His daughter, Aparna, became a devoted follower of the Mother and took over many of her responsibilities. After returning from Kailash, the Mother settled in Kankhal. She lived there for a long time. She passed away at the age of 86. By then, she was very well-known. Prominent people from all over India would visit this Sanyasini and bow to her. However, meeting her wasn't always easy; one had to book an appointment, especially for influential people. Indira Gandhi was a frequent visitor. The Mother once gave her a garland and a one-faced Rudraksha bead, telling her never to lose it and to chant with it. As far as I know, Indira Gandhi used to chant with it and would visit the Mother whenever she felt troubled or faced a crisis. We've seen that the Mother had long matted hair (Jata) in her later years. She was entombed (Samadhi) in her own ashram in Kankhal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's a very beautiful environment. You might know that Kankhal is the place of King Daksha, where the famous Daksha-yajna took place. Opposite the Mother's ashram, there is a large Shiva temple. Brahma and Vishnu had come there for Parvati's wedding. When Gauri (Parvati) was performing penance at Gauri-kund, Lord Mahadeva, pleased with her penance, asked what she wanted. She said she wanted him as her husband. He agreed. King Daksha heard of this and was very critical, calling Shiva a beggar who couldn't even feed himself. But Gauri remained steadfast. At the wedding, the priests asked for Shiva's lineage (Gotra). Shiva replied that he was 'Gotrahin'—he had no lineage. This caused a stir as, in those days, a girl wouldn't be married to someone without a lineage. Daksha was unwilling, and the wedding was on the verge of breaking. Then Narayana and Brahma appeared and explained to Daksha that Shiva is the primordial being, existing before the world itself, so he has no lineage. Daksha reluctantly agreed, though he was still angry. Later, when Daksha performed a yajna, Sati (Gauri) went there. When her husband was insulted and humiliated, and Shiva had warned her not to go, she couldn't bear the insults. She immolated herself in the yajna fire. This is where Daksha-yajna took place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, Mahadeva came, took Sati's body on his shoulder, and to destroy the yajna, he plucked a strand of his hair, creating Virabhadra. Virabhadra was ordered to destroy everything. Even Daksha's head was cut off. When Shiva was taking Sati's body, Daksha's wife begged him, fearing she would become a widow. Shiva then told them to replace Daksha's head with that of a goat that was lying nearby. He wanted to show that Daksha had performed a yajna without Shiva. So, Daksha's house, known as Dakshapur, is right opposite the Mother's ashram. She lived there, but also visited Vrindavan, Tarapith, and many other places across India. She established an ashram wherever she went.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
One of my friends, Swapan Mukherjee, was very close to her and served as her secretary. Mother entrusted him with many responsibilities. He was a prominent industrialist from Kolkata whom I knew well. Even his son. Swapan Mukherjee left everything—money, business—to be with the Mother. She gave him the responsibility of managing the finances. He served faithfully even after her passing. I visited Haridwar seven or eight years ago when he invited me. He showed me around the Mother's ashram and even fed me Shiva-prasad (consecrated rice). He took great care of me. It's about a 20-minute ride by cycle or auto from Haridwar.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mother was always in a state of divine bliss. She didn't talk much because she was always in that 'Bhava-sagara' (ocean of divine emotion). Many people came to her, but she didn't treat anyone as particularly her own; she was the same to everyone. Everyone was drawn to her, especially by that radiance. I know that towards the end, when she was 86, people would cut pieces of her matted hair or her cloth to wear in amulets (Maduli). I've seen this myself. They would sit near her and take bits of her hair or cloth. I know this very well.
Speaker 1:
Friends, please subscribe to the Gupta Sadhaka Shyama Khyapa YouTube channel, like it, and leave a comment in the comment box. Watch more of Gurudev's new videos and listen to his invaluable words. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Their relationship remained entirely spiritual, much like that of Sri Ramakrishna and Mother Sarada Devi. Ramani Mohan eventually worshipped her as the Mother of the Universe at the Kamakhya temple, where she officially received that title. Later, at Kailash, she even initiated her own husband into spiritual life. She travelled across India, visiting every major temple and establishing ashrams, yet she spoke very little, preferring to remain immersed in the 'Bhava-sagara' (ocean of divine emotion).