Mata Amritanandamayi in Lucknow

Lucknow, Mar 23 (UNI) Mata Amritanandamayi, the ''Amma'' from Kerala, showered warmth and blessings on a sea of devotees here last night.

Attired in her dressed in the signature starched white sari, Mata Amritanandamayi sat long hours without a break to hug each and every devotee waiting in queue for her darshan.

Tripurari from Baharaich, Amita from Lucknow, Kuldip Sirohi from Meerut and countless others had waited for her since early evening to late night.

Earlier, she addressed devotees on a variety of topics from austere conduct in daily life to the menace of terrorism.

''It is not the government which should be held responsible for the growing reign of terror across the globe, but the commoners equally share the burden with the state. The menace can only be uprooted if a global movement of commoners is launched against the misguided gun wielders thirsty for human blood,'' Amma said.

Amma, to drive home her points on ethical living, said those leading a happy life were doing so as a result of humane acts committed by them in previous births, while those faced with miseries were burdened by their deeds in the past births. Her speech in Malayalam was translated by a volunteer.

The occasion also saw Amma presenting the keys of houses built by her Ashram for destitutes, through Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey, besides financial assistance to the poor.

Among the devotees were Congress MLA Jagadambika Pal and Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Lalji Tandon.

UNI ARS NK PM1357