Anandamayi Ma Resource Portal

Anandamayi Ma

“Devote yourself to the study of books of wisdom and to satsang. Cherish the company of those who are helpful to your quest, avoid those who distract you. In other words, hold fast to the Good and shun the merely pleasurable. If you live in this spirit, the help you need will come to you naturally”. —Sri Anandamayi Ma

Satsang with Anandamayi Ma

Anandamayi Ma gave oral teachings in response to the questions of an enormous number of people from all walks and stations of life. She wrote no books or articles. Her satsangs remain one of the primary ways that we can receive Her teachings today. Atmananda, Ma’s English-language translator, worked closely with Brahmachari Kamal Bhattacharjee, a Pandit who devoted his life to recording Ma’s satsangs in Bengali with meticulous concern for accuracy. Together, they produced the most definitive record of Her words.

Words Of Sri Anandamayi Ma
Translated by Atmananda. The principal book of Mataji’s discourses in English. Free.
Mother Reveals Herself
A must-read, newly released book of Ma’s conversations with one of her principle disciples – Chandra Jyotish Roy (Bhaiji). This is Ma at her most intimate talking about her birth, her early years, and giving instruction in practice. Available in English for the first time. One of the very best books of Ma’s teachings now available. To order, write to matrilila@gmail.com. The cost is $22USD.
The Essential Sri Anandamayi Ma
Includes a good biography by a devotee, a selection of discourses from Words of Sri Anandamayi Ma (available in full above), and a wealth of photographs. Beautifully produced and good for starters if you keep in mind that all efforts to summarize Ma’s teachings pale in comparison to her own words.
Matri Vani (Mother’s Words) Volume I
A collection of short excerpts from Anandamayi Ma’s dictated letters to some of Her devotees. Translated by Atmananda. Free.
Matri Vani Volume II
A second collection of excerpts from letters and conversations. Translated by Atmananda. Free.
Order Ma books and audio CDs
You may want an alternative to reading Ma’s words online. A wide variety of publications and recordings can be ordered from the Anandamayi Ma Ashram bookstall in Kankhal, India at low cost.

Return to top

Ma’s Darshan

Darshan means to see. By seeing Guru and being seen by Her, we can directly see more of Reality and thereby progress in our spiritual unfoldment. This can happen to some extent (not to the full extent) even through the medium of a picture of Guru. For this reason, Ma instructed that photographs of herself always remain free of charge.

Click on a thumbnail photo to see the full image.

For hundreds of photos of Anandamayi Ma, visit the Photo Gallery and the Photo Collection at the Anandamayi sangha resource website. A new collection of photos has been put up at the official India sangha website.

Return to top

Biographies of Anandamayi Ma

Om Ma–Anandamayi Ma, A Short Life Sketch
A readable and very inexpensive biography by Swami Mangalananda.
The Life and Teachings of Sri Ma Anandamayi by Bithika Mukerji
One of the best biographies of Ma by a disciple who grew up in her presence and later became an academic. This book is hard to find outside of India in its un-excerpted form. Bagchee Books is very reliable, fast and inexpensive (link above). Otherwise, look for it at other online sellers.
The Life and Teachings of Sri Anandamayima by Alexander Lipski
The full version of the shorter biography offered in The Essential Anandamayi Ma.
Ananadamayi: Her Life and Wisdom by Richard Lannoy
An excellent biography, wonderful excerpts of Ma’s words translated by Atmananda, and some of the most spectacular photographs ever taken of Ma. This is a great book for those who are new to Ma and also for those who want a book to treasure for life. A text only version is available online, and cheaper copies may be available from India.
Mother of Bliss by Lisa Lassell Hallstrom
A readable, scholarly biography with a feminist perspective.
New and Used Books about Anandamayi Ma from ABEBooks
If you want to order books from an online seller, ABE is your best bet. They have the widest selection.

Return to top

Life with Anandamayi Ma

Many of Ma’s devotees have written memoirs of their lives with Her. In addition, Ma encouraged some to keep a spiritual diary. These writings present a fascinating portrait of what it means, on a very personal, day-to-day level, to be a disciple of a great Guru.

Death Must Die by Atmananda and Ram Alexander
A riveting, blow-by-blow diary of a Western woman disciple’s life with Anandamayi Ma. Very expensive new. Buy it used! Note: You can download a shorter version of this diary published under the title As The Flower Sheds its Fragrance.
My Days with Sri Ma Anandamayi by Bithika Mukerji
A wonderful book about day-to-day life with Ma by a writer whose entire family were devotees. Buy it used, or order it cheaper from Bagchee Books in India.
Sri Anandamayi Ma: a 20th Century Mystic
A moving personal reflection about Ma by Umananda, an American disciple. Click to download the article.
Encountering Bliss: My Journey Through India with Anandamayi by Melita Maschmann
Another classic account of a Western disciple’s encounter with Ma.
Mother as Revealed to Me by Bhaiji
Anandamayi Ma’s principal disciple writes movingly of his life with his Guru. Free.

Return to top

Anandamayi Ma Sings Kirtan

Listening to Anandamayi Ma singing kirtan can be a revelation, especially for those who might be wondering just what the name of God is all about.

Ma Durga
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Shree Guru Sharanam
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Ma talking, laughing and singing solo
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Multimedia Page at Anandamayi.org
Kirtan sung by several adept devotees and by Ma herself. The final section contains short video clips of Ma.

Return to top

Anandamayi Ma in the Movies

We are lucky to have many home movies and two documentaries featuring Anandamayi Ma. As is the case with all Realized beings, simply watching Her speak, move and interact is a teaching and a transmission.