e an effulgence and merged in me. My mind blossomed, bathed in the many-hued light of Divinity, and the events of millions of years gone by rose up within me. Thenceforth, seeing nothing as apart from my own Self, a single Unity, and merging in the universal Mother of Bliss, I gave up the notion that there is happiness apart from the Self." It is in these inspiring words that the Holy Mother, Mata Amrit­ananda­mayi, describes Her realization of oneness with the Divine while yet in Her teens. This book, Mata Amrit­ananda­mayi, vividly portrays the Mother's courage and intense devotion to God in the face of attacks by Her unsympathetic relatives and hostile detractors who sought to destroy Her, as they feared the changes brought about by Her universal love. From Her childhood itself, Amma was endowed with an ineffable love for God, and She immersed Herself in that quest, even without a Guru. Treated as a servant by Her family, the Mother continued in that role until Her conscious absorption in the bliss of God-Realization made it impossible for Her to discharge Her endless chores. Crazy to all appearances, the Mother spent Her time in meditation, devotional singing and dancing, totally absorbed in God Consciousness. In due course, may sincere seekers of Self-Realization sought Her out in Her remote village in Southern India and found guidance and gained the strength to walk in the spiritual path. Millions have come for a glimpse of the Holy Mother and received comforting reassurance and love. Those that have seen Her have experienced the wonderful healing and rejuvenating effect of the unconditional love that Mothers showers on all. This Book Is In English. Published By The Disciples Of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Affectionately Known As Mother, Or Amma The Hugging Saint.