About the Book Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee was often heard saying, "I am what I was and what I shall be. I am whatever you conceive, think or say ... this body is the material embodiment of all your thoughts and ideas. You all have wanted it and you have it now."

To many, Ma was joy, peace and compassion incarnate. To many a forlorn and dejected heart, Ma's benign presence and silent communication provided solace, purpose and direction in life. All those who came in contact with her felt that her relationship with all was truly that of a universal Divine Mother - One of warmth, compassion, concern and affection.

Common man apart, the Sadhu Samaj of this ancient land of glorious spiritual culture remained completely enthralled by her saintliness and celestial serenity that conformed with the spiritual truths of our heritage.

"Meditation should be practised everyday of one's life. Look, what is there in this world? Absolutely nothing that is lasting; therefore direct your longing towards the Eternal. Pray that the work done through you - His instrument - may be pure. In every action remember Him. The purer your thinking, the finer will be your work.

In this world you get a thing, and by tomorrow it may be gone. This is why your life should be spent in the spirit of service; feel that the Lord is accepting services from you in whatever you do. If you desire peace you must cherish Him.

Just try to understand that everything is His manifestation. He manifests Himself in different ways - such as kindness, grace, tenderness, prayer and He appears to you as you would like to see Him. He reflects Himself in your consciousness. When you view Him with all supplicating humility He manifest Himself as the all merciful Lord."

Back of the Book Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee (May 1, 1896 - August 27, 1982) was the manifestation of the Supreme. She was such that the most austere spiritual practice was only a "play" as She had nothing to achieve or gain. In 1922 at Bajitpur, on being asked, she revealed her true identity spontaneously as "Purna Brahma Narayan" (Narayan, the Absolute).

Hers was a wonderful life of a mystic, full of startling incidents which testify to the fact that "Truth is often stranger than fiction", and yet She was perfection personified. Since she preferred obscurity and willed no public focus on Herself, few in recent times are familiar with the story of her earlier life.

She was the very embodiment of the Divine, to whom were attracted the pauper and the prince, leaders and commoners, saints and householders, across continents, who looked upto her for guidance in both material and spiritual fields. She radiated spiritual ecstasy, diffusing 'Bliss' (Ananda) all around her.

This book is an English rendering from the Bengali manuscript, which Shri Bhaiji, an ardent devotee of Shree Shree Ma, faithfully recorded with infinite care and precision from her sayings on many occasions covering the early period of Matri Lila.

It is hoped that this translation will fulfil the long-felt desire of Shree Ma's countless devotees to know more about Ma, and through Her own words, find guidance in their quest for the unknowable. While going through the pages they may also gain some idea of that unique phenomenon of our time -Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee.

Preface Bhaiji (Jyotish Chandra Roy) received Ma's blessings in abundant measure. In private and without reservations, She allowed him to be in close proximity to Her; and making use of that golden opportunity, he asked Her diverse spiritual questions, and noted Her responses daily in his diary. This diary was the treasure trove providing inspiration for such books as Sad-Vani, Wart Darshan, Sri Charane, and Dwadash Vani.

In the Preface to the second edition of Matri Darshan in Bengali (dated January 6, 1948) Ma's disciple, Gangacharan Dasgupta, (Bhaiji's uncle) had written, "There is another lengthy book written in Bhaiji's own hand, in which he has written down accounts of many events of Her life as related to him by ma Herself, almost exactly in Her own words. A lot of the material from that book has been briefly presented in his book, Matri-Darshan." This was later translated in English as Mother as Revealed to Me.

Before leaving for Mt. Kailash with Shree Shree Ma and Pitaji, Bhaiji handed over the manuscript of the entire book, written in Bengali, to Dasgupta with the request that he edit it as required, and have it printed as soon as possible. On the way back from Lake Manasarovar Bhaiji passed away in Almora, on August 18, 1937 (Jhulan Dwadashi). Within a short time of his passing, Matri Darshan was published by Dasgupta.

The remaining part of the manuscript, still unedited, was kept by Dasgupta, till, after some time, it was taken over by Gurupriya Devi (Didi). In all probability, the manuscript remained in Didi's care until 1955. The existence of this manuscript remained unknown to most disciples. In May 1956, Ma's 60th birthday was celebrated in Benares (now known as 'Varanasi') with unparalleled pomp and grandeur.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages