Sri Swamiji’s Speech during the 1st Conference of Jayalakshmi Mata Matru Mandalis

(women groups in the name of Jayalakshmi Mata in over 30 towns) –
7 February 2003 – 5 PM

Matru Devo Bhava
Pitru Devo Bhava
Athithi Devo Bhava.
Matru Runa (emotional debt owned to mother) can never be paid back. Pitru Runa (emotional debt owed to father) too cannot be paid back. Guru Runa too will be never paid back. In Matru Panchaka, Sankara Bhagavatpada describes the trouble we cause the mother while in her womb. Sankara who was the very incarnate of Lord Shiva, rushed to Kerala upon hearing the news of his mother’s death. Rama and Krishna too had very high respect for their mothers.
While in the womb for 9 months, the soul develops unpayable debit to its mother. Swamiji too is indebted to Jayalakshmi Mata. These Mandalis in the name of Jayalakshmi Mata have been involved in various spiritual and socially beneficial activities. Many Mandalis have been innovative in their activities to do something different. We don’t need millions of rupees. We need millions of new ideas. I encourage such pro-active thinking. You must innovate with new ideas. A student should always feel that he should make his teacher happy by his studious attitude and exam results. Mother is the living God in every one’s life. I urge all the members of these Mandalis to give attention to their own personal spiritual development. It is as important as your other activities. You should share other’s grieves and help them. This is the two most important motto of your organizations. There will be no discrimination of caste, creed or age. Ego has no place here. All pilgrims going to Shabari Mala are called as “Swami”. They are not called by name. The name and fame will not have their place there. In our organization, you all are Jayalakshmi Matas. There is no place for your social status here. There are elderly Jayalakshmi Mata, Young Jayalakshmi Mata, Child Jayalakshmi Mata and so on. The speaker today from Sri Lakshmi Rao, Manjula Chellur, Shyamlha Pappu and Dr.Sudha spoke on these lines only.
You all may be wondering when will you be honored? I am honoring you all with the title “Jayalakshmi Mata”. What more do you want? Since this is the first conference. Swamiji wanted some ladies from different spectrum to be honored. This lady made inroads in political life, which is male dominant. Ratna Verma is active in social works. Doctor Sudha is a great philanthropist. Shyamlha Pappu is a great advocate in Supreme court. Manjula Chellur is the first Lady judge in Karnataka high court. Savitramma Ajji is like the founder of the Vijayawada Matru Mandali. Her efforts on that day are paying dividends today. Sri Lakshmi is a model police officer. Indira is in the coveted administrative service. Mandava Ramadevi is a respected person in Nuzividu. Padma Murthy has made much efforts to popularize Sri Swamiji’s Bhajans in schools and amidst devotees. Yogi Vimalamma is a great spiritual Soul. Chikkamma is the cause for my stay in Mysore and the subsequent development of Ashrama there. Varalakshmi and Saraswati are my Purvashrama sisters. I wanted to specially recognize these souls on the auspicious event of the temple inauguration of Raja Rajeshvari. Next year’s conference’s venue is to be decided. Probably in Hyderabad. This is all Jayalakshmi Mata’s will. It is not my private program. Helping the poor for their marriage, assisting flood victims, Performing Annadana and conduct of Pujas and Vratas are as important as being a good wife or mother at home. Your devotion to Swamiji should not cause confusion at home. Your love for Swamiji should not be the cause of jealous to your husbands. I proclaim that the power of women should develop. Chant with me. Let the power of women grow in leaps and bounds. Just because I said this, don’t go home and fight with your husbands. You should first learn to adjust and make amendments in life to ensure it is a smooth sail. Since you also have other responsibilities like being a mother, wife, daughter in law and such, please ensure you succeed in them too. I am just passing the knowledge my aunt Venkamma taught me. She passed on to me her medical knowledge. She is my God Mother. I remember my guru Jayalakshmi Mata. Let us try to clean our house, heart, mind and life. Don’t push your children too much. Don’t expect them to be the best of all. You do your best. But many over do it. In this you tend to lose the touch they have with Swamiji. Many Matru Mandalis have come here today. The organizers of this conference, the Vijayawada Matru Mandali have caused this conference and have made it a great success.
I have been given a Odhyaana (ornamental belt). It means support for your back. I am happy. I will protect you all to stand up and support your backs to stand upright. This is a great conference and I am happy. Everyone should read Bhakti Mala. Learn new Bhajans and read good books. Practice Atma Vidya. Read Bhagavatha. It is a great guide. Teach the children about the path of devotion. Every house should chant Lalitha Sahasra Naama. I am happy that more than 200 crores Sri Maatha has been written in books. Only two persons did not come here today. Jayaprada Ramalingam is had to leave today. May Jayalakshmi Mata Bless her.