“She who is permeated with compassion” — a spiritual teacher and humanitarian revered by devotees as an incarnation of the Divine Mother, whose grace and teachings guide life at SRIM Center.
Her life
Born Vijayeswari in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh on Vijayadashami, October 24, 1958, Amma showed a compassionate, giving nature from early childhood. At around 21, she left her family's home in Bangalore for the remote Penusila forest, where she spent fourteen years in intensive meditation and spiritual austerities (tapas).
Emerging from this period of immersion, she founded the Sri Mathru Devi Viswa Shanthi Ashram at Penusila, followed by the Karunamayi Shanthi Dhama ashram in Bangalore. Since 1995 she has toured internationally — across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia — sharing meditation and humanitarian service with devotees worldwide.
In 2006, Amma founded her first North American ashram — the Srikarunamayi Research Institute of Meditation (SRIM Center) here in Forsyth, Georgia — home today to the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir and Sri Durga Devi Mandir.
Darshan & programs
Devotees write their questions or concerns on a card and receive Amma's personal blessing, guidance, or a moment of conversation.
Multi-day retreats deepen sadhana and meditation practice, held during her tours and at the Penusila ashram in India.
Spontaneous talks ranging across Vedic principles, world events, and the practice of meditation and inner stillness.
Sacred Vedic fire ceremonies performed for the material and spiritual well-being of all who attend, in India and North America.
Daily aratis for Sri Durga Devi and Shirdi Baba, weekly abhishekams, guided sadhana, festivals, and outreach programs all flow from the same wellspring — Amma's instruction to serve with love and to deepen one's inner stillness through practice.
“Service is the highest form of worship — when offered with love, every breath becomes a prayer.”
— Amma Sri Karunamayi
Humanitarian works
“Meditation is needed to achieve inner virtues, but selfless service to mankind and to others is the best yoga,” Amma teaches. Through the SMVA Trust, she has built a legacy of humanitarian works across India and around the world.
A 100-bed free hospital and mobile medical van serve over 500,000 villagers near Penusila; free medical camps across the U.S. connect devotees with volunteer physicians.
Free schools since 1994, the Jubilee Free Housing Project, and safe housing for women and girls uplift disenfranchised families in Andhra Pradesh.
Over 30 water treatment plants built through the SMVA Trust now bring clean drinking water to thousands of people.
Amma's Narayana Seva (Annadanam) program distributes free food with volunteers across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and South America.
For Amma's latest programs, yatras, and published teachings, visit her official website.
Karunamayi.in