Life of The Avatar
AMMA's Life
Sri Sakthi Amma's life is one of Divine embodiment and uplifting humanity. From a young age, Amma felt a profound calling, leading towards spiritual awakening and embracing love and compassion without barriers of gender, race, or religion. Beyond spiritual teachings, Sri Sakthi Amma's heart overflows with empathy for humanity's suffering.
Amma’s life is dedicated to others, establishing humanitarian initiatives, providing education, nourishment, and solace to the less fortunate, showing that love is the most powerful force in the universe. Sri Sakthi Amma's life is a testament to the transformative power of love and service, inspiring countless souls to embrace compassion, service, and a spiritual path. Amma's story continues to illuminate the path towards soul connection and collective upliftment through love and service.
Sages in Prayer
Many centuries ago, as rishis (sages) engaged in deep meditation in the South Indian hills of Kailash Giri, they became acutely aware of humanity’s impending plight in the present period of Kali Yuga (dark age). They earnestly yearned and prayed for the Divine Mother to manifest on earth, to guide humankind back onto the path of righteous living. In response to the sages’ unwavering devotion and prayers, many centuries later, Sri Sakthi Amma was born. At the age of 16, Amma established Sri Narayani Peedam at the foothills of these sacred mountains.
Early Life
Sri Sakthi Amma, born on January 3rd, 1976, in Vellore, South India, was recognized as a Divine child from early infancy. The child’s remarkable birthmarks, considered sacred and auspicious in Indian culture, included a ray of light (namam) on the forehead, and symbols of the chakra (wheel) and shanka (conch) on either side of the chest.
Originally named Satish Kumar, this child exhibited spiritual devotion and boundless compassion from a tender age. Satish Kumar was often found frequenting places of worship, immersed in deep meditation, or sitting in the sanctum sanctorum, bestowing blessings upon those who entered.
From a tender age, Sri Sakthi Amma radiated love and kindness towards all beings, earning recognition and reverence from both ordinary people and sages alike. Amma’s Divine presence and innate spirituality marked the beginning of a remarkable journey destined to uplift humanity and spread Divine grace throughout the world.
Amma meaning Mother, is a universal embodiment of the Divine feminine, extending
compassion, love and grace to all. In the ancient scriptures it is said that Divinity manifests in
human form when the balance of the world needs to be restored.
Such a form is known as an Avatara, a Sanskrit word describing a deliberate descent or incarnation of the Divine to earth. The avatara descends in order for humankind to ascend on the spiritual path. The avatara lives amongst the people, guiding humankind, reducing
suffering and restoring dharma (righteous living) in the world.
Sri Sakthi Amma is believed to be the first known incarnation of the Goddess Narayani – the Divine form of feminine energy. In other cultures, Narayani is recognized as Quan Yin, Mother Nature, and Divine Mother, among other names. Sri Sakthi Amma is lovingly known as ‘Amma’ – the word for ‘mother’ in various Dravidian languages across South India.
Spiritual Teacher & Avatar
At age 16, the Goddess Sri Narayani was realized within the body and consciousness of Satish Kumar, marking the transformation into Sri Sakthi Amma Narayani. On May 8th, 1992, Sri Sakthi Amma proclaimed the avatar Goddess Sri Narayani and established Sri Narayani Peedam and its mission:
To lead humanity on the spiritual path and to uplift the lives of those in need”
—Sri Sakthi Amma
Sri Sakthi Amma's presence among the people is not just as a spiritual teacher but as an avatar - a deliberate incarnation of the Divine to guide humanity and reduce suffering in the world. In the early days, people would travel to Amma's very humble home in rural India and sleep in the cow shed and under the stars just to be in her presence. Amma's daily Abishekam rituals to Mangala Narayani became a source of blessings and solace for devotees, who would travel far and wide to receive Divine grace.
Amma's Teachings
The timeless wisdom of Sri Sakthi Narayani Amma's teachings is rooted in ancient Vedic traditions, the tantric path of Shaktism, and the profound wisdom of the ancient Siddhas (spiritual masters or perfected beings) from South India. These teachings, deeply intertwined with nature, resonate universally, offering seekers a path toward self-realization.
Through practices of mantra, meditation, and pooja, individuals are provided with powerful tools to connect with the Divine and uncover their true nature. Central to these practices is the essence of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, which serves as a catalyst for awakening the inherent love within oneself.
Amma emphasizes that when the heart is brimming with love, it naturally seeks to extend that love to others. Amma says, "One eye is for devotion and the other is for service," highlighting the importance of having two eyes open. This teaching underscores the integration of devotion and selfless service, illuminating the path toward spiritual fulfillment and universal love.
The teachings of Sri Sakthi Amma Narayani awaken the boundless love within. Through devotion and service, our eyes open to the Divine presence within and around us, embodying the essence of love and compassion in all that we do.
Amma’s blessings
Mangala Narayani Abhishekam – A Daily Offering of Grace
Since 1993 Amma’s, Sri Sakthi Amma has performed the Mangala Narayani Abhishekam daily — a sacred ritual dedicated to the welfare of all beings. This powerful puja, offered to Goddess Narayani, is Amma’s living prayer for global harmony, healing, and spiritual upliftment.
As mantras are chanted and offerings made, the atmosphere becomes charged with presence — awakening the heart and quieting the mind. After the ceremony, devotees receive Amma’s blessings and teertham (holy water) at the Shanti Mandapam.
Darshan & Guru Sthanam
Guru Sthanam is the sacred space in Sripuram where Amma gives Darshan — the blessing of divine presence.
Simply sitting with Amma offers peace, clarity, and connection. Darshan is a moment of stillness that often leaves a lasting impression on the heart and soul.
Goddess Narayani
Goddess Narayani stands as the epitome of feminine divinity, revered as the Mother Goddess who birthed the entire universe. She is recognized as the source of all life forms, possessing the power to create, preserve, and ultimately transform. In her essence, Goddess Narayani embodies the sacred trinity of courage, wisdom, and prosperity, which are paramount in navigating the complexities of the modern age, as emphasized by Sri Sakthi Amma. This trinity finds its perfect manifestation in the Divine aspects of Durga, Saraswathi, and Lakshmi.
Durga, the fierce warrior Goddess, symbolizes inner strength and valor, guiding devotees through challenges with unwavering courage. Saraswathi, the embodiment of wisdom, illuminates the path of knowledge and creativity, enriching lives through education, arts, and culture. Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, bestows abundance in all aspects of life, including material wealth, familial well-being, and spiritual harmony.
In sacred texts, Goddess Narayani is revered as the Divine feminine energy source intricately intertwined with Para Brahman, the ultimate reality from which all creation emanates. As the primordial seed of creation, maintenance, and transformation, she embodies the cosmic forces that sustain the universe in its eternal cycle.
Devi Narayani is revered as the catalyst for the flowering of consciousness in all living beings. Through her Divine grace and guidance, she awakens the dormant potential within each soul, leading them towards unity with the Divine. In her role as the nurturer of consciousness, she facilitates the spiritual evolution of beings, guiding them on the path of realization and ultimate union with the transcendent reality.
