Onam: A Vision of Equality & Unity

27 August 2007 — Amritapuri Each day since the Malayalam month of Chingam began 10 days ago, students of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham have made pookkalams [flower mandalas] on the veranda under Amma's room. When Amma came to the bhajan hall this morning for the Tiru Onam celebrations, she looked down at the thousands of devotees gathered before her and commented that seeing people from so many countries and cultures harmoniously gathered together was for her the culminating pookkalam.

"Gratitude, equality, beauty, surrender—these are some of the important lessons that Onam teaches us," Amma said. "Onam takes place at the time when the trees and plants are full of leaves and flowers. When flowers of various colours, fragrances and shapes are in full blossom, Nature and the human mind become filled with beauty. When flowers of different colours are used to make pookkalams, we see a vision of equality and unity. Through the various festive Onam songs and games, we remember our ancestors with gratitude. We remember the life-values that they held onto so tightly. Accepting with gratitude Nature's gifts of rain, vegetables and flowers, human beings love and serve Nature in return. When we see the flowers, the trees, the cool breeze, the rice fields, peaceful scenery and clear skies, we remember with gratitude the glory of the compassionate Lord's creation. We sing the glories of that Supreme Power."

Speaking about Mahabali, the ancient Kerala king around whom the Onam story is spun, Amma said, "What is important is not whether Mahabali actually existed or not, what's important is the love he had for his homeland and people, which were as important to him as his own life. The untainted love he had towards his subjects must have been the reason why the time of his rule was filled with happiness, prosperity and equality.

"Only one who is able to know and accept one's own limitations and weaknesses is able to transcend them. Mahabali was able to do that. And it was due to this alone that he was able to transcend them. Today, we don't see self-surrender, but ‘surrender to selfishness.' In Mahabali's time all mankind lived as one—the words of this famous line have become meaningless. Not only that, their antithesis has become the reality."

Later, Amma said, "When we celebrate Onam, we should remember Mahabali. We should remember his surrender and sacrifice. It's our mind and attitude that has to change. May that be our resolve on the occasion of this Onam we are celebrating today."

To everyone's delight, Amma then shared some of her childhood Onam memories. As Amma spoke about gathering flowers for pookkalams, jumping into the backwaters and making an overall ruckus, her parents, who were sitting behind her on the darshan stage, could be seen smiling. "It was adipoli [fantastic]!" Amma said. {read more of Amma's childhood Onam}

The Onam celebrations in Amritapuri continued with Amma singing "Mata Rani" and dancing to "Amrita Vahini," a bhajan based on a traditional Kerala folksong.

The day ended with Amma serving everyone their plate of Onasadhya, the traditional Onam feast.

—Kannadi