from the bbc - Attack on India's 'hugging saint'

[Guest guest]

BBC NEWS

Attack on India's 'hugging saint'

*An unidentified man has been arrested after he apparently tried to stab

a famous Indian spiritual leader known as the "hugging saint" on Sunday. *

 

Mata Amritanandamayi, who blesses her devotees with a hug, escaped

unhurt in the attack which took place in Kerala.

 

Reports say her followers wrestled the attacker on to the ground before

he could reach the stage where she was leading prayers for 18,000 people.

 

She has a huge following in India and supporters around the world.

 

 

* I don't want my [followers] to create any problem for what had

happened *

Mata Amritanandamayi

 

The incident took place in Kerala's in Kollam district, where Ms

Amritanandamayi's group is based.

 

Two of her followers are said to have suffered minor injuries in the

attack.

 

"I heard someone shouting, I couldn't see his face," she told Indian

television channel, NDTV.

 

"He had a knife in his hand."

 

The Indian Express newspaper said the attacker may have been a follower

who was expelled recently.

 

* Humble roots *

 

Ms Amritanandamayi said on Monday she wanted her followers to forgive

the attacker.

 

"All those who are born will die one day. I am going ahead keeping this

reality in mind," she said.

 

"I will carry on. I will continue to give darshan to the devotees coming

here to meet me. I don't want my [followers] to create any problem for

what had happened yesterday."

 

Known to her followers as "Amma" (Mother), Mata Amritanandamayi, 51,

heads a charitable trust which runs schools and hospitals across India

and abroad.

 

Ms Amritanandamayi, whose name means "Mother of Absolute Bliss" was born

to a low caste family in a southern Indian fishing community.

 

She refused school and then marriage, preferring to meditate. She began

hugging devotees at a young age.

 

In the 1980s Ms Amritanandamayi founded an ashram, or spiritual home, to

receive followers and dispense more hugs.

 

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4172328.stm

 

Published: 2005/08/22 08:27:21 GMT

 

© BBC MMV

 

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http://www.egyirba.net

 

 

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