Sri Amma and Sri Bhagavan are the Oneness University’s founders. The phenomenon of “deeksha” (Oneness Blessing) began in 1989, at Jeevashram school, which they founded together in 1984.  For many years they lived quiet and anonymous lives, as school teachers, and later they lived together in the city of Chennai. As the phenomenon of deeksha has grown throughout India, and through the rest of the world as the “Oneness Blessing,” so Sri Amma and Bhagavan have become revered and loved by millions of people.

Sri Bhagavan was once asked, “Who are you, Bhagavan?” His answer was, “I am whatever you want me to be.” So to many in India, Sri Amma and Sri Bhagavan are worshipped as divine. To many who visit them from Western countries, they set their guests at ease within minutes, and become good friends, even like family members.

There have been dozens of spiritual teachers who have emerged from India in the last years. Almost all have passed through a process of searching and practice, then had a sudden or gradual awakening (sometimes referred to as “enlightenment"), and consequently became teachers to others. This was not the case with Amma and Bhagavan. According to their own account, as well as everyone who has known them throughout their lives, there was no process of spiritual maturation and awakening. They were both born in a state of Oneness with all of life, with a deep sense of mission to awaken humanity. In India, this kind of human being, born more in a spirit of serving humanity than from desire and “karma,” is known as an “Avatar.” Amma and Bhagavan are not two, but the masculine anf feminine aspects of one avataric consciousness, emerging at this time to midwife humanity from separation to an Awakening into Oneness. Hence they are often referred to as “Sri Amma Bhagavan.”

Here is Sri Amma, speaking about their roles:

Amma and Bhagavan are one. They are the mother and the father aspect of the divine. Bhagavan gives the people grace as the father, Amma as the mother fulfills their desires, needs, health problems, in fact everything. Bhagavan all the time is concerned about the spiritual growth of people and leading them towards Mukthi (liberation). Bhagavan is focused on that. Amma is immersed in fulfilling people’s desires.