“He would sit down with me, very seriously ask me very sweet questions,” recalled Shri Mataji, who often accompanied him during early morning walks before collective prayers.

“He was a tremendous hard master, but an extremely loving and compassionate person,” said Shri Mataji. “He always used to talk to me in a way as if I was a grandmother and he used to discuss things with me, most surprising to all others, in a way, (as if) I was wiser to everyone. And he said that guidance can be better from some children than from the older people.”

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Shri Mataji later would praise Gandhi for establishing the base for dharma, inner religion or righteousness, in his country. He encouraged people to explore the Bible, to understand the Bhagavad Gita, to know all the great scriptures and great people of the world, and to understand them in an integrated way.

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During her conversations with Gandhi, not only did they explore the inherent nature of the human personality, but also the ways and means to bring about social and spiritual liberation. When asked about her experience with Gandhi, Shri Mataji recounted one of their discussions: Gandhi was strict with his routine and had people waking at 4 a.m., fasting and so on, and Shri Mataji said to him, "You are too strict...isn't this all too much?"

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Gandhi explained that it was necessary to have strict discipline during times of emergency when the country’s momentum for freedom was gaining speed.

To this Shri Mataji suggested, "Bapu, if you want to discipline people, why not give them discipline from within?"

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Gandhi asked how it would be possible. She assured him that inner transformation was the answer. But he reasoned, "First of all, let us be free (from British rule). If we are not free, what can we enjoy? We cannot talk about it. People will say that we are not even free, how can we talk of freedom of Spirit? We should be free from foreign domination first."

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In the following years, Gandhi’s message spread to the masses, from illiterate farmers to the more privileged classes and the most highly educated members of society.  Shri Mataji also took part in the freedom struggle, setting an example for other college students to follow.

In 1947, India finally became a free nation. It had been many years since Shri Mataji’s childhood discussions with Gandhi, but not long before his last days, he asked to see her. “I met him…immediately he recognized,” Shri Mataji recalled. “He said, ‘Meet me after prayer.’ When I met him, he said, ‘Now take to constructive work. Take to constructive work...’”

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Shri Mataji continued studying the various problems facing human beings as well as possible solutions. It would be many years before she began her transformative work through Sahaja Yoga. Just as Gandhi had stirred the masses and guided his country to freedom, Shri Mataji’s work would transform not just a few individuals but hundreds of thousands worldwide. The time for inner freedom had come.

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Awards

International Recognitions

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Shri Mataji's humanitarian and spiritual work draws admiration not only from countless individuals in more than 95 nations who have personally benefited from her teachings, but also from governments, dignitaries, educational institutions and humanitarian organizations.

 

Recognizing the scientific and verifiable nature of her teachings, the Petrovskaya Academy of Arts and Sciences in St. Petersburg bestowed an Honorary Membership upon Shri Mataji, telling her, “You are even higher than science.”

 

Others, such as Claes Nobel, thanked her for giving hope to humanity. She accepted all awards with characteristic humility, praising the efforts of others and insisting on collective, rather than individual, achievement.

 

Despite relentless travelling, Shri Mataji never referred to her demanding schedule as tiresome, equating it rather with the work of a loving mother looking after her children’s wellbeing.

 

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A Selection of Awards and Recognitions

Shri Mataji has been recognized worldwide by several prestigious institutions for her selfless work and for the remarkable results of her spiritual teachings through Sahaja Yoga, a few of which are listed below.

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Italy, 1986
Declared ‘Personality of the Year’ by the Italian Government.

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Moscow, Russia, 1989
Following Shri Mataji’s meeting with the USSR Minister of Health, Sahaja Yoga was granted full government sponsorship, including funding for scientific research.

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New York, 1990-1994
Invited by the United Nations for four consecutive years to speak about the ways and means to achieve world peace.

 

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1993
Appointed as Honorary Member of the Petrovskaya Academy of Art and Science. In the history of the Academy, only twelve people have been granted this honour, Einstein being one of them. Shri Mataji inaugurated the first International Conference on Medicine and Self-Knowledge, which became an annual event at the Academy thereafter

 

Brazil, 1994
The mayor of Brazilia welcomed Shri Mataji at the airport, presented her with the key to the city and sponsored all of her programs.

 

New York, 1994
September 26 proclaimed ‘Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day.’ Police escort was offered for a welcoming parade honouring Shri Mataji and celebrating her association with Mahatma Gandhi.

 

British Columbia, Canada, 1994
Letter of welcome was proffered by the Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Mr. Mike Harcourt, on behalf of the people of Canada.

 

Romania 1995
Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Cognitive Science by Prof D. Drimer, head of the Ecological University Bucharest.

 

China, 1995
Official guest of the Chinese Government to speak at the United Nations International Women’s Conference.

 

Pune, India, 1996
On the occasion of the 700th Anniversary of Saint Gyaneshwara, Shri Mataji addressed the 'World Philosophers Meet '96 - A Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy,' where she was felicitated for her spiritual movement, Sahaja Yoga.

 

London, 1997
Mr. Claes Nobel, grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, chairman of United Earth and The National Society of High School Scholars, honoured the life and work of  Shri Mataji in a public speech at the Royal Albert Hall.

 

USA, 105th Congress, 1997 and 106th Congress, 2000
Honorarium read into Congressional Record by Congressman Eliot Engle commending Shri Mataji for her dedicated and tireless work for humanity.

 

Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2006
Shri Mataji was awarded honorary Italian citizenship, which was followed by the unveiling of the foundation stone for the 'Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi World Foundation of Sahaja Yoga.' This Foundation has its home in Cabella Ligure.

 

New Delhi, India, 2024
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance, issued a "Commemorative Coin" to honor the selfless service of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi for the welfare and spiritual uplifting of all mankind. To mark her centenary year, a grand coin release ceremony was held on October 14, 2024 at the Auditorium of the National Museum, New Delhi.

 

New Jersey, USA, 2026
The Borough of New Milford, New Jersey, has formally declared March 21, 2026, as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day.” The proclamation, signed by Mayor Michael Putrino, recognizes Shri Mataji’s lifelong contributions to mental health, inner peace, and the advancement of women, and honors her founding of Sahaja Yoga — a global meditation movement that fosters inner transformation, holistic well‑being, and a deeper awareness of the Self.

Cabella Ligure, Italy

 

A mother’s position is different, this patience and this love and this forgiveness is innately built in a mother … her attitude is very different. Not any achievement, not any big name or a sort of an award or anything … she does it because she is a mother.