A Life of Selfless Service

Mataji Urmila Desai dedicated her life to selfless service and devotion to Swami Kripalu. Her connection to Bapuji began in childhood as a young girl and shaped her lifelong path of seva (service).

In 1977, she played a key role in bringing Bapuji to the United States, where he resided at the Kripalu Ashrams in Pennsylvania for over four years. During this time, she prepared his meals daily and personally delivered them up 108 steps to Muktidham, ensuring his needs were met so he could focus entirely on sadhana (spiritual practice).

Mataji also helped preserve Bapuji’s teachings by transcribing his lectures during his training sessions with close disciples and the Desai children, first writing on a chalk slate and later copying them into a notebook.

Her service extended to the ashram community, where she worked alongside her husband, Gurudev Shri Amritji,nurturing the Kripalu Yoga Ashrams and creating a space of nourishment and care. She continued to serve long after Bapuji’s passing with the same humility and dedication.

Matajii’s life was a true reflection of Swami Kripalu’s teachings—a quiet, selfless dedication to the Guru and the path of service and devotion.