Unfazed by Sunday's failed attack on her, spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi on Monday said she would continue to give darshan to her disciples and asked them to forgive the accused.

"All those who are born will die one day. I am going ahead keeping this reality in mind. I will carry on. I will continue to give darshan to the devotees coming here to meet me. I dont't want my sons (as she refers her followers) to create any problem for what had happened on Sunday," she told reporters.

• Amritanandamayi unhurt in attack

Amma, against whom a failed attempt was made by the knife-wielding attacker during bhajan programme at the ashram at Vallikkavu near Kollam, said she expected her followers to adopt a forget-and-forgive approach.

Meanwhile, the accused, who was overpowered and later handed over to the police by the disciples, has been identified as Pavithran from Idukki district.

Pavithran reportedly told the police that he was a rubber-tapper and the knife he carried was the one used for tapping. He claimed that he had been visiting the ashram now and then.

However, Swamy Dhyana Amrita of the ashram told PTI, "The whole thing is shrouded in mystery. It is difficult to dismiss it lightly. It is not easy to accept theories like the man was mentally unsound. If he was a follower of Amma, why did he come to the ashram with a knife? Why did he rush to Amma and injured those who came on his way?".

The Swamy said it was also mysterious that two people from among the audience sprang up and sought to rough up the disciples while they were trying to overpower and disarm the attacker.

Kerala [Images] Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

Three ashram inmates were injured while overpowering the accused during the bhajan ceremony being attended by nearly 18,000 followers.

Pavithran was taken to the district hospital in Kollam late Sunday night and is being kept in the police cell in the hospital, police sources said.

He is expected to be produced before the judicial magistarte at Karunagapally, near the Vallikkavu ashram, on Monday evening, the sources said.

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