Sri Sarada Devi – The Holy Mother (1853–1920)

Sri Sarada Devi – The Holy Mother (1853–1920)The affectionate term "Holy Mother" refers to Sarada Devi (1853-1920), Ramakrishna's wife and spiritual counterpart. According to the custom then prevalent in India, she was betrothed to him while still a child. At the age of 18, she left her parental home Jayrambati to join her husband, who lived at Dakshineswar, some sixty miles away, near Calcutta.

Sarada Devi was a spiritual and intellectual leader in her own right. She served Ramakrishna and his disciples for many years. After Ramakrishna's passing away, she carried on his religious ministry, serving as guide and inspiration of the new spiritual movement.

On account of her immaculate purity, extraordinary forbearance, selfless service, unconditional love, wisdom and spiritual illumination, Swami Vivekananda regarded Sri Sarada Devi as the ideal for women in the modern age. He believed that with the advent of Holy Mother, the spiritual awakening of women in modern times had begun.

Quotes of Sri Sarada Devi

  • As wind removes a cloud, so does the name of God disperse the cloud of worldliness

  • As you smell the fragrance of a flower by handing it or the smell of sandalwood by rubbing it against a stone, so you obtain spiritual awakening by constantly thinking of God.

  • One must be patient like the earth. What iniquities are being perpetuated on her! Yet she quietly endures them all.

  • Each has to get the result of the actions one has earned for this life. A pin at least must prick where a wound from a sword was due.

  • You see, my son, it is not a fact that you will never face danger. Difficulties always come, but they do not last forever. You will see that they pass away like water under a bridge.

  • Don't be afraid. Human birth is full of suffering and one has to endure everything patiently, taking the name of God. None, not even God in human form, can escape the sufferings of body and mind.

  • I tell you one thing my child, if you want peace, do not find fault with others. Rather, see your own faults. Learn to make the world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own. — (From Sri Sarada Devi's last words, spoken before passing away on July 20, 1920)

  • To err is human. One must not take that into account. It is harmful for oneself. One gets into the habit of finding fault.

  • To make mistakes is man's very nature; but few of those who criticize know how to correct them.

  • It is in the very nature of man to see defects. You should learn to appreciate virtues. Man is no doubt liable to err, but you must not take notice. If you constantly find fault with others, you will see faults alone.' … `Do not look at the faults of others lest your eyes should become vitiated.'

  • Do not look for faults in others, or your own eyes will become faulty.

  • Let me tell you how to love all equally," said Mother. "Do not demand anything from those you love. If you make demands, some will give you more and some less. In any case you will love more those who give you more and less those who give you less. Thus your love will not be the same for all. You will not be able to love all impartially.

  • After someone finished her sweeping and threw the broom into a corner, Mother said, "How strange, my dear! The work is finished, and you throw it away carelessly. It takes almost the same time to put it away slowly and carefully as to throw it away. Should you despise a thing just because it is insignificant? 'Him that you save, saves you in turn.' Won't you need it again? Besides, this thing too forms a part of our household. From that point of view also it deserves some consideration. You must give each one his due share of honour. Even a broom must be shown some honour. The smallest work must be done with reverence.

  • I am the mother of the wicked, as I am the mother of the virtuous. Never fear. Whenever you are in distress, say to yourself, 'I have a mother.'

  • I can never refuse anyone who addresses me as Mother.

Suggested Reading

Books

Comments are closed.