Sri Sarada Devi
Endearingly known as 'Holy Mother', Sri Sarada Devi, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna, was born on 22 December 1853 in a poor Brahmin family in Jayrambati, a village adjoining Kamarpukur in West Bengal.
Marriage & Early Life
As a child Sarada was devoted to God, and spent most of her time helping her mother in various household chores. She had no formal schooling, but managed to learn the Bengali alphabet. When she was about six years old, she was married to Sri Ramakrishna, according to the custom prevalent in India in those days. However, after the event, she continued to live with her parents.
Visit to Dakshineshwar
At the age of eighteen she walked all the way to Dakshineshwar to meet her husband. Sri Ramakrishna, who had reached the highest state of realization in which he saw God in all beings, received Sarada Devi with great affection. He taught her how to lead a spiritual life while discharging household duties. They led absolutely pure lives, and Sarada Devi served Sri Ramakrishna as his devoted wife and disciple, while remaining a virgin nun.
Worshipped as Divine Mother
Sri Ramakrishna looked upon Sarada Devi as a special manifestation of Divine Mother of the universe. In 1872, on the night of the Phala-harini-Kali-puja, he ritualistically worshipped Sarada Devi as the Divine Mother, thereby awakening universal Motherhood latent in her. When disciples began to gather around Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi learned to look upon them as her own children.
Leading the Sangha
After Sri Ramakrishna's passing away in 1886, she lived in great privation at Kamarpukur. The disciples brought her to Kolkata, marking a turning point in her life. She now began to accept spiritual seekers as her disciples, and became the open portal to immortality for hundreds of people. Her great universal mother-heart, endowed with boundless love and compassion, embraced all people without any distinction.
A Progressive Spirit
When the Western women disciples of Swami Vivekananda came to Kolkata, the Holy Mother accepted them with open arms as her daughters, ignoring the restrictions of orthodox society. Although she had grown up in a conservative rural society, she held progressive views and whole-heartedly supported Swami Vivekananda in his plans for the rejuvenation of India and the uplift of the masses and women.
Mother of All
In the history of humanity, there has never been another woman who looked upon herself as the Mother of all beings, including animals and birds, and spent her whole life in serving them as her children. As Sister Nivedita stated:
"Her life was one long stillness of prayer."
About her role in the mission of Sri Ramakrishna, she stated: "My son, you know the Master had a maternal attitude towards everyone. He has left me behind to manifest that Divine Motherhood in the world."
Last Days
Under the strain of constant physical work and repeated attacks of malaria, her health deteriorated in the closing years of her life, and she left the mortal world on 21 July 1920.
Message of Sri Sarada Devi
- Ordinary human love results in misery. Love for God brings blessedness.
- I tell you one thing - if you want peace, do not find fault with others. Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the whole world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own.