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Divine Mother born on Earth

Once when Shyamasundari Devi was living with her father in the northern part of Shihar, she had occasion to sit in the dark beside a potter’s oven under a bel (bilva, aegle marmelos) tree. There suddenly issued a jingling sound from the direction of the oven, and a little girl came down from the branches of the tree. She laid her soft hands round Shyamasundari’s neck, whereupon she fell down unconscious. She had no idea how long she lay there thus. Her relatives came there searching for her and carried her home. On regaining consciousness, she felt as though the little girl had entered her womb.

Ramachandra was then in Calcutta in search of some means of earning money for his family. The thought of his family’s poverty weighed heavily on his mind. One day, before he had decided to start for the city, he was engrossed in that thought. Then he fell asleep and dreamt that a little girl of golden complexion embraced him from behind by throwing her delicate arms around his neck. The incomparable beauty of the girl, as also her invaluable ornaments, at once marked her as out of the common run. Ramachandra was greatly surprised and asked, ‘Who are you my child?’ The girl replied in the softest and sweetest of voices, ‘Here I come to you.’ Ramachandra woke up and the conviction grew in him that the girl was none other than Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, whose appearance implied that the time was auspicious for him to go out in quest of money. Accordingly he left for Calcutta. We do not know how far Ramachandra was successful in his quest. All that we know is that after returning home he heard what had happened to his wife, and, spiritually-minded as he himself was, he readily believed everything. Henceforth this holy Brahmin couple lived the purest of lives in expectation of the divine child. Ramachandra had the highest regard for his wife and never touched her person till the birth of the Holy Mother. Shyamasundaru Devi was conscious of her unique fortune, and long after she said to Yogin-Ma, ‘How beautiful I looked when I was in the family way, how thick were my tresses, and how many pieces of cloth were presented to me during that time!’

Gradually the time of confinement approached. Autumn had now passed, and it was the beginning of the month of Paush when winter had just set in. This was one of the happiest times in Bengal villages. The harvest was over and the granaries were full. The fields around again began to smile with the shooting forth of the summer crop. The new harvest had just been finished, and the little children were counting the days for the festival of the month-ending when they would have a feast of cakes.

The Christian world was eagerly waiting for the merry Christmas day. The Tantrikas were busy paying visits to Kali temples, especially as such visits were thought to be very meritorious in that month. And it was the day of winter solstice when the longest night was over and the sun was beginning its northward course – the day on which the Hindu gods and goddesses wake up from their long slumber of six months. During such a time, a little after Thursday evening, on the 8^th Paush (22^nd December, 1853) when the night had spread her star-spangled cloth over the village of Jayarambati to lay it asleep after the day’s labour, the blowing of conchshells from Ramachandra’s house announced the happy news of the advent of Sri Saradamani Devi.

- Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi by Swami Gambhirananda, P16-18

May You attain Liberation

I bless you on this holy day that you may attain to liberation in this life. Birth and death are extremely painful. May you not suffer from them any more!

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P17 (To Devotees on Akshaya-Tritiya day)

Peace of Mind

The less you become attached to the world, the more you enjoy peace of mind.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P10

Mother’s Divine Companion

A young girl resembling me used to walk with me and help me in my work. We had great fun together, but she would disappear as soon as anyone else approached. This experience continued until I was 10 or 11 years old. When I entered a pond to cut grass for the cattle, this girl went with me. As I cut and took one bundle to the bank and returned to the water for more grass, I found she already had another bundle ready for me.

- Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play by Swami Chetanananda, P30

As Jagaddhatri

… Aghormani, a companion and playmate of her girlhood, used to say of her : "Mother was very simple in her habits. She would never quarrel with anybody while playing. When others fell out, she would mediate and establish cordial relations. In play she used to personate herself either as the mistress or governess of the house. Among her playthings there were some dolls, but she was more interested in the clay images of Kali and Lakshmi which she devoutly worshipped with flowers and Bilva leaves. Once on the occasion of the Jagaddhatri Puja, she was meditating on the Goddess with such deep concentration and sense of identification with Her, that the sight of it struck awe in the mind of Ramhriday Ghoshal of Haldepukur.

• Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother by Swami Tapasyananda, P15-16

I Am Bhagavati

… the Master was God. He assumed a human form to mitigate the sufferings of humanity. He came to this world incognito, like a king who visits the city in disguise. I am Bhagavati [the Goddess].

- Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play by Swami Chetanananda, P19

Realization makes for True Humility

If one is steady in meditation, one will clearly see the Lord in one's heart and hear His voice. The moment an idea flashes in the mind of such a one, it will be fulfilled then and there. You will be bathed in peace. … … In the fullness of one's spiritual realization, one will find that He, who resides in one's heart, resides in the heart of others as well – the oppressed, the persecuted, the untouchable and the out-caste. This realization makes one truly humble.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, Introduction, xii

Attendant Maidens

When I was 13, I went to Kamarpukur; the Master was then in Dakshineswar. I stayed there for a month and then returned to Jayarambati. After five or six months I returned to Kamarpukur and stayed a month and a half. I lived with my brother-in-law [Rameswar] and sister-in-law [Shakambhari] and others. I used to think: I am a new bride. How shall I go to Haldarpukur and bathe by myself? One day I left the house by a back door and was worrying about the matter, when eight young maidens suddenly appeared, apparently from nowhere*. As I started for the tank, four of them walked in front of me and four behind. Thus guarded, I walked to the water and all of us bathed together. Afterwards they brought me home. This continued everyday during that visit to Kamarpukur. I wondered who those girls were, but I could not figure it out.

- Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play by Swami Chetanananda, P42

* According to Hindu mythology, the Divine Mother of the Universe has eight maidens as attendants.

Symbol of Compassion

Everybody says regretfully, 'There is so much misery in the world. We have prayed so much to God, but still there is no end of misery.' But misery is only the gift of God. It is the symbol of His

compassion.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P36

Vision of God

He who will pray to God eagerly will see Him. The other day one of our devotees, Tej Chandra, passed away. What a sincere soul he was! Sri Ramakrishna used to frequent his house. Some one had deposited Rs. 200 with Tej Chandra. One day he was robbed of that amount by a pick-pocket in the tram car. He discovered the loss after some time and suffered a terrible mental agony. He came to the bank of the Ganges and prayed to Sri Ramakrishna, with tears in his eyes, 'O Lord, what have you done with me!' He was not rich enough to make up that amount from his own pocket. As he was thus weeping, he saw Sri Ramakrishna appear before him and say, "Why do you weep so bitterly? The money is there under a brick on the bank of the Ganges." He quickly removed the brick and really found there a bundle of banknotes.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P15

Guru and Ishtam

Do not make any distinction between Sri Ramakrishna and me. Meditate on and pray to the particular aspect of the Divinity revealed to you. Worship ends with absorption in meditation. Start here (the heart) and end here (the head). Neither Mantra nor scripture is of any avail; Bhakti or devotion alone accomplishes everything. Sri Ramakrishna is every thing—both Guru and Ishtam. He is all in all.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P22

Work

The old lady said, "Sri Ramakrishna gave us many instructions. But we have carried out very few of them. Had we followed his advice, we would not have suffered so much in the world. We are attached to the world and are always running after this or that work."

The Mother said, replying, "One must do some work. Through work alone can one remove the bondage of work, not by avoiding work. Total detachment comes later on. One should not be without work even for a moment.”

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P14

Bija

Disciple: See, Mother, this seed is smaller than the seed of red spinach. And yet from this comes such a huge tree! What a wonder!

Mother: Why not? Just see, how small is the Bija (mystic syllable) of the Lord's Name. Yet from that, springs forth in due time spiritual consciousness, devotion, love and what not!

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P157

God’s Name

Many may take the name of God after their minds have been hardened by the contaminating influence of the world. But he alone is blessed who can devote himself to God from very childhood.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P22

Image Worship

One of the nuns asked, "Is there any truth in image worship? Our teacher does not approve of it. He instructs people in the worship of the fire and the sun."

Mother: You should not doubt the words of your own teacher. Why do you ask me about it, when you have heard the opinion of your Guru in the matter?

The nun: We want to know your opinion.

The Mother refused to give any opinion. But the nun was stubborn and began to press for a reply. The Mother said at last, “If your teacher were an illumined soul—you have forced me to say—then he would not have made such a statement. From time immemorial innumerable people have worshipped images and thereby attained spiritual knowledge. Do you want to deny this fact? Sri Ramakrishna never cherished any such parochial and one-sided view. Brahman exists everywhere. The prophets and incarnations are born to show the way to a benighted humanity. They give different instructions suited to different temperaments. There are many ways to realize the Truth. Therefore all these instructions have their relative value. … ”

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P20

Desire

Disciple: Will the sannyasins who profess the ideals of Vedanta attain to Nirvana?

Mother: Surely. By gradually cutting off the bonds of Maya they will realize Nirvana and merge themselves in God. This body is, no doubt, the outcome of desires. The body cannot live unless there is a trace of desire. All comes to an end when a man gets rid of desires completely.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P110

Childlike Nature

One day Rakhal (Swami Brahmananda) came to Sri Ramakrishna and said that he was very hungry. Sri Ramakrishna came to the Ganges and cried out, 'O Gaurdasi, come here! My Rakhal is hungry.' At that time there was no refreshment stall at Dakshineswar. A little later a boat was seen coming up the Ganges. It anchored near the temple. Balaram Babu, Gaurdasi and some other devotees came out of the boat with some sweets. Sri Ramakrishna was very happy, and shouted for Rakhal. He said, 'Come here. Here are sweets. You said that you were hungry.' Rakhal became angry and remarked, 'Why are you broadcasting my hunger?' Sri Ramakrishna said, 'What is the harm? You are hungry. You want something to eat. What is wrong in speaking about it?' Sri Ramakrishna had a childlike nature.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P16

Example of Renunciation

It is quite natural that man forgets God. Therefore whenever the need arises, God Himself incarnates on earth and shows the path by Himself practising Sadhana. This time He has also shown the example of renunciation.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P178

Words of Master

The words of Sri Ramakrishna have been recorded in books. If you can follow even one of his instructions, you will attain to everything in life.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P23

Rich and Poor

The rich should serve God and His devotees with money, and the poor worship God by repeating His Name." – Sri Sarada Devi

Mad Elephant

My child, this mind is just like a wild elephant. It races with the wind. Therefore one should discriminate all the time. One should work hard for the realization of God.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P61

Musk in Navel

Sri Ramakrishna would say, 'Musk forms in the navel of the deer. Being fascinated with its smell, the deer run hither and thither. They do not know where the fragrance comes from. Likewise God resides in the human body, and man does not know it. Therefore he searches everywhere for bliss, not knowing that it is already in him' God alone is real. All else is false.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P49

Continuance of Play

In the course of conversation she [Holy Mother] said, "At the time of creation, people were born with the quality of Sattva, light. They had wisdom from their very birth. Consequently they at once realized the unreal nature of the world. They renounced it and practised austerity. They were liberated in no time. The Creator found that the purpose of his creation was going to be frustrated. These wise men, who were thus liberated, were unfit for the continuance of the play of the world. Then he again started the work of creation and mixed the qualities of Rajas, (activity) and Tamas (inertia) with, the Sattva. Thus His purpose was fulfilled." Then she cited a popular verse bearing on the theme of creation, and said, "In our young age we acquired these ideas from the country dramas. But now these have become rare."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P29

Sympathy of Mother

It was evening when I went to Baghbazar to see the Holy Mother. She was kind enough to ask me to spread her small carpet on the floor and fetch her beads. She soon became absorbed in her meditation. Across the lane there was an open space. A few labourers lived there with their families. One of the male members began to beat a woman severely, probably his wife. Slaps and fisticuffs began to be showered upon her. Then he kicked her with such force that she was thrown to a distance with a child in her arms. Then he started kicking her again. The Mother could not proceed with her meditation any more. Though she was extremely modest and would not usually talk even loud enough to be heard by people on the ground floor, she now came to the porch of the second floor, stood by the iron railing, and cried aloud in a tone of sharp reprimand, "You rogue! Are you going to kill the girl outright? I am afraid she is already dead!" Hardly had the man looked at her than he became quiet like the snake before its charmer, and released the woman. The sympathy of the Mother made the woman burst into loud sobs. We heard that her only fault was that she had not cooked in time. Afterwards the man became his old self again and wanted to be at peace with the woman. The Holy Mother saw this and came back to her room.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P31

I have a Mother

Why are you so restless, my child? Why don't you stick on to what you have got? Always remember, "I have at least a Mother, if none else." Do you remember those words of Sri Ramakrishna? He said he would reveal himself to all that take shelter under him, reveal himself at least on their last day. He will draw all unto Him.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P56

Last Birth

One lady from Poland had come to India to study Vedanta. She had heard in Calcutta about the Mother, and had come to meet her. She spoke to the Mother for some time. 'Referring to the Bahai sect, she said that its teachings were similar to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna - they too preached the harmony of all religions. From her talk it appeared that the lady herself

belonged to the Bahai sect.

After she had left, I asked the Mother, "How did you find her?"

Mother: Very nice.

Disciple: These people have come from very far. Now the news has spread like wild fire! Where is Poland, and where indeed is the Udbodhan Office! Mother, you are not even aware of it!

Mother: The Master had said once in a divine mood, "In course of time, I will be worshipped in every home. Innumerable indeed will be my devotees!" Nivedita once said, "Mother, we too are Hindus. As a result of our Karma, we were born in another country. But we too will become Hindus in true spirit!" This is their (of Nivedita and others) last birth.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P121

One with Master

One morning in Kalababu's grove in Vrindaban, the Mother was meditating, when she became absorbed in Samadhi. All attempts to bring her mind down to the physical plane proved futile. I repeated the Lord's name in her ears for a long time, but it produced no effect. At last Swami Yogananda came and repeated Sri Ramakrishna's name, which brought her mind down to the semi-conscious plane. Then, just as the Master used to do on similar occasions, she said, "I will eat something." Some sweets, water, and betel were placed before her, and she partook of a little of each, as the Master used to do towards the end of such periods of ecstasy. Even in taking the betel, she cut off its end in the manner of the Master. We were surprised to find that her manners, her way of taking food, and her general behaviour exactly resembled those of the Master. When she finally came down to the plane of physical consciousness, the Mother told us that the spirit of the Master had entered into her at that time. Swami Yogananda put to her some questions while she was in that mood, and she replied very much like the Master.

- Yogin-Ma Reminiscence, The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P178

Guileless Mother

“… I had never seen water taps before. I came to Calcutta one day and entered a room where there was a tap. I opened the tap. Before the water rushed out, there came a hissing sound, like that of a snake, out of the tap. I was terror-stricken and ran from the room. I at once came to the other ladies of the house and cried, "There is a snake in that water pipe. It is hissing." They laughed and said, "There is no snake there. Do not be afraid. The hissing sound comes from the air being forced out by the rushing water." Then we laughed and laughed till our sides began to ache.

Saying this, the Holy Mother laughed heartily again. So sweet and innocent a laughter! I too could not hold back my laughter any more and thought, "So guileless is our Mother!

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P30

Saptarshi Loka (SVK Tithi Puja)

There are different heavenly planes, such as the Jana-loka, Satya-loka, and Dhruva-loka. The Master said that he had brought down Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) from the plane of the Seven Sages (Saptarshi). His words are verily the words of the Veda. They can never be untrue.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P111

Carefulness in Service

“New devotees should be given the privilege of service in the shrine room. Their new zeal makes them serve the Lord carefully. The others are tired of service. Service, in the real sense of the word, is not a joke. One should be extremely careful about making His service perfectly flawless. But the truth is, God knows our foolishness and therefore He forgives us." One woman devotee was near her. I do not know if these words were directed towards her. The Mother was asking her to be careful in picking the right kind of flowers and in making sandal paste for the purpose of worship, as also in not touching any part of the body, cloth or hair while working in the shrine. "One must work in the shrine room with great attention," said she, "Offerings and the rest should be made the proper time."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P31

Mind

The mind is by nature restless. Therefore at the outset to make the mind steady, one may practise meditation by regulating the breathing a little. That helps to steady the mind. But one must not overdo it. That heats the brain. You may talk of the vision of God or of meditation, but remember, the mind is everything. One gets everything when the mind becomes steady.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P178

No Waste

A man came with a basket of fruits. The fruits were meant for offering. He asked the monks what he should do with the basket. They told him to throw it out in the lane. The Mother got up and went to the porch. She looked at the lane and said to me, "Look there. They have asked him to throw away such a nice basket! It does not matter for them in the least. They are all monks and totally unattached. But we cannot allow such a waste. We could have utilized the basket at least for keeping the peelings of the vegetables." She asked someone to fetch the basket and wash it. The basket was kept for some future use. I learnt a lesson from her words.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P34

Effects of Words

“… … In the end the woman confessed to him [i.e. to Sri Ramakrishna] all her sins and was thus released from their evil effects.”

Nalini: How is it possible, Mother? How can one be absolved from sin by simply expressing it in words? Is it possible to wash away sin in this manner?

Mother: Why not, my dear child? Sri Ramakrishna was a perfect soul. Certainly one can be free from sin by confessing it to one like him. And one thing more, if at a certain place people talk of virtue and vice, those present there must take a share of those qualities.

Nalini: How is this possible?

Mother: Let me explain. Imagine a man confessed to you his virtue or vice. Whenever you think of that man you will remember his virtuous or sinful acts. And they will thus leave an impression upon your mind. Is it not true, my child?

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P36-37

Human Birth

My child, you have been extremely fortunate in getting this human birth. Have intense devotion to God. One must work hard. How can one achieve anything without effort? One must devote some time for prayer even in the midst of one's household duties.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P59

Attachment to Body

Everything, husband, wife, or even the body, is only illusory. These are all shackles of illusion. Unless you can free yourself from these bondages, you will never be able to go to the other shore of the world. Even this attachment to the body, the identification of the self with the body, must go. What is this body, my darling? It is nothing but three pounds of ashes when it is cremated. Why so much vanity about it? However strong or beautiful this body may be, its culmination is in those three pounds of ashes. And still people are so attached to it. Glory to God!

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P49

Alert and Careful

Sri Ramakrishna spoke about nothing but God. He used to tell me, 'Do you notice this human body? Today it is and to-morrow it is not. And coming to this world it suffers no end of misery and pain. Why should one worry about taking another birth? God alone is eternally true. If one can call on Him, it is good. Taking a body one has to suffer from its accompanying troubles!' The other day Bilas said to me, 'Mother, we have to be always very alert. We always tremble with fear lest we should think any unholy thought.' That is very true. A monk is like a bleached cloth, and the householder is like a black one. One does not notice the spots in a black cloth so much, but even a drop of ink looks so prominent on white linen. The monk's life is always beset with dangers. The whole world is engrossed in lust and gold. The monk must always practise renunciation and dispassion. Therefore Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'A monk must be always alert and careful.'

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P57

Did We Come for Eating rasagollas?!

Another day, when I visited the Mother, I heard the monks telling her, "Mother, after your recovery this time, we will not allow anyone to receive initiation from you. You have to undergo a lot of suffering by taking upon yourself the sins of your disciples." The Mother smiled softly and said, "Why, my dear children? Did Sri Ramakrishna come only to eat rasagollas'?" That silenced all. O Mother! How much indeed did you express in those few words: ignorant that we are, how little could we understand!

This reminded me of another episode. A woman from a respectable family had fallen on evil ways. But perhaps due to some merit of previous life, she fortunately came in contact with a holy man. Under his guidance, she realized her mistake and became repentant. He advised her to visit the Holy Mother.

One day she came to meet the Mother at the Udbodhan Office. She felt shy to enter the prayer-hall. So standing near the doorstep, she confessed to the Mother all her dark past, and said, "O Mother, what will be my fate? I am not even fit to enter this holy shrine to meet you." The Mother herself went forward and embracing the woman, told her lovingly, "Come, child, come inside. You have understood what sin is, and you are also repentant of your deeds. Come, I shall initiate you. Surrender everything at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna. Why should you fear?"

Accepting the sins and afflictions of mankind on her own shoulders and raising the 'fallen', it is only the all-compassionate Mother, who can smilingly say, "Why! Did Sri Ramakrishna come only to eat rasagollas?"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P70-71

Redemption of Mankind

Is it ever possible for a man to free himself unaided, from the clutches of Maya? It was for this that the Master performed spiritual austerities to the utmost extent and gave the results thereof for the redemption of mankind.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P76

Pure Mind

On moonlit nights [at Dakshineswar] I would look at the moon and pray with folded hands, 'May my heart be as pure as the rays of yonder moon!' Or, 'O Lord, there is a stain even in the moon, but let there not be the least trace of stain in my mind!' If one is steady in meditation, one will clearly see the Lord in one's heart and hear His voice. The moment an idea flashes in the mind of such a one, it will be fulfilled then and there. You will be bathed in peace. Ah! What a mind I had at that time!

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P59

Desires cause Rebirth

As long as a man has desires, there is no end to his transmigration. It is the desires alone that make him take one body after another. There will be rebirth for a man if he has even the desire to eat a piece of sweetmeat. It is for this reason that a variety of foodstuffs are brought to Belur Math. Desire maybe compared to a minute seed. It is like a big banyan tree growing out of a seed, which is no bigger than a dot. Rebirth is inevitable so long as one has desires. It is like taking the soul from one pillowcase and putting it into another; only one or two out of many men can be found who are free from all desires. Though one gets a new body on account of desires, yet one does not completely lose spiritual consciousness if one has to one's credit merits from previous births.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P89

Motherhood

… the Master developed in her [Holy Mother] a better realization of her grave responsibilities as his spiritual counterpart and released her latent sense of motherliness towards all beings. She could therefore say, when questioned by a devotee why she survived the Master, ‘You must be aware that the Master looked upon all in the world as Mother. He left me behind for demonstrating that Motherhood to the world.

- Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother by Swami Tapasyananda, P75

Gaya

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that his body had come from Gaya. When his mother passed away, he asked me to offer Pindam (funeral cakes) at Gaya. I replied I was not entitled to perform those rites when the son himself was alive. The Master replied, "No, no, you are entitled to do it. Under no circumstances can I go to Gaya. If I go, do you think it will be possible for me to return?"* So I did not want him to go there. And later on I performed the rites at Gaya.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P64

* Tradition has it that the birth of Sri Ramakrishna was heralded by the vision his father had at Gaya of the Deity, who announced that He would be born as his son. Hence the spiritual association he had with Gaya was likely to overwhelm him if he went to that place.

Mantra Initiation

The Mantra purifies the body. Man becomes pure by repeating the Mantra of God. Listen to a story. One day Narada went to Vaikuntha to see the Lord and had a long conversation with Him. Narada had not, at that time, been initiated. After Narada left the place, the Lord said to Lakshmi, "Purify the place with cow-dung." "Why, Lord?" asked Lakshmi. "Narada is your great devotee. Why, then, do you say this?" The Lord said, "Narada has not, as yet, received his initiation. The body cannot be pure without initiation."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P76

After Ripening

Disciple: Mother, one gets spiritual realization at any time the grace of God descends on him. Then he does not have to wait for the right time.

Mother: That is true; but can the mango which ripens out of season be as sweet as the one which ripens in the month of Jaishtha that is, the proper season? Men are trying to get fruits out season. You see, nowadays one gets mangoes and jackfruits even in the month of Asvin (autumn). But these are not as sweet those found in the proper season. This is also true of the efforts that lead to God-realization. Perhaps you practise some Japa and austerities in this life; in the next life you may intensify the spiritual mood and in the following life you advance further.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P90

More than Necessary

One morning the Holy Mother was assisting in husking paddy. It was almost her daily job. I asked her, "Mother, why should you work so hard?" "My child," said she in reply, "I have done much more than is necessary to make my life a model."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P80

Everyone’s Due

After some time a beggar came to the house and shouted for some alms. The monks felt annoyed and said rudely, "Go away now. Don't disturb us." At these words the Holy Mother said, "Did you hear their remarks? They have driven away the poor man. They could not shake off their idleness and give something to the beggar. He only wanted a handful of rice. And they could not take the trouble to do this bit of work. Is it proper to deprive a man of what is his due? Even to the cow we owe these peelings of the vegetables. We should hold these near her mouth.”

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P34

Grace of Mind

One should accept the Mantra from a Guru at least for the purification of the body. The Vaishnava, after initiating the disciple, says to him, "Now all depends upon your mind." It is said, "The human teacher utters the Mantra into the ear; but God "breathes the spirit into the soul." Everything depends upon one's mind. Nothing can be achieved without purity of mind. It is said, "The aspirant may have received the grace of the Guru, the Lord and the Vaishnava; but he comes to grief without the grace of 'one'." That 'one' is the mind. The mind of the aspirant should be gracious to him.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P76

Maheshwar and Maheshwari (SRK Tithi Puja)

Our Master alone is Maheshvara (Supreme God) and Maheshvari (Supreme Goddess) as well. He alone is the embodiment of all Deities. He alone is the embodiment of all mystic syllables. One can worship through him all Gods and Goddesses. You can address him as Maheshvara as well as Maheshvari.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P163-164

Spiritual Life

What else is spiritual life besides praying to the Master [Sri Ramakrishna], repeating his Name, and contemplating on him? – Sri Sarada Devi

All God’s Will

The Mother was engaged in a conversation with me in the morning.

Disciple: Mother, if there exists some being called God, why is there so much suffering and misery in the world? Does He not see it? Has He not the power to remove it?

Mother: The creation itself is full of misery and happiness. Could anyone appreciate happiness if misery did not exist? Besides, how is it possible for all persons to be happy? Sita once said to Rama, "Why don't you remove the suffering and unhappiness of all your subjects? Please make all the inhabitants of your kingdom happy. If you only will, you can easily do it." Rama said, "Is it ever possible for all persons to be happy at the same time?”

"Why not?" asked Sita, "Please supply from the royal treasury the means of satisfying everyone's wants." "All right," said Rama, "Your will shall be carried out." Rama sent for Lakshmana and said to him, "Go and notify everyone in my empire that whatever he wants he may get from the royal treasury." At this the subjects of Rama came to the palace and told their wants. The royal treasury began to flow without stint. When everyone was spending his days joyously, through the Maya of Rama the roof of the building in which Rama and Sita lived, started to leak. Workmen were sent for to repair the building. But where were workmen to be had? There was not a labourer in the kingdom. In dire absence of masons, carpenters and artisans all buildings went out of repair, and work was at a standstill. The subjects of Rama informed the king of their difficulties. Finding no other help, Sita said to Rama. "It is no longer possible to bear the discomfort of the leaking roof. Please arrange things as they were before. Then all will be able to procure workmen. Now I realize that it is not possible for all persons to be happy at the same time." "Let it be so," said Rama'. Instantaneously all things were as before and workmen could once more be engaged. Sita said to Rama, "Lord, this creation is your wonderful sport!"

No one will suffer for all time. No one will spend all his days on this earth in suffering. Every action brings its own result and one gets one's opportunities accordingly.

Disciple: Is everything then due to Karma?

Mother: If not, to what else? Don't you see the scavenger carrying the tub on his head?

Disciple: Whence does one first get the propensity, which leads him to an action, good or bad? You may say, as an explanation of the propensities of this life, that they are due to the actions of the previous life, and the propensities of that life to the preceding one. But where is the beginning?

Mother: Nothing can happen without the will of God. Not even a blade of grass can move. When a man passes into a favourable time, he gets the desire to contemplate on God. But when the time is unfavourable, he gets all the facilities for doing evil actions. Everything happens in time according to the will of God. It is God alone who expresses His will through the actions of man. Could Naren (Swami Vivekananda) by himself have accomplished all those things?' He was able to succeed because God worked through him. …

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P91-92 (25th September 1910)

Realized in Spirit

Even the injunctions of Destiny are cancelled if one takes refuge in God. Destiny strikes off with her own hand what she has written about such a person. What does a man become by realizing God? Does he get two horns? No. What happens is, he develops discrimination between the real and the unreal, gets spiritual illumination and goes beyond life and death. God is realized in spirit. How else can one see God? Has God talked to anybody devoid of ecstatic fervour? One sees God in spiritual vision, talks to Him, and establishes relationship with Him in Spirit."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P86

Spirit Body

I had heard that a boy in the Mirzapur Street was possessed by a ghost. Some members of the Udbodhan Office had visited the boy yesterday. I asked the Mother, "How long does one live in the spirit body'!"

Mother: All people, excepting highly evolved souls, live in the spirit body for a year. After that, food and water are offered in Gaya for the satisfaction of the departed souls and religious festivals are arranged. By these means the souls of the departed are released from their spirit body. They go to other planes of existence and experience pleasure or pain, and in course of time, are born again in human forms according to their desires. Others attain salvation from those planes. But if a person has some meritorious action to his credit in this life, he does not lose spiritual consciousness altogether in his spirit body.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P93

Moving Wheel

Disciple: Is it possible for one to attain to a higher state if one's Sraddha ceremony is performed in Gaya?

Mother: Yes, that is true.

Disciple: Then what is the necessity of spiritual practices?

Mother: These dead souls, no doubt, attain to a higher state and live there for some time, but afterwards they are again born in this world according to their past desires. After their birth in a human body some of them obtain salvation in this life, whereas others take inferior births to reap the results of their Karma. This world is moving around like a wheel. That indeed is the last birth in which one gets rid of all desires completely.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P93-94

Fingers

Disciple: What is the need of repeating the Mantra with the fingers? Is it not enough to do so mentally?

Mother: God has given the fingers that they may be blessed by repeating His Name with them.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P91

Significance of Japa

I asked her about Japa and other spiritual practices. The Mother said, "Through these spiritual disciplines the ties of past Karma are cut asunder. But realization of God cannot be achieved without ecstatic love (Prema Bhakti) for Him. Do you know the significance of Japa and other spiritual practices? By these, the dominance of the sense organs is subdued."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P87

Action Countering Action

Mother: … … our present actions can counteract the effect of past actions.

Disciple: Can action ever cancel action?

Mother: Why not? If you do a good action, that will counter act your past evil action. Past sins can be counteracted by meditation , Japa and spiritual thought.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P93

Work and Mind

How can the mind be kept well without any work? Is it possible to meditate for all the twenty-four hours of the day? So one has to take up some work. That keeps the mind in good shape.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P105

Photo of Incarnation

The people nowadays are clever—they have taken his photograph! Take the case of Master Mahasaya. Is he an ordinary soul? He has noted down all the words of the Master. Which Avatara has been photographed, and whose words been recorded in this fashion?

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P123

Love for God

Referring to ecstatic love, the Mother said, "Did the cowherd boys of Brindavan get Sri Krishna as their "own" through Japa or meditation? They realized Him through ecstatic love. They used to say to Him, as to an intimate friend, 'Come here, O Krishna! Eat this! Take this!'"

Disciple: How can one yearn for God without seeing the manifestation of His love?

Mother: Yes, it is possible. There lies the grace of God."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P87

Compassion Incarnate

Disciple: Mother, one day I had a dream. I saw that a man with shaggy hair came to you and insisted that you must do something for him at once. He had previously been initiated by you. But he himself would not practise any spiritual discipline. You said, "If I do something for him then I shall not live; my body will fall off immediately." With all the earnestness I could command, I forbade you to show any kindness to this man and said, "Why should you do anything for him? He will achieve his own salvation. Let him practise sadhana." As he insisted again and again, you became disgusted with him, did something to him by touching his chest and neck, and said repeatedly, "If I do something for him, then I shall not live; my body will fall off immediately:" Then my dream disappeared. Well, is it true that one's power becomes limited when one is born in a physical body?

Mother: Yes, that is so. Many a time, disgusted with the repeated requests of some persons, I think, "Well, this body will die some day. Let it fall off this moment. Let me give him salvation."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P113

Power of Words

One day in the rainy season of the same year, 1911, Swami Saradananda, Yogin-Ma, Golap-Ma and several other devotees went to Kamarpukur from Jayrambati. Yogin-Ma slipped on the road. Some parts of her body were injured and blood flowed. I returned to Jayrambati ahead of the party and told the Holy Mother about Yogin-Ma's accident. The Mother said sadly, "Golap said before they set out, 'Yogin is going with us; let us see how often she slips on the road.' Yogin fell down to vindicate Golap's words. After all, those were the words of a spiritual woman. She practises spiritual disciplines. Therefore her words must bear fruit. Hence a holy person must not say anything bad about anyone."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P112

Realization

Disciple: Mother, does the vision of God mean the attainment of knowledge (Jnana) and spiritual consciousness (Chaitanya)? Or, does it signify something else?

Mother: What else can it mean except the attainment of these? Does anybody mean to say that a man of realization grows two horns?

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P113-114

Subtle and Pure Mind

In the course of conversation I asked her, "Why do you have so much attachment? Day and night you talk of nothing but Radhu, just like people terribly entangled in the world. Many devotees come to you but you pay no heed to them. Is such deep attachment good for you?" I had spoken to her in this strain several times earlier also. At this, the Mother used to reply humbly, "I am a woman, and I follow my womanly nature." But today the Mother said rather animatedly, "Where will you find another like me? See if you can find my peer. Do you know, those who are much given to contemplation on God develop a subtle and pure mind. Whatever object such a mind takes hold of, it sticks to it tenaciously. That's why it appears like attachment. A flash of lightning is seen in the glass panes but not in the wooden shutters."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P309

Karma

Disciple: We hear of ghosts and spooks. Are they the attendants of Siva or simply spirits? Or are they the spirits of dead people?

Mother: They are the spirits of the dead. The spirit attendants of Siva belong to a special group. One must live very carefully. Every action produces its results. It is not good to harass others or use harsh words towards others.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P94

Mukti

Once I visited the image of Jagannath at Puri at the time of the Car Festival. I wept in sheer joy to see so many people having a view of the image of the Deity. 'Ah,' I said to myself, 'it is good. They will all be saved.' But later on I realized that it was not so. Only one or two who were absolutely free from desires could attain liberation. When I narrated the incident to Yogin-Ma, she corroborated this by saying, 'Yes, Mother, only people who are free from desires attain liberation (Mukti).'

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P89

Deity Eating Prasada

Disciple: Does the Master really partake of the food-offering?

Mother: Yes, do I not notice whether he partakes of the food or not? The Master takes the seat before the plate and then partakes of the food.

Disciple: Do you then actually see it?

Mother: Yes. In the case of some offerings, he actually eats and in other cases he merely looks at them. Take your own case. You don't like to eat all things at all times. Nor do you relish the food offered by anyone and everyone. It is like that. One's love of God depends entirely upon one's inner feeling. Love of God is the essential thing.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P101-102

Gaya

Disciple: What happens to those for whom no Sraddha ceremony is performed in Gaya?

Mother: They live in the spirit body until some fortunate ones born in their family perform the Sraddha ceremony in Gaya or some other forms of obsequies.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P94

In Time

Disciple: Mother, a margosa tree does not produce a mango, nor does a mango tree produce a margosa fruit. Everyone reaps the result of his own Karma.

Mother: You are right, my child. In course of time one does not feel even the existence of God. After attaining wisdom (Jnana) one sees that gods and deities are all Maya. Everything comes into existence in time and also disappears in time.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P94

Desires

Disciple: Can all get rid of desires?

Mother: If they could, then this creation would have come to an end. The creation is going on because all cannot be free of desires. People with desires take their births again and again.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P111-112

Compassionate Mother

In this connection another incident comes to my mind. I was then at Jayrambati with the Holy Mother. One day I returned to Jayrambati from Koalpara with an old woman carrying a headload of things for me. The old woman put down her load and bowed down at the Holy Mother's feet. "What is the matter, my daughter?" she said. "You have not come this side for so many days?" The old woman replied in a piteous voice, "Mother, now-a-days I am in great difficulties. Searching for food, I go to different places. And so, when there is an occasion to bring a load here, the gentlemen do not find me in time. A few days back, my young earning son passed away." The Holy Mother was much affected to hear this and her eyes were filled with tears.

"What do you say, my daughter?" she said. On the Mother expressing her sympathy, the old woman gave way to her grief and wept loudly. The Holy Mother was overcome by a wave of sympathetic grief, and she began to lament with the woman, resting her head on a post of the verandah. The other women of the house rushed to the spot on hearing the sound, and stood transfixed there for a minute at the sight they saw. A few moments passed in this way. When the intensity of their grief subsided a little, the Holy Mother asked for some coconut oil. It was brought and she poured it on the old woman's head. After properly oiling her hair the Holy Mother tied a quantity of puffed rice and molasses in her cloth. Bidding her farewell, with her eyes still glittering with tears, the Mother said, "Come again, my daughter." The woman departed, highly consoled by the compassionate conduct of the Holy Mother.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P386-87

Spiritual Life

Suppose the moon is covered by the clouds. Only when the wind gradually takes the clouds away the moon becomes visible. Do the clouds vanish in the twinkling of an eye? Spiritual life also is like that. Karma is exhausted gradually. When one realizes God, He endows one with spiritual illumination within. One becomes aware of it oneself.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P117

Sri Ramakrishna’s Renunciation

Disciple: Whatever you may say, Mother, renunciation and dispassion and the chief things. Shall we ever acquire them?

Mother: Certainly, you will gain everything if you but take refuge in the Master. Renunciation alone was his splendour. We utter his name and eat and enjoy things because he renounced all. People think that his devotees also must be very great, as he was a man of such complete renunciation.

Ah me! One day he went to my room in the Nahabat. He 'had no spices in his small bag. He used to chew them now and then. I gave him some to chew there, and also handed over to him a few packed in paper to take to his room. He proceeded; but instead of going to his room, he went straight to the embankment of the Ganges. He did not see the way, nor was he conscious of it. He was repeating, "Mother, shall I drown myself!" I became restless with agony. The river was full to the brim. I was then a young woman and would not go out of my room. I could not see anyone about. Whom could I send to him? At last I found a Brahmana belonging to the Kali temple coming in the direction of my room. Through him I called Hriday, who was then taking his meal. He left his plate, ran to the Master, caught hold of him, and brought him back to his room. A moment more, and he would have dropped into the Ganges!

Disciple: Why did he go towards the river?

Mother: Because I put a few spices in his hand, he could not find his way. A holy man must not lay things by. His renunciation was hundred per cent complete.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P124-125

Varanasi

Disciple: Please tell me if one dying in Banaras gains liberation. What have you seen?"

Mother: The Scriptures say so. Besides, so many people come here with this faith. What else can happen to him who has taken refuge in the Lord?

Disciple: It is, of course, true that he who has taken refuge in God will be liberated. But take the case of those who have not surrendered themselves to God, who are not His devotees, or who belong to other faiths, - will they also get liberation by dying at Banaras?

Mother: Yes, they too. Banaras is permeated with the spirit of God. All living beings of this place, even the moths and insects, are filled with divine consciousness. Any being that dies here—be it a devotee, an atheist, one belonging to another religion, or even an insect or moth—will surely be liberated.

Disciple: Are you speaking the truth?

Mother: Yes, it is true, indeed. Otherwise how can you explain the glory of the holy place?

Nearby there were some sweets that had been offered to the Lord. A fly, buzzing about, sat on my arm. Pointing to it, I said, "Even this fly?"

Mother: Yes, even that fly. All living beings of this place are filled with the spirit of God. Bhudev wanted to take home two young pigeons that had been caught in the niche over the staircase. I said to him. "No, no; you must not take them away. They are inhabitants of Banaras." … …

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P150

Karma and Japa

The result of Karma is inevitable. But by repeating the Name of God, you can lessen its intensity. If you were destined to have a wound as wide as a ploughshare, you will get a pin-prick at least. The effect of Karma can be counteracted to a great extent by Japa and austerities. … … Chanting God's holy Name lessens the intensity of Karmic effects.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P133

Sraddha Ceremony Food

Lalit Babu: Mother, what rules and regulations should one observe regarding food?

Mother: One should not eat the food given at funeral obsequies (Sraddha ceremony). It does harm to devotional life. Sri Ramakrishna used to forbid it. Besides, first offer to God whatever you eat. One must not eat unoffered food. As your food is, so will be your blood. From pure food you get pure blood, pure mind and strength. Pure mind begets ecstatic love (Prema Bhakti)

Lalit Babu: Mother, we are householders. What shall we do at the Sraddha ceremony of our relatives?

Mother: Supervise the ceremony and give help to your relatives so that they may not be offended; but try somehow to avoid taking meals on that day. If you cannot do that, then on the day of the Sraddha ceremony eat what is offered t6 Vishnu or other gods. The devotees can partake of the food of the Sraddha ceremony if it is offered to God.

Lalit Babu: Many a time there remains an excess of unused food-stuff procured for the Sraddha ceremony. Can one cook and eat that?

Mother: Yes, you can. That will not injure you, my child. A householder cannot help it.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P158-159

Out of Compassion

Disciple: You initiate the devotees because you desire to do so.

Mother: No, I do so out of compassion. They won't leave me. They weep. I feel compassion for them. Out of kindness I give them initiation. Besides, what do I gain by it? When I initiate devotees, I have to accept their sins. Then I think, "Well, this body will die anyway; let them realize the truth."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P120

Kedarnath

This Kedar and the Kedar in the Himalayas are identical—they are connected. If you see this, it is as good as seeing that. The Deity here is a living Presence!

• Holy Mother about Kedarnath Temple of Varanasi,

The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P146

Solitary Place

Disciple: For practising spiritual disciplines in Varanasi, should one live in the monastery or in some lonely place?

Mother: If you practise spiritual disciplines for some time in a solitary place like Rishikesh, you will find that your mind has gained in strength, and then you can live in any place or in the company of anyone without being in the least affected by it. A sapling must be protected by a fence all around, but when it grows big not even cows and goats can injure it. Spiritual practice in a solitary place is essential. When worldly thoughts crop up in your mind, and they possess it, then you should go away from the company of others and pray to Him with tears in your eyes. He will remove all the dross of your mind, and will also give you understanding.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P213

Pure Mind

One could be born with a pure mind if one had performed many austerities and spiritual practices in a previous birth. – Sri Sarada Devi

Instrument of Divine Mother

Golap-ma: “Mother says that the Master is always with you. You have still many more things to do for the good of the world.”

Swamiji: “I see directly, I feel, and I realize that I am a mere instrument of the Master. Sometimes I am myself surprised how such wonderfully great things are taking place and how in the West men and women are ready to devote their lives to this noble cause and to help me voluntarily in spreading the message of the Master. I went to America with the blessing of the Mother, and when I succeeded in moving the people there through my speeches and received tremendous ovations from them, I remembered at once the power of the Mother’s blessings, which had worked such a miracle. When I rested in silence, I could clearly perceive that the same Divine Power, whom the Master called the ‘Divine Mother’, was guiding me there.”

Golap-ma conveyed the Mother’s reply: “The Master is not separate or different from the Divine Mother. The Master is doing all these great things through you. You are his chosen disciple and son. He loved you intensely and predicted before all that you were one day destined to be a distinguished world teacher.”

[Conversation during Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Holy Mother at Baghbazar, Calcutta, 1897]

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P198

After Death

Human being – today he is, tomorrow he is not. No one will accompany a person after his death. Only his actions — good and bad — follow him; even after death. – Holy Mother

Effect of Place

A narrow place makes the mind narrow, while a commodious place expands it. – Holy Mother

Regular Practice

Why can't one meditate if one has a pure mind? Why should one not be able to see God? When a pure soul performs Japa, he feels as if the holy Name bubbles up spontaneously from within himself. He does not make an effort to repeat the Name. One should practise Japa and meditation at regular times, giving up idleness. While living at Dakshineswar I used to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning and practise Japa and meditation. One day I felt a little indisposed and left the bed rather late. The next day I woke up still late through laziness. Gradually I found that I did not feel inclined to get up early at all. Then I said to myself, 'Ah, at last I have fallen a victim to laziness.' Thereupon, I began to force myself to get up early. Gradually I got back my former habit. In such matters one should keep up the practice with unyielding resolution.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P176

Compassion for All

He is unfortunate, indeed, who does not gain my compassion. I do not know anyone, not even an insect, for whom I do not feel compassion. – Sri Sarada Devi

One day the Mother visited Sarnath. When she saw some foreigners observing with evident astonishment the Buddhist ruins there, she said, "These are the very people who built these things in their previous birth. Now they have come again, and are amazed at their own doings!"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P146

Correct Mantra-Japa

Disciple: Mother, shall I keep count while I do Japa?

Mother: If you count while you do Japa, your attention will be drawn to the counting. Do Japa without counting.

Disciple: Why doesn't my mind get absorbed while doing Japa?

Mother: You will succeed through practice. Don't give up your practice of Japa, even if your mind doesn't become steady. Do your spiritual practice ardently. Repeating His name will make your mind steadfast like the flame of a lamp protected from wind. Wind makes a flame unsteady. Similarly, desires prevent the mind from becoming concentrated. Besides, if the Mantra is not pronounced correctly, it takes more time for one to achieve any result. A woman had ‘Rukmini nathaya' as her Mantra. She used to utter 'Ruku', 'Ruku', and on account of this her progress was retarded. But through the Lord's grace she later got her Mantra corrected.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P219

Mother: … … He [Sri Ramakrishna] used to say, "One who remembers me never suffers from want of food or from other physical privations."

Maku: Did he himself say this?

Mother: Yes, these are the very words from his mouth. By remembering him one gets rid of all sufferings. … …

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P154

An Ideal Husband

The Master was interested in nothing but God. When I asked him what I should do with the saris, conch shell bracelets, and other things with which he had worshipped me when he performed the Shodashi Puja, he said after a little thought, “Well, you can give them to your mother, but be careful that when presenting the gifts, you don’t look upon her as your personal mother but as the Mother of the universe.” I did so. Such was his teaching.

My mother would grieve, “ I have married my Sarada to such a crazy husband that she can’t enjoy ordinary married life or have any children and hear them call her ‘Mother’.” One day the Master heard her and said: “Don’t grieve over that, Mother. Your daughter will have so many children, you will see, that her ears will ache at hearing the cry of ‘Mother’.” He was quite right. Everything that he said has come to pass.

- Holy Mother, ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P123

Master One with All Gods

At one time, from Baghbazar’s Siddheshwari temple, the water used in bathing the deity used to be sent to Sarada Devi. Once after the worship of the Master, Swami Vasudevananda brought to Sarada Devi the sacred bath waters of Siddheshwari and also of the Master. He brought them in two separate containers. She was then standing in the veranda. She asked, “Why two containers?” The Swami replied, “One belongs to Siddheshwari and the other to the Master.” She replied, “It’s all one.” When the Swami came forward to give the separate waters to her, she said, “Mix them.” “I will do so from tomorrow”, replied the Swami. She then instructed, “No. Mix them in my presence.” She accepted the waters only after they were mixed.

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P82

Another day at Jayrambati I asked the Mother, "How can one realize God?—through worship, Japa or meditation?”

Mother: By none of these.

Disciple: Then how?

Mother: God is realized only through His grace. Nonetheless, one must perform Japa and meditation, for they remove the impurities of one's mind. One must practise spiritual disciplines such as worship, Japa, and meditation. As one gets the fragrance of a flower by handling it or the scent of the sandalwood by rubbing it against a stone, similarly one becomes spiritually awakened by continuously contemplating on the Divine. But you can become illumined right now, if you become desireless.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P310

Always repeat the name of the Chosen Ideal like the ever-moving hand of a clock. – Sri Sarada Devi

Padmabinode and Mother

Binodbehari Som, a student of the school where Master Mahashaya taught, was introduced by him to the Master who influenced him very much. But subsequently Som entered a theatre and took to drinking under the influence of which he talked desultorily when returning home at dead of night. He knew Swami Saradananda intimately and used to call him his dost (chum). His friends nick-named him Padmabinode. Now, Padmavinode, when passing by the Mother’s house on his way home from the theatre, used to call on his dost, who, however instructed everyone neither to respond nor to open the door, lest the Mother should be disturbed. One night, getting no answer from inside the house, Padmabinode started singing under the influence of liquor:

Get up, Mother gracious, and open the door;

Nothing is visible in the dark; and my heart ever throbs.

How often do I call on thee, O Tara (Kali) at the pitch of my voice!

And yet, though kind thou art forsooth, how thou behavest today!

Leaving thy child outside, thou sleepest inside;

While crying, ‘Mother’, ‘Mother’, am I reduced to skin and bone!

With proper pitch, tune, modulation, and cadence in all the three gamuts,

I call on thee so often; and still thou awakest not!

Maybe, thou hast turned thy face because of my engrossment in play.

Do thou look at me with upturned face, and I shan’t go for play again.

Who but a Mother can bear the burden of such a wretched son?

The plaintive appeal of the song was irresistible. The blinds of the Mother’s window went up at once, and then the window itself opened wide. Padmabinode noticed this and said with delight, ‘Have you got up, Mother? Have you heart your son’s call? Since you’ve got up, take this salute.’ So saying he began to roll on the street. Then taking the dust from the street and putting it on his head he went away singing another tune,

Keep Mother Shyama (Kali) carefully concealed in your heart;

O mind, mayst thou and I only see Her, and none else.

and he repeated with some gusto,

May I see Her, and not my dost.

Next day the Mother inquired about him, and learning everything, remarked, ‘See, how firm is his conviction!’ Padmabinode saw the Mother in that very manner at least once again. Next morning, when her attendents remonstrated that it was not proper for her to leave her bed at that unearthly hour, she replied, ‘I can’t contain myself at his call.’

Not long after, Padmabinode had a severe attack of dropsy, and he had to enter a hospital. During his last moments he expressed a desire to hear the Bengali Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna, which was read out to him. Tears trickled down the corners of his eyes and he heard the blessed words, and he passed away in eternal silence with the Master’s name on his lips. The Mother heard all this and said with evident satisfaction, ‘Why should this not be so? Was he not the Master’s son? He was wallowing in mud, and has now retuned to the lap to which he belonged.’

- ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P206-07

Disciple: Men can't do anything on their own. It is He who is making them do all that they do.

Mother: True it is that He is causing men to do everything. But do they have that understanding? Being filled with egotism, they think they are the doers of everything and that they don't have to depend upon God. Those who rely on Him are protected by Him from all dangers.

• The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P212

Swami Asitananda said, “One day in the Jagadamba Ashrama, the Mother was seated on a cot under a tamarind tree. At that time a woman belonging to the dome caste came to her weeping. She complained that her paramour had given her up untimely, whereas she had come after renouncing everything for the sake of that person. Hearing her sorrowful tale the Mother summoned that man and rebuked him affectionately, but in strong manner, ‘For your sake she has left everything; moreover, all this time you have been accepting her services. Now if you give her up, you will be committing a grave sin – you will find no place even in hell.’ Hearing the Mother’s words the person came to his senses and went home along with the woman.”

• ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P188-89

There is no happiness whatever in human birth. The world is verily filled with misery. Happiness here is only a name. He on whom the grace of the Master has fallen, alone knows him to be God Himself. And remember, that is the only happiness.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P173-74

God has this infinite creation. If you do not pray to God, what does it matter to Him? There are many people who do not even think of God. If you do not call on Him, it is your misfortune. Such is the Divine Maya that He has thus made people forget Him. He feels, 'They are quite all right, let them be.'

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P175

Disciple: What is the aim of life?

Mother: The aim of life is to realise God and remain immersed in the contemplation of His holy feet always.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P214

I said, "Mother, I can hardly perform spiritual practices, and I don't think I shall ever be able to." The Mother assured me saying, "What else will you do? Do what you are doing now. Remember that the Master is behind every one of you. I, too, am behind, you."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P229

Nivedita’s Letter

Beloved Mother,

This morning, early, I went to church – to pray for Sara. All the people there were thinking of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and suddenly I thought of you. Your dear face, and your loving look and your white Sari and your bracelets. It was all there. And it seemed to me that yours was the Presence that was to soothe and bless poor S. Sara’s sickroom. And – do you know? – I thought I had been very foolish to sit in your room, at the evening service to Sri Ramakrishna, trying to meditate. Why did I not understand that it was quite enough to be a little child at your dear feet? Dear Mother! You are full of love! And it is not a flushed and violent love, like ours, and like the world’s, but a gentle peace that brings good to everyone and wishes ill to none. It is a golden radiance, full of play. What a blessed Sunday that was, a few months ago, when I ran in to you, the last thing before I went on the Ganges – ran back to you for a moment – as soon as I came back! I felt such a wonderful freedom in the blessing you gave me, and in your welcome home! Dearest Mother! I wish we could send you a wonderful hymn, or a prayer. But somehow even that would seem too loud, too full of noise! Surely you are the most wonderful thing of God – Sri Ramakrishna’s own chalice of His Love for the world – a token left with His children, in these lonely days, and we should be very still and quiet before you – except indeed for a little fun! Surely the ‘wonderful things of God’ are all quiet – stealing unnoticed into our lives – the air and the sunlight and the sweetness of gardens and of the Ganges. These are the silent things that are like you! Do send to poor S. Sara the mantle of your peace. Isn’t your thought, now and then, of the high calm that neither loves nor hates? Isn’t that a sweet benediction that trembles in God, like the dewdrop on the lotus-leaf, and touches not the world?

Ever, my darling Mother, your foolish KHOOKI (baby),
Nivedita

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P216-217

A devotee asked the Mother, "The Master said, 'Those who come here (meaning those who accept Sri Ramakrishna as the spiritual ideal) will not be born again.' Again, Swamiji said, 'None can have liberation without being initiated into Sannyasa.' Then what is the way for householders?" The Mother replied, "Yes, what the Master said is true, and what Swamiji said is also true. Householders need not have external renunciation. Internal renunciation will come to them of itself. But some people need external renunciation also. Why do you fear? Surrender yourself' to the Master and always remember that he is behind you."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P305

… we must pray for Nirvasana, freedom from desire. Desire is at the root of all sorrows, the cause of repeated births and deaths, and the main obstacle on the path of liberation. – Sri Sarada Devi

Kali, the Mother of the universe, is the Mother of all. It is She alone who has begotten both good and evil. Everything has come out of Her womb. There are different kinds of perfect souls—perfect from very birth (Svatah-siddha), perfect through spiritual disciplines (Sadhana-siddha), perfect through the grace of the teacher (kripa-siddha), and made perfect all of a sudden (hathat-siddha).

Disciple: What is the meaning of 'made perfect all of a sudden'?

Mother: It is like becoming wealthy suddenly by inheriting the riches of another.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P135-36

Unconditional Devotion

One day after meditation Golap-ma remarked: “Mother, the Master said, ‘Only Ishwarkotis [godlike souls] can have unconditional devotion, not jivakotis [ordinary souls].”

Holy Mother replied: “Ishwarkotis have fulfilled all their desires. Because they are devoid of desire, they become recipients of unconditional devotion. Jivakotis have innumerable desires, so they cannot have unconditional devotion.”

“It seems that I shall never achieve unconditional devotion,” Golap-ma said.

“Why not, Golap? If you can give up desire, you will attain it.”

“Can a jiva [individual soul] give up all desires?”

“Yes, one can give up desire. That is why one is supposed to practise japa, meditation, and other spiritual practices. The mantra purifies the body. A man becomes pure by repeating the mantra. When a man gets rid of desires by discriminating between the real and the unreal, then he does not remain a jiva anymore. He becomes eligible for liberation. Moreover, one can attain unconditional devotion by God’s will.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P179

One day some local women-folk came to visit the Mother [at Benaras]. They found her very busy with Radhu, Bhudev and other children, and asking Golap-Ma to mend her torn cloth. One of them could not help blurting out, "Mother, I see you terribly entangled in Maya!" The Mother replied in an undertone, "What to do, dear, for I myself am Maya!"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P147

Nivedita

Look at Nivedita, a Western girl who came to our country and worked happily, forbearing insults and harassment; and also enduring so much discomfort. She tried to educate our children. When she visited some homes to register their children for her school, she was humiliated; some did not allow her to go inside their homes; and some allowed her to go inside but later purified the place by sprinkling Ganges water. She saw everything but did not mind. She left each place with a smiling face. There was not bounden necessity for her to educate the girls of our country by enduring such insults and ill-treatment and ruining her life little by little. You see, my daughter Nivedita had such a wonderful mind that she took on the responsibility of teaching our girls on her own shoulders because her Guru Naren wanted it and asked her to do it. She did not care for physical suffering and discomfort, or for the insults and incivility of our people. Those for whom she dedicated her life, they treated her contemptuously. Under such circumstances, could the women of our country sacrifice to such a great extent for the sake of their guru? They would say, “We don’t care!” So I say that except for the Master no one knows or understands how, when, what, or through whom he makes one work.

- Holy Mother, ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P224

It is the nature of water to flow downwards, but the sun's rays lift it up towards the sky; likewise it is the very nature of the mind to go to lower things, to objects of enjoyment, but the grace of God can make the mind go towards higher objects.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P175

A monk must be free from anger and hatred, he must tolerate everything. The Master used to tell Hriday, "You will bear with my words and I shall bear with yours-then only we can satisfactorily pull on. Otherwise, the cashier of the temple estate may have to be called for settling our disputes."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P214

Mother: … Everything depends upon Karma (one's past actions). The moment one's Karma comes to an end, one realizes God. That is one's last birth.

Disciple: I admit that the cessation of actions (Karma-kshaya); spiritual disciplines and time are the factors in the attainment of spiritual knowledge and consciousness. But if God be our very 'own', then can't He reveal Himself to His devotees by His mere will?

Mother: That is right. But who has this faith that He is his 'own'? All practise these or those disciplines because they think it their duty to do so. But how many seek God?

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P114

Another day I told her, "Mother, you give initiation to so many people, but you never enquire about them. You don't even give a thought about what is happening to them. A Guru keeps a keen eye on his disciple, seeing whether he is developing spiritually. It would be better if you did not give initiation to so many people. You should initiate only as many as you can keep touch with." The Mother replied, "But the Master never forbade me to do so. He explained so many things to me. Could he not have told me something about this as well? I entrust the Master with their responsibility. I pray to him every day, 'Please look after them wherever they may be.' Besides, do you know that the Master himself taught me these Mantras? He gave me Mantras possessing great power."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P309

The mind is everything. It is in the mind alone that one feels pure and impure. A man, first of all, must make his own mind guilty and then alone he can see another man's guilt. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you. This has been my attitude from my childhood. Hence I can't see anybody's faults. If a man does a trifle for me, I try to remember him even for that. To see the faults of others! One should never do it. I never do so. Forgiveness is tapasya (austerity).

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P136

One day I asked the Mother, "Mother, there are some who have different Gurus for their Mantra and their Sannyasa. Now, whom should they meditate upon as their Guru?" The Mother replied, "The giver of the Mantra is the real Guru, for by the repetition of this Mantra one obtains dispassion, renunciation, and Sannyasa."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P221

A man's mind runs after bad things. If he wants to act virtuously, the mind fails to co-operate. In earlier days I used to leave my bed daily at three o'clock in the morning to meditate. One day I felt unwell and out of laziness dispensed with the meditation. Because of this my meditation was stopped for a few days. Therefore, if one wants to achieve something noble, he must be sincerely arduous and seized with a firm resolve. When I used to stay in the Nahabat, on moonlit nights I would look at the reflection of the moon in the still waters of the Ganges and, weeping, pray to God, 'There are stains even on the moon, but let my mind be absolutely stainless.'

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P212

… man achieves the highest goal through the practice of Japa. Japa leads to success. Yes, Japa leads to success! - Sri Sarada Devi

Mother: … … The Master practised all kinds of disciplines. He used to say, "I have made the mould; now you may cast the image."

Disciple: What is the meaning of casting the image?

Bhudev: It means to meditate on the Master and mould yourself after him.

Mother: Yes, he has understood it. To cast the image means to meditate and contemplate on the Master, to think of the various incidents of his life. By meditating on him, one gets all the spiritual moods.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P153

One day the Holy Mother said, "However much of Japa you do, however much of work you perform all is for nothing. If Mahamaya does not open the way, is anything possible for anyone? Oh bound soul! Surrender, surrender. Then alone will She take compassion on you and leave your path open." Saying this, she told an incident in the Master's life at Kamarpukur.

"One day in the month of Jyeshta, there was a heavy rain one evening. The whole field was covered with water. The Master was going along the main road near Dompada wading in the water. There, seeing that many fish had accumulated, people were beating them to death with sticks. One fish kept going round and round the Master's feet. Noticing it, he said, 'Hey, do not kill this fish. It is going round my feet, surrendering itself to me. If anybody can, let him take this fish and set it free in the pond.' Then he himself set it free and came home and said, 'Ah, if anyone could surrender in this manner, then alone can he find protection.'"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P408-09

One day I asked her, "Mother, does not the practice of repeating God's name gradually reduce the accumulated effects of a man's past actions?" Everyone must experience the consequence of his past actions," the Mother replied. "Nevertheless, the remembrance of God's name helps one this much—instead of losing a leg one may suffer merely from a thorn entering one's foot."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P228

One day she asked me to make food offering to the Master. I did not know the Mantras etc., for offering food. So I told the Mother, "But, Mother, I do not know how to offer food to the Master." The Holy Mother then explained, "Look, my dear, think of the Master as your own and say, 'Please come, please sit down, please take, please eat,' and you must think that he has come, he has sat down, and he is taking food. Do you need Mantras etc., for your own near and dear ones? All ceremonies and forms are like the honour and respect shown to relatives when they come. With your own people you won't need all that. With whatever attitude you give him, with the same attitude he will take." After that the Holy Mother taught me a Mantra for making food offering to the Master.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P370

Power passes through the Mantra-the Guru's goes to the disciple and the disciple's comes to the Guru. That is why the Guru at the time of initiation takes on himself the sins of the disciple and suffers so much from physical maladies. It is extremely difficult to be a Guru, for he has to take

the responsibilities for the disciple's sins. If the disciple commits a sin, that affects the Guru too. On the other hand, the Guru is benefited if the disciple is good. Some disciples make quick progress, and some do it slowly. It depends on the tendencies of the mind acquired by one's past deeds.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P156

When the Mother used to stay at 10/2 Bosepara Lane, Swamiji [Swami Vivekananda] dismissed an Oriya worker of the monastery on the charges of stealing. He went to the Mother and prayed, “Mother, I am a poor man. The salary that I get every month is not adequate, for I have a family to support. That’s why I have become like this.” He said this and began to weep. That day the Mother kept him there and arranged for his bathing and food. In the evening when Swami Premananda came to make obeisance to her, she said, “Look here, Baburam, this person is very poor. He was impelled by his poverty and the difficulties in his family to do what he did. Should Naren on that score scold him and drive him out? You are all monks – you hardly understand the difficulties of a householder’s life! Take the person back.” On this, Baburam Maharaj said, “If I take him back to the Math, Swamiji will be displeased.” As soon as he said this, the Mother instructed, “I am telling you – take him back.” Baburam Maharaj reached the Math along with the person a little before evening. Swamiji was then sitting in the veranda. On seeing the person, Swamiji exclaimed, “You have brought that fellow back again! Just look at Baburam’s thoughtlessness!” When, however, Baburam Maharaj conveyed to Swamiji what the Mother had said, without uttering a single word, Swamiji took him back.

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P187-88

Pure air blows for eight miles on both the banks of the Ganga. This air is the embodiment of Narayana. The mind is rendered pure as the result of many austerities. God who is purity itself cannot be attained without spiritual practices. What else does a man obtain by the realization of God? Does he grow two horns? No, his mind becomes pure, and through such a pure mind one attains knowledge and spiritual awakening.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P172-73

Guru (Purnima)

What do you need an Incarnation for? To anyone, his own Guru is far superior to even an Incarnation of God. Try to understand this and keep steady. – Holy Mother

Disciple: Mother, I don't have time even for meditation. Kindly make my Kundalini awaken.

Mother: It will certainly awaken. A little Japa and meditation will awaken it. Does it wake up on its own? Do Japa and meditation. The practice of meditation will lead your mind to such one-pointedness that you won't like to give up meditation. But when you do not achieve such concentration of mind, don't force yourself to meditation. On such occasions finish your spiritual practice by simply saluting the Lord. The day on which you have the right mood, you will have meditation spontaneously.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P213

Mother: Satya Yuga has begun since the birth of the Master. Many luminaries have accompanied him. Naren was the chief among the Seven Sages (Saptarshi.) Arjuna came as Yogen. How many such great souls can there be? Sour mangoes can be had without number. But fajli (a certain variety) mangoes — can one get so many? Countless ordinary people take birth and die. But only these jewels among men come along with the Incarnation for the sake of His mission.

Disciple: Swamiji also said that with the advent of the Master the Satya Yuga has begun.

Mother: That is so.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P167

Holy Mother insisted that her devotees pay respects to the monks. In 1919 when she was staying with Radhu at Koalpara Ashrama, Brahmachari Barada was preparing the shopping list according to Holy Mother’s instructions. At that time a woman devotee happened to pass that way, and her cloth inadvertently touched Barada’s back. Although he did not notice it, the Mother did. Irritated, she said to the woman devotee: “Hello, don’t you see this young boy is sitting in front of me and writing? Are you not aware that your cloth has brushed over his back? He is a brahmachari and you are a woman. You should pay respect to the monks. Touch the upper corner of your cloth on the ground and bow down to him.” The Mother spoke in such a serious tone that it became a lesson for the other women.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P411-12

Disciple: What can repetition of His Name achieve, if it is not attended with earnestness?

Mother: Regardless of whether you get into water willingly or are pushed, your clothes will be soaked. Practise meditation regularly, for your mind is still unripe. After prolonged practice of meditation your mind will become steady. And you should constantly discriminate between the real and the unreal. Know the worldly objects to which the mind is drawn to be unreal and surrender your mind to God. A man was angling in a pond all by himself when a bridegroom's procession with its music passed by. But his eyes remained fixed on the float.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P214

Disciple: Unless the Kundalini is aroused, nothing worthwhile can be achieved.

Mother: Certainly it will awake. Repetition of His name will lead to the goal. Even when your mind does not become concentrated you can repeat the holy Name thousands of times. One hears the anahata-dhvani prior to the rousing of the Kundalini. But this is not possible without the grace of the Divine Mother.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P216-17

Whenever any evil thought haunts you, tell your mind: 'Being her child, can I stoop so low as to indulge in any such activity?' You will find that you gain strength and peace of mind. – Sri Sarada Devi

Barada said: “Some say that one achieves nothing through work. One can succeed in spiritual life only through japa and meditation.”

Holy Mother responded: "How do they know what will give success and what will not? Does one achieve everything by practising japa and meditation for a few days? Nothing whatsoever is achieved unless Mahamaya clears the path. Didn't you notice the other day that one person's brain became deranged because he forced himself to do excessive prayer and meditation? If one's brain is deranged, one's life is useless. The intelligence of a human being is very precarious. It is like the thread of a screw. If one thread is loosened, one becomes crazy. Or one becomes entangled in the trap of Mahamaya and thinks oneself to be very intelligent. One feels quite all right. But if the screw is tightened in a different direction, one follows the right path and enjoys peace and happiness. One should always remember God and pray to Him for right understanding.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P480

Is the Master's hair a trifle? After his passing away, when I went to Prayag (Allahabad). I carried some of his hair to offer at the confluence of the Ganges and Jamuna. Standing in still water I was holding the hair in my hand and was thinking of immersing it in the water, when suddenly a wave rose and swept away the hair from my hand. The water, already sacred, took the hair from my hand in order to increase its sanctity.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P221

Ever in Superconscious State

“Go and prostrate before the Mother, but don’t touch her feet. She is so gracious, so tender and affectionate, that when touches her feet she then readily draws unto and takes upon herself all the misery and suffering of the hapless soul, out of her infinite grace and unbounded love and compassion for one and all; thereby she has to suffer herself silently for other’s sake. Go slowly one by one and prostrate before her. Pray to her and ask for her blessing from the bottom of your heart, with all sincerity, and without verbal expression. She is ever in a superconscious state and understands everybody’s mind.”

[Swami Vivekananda addressing assembled devotees during his visit to Holy Mother at Baghbazar, Calcutta, 1897]

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P198

Selfishness—well, it persists as long as a person is self-assertive, but not when that is overcome. Why entertain any fear? All conditions can turn favourable by the will of the Master. – Sri Sarada Devi

Nag Mahashay

Once Nag Mahashay visited Holy Mother at her residence on Sarkarbari Lane in Calcutta. The Mother described his exuberant devotion: “What wonderful devotion he had! Look at this dry sal leaf-plate. Could anyone eat it? But out of overwhelming devotion, he swallowed even the lef-plate because prasada had touched it. Ah, his eyes were full of devotion – slightly reddish and always moist with tears. His body was emaciated from severe austerities. When he came to see me, his body would tremble out of devotion and it was hard for him to climb up the stairs. His steps would falter. I have never seen such devotion in anyone.” Holy Mother once gave him a cloth, but Nag Mahashay never used it. On special occasions he would tie it around his head. Sometimes he would say, “Mother is more gracious than Father.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P191

Disciple: Mother, why is it that my mind does not become steady? When I try to think of God I find it drawn to various worldly objects.

Mother: It is harmful if the mind is drawn to worldly objects like money and members of one's family. Nonetheless, the mind naturally dwells on one's daily activities. If you don't succeed in meditation, practise Japa. Japa leads to perfection. One attains perfection through Japa. If a meditative mood sets in, well and good. If not, don't force your mind to meditate.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P213

One day in the course of a conversation I said, "Mother, nothing worthwhile can be achieved in worldly life." In reply she said, "Son, the world is a great mire. If one gets into it, he finds it difficult to get free. Even Brahma and Vishnu gasp in it, what to speak of man! Repeat His name. If you repeat His name, He will take you beyond worldliness. Son, can anyone attain liberation unless He helps? Have deep faith in Him. Know the Master to be your refuge, just as parents are to children in this world."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P323

I [Surendranath Sircar] said, "Mother, devotees call you Kali, Adyasakti, Bhagavati, etc. In the Gita it is mentioned that the saints Asita, Devala, Vyasa, and others called Sri Krishna as Narayana Himself. Sri Krishna himself told this to Arjuna. By mentioning it himself in the Gita, the idea has been still more emphasized. I believe everything that I have heard about you. Still, if you will please speak of it yourself, my doubts will be dispelled. I want to hear from you directly whether these things are true." "Yes, true they are," said the Mother. After this I never asked the Mother any question relating to her real nature.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P221

D.: "Mother, where is God?”

Mother: "Dear, where else is God except very close to His devotees? If worldly people even visit the place used by holy men, the very atmosphere of the place can remove the dross of their mind."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P265

After chatting for some time, in the course of conversation, I told the Mother, "Mother, you are

Mahamaya; you have nicely deluded us by bestowing parents, husbands, and children on us." The Mother immediately replied, "Don't speak like this – that I have kept others deluded! The sufferings of people bound in the world pain me very much. But what can I do, my child? They don't seek liberation."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P265

Then someone asked her, "Mother, your relations have enjoyed so much of your holy company, still why do they not show the least glimmer of wisdom?" The Mother replied, "They are like bamboos and silk-cotton trees. Even if they grow close to a sandal wood tree, what will it profit them? The trees must have some essence."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P303

Rammay used to go to Jayrambati from Badanganj every Saturday. Hence if any good food came to the Mother’s house, she kept apart a share of it for him. One day somebody prepared some delicious khichudi with plenty of ghee and other costly ingredients. When Rammay came, she gave him a great quantity of it. As he could not do full justice to it, he ate as much as he could and then wanted to throw away the rest. But the Mother said, 'My boy, don't throw away such good stuff', and directed him to call in a girl of the Sadagopa caste from a neighbouring house, who came and carried away the remaining food with great delight. Then the Mother said, ‘Each should have his due. What men can eat shouldn't be wasted on cattle; what cattle can eat shouldn't be thrown away to dogs; what cattle and dogs can't eat can be thrown into ponds for the fish - nothing should be wasted.’ As for herself, she kept even such useless stuff as waste vegetables and fruit peels for cattle.

- ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P483-84

I asked the Mother one day, "You have instructed me how to perform Japa of the name of the Master; but how shall do Japa of your name?" The Mother replied, "You can do it with the name 'Radha' or any other name that suits you. If you cannot choose any such name, then repeat simply 'Ma'."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P265

Kedar Maharaj asked, "Mother, is it for the establishment of the harmony of all religions that the Master came this time?" The Holy Mother replied, "Look here. I never felt that he practised all the religions with the intention of teaching the harmony of all religions. He was always immersed in God-consciousness. He followed all the disciplines—those of Christians, Muslims, Vaishnavas, etc.—for the sake of God-realization, and he enjoyed the Divine lila (play) in different ways, entirely unconscious of how time passed. But still, do you know, my dear, in this age renunciation has been his speciality. Has anyone ever seen at any time that kind of spontaneous renunciation? What you have said of the harmony of religions is also true. In other Incarnations one ideal or another was emphasised over others."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P396

The crazy aunt [Radhu’s mother] was arranging lunch for a relative by placing a leaf plate and a glass of water on her veranda. Radhu’s cat sipped water from that glass, so she replaced it with another glass of water. This time also the cat sipped the water. The crazy aunt chased the cat, shouting, “I shall kill you.” The Mother was nearby. She said: “No, one should not prevent a thirsty animal from drinking. Moreover, the cat has already touched that water.” Immediately the crazy aunt flared up, saying: “You will not have to show your overflowing compassion to that cat. You have shown enough compassion to people. Why not reserve your kindness for human beings?” The Mother gravely said: “That person is really unfortunate who is deprived of my compassion. I don’t know anyone, even an insect, who is not a recipient of my compassion.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P440

Very early one morning a calf was pitifully crying in the outer courtyard of the Mother's house at Jayrambati. The calf was kept separated from its mother for the purpose of milking the cow. On hearing its cry the Mother rushed out, saying, "I am coming, child, I am coming. I shall release you just now." Coming to the courtyard, she freed the calf. I was wonderstruck on seeing this revelation of the compassion of the Divine Mother towards all beings. Alas! Only such an anguished cry can bring about the release of the soul.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P235

Disciple: Mother, so long as I am here, I feel happy. No worldly thought disturbs me. But as soon as I return home various bad thoughts haunt me. I again get mixed up with unholy companions and commit evil deeds. However hard I try, I cannot get rid of bad thoughts.

Mother: All this is owing to the impressions gathered in your previous births. Can anyone forcibly get rid of them in a trice? Live in holy company. Try to be pure. And everything will be achieved gradually. Pray to the Master. I am with you. Know that you have already achieved liberation in this very birth. Why do you fear? In time he will do everything for you.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P277

Once in the course of a chat Swami Keshavananda said to the Mother, "After you, Mother, no one will revere goddesses like Sasthi and Sitala." "Why not?" said the Mother, "They are my parts."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P303

Once Holy Mother returned to Calcutta from Jayrambati after suffering from malaria for a long time. She was very weak and the devotees were not allowed to see her. At that time a young Parsi man named Sorab Modi [he later became a famous actor and director of Hindi films in Bombay.] came from Bombay. He had read a book by Vivekananda and felt drawn to Vedanta. Impressed by his sincerity, Saradananda gave him permission to bow down to Holy Mother. Arupananda escorted him to her. After bowing down, Sorab prayed in Hindi: “Mother, please give me a mantra so that I can realize God."

Holy Mother asked Arupananda: “Shall I initiate him? Let me do so."

Arupananda replied: "How is it possible? You just recovered from a fever. Moreover, no one is even allowed to see you now. What will Sharat Maharaj think? You had better initiate him later."

Holy Mother said: “You go and ask Sharat." Arupananda rushed to Saradananda and informed him of the matter.

Saradananda replied: "What can I say? If the Mother wants to initiate that young Parsi man, let her do it."

When Arupananda returned to Holy Mother, he found that she had already spread two asanas and was ready with the Ganges water. After initiation, she said to Arupananda: "This boy is good. He understood whatever I said.” Amazed, Arupananda realized that this was the Mother’s play.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P483

Once in the course of a conversation the Mother said, "I am the mother of the virtuous as well as the wicked." She used to tell her disciples, "Why should you worry?"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P305

One day Pitambar Nath, a devotee from Dacca, was talking with the Mother, sitting on the verandah of her house at Jayrambati. The Mother was in her room and said, "My son, come into the room and speak." The devotee said, "Mother, let me sit here in the verandah. I belong to a low caste.” At this the Mother replied, "Who says you belong to a low caste? You are my child;

enter the room and take your seat."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P302

Great Role Model

… the main strands that enter into the complex make-up of her [Holy Mother] personality are her Divinity, her motherliness, her absorption in the Master [Sri Ramakrishna], her artlessness, her simplicity, and her holy innocence which overshadowed her many gifts of both head and heart. Taking into consideration all these colours in the spectrum of her personality, Swami Premananda once spoke thus of her glory: “You have seen with your own eyes, how this Mother, who is in reality the great Goddess ruling over those who wield the destinies of kings and emperors, has yet chosen to become a poor woman, plastering the house with cow-dung, scouring utensils, winnowing rice and clearing the leavings of the devotees after their meals. She undertakes all these tasks to teach the householders their domestic duties. What infinite endurance, limitless mercy and absolute absence of egotism are there!”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother’ by Swami Tapasyananada, P227

Once a woman devotee asked her, "Mother, why can't we realize that you are the Divine Mother?" She replied, "How can everybody recognize divinity, daughter? There lay a diamond at a bathing place. Taking it as an ordinary stone, people rubbed the soles of their feet against it after their bath to remove the dry skin. One day a jeweller went there. Seeing the stone, he immediately recognized that it was a big precious diamond."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P303

Once as the Mother was leaving Jayrambati for Calcutta, her aunt, the mother of Uncle Surya, came to her and said, "Dear Sarada, don't forget us, come back soon." The Mother touched the floor or her room with her forehead and quoting a Sanskrit proverb, said, "One's mother and motherland are superior to heaven itself."'

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P303

Once Basudevananda and other monks were making a lot of noise downstairs. Golap-ma became upset and said to Holy Mother: “What is this? You have no control over these boys. The Master would discipline his disciples. No one could misbehave even slightly."

The Mother replied: "What can I do? I don't see any fault in others, so how can I discipline them? Moreover, I am their Mother. How can I punish them? I receive them and clean away their dirt and impurities. They are all the Master's children. Is it so easy to punish them? He has his own way of making everything right. His overwhelming love will set them straight. Our Master was the embodiment of love. There was no harshness or rudeness in him. When people say, 'Well, God will give the result of that person's karma,' I then pray to the Master, 'Master, do good to both the ignorant and the intelligent.' I tell the boys: 'Don't harbour ill-feeling for others. Don't pray to God to take action against others. Rather, pray for the welfare of the oppressor.' God's judgement is well-balanced and there is not the slightest mistake in it. There is no end to His mercy."

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P587

Disciple: I don't feel like doing japa, etc. any more; for nothing whatsoever is of any avail. Desire, anger, delusion—these still hold sway over my mind exactly as they did before. The impurities of my mind have not decreased yet.

Mother: Child, the repetition of the name of God will gradually remove impurities. How can you expect results without such disciplines? Don't be foolish and neglect them. Whenever you find time, repeat the holy name of God. And pray to the Master.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P276

How can any harm come to one who always thinks of his or her Chosen Deity? – Sri Sarada Devi

[Letter] Written to Kamala Sengupta ſundated]

My dear daughter Kamala,

Keep some religious books with you and read them when you have time and opportunity. Always meditate on the form of God and repeat His name. Whatever divine form you like, meditate on that form. As it is not possible to have holy company always, so study the holy books. Thus the mind becomes pure and perfect. Don't yield to laziness, which ruins both the body and the mind. While working with the hands, repeat God's name mentally. If you don't feel any urge to repeat the mantra, force your-self to practise it. It will definitely purify your mind. Do not worry. Just call on God. He is compassionate and loving. If you call on Him whole-heartedly, His grace will dawn on you. Don't be afraid. Keep on calling on God; you will witness His infinite grace.

Please accept my affectionate blessings,

Your well-wisher

Mother

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P510

Forget your individuality and try to realize your true nature. – Sri Sarada Devi

Jagannatha

After seeing the deity [Lord Jagannatha at Puri], she [Holy Mother] remarked, “I saw Jagannatha as the best of all persons. He was seated on an alter of gems and I was serving him as a handsmaid.” She had also seen the deity in a dream as Lord Shiva.

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P117

In 1910 at Jayrambati the Mother told a monk regarding spiritual practices, "Every morning and evening perform Japa and meditation with a cool brain. It is not an easy task. Compared to meditation, it is easier to till a plot of land." Pointing to a picture of Sri Ramakrishna, she further said, "Nothing can be attained without his grace." When the monk submitted that the work of the monastery kept one too busy to find time for regularly performing Japa and meditation, the Mother said, "Whose work are you doing? It is His work only." She continued, saying, "In time to come, your mind itself will turn into your Guru and advise you."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P305

Once I said, “Mother, my mind is never disturbed by evil thoughts.” Mother immediately became startled and said, “Don’t say like that. It is too presumptuous for one to speak in that strain.”

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P309

Once I asked, "Mother, the Master remarked that those who take refuge in him are living their last birth. Now, what will be the fate of those who take refuge in you?"

Mother: What else will happen, my child? The same is the case here too.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P319

Another day Swami Keshavananda said to her, "Either rectify the wrong attitudes of the people of our locality or relieve me of my urge for philanthropic work. None is there to build; they know only how to destroy." At this the Mother replied, "The Master used to say, 'The Malaya breeze transforms all trees with substance into sandal wood.' Since the breeze of divine grace has come, now all trees (meaning aspirants), excepting bamboo and banana, will turn into sandal wood."

Disciple: Mother, there are very poor people who cannot afford to travel to Varanasi or any such holy place. How can they gain the merit which others visiting those places obtain?

Mother: Why, they can gain the same merit by visiting Dakshineswar or Belur Math, provided they have such genuine faith! He for whom one visits Varanasi is present at Dakshineswar and Belur Math.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P307

The mailman came with a money order. The Mother affixed her left thumb impression on the receipt and someone attested it: ‘Left thumb impression of Sri Sarada Devi.' Then the mailman counted the money and handed it over to the Mother, who put it in a box in her room. She then gave some refreshments to the mailman, talked to him a little, and bade him good-bye. No one knew who had sent the money or how much. Later, at her leisure, she gave the money order coupon to her attendant and asked him to write a letter of acknowledgement with her blessings to the sender. If the attendant received the money order, she asked him not to count the money, saying: "My child, the tinkling sound of the coins generates greed in the minds of human beings. And the money has such power that even a wooden doll opens its mouth to take it.'

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P525

Diseases and spiritual austerities, both are same. Just like in spiritual austerities, in diseases too our karmas get exhausted. – Sri Sarada Devi (The Compassionate Mother,241)

(Also: Disease and austerity are the same thing. One can destroy the results of past actions through austerity and also through disease. – Sri Sarada Devi, SRD and Her Divine Play, P495)

Forbearance is a great virtue; there is no other like it. – Sri Sarada Devi

(Also: There is no wealth equal to contentment, and no virtue equal to forbearance. – Sri Sarada Devi)

Disciple: What time should one set aside for Japa and meditation?

Mother: To call upon Him at the conjunction of day and night is the most auspicious. Night disappears and day arrives, or day disappears and night arrives—this is the conjunction of day and night. The mind remains pure at these times.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P322

Look, is he a human being who has no compassion in his heart? – Sri Sarada Devi

As regards food, the Mother used to say, "First offer to God whatever you are going to eat and then take it as Prasad. This will purify your blood, and purified blood will make the mind pure."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P323

Mother and Sorab Modi

Sorab Modi [famous actor and director of Hindi films] related his reminiscences to Swami Niramayananda:

It was 1918. I was then a young man. My elder brother was a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna and from him I first heard about Sri Sarada Devi. My brother sent me from Bombay to Calcutta to meet Holy Mother. After arriving in Calcutta, I went to Baghbazar to see the Mother, who was then very ill. I had heard that no devotees were allowed to see her. I bowed down to Swami Saradananda and said: “I have come from Bombay to see the Mother and I want initiation from her.” Observing my passionate appeal, his mind softened. He asked a monk to escort me to the Mother and asked me to seek blessings from her. After bowing down to the Mother, I expressed my for initiation. Out of compassion she immediately initiated me. Although she did not understand my language and I also did not know Bengali, we communicated well without any difficulty. The Mother spoke in Bengali and I answered in Hindi. While taking leave from her, I said, “Mother, I am going.” The Mother said: “My son, don't say 'I am going,' rather say, 'I am coming." When the Mother's attendant translated her words to me into English, I was amazed. I was unaware of the Bengali custom that one should speak that way while leaving. However, I returned to Bombay with a sweet memory of the Mother. She was wonderful and beautiful.

Thus many years have passed and now I am an old man. I almost forgot the Mother all these years (as I was busy with the movie industry). Now I am waiting for the call from above and that call can come at any time. I have no attraction for this world anymore. Now the forgotten Mother is coming to my mind again and again. Now those words of hers – “My son, don't say “I am going, rather say, 'I am coming."" – are ringing in my ears. Now I realize what was then inscrutable to me: I wanted to go away from the Mother but could not succeed. No one can go away from the Mother. Everyone will have to return to the Mother. This is the last realization of my life: I am coming to my Mother.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P484

Girish Ghosh’s Faith

When the Mother lived on the godown of the Sarakarbari Lane in Baghbazar (1896), Girish [Ghosh] was a frequent was a frequent visitor and came to salute the Mother. On the day that the Mother was leaving for Jayrambati (after the worship of Kali) the great poet came, and silently went up with Swami Yogananda. The others, who had gathered there, followed them. Girish prostrated himself before the Mother and said with folded hands, ‘Mother, when I come to you I feel like a little child coming to its own mother. Had I been a ‘grown up’ son, I would have served my mother. But it is quite different here; you serve us and we do not serve you. You are going to Jayrambati to serve the people, even by cooking food for others in the village kitchen. How can I serve you, and what do I know about serving the Mother?’ His voice became choked and his whole face flushed with emotion as he spoke. At last checking himself a little an turning to the others who stood behind him, he said, ‘It is difficult for human beings to believe that God can incarnate in a human form like our own. Can you realize that you are standing before the Mother of the Universe in the form of a village woman? Yet she is the Mother of the Universe – Maha-Maya, Maha-Shakti – appearing on the earth for the salvation of all creatures and at the same time exemplifying the ideal of true motherhood.’ The words were sublime, inspiring, and calculated to electrify the atmosphere. All listened with rapt attention, and then they followed the Mother to the railway station to bid her a respectful farewell.

- ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P219-20

As a storm blows away clouds, so does His holy name disperse the cloud of worldliness. – Sri Sarada Devi

Holy Mother said to Swami Asitananda, who prayed for faith: “My son, it is not easy to attain real faith. It comes at the last stage. If you have faith, you will achieve everything."

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P486

It was a tedious journey to cover the final distance from Vishnupur to jayrambati. … … The bullock cart moved slowly over the undulating, unpaved road with a constant jerking motion. …

…

Once when Yogin-ma was going to Jayrambati with Saradananda, she remarked: “Look, it is easier to go to Gaya and Varanasi than to come to Jayrambati."

Saradananda gravely replied: "Is Jayrambati a less holy place than Gaya and Varanasi?"

Sarala (later Bharatiprana) recalled a journey with Holy Mother to Jayrambati: "When I went to Jayrambati with the Mother, the bullock cart jolted right and left, and sometimes moved backwards. One day I mentioned to Holy Mother, ‘People are going to Varanasi and Vrindaban in such comfort, and how difficult it is to come to your birthplace. She replied: 'This is the way it goes, my child. A pilgrimage is always full of hardship, but the result is the same. Only two persons could travel in one bullock cart. I sometimes would get down from the cart and walk three-fourths of the way to Jayrambati. Nowadays how easy it is to go to Jayrambati."

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P522

Sister Nivedita now came in, bowed down to the Holy Mother and took her seat. The Holy Mother enquired after her welfare, and gave her a woollen fan made by herself, saying, "I kept this for you." The Sister was very happy to receive it. She put it on her head, touched it to her heart and said, "How beautiful, how wonderful!"

She showed it to us and said, "Just see how beautifully it is made!" The Holy Mother said appreciatively, "Do you notice her happiness upon receiving some small present! Ah, what simple faith! As if she were a Goddess! How much devotion she has for Naren! Because he is born in this country, she left her all and has come to do his work with her heart and soul. What a devotion to the Guru! What love for this country!"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P355

On Sri Ramakrishna

The Master is really God who assumed a human body to remove the sufferings of men. He moved about just as a king walks through his city in disguise, and he left the world as soon as his identity was discovered.

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P301

One day a woman devotee told the Mother about her strained relations with one of her friends. Thereupon the Mother said, "Look, my dear, if one loves a human being one has to endure grief and sorrow. If one can love God, one is indeed blessed, one has no more grief or sorrow."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P369

One day I [Swami Parameswarananda] was cutting vegetables, sitting near the Mother. Finding her alone, I asked: “Mother, how can one attain the knowledge of Brahman? I see various things with my physical eyes. How can I understand through discrimination that everything is Brahman? How can one have this experience of oneness? In the beginning, should one practise focusing on each object [in one's meditation], or does it [meaning the experience of oneness] come spontaneously? I am confused. Again, after studying Swamiji's books, it seems that there cannot be any liberation without the knowledge of Brahman." The Mother answered gravely: "It is a difficult path. It takes a long time to reach the goal when practising that path of sadhana. Call on the Master, depend on him, and he will make you know everything. What will you gain by worrying about all those things? You will achieve everything by the Master's grace.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P687

To err is human. One must not take than into account. It is harmful for oneself. One gets into the habit of finding fault. – Sri Sarada Devi

Look, my dear, it is not that you will not face difficulties. They will arise. But they will not remain. You will see that they pass away like water under one's feet. – Sri Sarada Devi

One day at about nine or ten, the Holy Mother was rubbing oil on her body. An attendant just then swept the place and threw the broom on one side. The Holy Mother noticed it and said, "What is that? The job is over and straightway you threw it off so carelessly! It will take just as little time to keep it properly as it takes to throw it away. Should you neglect a thing because it is small? Whatever you care for, will care for you also. Won't you need it again? That aside, in this family it also is a part. From that angle also it deserves a certain regard. Whatever regard a thing deserves, that must be accorded to it. Even the broom has to be replaced respectfully. An ordinary work too must be done with care and attention."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P401-02

Everyone can break down something, but how many can build it up? – Sri Sarada Devi

One must be patient like the Earth. What iniquities are being perpetuated on her! Yet she quietly endures them all. – Sri Sarada Devi

… the Mother was suffering from pain in her leg. She had a mild fever too. At about ten o'clock another devotee came and, not being aware of the Mother's ill health, saluted her by touching her feet. The Mother said, "I have a severe pain in my leg. Don't salute me by touching my feet. The Master will certainly bless you." Bilash Maharaj, who was present, asked the Mother, "The scriptures, I am told, prohibit making Pranam to a person who is ill or lying down. What really happens if one does so?" Immediately, the Mother said, "Yes, my child, Pranam made in such circumstances fixes the disease in the person. Nobody should be saluted during his illness."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P312-13

Brahmachari Bimal (later Swami Dayananda) was the regular worshipper in Udbodhan House. One day after the worship, he went to bow down to the Mother. She pointed to the pictures of Kali, and the Master, then pointed to herself and remarked: “All three are one.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P602

… In earlier days I also had an eye for people's faults. Thereafter I wept and wept before the Master, praying, 'O Master! I do not wish to see anyone's faults' and finally got rid of that habit. You might have done good to a man a thousand times and harm only once; he will turn away from you for that one offence. People see only the faults. One should in fact note the merits.

- Holy Mother, The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P392

People in our part of the country quarrel and fight over their property. They haven’t enough patience to settle their matters amicably. The possession of land and property is so temporary, and still they are so proud of their ownership! It is only a play for few days! This body has a form, but the mind is boundless. It can be extended like the vast space, but it is bound by maya. People do not know this mystery of maya, so they suffer and inflict suffering on others.

- Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play by Swami Chetanananda, P116

Body and Head

Miss MacLeod loved to talk and was free with Holy Mother. Later she related to Romain Rolland a conversation she once had with Holy Mother regarding the difference between Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. As they had no common language, someone always acted as an interpreter. Through the interpreter Miss MacLeod said to Holy Mother: “Your husband had the best part; he only had to speak sweet words in India among his fellow men; that is why it was joy for him. Vivekananda’s mission was more painful. He had to be the propagator of Indian thought abroad, among strange and hostile people. His role was the more heroic.”

“Yes,” the Mother answered. “Swamiji was the greatest. My husband used to say that he was the body and Vivekananda was the head.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P215

One morning Kedar Maharaj sat near the Holy Mother at Jayrambati and asked her, "Mother, in our free dispensary those who are fairly well off also come to take medicines. But our dispensary is meant for the poor only. Is it right that such people are served?" The Mother thought for a minute and said, "My dear, in these parts all are poor. Yet, knowing all the details, if they still come to wait for free medicine, you will of course serve them if you can. Anyone who comes begging may be considered poor."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P395

Holy Mother demonstrated how to lead a spiritual life by continually practising japa. Even when she was sick in bed, she repeated her mantra mentally. She slept very little. One night Brahmachari Barada asked, “Mother, don’t you get any sleep?”

She replied: “What can I do, my child? All these children come to me with great longing for initiation, but most of them do not repeat the mantra regularly. Why regularly? Many do not repeat it at all. But since I have taken responsibility for them, should I not see to their welfare? Therefore I do japa for their sake. I constantly pray to the Master saying, ‘O Master, awaken their spiritual consciousness. Give them liberation. There is a great deal of suffering in this world. May they not be born here again!”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P468

Those who had the rare blessing of living with the Holy Mother learned that religion was a sweet, natural, joyous thing; that purity and holiness were tangible realities; that the odour of sanctity was literally a sweet perfume overlaying and destroying the foulness of material selfishness. Compassion, devotion, God-union were her very nature; one scarcely knew that she possessed them. It was through the soothing benediction of a word or touch that one sensed their presence.

Such lives are like the lake or river. The sun may draw up its waters, but they fill again to refresh the earth. So these saintly ones in body may be lifted from our sight, but their holy influence falls back upon us to revive our fainting hearts and give us new spiritual life, new strength of purpose.

- Sister Devmata (Laura Glenn) on Holy Mother,

‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P226

At Pashupati Basu’s House, on 20 February 1897, Swamiji said to M. “Master Mahashay, whatever success you see in my life is the lila of the Master. I am only an instrument. He sent me there. When the Master indicated that I should go to the West, I informed the Mother and asked for her permission and command. By the blessings of the Mother I easily overcame all difficulties there and became the most prominent figure amongst many famous learned pandits and scientists.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P199

The sister from Navasan now said, "Mother, for you all children are equal. But to those who want to know the desirability of marriage, you give permission to marry. To those who want to renounce the world, you give instruction praising renunciation. Should you not take them all on the one path that is good for all?"

To that the Holy Mother said in reply, "Will they abstain because of my prohibition if their desire for enjoyment is strong? And to those who have understood by virtue of great merit that all this is Maya's play, and believe that God alone is the reality, should I not offer a little help and encouragement? Is there any end to the miseries of the world?"

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P393

Once a fallen woman came to Udbodhan House and fell at the Mother’s feet. Holy Mother embraced her and said: “Come to me, my daughter. Now you have realized what sin is. You are repentant. I shall initiate you with a mantra. Offer yourself at the feet of the Master. Don’t be afraid.” Some aristocratic women from Baghbazar, including Krishnabhavani, Balaram’s wife, heard that the Mother had given shelter to a woman of questionable character, so they decided to stay away. Krishnabhavani told this to Golap-ma, and she reported it to Holy Mother. She remarked: “Those who have taken refuge in me will come here. What can I do if someone’s coming to me stops other’s coming?” Later Krishnabhavani came to the Mother and apologized for her wrong judgement.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P444

Sabina Bibi, an elderly Muslim woman, purchased mangoes and jack-fruits in Kotalpur and sold them in Jayrambati. Holy Mother often bought fruit from her. Holy Mother called her “aunt”. During Muslim festivals, the Mother would send offerings to the darga (a tomb of a Muslim saint) in Shiromanipur. One day Mapheti [a Muslim cart-driver whom Mother hired frequently] asked: “Mother, you are a Hindu. Why do you send sweets and other offerings during Muslim festivals?”

She repled: “My son, is God different? All are one. You see, the Master practised Islam sadhana and prayed like the Muslims. Names of God are many but He is one.”

Mapheti once had a divine vision of the Mother. From then on he believed the Holy Mother was a pir, or saint.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P431

Once a disciple asked Holy Mother if the mere repetition of the mantra as taught by an adept guru really helped the aspirant if he or she did not possess intense devotion. Holy Mother answered: “Whether you jump into water or are pushed into it, your cloth will be soaked, will it not?”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P467

One day I told the Mother passionately, "Mother, I come to you so frequently, and I have received your grace, too. But then, why haven't I achieved anything? I feel that I am as I was before."

In reply the Mother said, "My son, suppose you are asleep on a cot and somebody removes you along with the cot to another place. Will you realize immediately on waking that you have been transferred to a new place? Not at all. Only when the drowsiness clears away completely will you realize that you have come to a new place."

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P323

Holy Mother could see the sincerity in the hearts of devotees, so she taught each one differently. One day, finding the Mother alone, Sarajubala asked her: "Is it permissible to perform worship to the Master during a woman's monthly cycle?"

Holy Mother told her what the Master had suggested: 'If your mind is distraught if you do not perform the worship, then do it; there will be no transgression in it. But if you have any compunction, then don't do it. If you are at all hesitant, don't perform worship.”

However, some days later she answered the same question differently from another woman: “How is it possible to serve the deities under such a condition? Don't perform any ritual at that time."

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P483

In April 1919 at Koalpara, a devotee received initiation from the Mother. Before returning home he asked, "Mother, what is the secret of spiritual life?" In reply, Holy Mother pointed to a small clock and said: "As that timepiece is ticking, so you go on repeating God's name. That is the way you will find fulfillment. You will not have to do anything else."

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P480

A woman asked: "Mother, all children do not have the same desire to learn. Some children lack liveliness and eagerness. How can we enhance the natural curiosity in their minds so that they can develop normally?"

The Mother answered with a smile: "What do you mean? You have become a mother and now you expect me to know what is going on in your children's minds? Listen. One should communicate with them in a simple and intimate way. Chat with them. You should allow them to play with children of their own age. Never scold them too much and never physically abuse them. If you reprimand them severely or beat them, they may be frozen with fear and will run away from you. They will understand easily if you lovingly help them understand. Never refuse to answer their questions by rebuffing them or threatening them. If you scold and intimidate them, they will be afraid to ask questions, which will impede the natural development of their minds.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P693

The Source

The Master used to say that his body had come from Gaya. When his mother passed away he asked me to offer pindam [funeral cakes] at Gaya. I replied that I was not entitled to perform those rites when the son himself was alive. The Master replied: “No, no, you are entitled to do it. Under no circumstances can I go to Gaya. If I go, do you think it will be possible for me to return?”* I did not want him to go there, so later on I performed the rites at Gaya.

- Holy Mother, ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P122-23

* Tradition has it that Sri Ramakrishna’s birth was preceded by a vision his father had at Gaya of Vishnu, who announced that he would be born as his son. Hence, the spiritual association Sri Ramakrishna had with Gaya was likely to overwhelm him if he went there.

Joyous like Child

Miss MacLeod also told Romain Rolland about Holy Mother herself, saying: “The Holy Mother had a natural affinity with Western women, able to speak with them on any subject, and had a simplicity, a fineness, a delightful disposition. Just as pure as Ramakrishna or Vivekananda, she was all the while living a holy life and at the same time capable of being interested, with the joy of a child, in the attire of her European friends. Her great valour, however, was not recognized in her own village, where she did not show that she was any different from other women.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P215

Lavanya Chakrabarty recorded in his reminiscences:

In 1912 at Lakhmi Niwas in Varanasi I met a woman with a veil near the main door. Looking at her face, I asked: “Are you the Mother?”

“Yes, my son, I am your mother.”

“My mother!”

“Yes, I am Mother of you all.”

“Our Mother!”

“Yes, my son, I am the Mother of the Universe.”

A devotee asked, “Mother, people call you Bhagawati.”

Holy Mother replied, “It does not matter what others say. I tell you myself that I am Bhagawati.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P594

Is there any easy way to keep the mind focussed on God in the midst of worldly responsibilities? This is a universal question. A woman devotee asked: "Mother, we are doing our household duties day and night, and we become tired, fulfilling the orders and desires of everybody around us. We don't even get five minutes a day to call on the Master. What will happen to us? Will he not bestow any mercy on us?"

Holy Mother responded: "Surely the Master will bestow his grace on you, my child. He is all-knowing. He dwells in the hearts of all. He will definitely know if there is any sincere longing in you. Moreover, do you yourself do the household work, my child? It is the Master who makes you do everything. This world belongs to him. Nothing happens without his wish. Even the leaves of the tree do not move without his will. No action can be performed without the wish of Krishna.' Know for certain that it is the will of God that such longing has dawned in your heart. Those who love God, He protects them. Whether you love Him or not, He loves you. In this world, there are monks and householders. God thinks more about householders. The Master used to say, 'A monk is supposed to call on God, but there is a heavy load of 20 maunds on the back of the householder.' So he thinks of the householder more. Have a little recollectedness of the Master. Call on him with a longing heart. Think of and reflect on him. At the end of the day call on him shedding two tears. My child, what do you have other than those two teardrops? Everything in this world belongs to him, but those two teardrops are yours. Please offer them to the Master. He will be tied by your love. My child, don't be afraid. This time the Master came to make an easy path to realizing God.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P693-94

The purpose of one’s life is fulfilled only when one is able to give joy to another. – Sri Sarada Devi

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.” – Sri Sarada Devi

Initiation at Platform

Once Holy Mother was waiting at the Vishnupur railway station tocatch a train for Calcutta. A poor porter saw her at the platform and approached her. He was not Bengali, so he addressed her in Hindi: “You are my Mother Janaki [A name of Sita, the consort of Ramachandra.]. How long I have been searching for you! Where have you been all this time?" With these words he began to weep profusely. The Mother consoled him and asked him to bring a flower from near the railway platform. When he offered that flower at the Mother's feet, she initiated him then and there.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P484

Once it was proposed that a cow be brought from Belur Math to Udbodhan so that Holy Mother could have fresh milk. But she immediately protested: “No, no. Those cows are freely grazing in the holy atmosphere of the monastery compound where they can see the Ganges. Here the cow would be tied with a rope and kept in a room! I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t drink that milk.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P256

Do you know how one can develop equal love for all? Do not expect anything from the one you love. Only then can one love everyone equally. – Sri Sarada Devi

… The Master was Kalpataru, a wish-fulfilling tree. Those who sincerely seek him, find him. Sometimes I see the Master has become everything. I see the Master in whatever direction I look. I see him in the blind and in the lame. He has become every being. The beings are not suffering; it is he who is suffering. So whenever people cry to me, I rush to deliver them. … … The other day I saw that Radhu was about to kill an ant. I stopped her. …

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P341

The Mother was compassionate towards poor people and could not bear to see them suffer from want of food and clothing. Sometimes she blessed devotees by saying: “You will never suffer from lack of food.” She would also say, “The Master told me that those who would chant his name would never suffer from lack of food.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P575

Master’s Hairs

After spending a year in the holy places of the north, they proceeded to Calcutta by way of Allahabad, where at the sacred confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, the Mother offered the remaining portion of the Master’s nails and hair. Of this the Mother said, ‘Is the Master’s hair an ordinary thing? When I went to Prayag (Allahabad) after his demise, I carried with me his hair for immersion in the holy water. As I took up the hair in hand with a view to offering it in the placid water of the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, a wave leaped up unawares and took away the hair from my hand and hid itself again in the placid water around. That holy place snatched away that thing from my hand for it own sanctification.

- ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P145

If you love a human being, you will have to suffer for it. He is blessed, indeed, who can love God alone. There is no suffering in loving God. Be devoted to God and take shelter at His feet. It is enough to remember that there is someone – call Him Father or Mother – who is always protecting you.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P602

In Koalpara sometimes the Mother would feed Radhu, but Radhu spat the food out at her. One day the Mother was irritated and said to Sarala: “Look, my child, know this body [pointing to her own] to be a divine body. How much abuse can this body tolerate? Can any human being bear so much torture? Only a divine being can bear it. These relatives are tormenting me. This time if the Master somehow cures Radhu, I will withdraw myself. Look, my child, as long as I am alive, they will not know my real nature; they will understand it later.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P311

[Letter] Written in May 1918 in Calcutta to Kamala Bala Sengupta in Sadarpur:

My dear daughter,

I am pleased to receive your letter. Always try to lose yourself in the name of the Master. Make an effort to see him in everything and every being in this world. Try to know that both good and bad are the results of your karma, which come from God. When you understand this, you will attain happiness and peace. I hope you are doing well.

Please accept my blessings,

Your Mother

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P508

Be devoted to God and take shelter at His feet. Blinded by egotism, people think of themselves as independent agents in regard to their work. They do not depend on God. God protects one who relies on Him. How little intelligence a man possesses! He may want one thing, but asks for another. He starts to mould an image of Shiva and often ends by making the likeness of a monkey! It is therefore best to surrender all desires at the feet of God. Let His do whatever is best for us. But one may desire devotion and nonattachment. These are not harmful desires.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P602

God is purity itself and cannot be realized without the practice of control of the body and mind. Can anyone destroy lust altogether? A little of it remains as long as one has a body; but it can be subdued, just as a snake can be subdued by means of [snake charmer’s charmed] dust. If you are constantly in contact with objects of enjoyment, you are likely to succumb to their influence. … Don’t be afraid. In this Kaliyuga, mental sin is no sin. Free your mind from all worries on that score. You need not be afraid.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P602

Let me tell you one thing: if you want to escape the results of good and bad karma, then chant God’s name, repeat your mantra, worship the Lord, and read scriptures. Always discriminate between the real and the unreal. Good karma subdues bad karma, but cannot destroy it. The good and bad karmas of an individual soul are destroyed only by chanting God’s name, which also purifies the mind. Then one can know one’s true nature.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P695

His blessing is always on all creatures of the earth. It is needless to ask for it. Practise meditation sincerely and then you will understand His infinite grace. God wants sincerity, truthfulness, and love. Outward verbal effusiveness does not touch Him. Observe punctuality of time in your practice. Take His name and utter the mantra while concentrating your mind with all your might. If you exert yourself sincerely, banish all other thoughts, and pray to Him from the core of your heart, then your call will be responded to and your prayers granted through His grace.

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P692

Last Message

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. – Sri Sarada Devi

As wind removes a cloud, so does the name of God disperse the cloud of worldliness – Sri Sarada Devi

Shri Ramakrishna was all Advaita and preached Advaita. Why should you not follow Advaita? All his disciples are Advaitins. – Sri Sarada Devi (‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P452)

God is one’s very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is everyone’s own. One realizes Him in proportion to the intensity of one’s feelings for Him. – Sri Sarada Devi

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. – Sri Sarada Devi

Motherhood of God

Umesh Babu had asked the Mother, “After the passing away of the Master, you have been living in this world and ministering to the spiritual needs of the people. We have not heard of the spiritual consorts of other incarnations doing such a thing. In all those cases, it has been the followers of the incarnation that have taken care of spiritual ministration. What is the reason for this novelty?” The Mother replied, “My son, don’t you know that the Master used to see Divine Mother in all beings? This time he has left me behind in order to teach the Motherhood of God to the world.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P150

In Subtle Form

To Swami Kesavananda who expressed his sorrow at not having seen the Master [Sri Ramakrishna], she [Holy Mother] revealed this secret: ‘He is here in this body (her own) in a subtle form. The Master himself told me that he dwells in me in subtle form.’

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother’ by Swami Tapasyananada, P218

Infinite Compassion

[Swami Premananda on Holy Mother, in a letter:] “Who has understood the Mother? There is not the least trace of splendour. The Master [Sri Ramakrishna] had at least the brilliance of wisdom. But what about the Mother? For her even that glow is wanting. What a great power is that! The poison that we cannot assimilate we pass on to the Mother. The Mother takes on every one on her lap. Infinite Power! Limitless mercy!... She is giving shelter to all, eating everybody’s food, and assimilating all. Remember the mercy of the Mother, that infinite compassion of the Mother in weal and woe, in success and failure, in famine and pestilence, in wars and revolutions. Glory unto the Mother!”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother’ by Swami Tapasyananada, P227-28

It is with this destructive body that we have to acquire the indestructible (spiritual) body. For this reason we have to take proper care of this body. – Sri Sarada Devi (The Compassionate Mother,241)

At the time of the First World War, Surma Devi once questioned the Holy Mother about the destruction, atrocities, exploitation, famine, and widowhood and their resultant tears, all caused by the foreign rule. The Mother had said, “Whenever the Master comes, such developments do take place, and how much more yet remains to be seen. But finally they will meet their destruction, and our country will be under our rule.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P308

Aghornath Ghosh had read in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna that the Master could not tolerate even the presence of worldly people. If such people happened to make obeisance to him by touching his feet, he used to suffer pain. For this reason, when he first met the Mother, he made obeisance to her from a distance. However, the Mother, who was till then seated, got up, went near him, and placed her hand on his head.

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P246

People talk so much about God. Do you see this pillar? Even if you can superimpose the idea of God on this, you may realize him. – Sri Sarada Devi (The Compassionate Mother,243)

Swami Kaivalyananda asked, “My mind is assailed with all sorts of good and bad thoughts. What will be my lot?” She [Holy Mother] replied, “Don’t be anxious about it. In the Kali-yuga, sin committed in the mind is not a sin, provided it is not put into action. In the earlier yugas, a mental resolve in itself amounted to sin or virtue. [On the other hand], in the Kali-yuga, if there are good thoughts in the mind, it will accrue exalted results.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P241

While talking to the Mother, Nalin Babu said, “We haven’t seen the Master [Sri Ramakrishna]; we know only you.” The Mother said, “No, my child, you should call on Master also; and whatever you eat, first offer it to the Master and then eat. This will keep your blood pure, your mind will become pure, and your body too will remain pure.” She said to Navadvip Chandra Roy, “One who is the Master, is also the Mother – know this for sure, and practise japa and meditation.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P239

The Mother told Hamseshwar Nayak, who was bereft of family and friends, “One who has no one in this world, he has God with him.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P331

On hearing the Mother’s words about the Master, I said, “Mother, the Master assumed a human form and came into this world, and how unfortunate I am that I haven’t been able to see him!” Pointing to her own self, she then said, “He resides inside this in a subtle form.” The Master himself had said, ‘I will remain inside you in subtle form.’”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P355

Lesson for Householders

One day at Jayarambati, Sharat Maharaj had left his seat after finishing his lunch. The Mother repeatedly took the carpet seat used by him and touched it to her head. Struck with wonder, when Nalin Babu asked her the reason for this, she said, “Owing to how great a fortune does a householder have a monk at his door! The carpet seat used by a monk deserves to be placed on our head. We are, after all, householders, and it’s our duty to do so.”

- ‘The Compassionate Mother’ by Br Akshayachaitanya, P326

Parts of Divine Mother

Once a monastic disciple told her, ‘Mother, after having seen you, people will no more respect the various Goddesses.’ Her significant reply was, ‘Why not? They are all my parts.’

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother’ by Swami Tapasyananada, P209

In one sense she [Holy Mother] was the Mother of all the devotees and in another she herself was all; her infinite motherhood left none outside its all-comprehensive grasp. Brahmachari Rashbihari asker her one day, ‘Are you the Mother of all?’ ‘Yes,’ replied the Mother. ‘Even of these lower creatures?’ pressed the inquirer. ‘Yes,’ answered the Mother.

- ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P363

Just after the [Holy Mother’s] cremation, Swami Shivananda said to the monks and devotees at Belur Math: “The Divine Mother Sati’s body was divided into 51 pieces and fell in 51 places throughout India. Those places became Shakti-pithas or Devi-tirthas. And today that very Sati’s entire body has become mixed with the ground of Belur Math, so you can imagine what a great and holy place Belur Math is.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P757

I heard many things about Jesus Christ from Nivedita. She read many beautiful stories about him to me. Ah, Jesus came to deliver people in this world and how much suffering he had to undergo. He joyfully endured all. Despite all those persecutions, he loved people and forgave them unconditionally. His own disciple betrayed him. Ah, they killed him with nails in his hands, feet, and chest. In spite of that terrible torture and pain, he ungrudgingly forgave them. He prayed to God to not take offence at what they did. Is it possible for human beings to have such love, power of forbearance, and forgiveness? Who can endure this way other than God? God came as Jesus to teach divine love to the people of the world.

- Holy Mother, ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P223

A couple of days after the Mother’s passing away, a respected couple who were the Mother’s disciples came to Belur Math. They had come from far away to see Holy Mother, but their hopes were dashed to pieces. Swami Shivananda consoled them, saying: “The Mother is now all-pervading. One can now see her in everything and every being. Anyone who calls on her wholeheartedly will see her. Previously she lived in a particular place. Now she is everywhere. Do not grieve. Call on her with a sincere and longing heart, and she will reveal herself to you.”

- ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P757