Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi

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"Holy Mother" painted by Swami Tadatmananda

Used courtesy of the Vedanta Society of Southern California

http://www.vedanta.org




Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi
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Re: Here in the Courtyard

One should never assume an understanding of Mothers' feelings, motives, etc until perfect realization is attained. We have a tendency to endow her with our own projections. Once we realize in full and tried to explain, no doubt, we would not be believed by the majority. However, that said, in reading the book, I want to BE there with her, in fact, in truth, I feel that I AM there with her. Her actions speak to us,
and without trying to project, (which I don't THINK
I am doing), but in an effort to UNDERSTAND, I question, and so try to ask my brothers and sisters for feedback. There is some reason, that Mother would ask to sprinkle Holy Water on the floor after the departure of certain devotees, just as she asked to sprinkle Holy Water on Prasada that a leaf had blown onto. I am never implying that she does not LOVE.

Location: North Carolina

Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

RE: "One should never assume an understanding of Mothers' feelings, motives, etc until perfect realization is attained"

In my humble opinion, there is no need to risk any assumptions concerning Holy Mother. Her simple, holy life and teachings have been well documented.

Here is a beautiful quote from the little book, entitled:
"In The Company of The Holy Mother", available at all
Vedanta Centres:

Swami Arupananda:

Udbodhan, 1 May, 1912 (Full Moon Day of VaishAkha):

I had gone to read Mother's letters to her in the morning.....I said, "The daughter of a disciple has written from her husband's home wishing to come here. She has sent her respects and does not wish her in-laws to know that she has written."

"Then there is no need to reply," Mother said, "I do not appreciate this hide-and-seek. At Jayrambati, Jogendra the postman used to write our letters. Many people said, 'What! The postman reads your letters!' But why not? I have nothing to hide; anybody who likes may see my letters."

again...


Swami Arupananda:

Udbodhan, 8 February, 1912: Mother was talking about her life at Dakshineswar:

"For a while I had a maid called Jadu's mother. An old woman would visit us, who had formerly led an evil life but prayed to God in her old age. I was so much alone that when she came I would talk with her. One day the Master saw us and said, 'Why let her in here?' I answered, 'She speaks good words nowadays, all about God. What's the harm? people's minds change.' But He said, 'No, No, she is a prostitute, why talk with her? However changed she may be, avoid her.' He forbade any conversation with such people in case they had a bad influence over me. That was how he protected me from harm.

"Once Ramji Roy came to see him at Karmarpukur. He was not a good man, and when he had gone, the Master cried, 'Dig away a basketful of earth from that place.' When nobody paid any heed he took the spade himself and dug up some earth from the spot, saying, 'Even the earth becomes impure where they sit.'"

With Love from Web Admin Nahabat Guestbook

Re: Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

Dear Ma,

Your ways are glorious and mysterious as well. We are so shrouded in maya that we are looking at every thing through our small window. Please bless us.
Pranam

Location: USA

Re: Here in the Courtyard

Thank you, Web Admin. These two examples speak to some very important issues in my life. I appreciate it.

Location: North Carolina

Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

"Hers is the glory; we are only Her instruments."

Re: Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

It is interesting to see that in the second example, where Mother had been talking to the former prostitute, it is the Master Himself who forbids it.. As Nag Mahasaya so memorably said:"Mother is kinder than Father!"

Location: England

Re: Re: Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

Mother admits that she was alone and was
therefore eager for company.

The Master was showing His infinite
kindness to her; knowing full well,
that:

“One may wash a cup that contains garlic many times,
but the smell of garlic will not leave the cup"

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Here in the Courtyard

Here is the whole quote from the Sri Sri
Ramakrishna Kathamrita:

“One may wash a cup that contains garlic many times, but the smell of garlic will not leave the cup. The boys who have not touched ‘lust and gold’ are pure vessels. When a person is rubbed with the garlic of ‘lust and gold’ for a considerable time, the smell of garlic persists in him.

“They are like mangoes pecked at and defiled by crows. Such a mango cannot be offered to Bhagavan. It is suspect even for personal use. It is as different as new earthen pots and the pots in which milk was once turned into curds. It is not safe to keep pure milk in vessels that once contained curds. The chances are that the milk will turn sour."