10-January-2012 (Tuesday) : Reminiscences of The Holy Mother!!!
10-January-2012 (Tuesday)
Reminiscences of The Holy Mother!!!
SWAMI SARADESHANANDA-07
Once, on Mother’s birthday at Jayrambati, the devotees wished that Mother should eat first and her sons would partake of her prasad afterwards. The enthusiasm of one of her sons surpassed that of the others. He took the initiative in conveying their request to Mother and this time Mother did not object, agreeing silently. After the food had been offered to the Master, it was arranged carefully on a platter which was then placed before a small piece of carpet spread out for Mother, who was then invited to take her seat. Slowly, and mechanically, she took her seat. Taking in everything with a compassionate look, she tasted a little of this and a little of that. Then, most piteously she entreated the nearby son with the words, “it does not go down the throat until my sons have eaten; quickly arrange to have the food served to all.” Saying this, she got up immediately, and having washed, sat down at the door of her room to watch us eat. Mother was relieved. That fool of a son who had taken the lead of persuading Mother to eat before them that day, having derived much complacence thereby, now realized what a great blunder it had been. He had, in effect, caused her to go without food that day. It would have been far better to have arranged for the men folk to have their meal first and to have served Mother afterwards with all women, as was customary. She would have been content and eaten in peace. Alas! Enamoured of splendour as we are, this manifestation of Divine Love is beyond our conception. By placing God on a pedestal with elaborate arrangements for worship and offerings, we only satisfy our own desire of grandeur, but piercing the veils of grandeur, manifesting the essence of sweet, pure love, He has come down as our Mother so that we may drink the nectar of her love. This faith, this realization was lacking in us.
(REMINISCENCES OF Sri Sarada Devi by Monastics, Devotees, and others - Compiled and Edited in Bengali by SWAMI PURNATMANANDA - Translated by MALOTI SEN GUPTA : P 25-26)
