31-January-2012 (Tuesday) Reminiscences of The Holy Mother!!!
31-January-2012 (Tuesday)
Reminiscences of The Holy Mother!!!
SWAMI SARADESHANANDA-28
On another occasion an old brahmin wrote to Mother that the son whom he had educated and brought up with the expectation that he would take care of him in his old age, had been initiated by Mother some time ago and had recently left his parents and joined an ashrama to renounce the world. His mother, overcome with grief, had taken to bed. He himself was old and helpless. For him the world had come to an end. In moving words he had described their plight and had appealed to Mother to give their son back to him. When the letter was read out to Mother, she was very upset and exclaimed, “How that old brahmin must be cursing me! And he is certainly justified in doing so. With what hardships the son had been brought up with such high hopes, and now he has suddenly run away!” A letter was then written, warmly consoling and comforting the old brahmin. In it Mother said that she had no knowledge of the matter at all, that the son had not informed her of his plans and as he had renounced the world of his own volition, there was nothing she could do about it. Advising them to pray fervently to God, she assured them that God would surely answer their prayers and therefore, they should stop worrying so much. Later, Mother said to the writer of the letter (the author himself), “Son, why do these fools behave in this manner, causing suffering to their parents and bringing suffering upon themselves? One has to visit an ashrama regularly over a period, live in the company of sadhus from time to time, so that parents may have an idea of their son’s inclinations and get used to it. Then parting is not so painful.” Though the boy concerned was compelled to return home at that time, after spending some time with his parents, he succeeded in persuading them to give their consent and renounced the world. However, as long as they lived, he kept close contact maintaining a warm and cordial relationship with them.
(REMINISCENCES OF Sri Sarada Devi by Monastics, Devotees, and others - Compiled and Edited in Bengali by SWAMI PURNATMANANDA - Translated by MALOTI SEN GUPTA : P 40-41)
