SANTA BARBARA: A HOME OF THE HOLY MOTHER - 03
PRAVRAJIKA VARADAPRANA
Prabuddha Bharata – December 1987 : 506-508

We have heard many reminiscences of Swamis who were disciples of the Holy Mother or who had the blessed opportunity of having some association with her. This has made the Mother more living for us, and has helped to establish certain religious traditions in the convent.

Swami Prabhavananda, founder of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, used to call Santa Barbara “Mother's place” and the Ramakrishna Monastery at Trabuco “Father's place.” The main center in Hollywood was known as “Mother church.” He always reminded us that the convent was Mother's place and sometimes said, “Mother walks here.” He cited her as the example of purity, simplicity and modesty. Sometimes when one of the nuns would laugh too loudly he would correct her saying, “Remember, the Holy Mother was always modest.”

The Swami often related his experiences with the Holy Mother at Udbodhan and in her village home at Jayrambati where he first met her as a boy of fourteen years. (Note: see Prabuddha Bharata, March 1969.) He said he thought at that time she was just a simple village woman, like his mother, only later he realized her greatness. “She forced herself on me,” he used to say. “When Holy Mother was living nobody recognized her greatness except the direct disciples. She kept herself hidden. After she attained Mahasamadhi, then perhaps some began to recognize – and then only when she revealed herself.”

The Swami used to go to Udbodhan every Saturday when he was a student to take the dust of Holy Mother's feet just because of the pleasant sensation he had when he touched her feet. He said it was like an electric shock, only it was soothing and made him feel purified. The Swami would sometimes say that Mother was even greater than Thakur because she remained in an exalted state even while performing her numerous duties.

To be continued...

Location: Bangalore, India