June 29, 2015 Monday: Mother As I Saw Her (Being Reminiscences of Holy Mother Sarada Devi)
29-June-2015 (Monday)
Mother As I Saw Her – Swami Saradeshananda
Juxtaposition of contrary Sentiments – 3
When sick, the attitude of the Mother as ‘the daughter’ would be very much manifest. It is customary for one, when assailed by troubles and sorrows, to become more docile than usual and to welcome the help of others. But the softness of the Mother’s heart, though present under all circumstances, had no tinge of weakness or subservience. It was just the natural birth-right of the child, plain and simple. It appeared so sweet to the others to note how a loving small girl would enjoy the love and affection of her mother or father. On this particular occasion the Mother had almost been cured of her illness. The fever had subsided but she was still weak, convalescing in her bed. The mother of Kedar of Koalpara often came to see her. She always kept herself apprised of her condition. She had dedicated her mind and heart at the feet of the Mother, considering her as the very Mother of the universe. She served the Mother to the very best of her capacity. But along with her great devotion and regard for the Mother, there was present in her heart the unique parental attitude too towards her. The old lady would come such a long distance on foot to have a Darsan of the Mother, to find out how her ‘daughter’s’ health was, whether she had any inconvenience or not, in short to see for herself if everything was going on well with her. All the commodities required for the Mother came from the market at Koalpara. The lady would see to their procurement herself. When the Mother was very ill, she felt much worried. Now that she was better, she was feeling much relieved. Whenever she came, she would sit very close to the Mother, give a light massage to her body, hands and feet, and whisper affectionate enquiries to her – what the Mother would like to eat, what was good for her, etc. finding that she had no taste for food, the old lady became worried. She gave various instructions to the attendants and when going away, whispered in the Mother’s ears that she would prepare something for her, which she would find very palatable and which would improve her appetite. Kedar’s mother was a renowned house-wife. How many were the preparations that she knew!
[Mother As I Saw Her (Being Reminiscences of Holy Mother Sarada Devi) – Swami Saradeshananda. Translated by Prof. J. N. Dey. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore Madras-600004: p 160 – 161]
