18-01-2016 Monday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 015

Introduction: Women of India - 11

During the Moslem rule of Delhi, Rajputana, the cradle of Hindu chivalry, nurtured many heroic women who not only fought against the alien enemies on the battlefield but, when defeated, often immolated themselves on burning pyres in order to save their honour from the invaders’ lust. When the Rajput heroes came home from battle, their wives would require them to show their wounds. If the men bore marks on their backs they were regarded as deserters and told to fight again; only those who had wounds on their chests were allowed to enter the house. When the Rajput king Pritviraj was about to give battle to his Moslem adversary, his queen, Samjukta, armed him for the encounter and exhorted him fight to the last, sacrificing his life if necessary. Panna, the nurse of a royal infant, was guarding her precious ward when a Moslem enemy entered the room. The nurse’s own child was asleep in another bed. When the assassin asked which the prince was, she unhesitatingly pointed to her own child and witnessed his death without betraying the slightest emotion.
-------
Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 7 – 8

Location: Bangalore