21-10-2016 Friday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 269

Chapter 12 – Spiritual Ministry : 012

While Sri Ramakrishna was alive, as we have seen, Holy Mother sometimes felt sad because she had no children of her own. And the Master had spoken to her about the many disciples who would regard her as their mother. More importantly, Sri Ramakrishna wanted to present through Holy Mother the Motherhood of God; for this relationship hastens the aspirant’s spiritual progress. Holy Mother’s motherly longing was fulfilled not only through her giving initiation to hundreds of spiritual seekers, but also through the extreme tenderness, compassion, patience, and sweetness with which she ministered to their various other needs. At the Udbodhan, her Calcutta residence, Golap-Ma, Yogin-Ma, Swami Saradananda, and the other inmates kept an eye on her physical comfort and tried to curtail her activities. But at Jayrambati, where she was her own mistress, things were somewhat different. There Holy Mother dedicated herself fully to the physical welfare of her disciples. One day a monastic disciple wanted to wash his own plate, but the Mother would not allow him to do this, remarking: ‘How little I am doing for you! You are a treasure highly cherished even by the gods.’ Sometimes her women companions complained: ‘You belong to the brahmin caste, besides being their guru. It will be inauspicious for them if you wait on them.’ The Mother replied in a natural way: ‘I am their mother. Who will look after the children, if not their mother?’ She showed the same feeling towards low-caste disciples and even untouchable. She regarded the devotees as above all case distinctions. They belonged to Sri Ramakrishna’s family.

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Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 166

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