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Sarada Devi, the holy mother

CHENNAI NOV. 12 . God fulfils Himself in many ways. He can reveal Himself with a form or He can be formless. Divinity can be He or She. God, the mother, is indeed more accessible and loved than God, the father. Usually we approach Him with respect and awe while the Divine Mother holds us in Her arms with warmth. The father we fear, the mother we love. "Mother" is but another appellation for compassion. She is ever ready to make any number of sacrifices for her children. She symbolises selfless love but expects nothing in return. When this noble quality is seen even in a human mother, we are justified in looking for limitless love in the Divine Mother. The life of Sri Sarada Devi tells us of the far reaching implications of the motherhood of God, which is celebrated in song and story in our holy land. Many are the temples dedicated to Her, because motherhood of God is not just a matter of faith. It is palpable truth, moving in our midst, flesh and blood, even the other day as the Holy Sarada Devi, whose 150th birth anniversary celebrations are being held from today (The Jayanthi falls on December 16).

In a lecture Swami Jnanadananda said Sri Sarada Devi's mind was of such purity that it has been compared to the radiance of a full moon without a stain. This impressed her Divine Lord, Sri Ramakrishna, that he chose to worship her as the Divine Mother and laid at her feet his rosary representing the spiritual treasure garnered by his incredible, intense practice of 12 years and commissioned her to live as an example of the motherhood of God. Though she looked like a common village woman she had attained the Yogic height of ability to look at all as equal. Numerous incidents can be cited to illustrate her equalness of vision.

A Muslim labourer was helping in the construction of a new house for the Mother. He was also a part-time dacoit. Others who knew about this had warned her to send him away but Sri Sarada Devi would serve him food and even remove the leaf plate after he had eaten. "I am the mother of the wicked as I am of the virtuous", she used to say. A servant in the Belur Math was dismissed and he cried before her. She sent word to the Math chief that the man's condition was pitiable and he should be taken back. When the man reported to the Swami concerned, the latter exclaimed: "You had gone to the Privy Council". No wonder, all who went to her, deeply felt that she was their real mother.

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