Sri Sarada Devi

On 22nd December 1853, a saintly soul was born in a poor Brahmin family in Jayrambati, a village adjoining Kamarpukur in West Bengal. Little did the world know that this little baby girl would one day become Sri Sarada Devi, the wife and spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna, one of the greatest spiritual souls the world has ever beheld. When only about six years old, she was married off (as was the custom prevalent in India in those days) to Sri Ramakrishna. However, she continued to live with her parents after marriage, while Sri Ramakrishna lived a God-intoxicated life at Dakshineshwar. When she turned 18, Sarada went to her husband who received her with great affection, and allowed her to stay with him. But they lived pure lives and Sri Ramkrishna is believed to have obtained her wife's permission in following his spiritual path and staying away from a sensual domestic life. Sri Sarada Devi smilingly encouraged her husband and remained a virgin nun. Sri Ramakrishna accepted her as his devoted wife and disciple and taught her how to lead a spiritual life while discharging her household duties. He aroused the universal Motherhood latent in her and taught her to look upon his disciples as her own children. When Sri Ramakrishna passed away in 1886, Sarada Devi went to Kamarpukur to live in seclusion. But the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna brought her to Kolkata and many spiritual seekers became her disciple. Sarada Devi made no distinction between them and accepted all as her children irrespective of caste, religion or race. Even those who had led sinful lives were not turned away. She demonstrated her progressive outlook in a conservative society when she accepted the Western women disciples of Swami Vivekananda, one of her husband's greatest disciples. All through her life, this divine lady lived like a simple village mother, washing clothes, sweeping the floor, bringing water from the pond, dressing vegetables, cooking and serving food. In her own words, she lived to "manifest that Divine Motherhood in the world" that Sri Ramakrishna had, the "maternal attitude (matri-bhava)" that he possessed. For thousands of people including Swami Vivekananda, she was the ideal woman and the "Holy Mother".

On 21 July 1920, the Holy mother left her mortal coils to be in unison with the great divinity. But even about 100 years later, she remains ever so bright in our hearts and her peaceful image continues to be venerated in many Indian homes.