Sri Saradha Devi (1853 - 1920)
The Holy Mother Sri Saradha Devi, the personification of love and the mother of all mothers is the very embodiment purity. While she is considered as the consort to Sri Ramakrishna she was his foremost disciple and always the nun’. When she came to Dakshineswar at the tender age of sixteen Sri Ramakrishna asked her a question that heightened the spirituality of Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna. He asked her whether she had come to pull him down into the quicksand of worldly life. She on her part replied without a second thought or hesitation “ No, I am here to help you realize your chosen ideal”. In essence Holy mother by saying that was instrumental in Sri Ramakrishna being recognized worldwide as the very embodiment of mother Kali. If she had chosen the worldly live what would have happened. As such Holy mother was Ramakrishna’s spiritual companion, devoted wife and disciple.
She saw the world as Ramakrishna did, and her mind was never soiled by the faintest breath of worldliness. For the fourteen years she lived with Ramakrishna, she never looked or felt for worldly needs. She never missed poojas, prayers and the communion with God, who she described as lying in the palm of her hand, though she was engaged day and night in the various activities of the temple at Dakshineswar.
As a Holy mother she played many roles. She was an unusual awakener of souls. She was teacher dissolving all their doubts. As a mother through her fathomless love and compassion was their hearts and love. As the divine mother she assured them liberation. Mother was no profound scholar for she was literate but yet she taught them the most truths. With her affectionate maternal love she tamed the wild and rebellious spirits.
Holy mothers greatest power was her love for all. Often when things were not right with her followers and they would relent, she would say, “I am the mother, who will look after them, if not I”. The Holy mother, who was the one who beare all on their behalf. She saw them all as her children. When they were depressed or despondent she would motivate and encourage them. If they were slow in their spiritual progress she would encourage with her maturely love.
Sri Ramakrishna renounced the world and its worldly needs through great austerities and religious fervour. On the other hand, Holy mother never did that. She lived as a simple householders and she never immersed herself in this worldly live. As a teacher, she would say that God Realization in the only real thing while everything else in this world in impermanent. The human body which is so treasured by man, is nothing more than three pounds of ashes but yet to man of was permanent.
Holy mother never differentiated herself or alienated herself from her followers. She too was a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna just like any other devotee. Her disciples saw her humility and love and they were blessed by the very hand that had touched the feet of God. To her, her devotees were simple human who had their limitations but she was aware of their potential and future possibilities. On touching her or see her in person made them feel contented and blessed and as such not one should go away devastated or with a rejected feeling. There was always complete satisfaction and a feeling of peace.
Swami Nikhilananda wrote, “The outstanding virtues of womanhood are courage, serenity, self-control, sweetness, compassion, wisdom and an intuitive relationship with God”. Holy Mother possessed all these virtues. Since the acquisition of such gifts is the dream of all women, Holy Mother may aptly be seen as the symbol of aspiration of women everywhere”.