Sarada Devi: The ‘Holy Mother’ of Every Being on Earth

“I’m the mother of the wicked, as I’m the mother of the virtuous. Never fear. Whenever you are in distress, just say to yourself ‘I have a mother’.

This motherly and affectionate statement was made by the revered saint Sarada Devi. Born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya, her journey of becoming the ‘Holy Mother’ is imbued with spirituality, enlightenment, and profound maternal instincts. She renounced the worldly allurements to devote herself to the pursuit of the ultimate truth – the divine God.

She regarded every being on this planet as her own children. Everything from cats, dogs, ants, humans and birds, was her children. She loved every being equally and deeply. In return, she also received immense love and respect from all creatures. She is endearingly renowned as ‘Holy Mother’, a testament to her universal maternal love and compassion.

History

Sarada Devi was born on 22 December, 1853 in a very poor Brahmin family in Jayrambati, West Bengal. It is said that her parents, Ramachandra Mukhopadhyay and Shyama Sundari Devi, had already got the premonition of a girl child before her birth. Her family, albeit poor, was pious and kind hearted. She didn’t receive any formal schooling however learnt to discern Bengali alphabets. Her life at Jayrambati encompassed helping her mother in household chores, looking after cattle and carrying food to the fields for her father.

At around the age of six she was married to 23 years old Sri Ramakrishna. She continued to dwell with her parents even after marriage. It was only at the age of eighteen that she decided on her own accord to give a visit to her husband Sri Ramakrishna, following the rumours about his mental health, in Dakshineshwar Kali Temple where he served as a priest.

Sri Ramakrishna by then had relinquished worldly attachments and materialistic possessions, embracing a life of monk. He had dedicated his body and soul to God. He would always be engrossed in spirituality in search of God. Having immersed himself in intense spiritual practises for more than twelve years, he had now culminated the highest realization where he perceived the presence of divine God in all beings.

Sri Ramakrishna warmly welcomed Sarada Devi with deep affection and respect and allowed her to reside with him in Dakshineshwar. He always looked up to her as a divine mother of the Universe. They lived together in the same tiny room for years however never did they get intimate once. Their bond was that of a revered teacher and a devoted disciple, purely immaculate and spiritual. Sri Ramakrishna made Sarada Devi his first disciple and taught her all the sacred mantras and spiritual teachings. Sarada Devi performed all the household chores from cooking for Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples to looking after their needs without carping and showing any ounce of fatigue.

On the night of Phalaharini-Kali-Puja in 1872 she was ritualistically worshipped by Sri Ramakrishna as the divine mother of the Universe thereby awakening the maternal instincts and nurturing hormones concealed in her. Sarada Devi always considered the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna as her own children. She became a spiritual consort to him and soon earned the endearing title of Holy Mother among his followers.

Her spiritual consort and master Sri Ramakrishna left the world in 1886 battling throat cancer. In his last days Sarda Devi looked after him like a divine mother never leaving his side for a moment. Following his eternal rest, Sarada Devi embarked on a pilgrimage, visiting sacred places such as Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Banaras, etc.

Her Life as a Spiritual Saint

Following Sri Ramakrishna’s peaceful passing his disciples beseeched Sarada Devi to become their spiritual guru. Sarada Devi graciously accepted their request marking a pivotal turning point in her life. From here her journey of becoming Holy Mother for millions began.

Swami Saradananda built a permanent abode for Holy Mother in Kolkata. This house was lovingly named as Mayerbari (Holy Mother’s House). Sri Ramakrishna’s disciples now became Sarada Devi’s children. Holy Mother started accepting and initiating spiritual seekers from all walks of life by disseminating her spiritual teachings to her children. The Holy Mother accepted devotees of all religion, sect, caste, gender, regardless of their good and bad deeds. To her all children were equal, and she dedicated herself to edifying them by showing the path of spirituality, love, selflessness, and compassion.

The esteemed philosopher and monk Swami Vivekananda profoundly revered Sarada Devi and regarded her as divinity itself.

“Mother is the incarnation of Bagala in the guise of Saraswati. Outwardly she is all peace, but inwardly she is the destroyer of the power of evil,” Swami Vivekananda once said at the Belur Math.

Holy Mother was surely illiterate but not narrow minded and primitive. In fact, she held very progressive views about women and girls’ education. That’s why when western female disciple, Sister Nivedita, of Swami Vivekananda came to meet Holy Mother in Kolkata, she was courteously and warmly welcomed by Holy Mother with open arms. Sarada Devi also endorsed many of Sister Nivedita’s initiatives to open school for girls. On 13 November 1898, Sarada Devi went to inaugurate Sister Nivedita’s newly founded school, underscoring her commitment to advancing women’s education and empowerment.

Anecdotes from Life of Holy Mother

Swami Sarvapriyananda reminisced the intriguing and heart touching anecdotes from Sarada Devi’s life in one of his speeches. He recounted how her life was mundane just like ours! Speaking highly of her simplicity and calm composure he went down the lane of reminiscing compelling anecdotes underscoring the maternal instincts of Holy Mother.

He recounted a tale about a mischievous cat which would roam around, stealing food and creating pandemonium but it found refuge at the feet of Holy Mother. Whenever someone came to beat the cat, Sarada Devi would stand for it giving it protection in her arms. She explained people that it was the nature of the cat, that’s how it was made and it couldn’t help it. It stole because it was famished; it could be dissuaded from stealing if provided with food. She urged people to feed the cat.

One day a monk, sick and tired of the cat’s mischief, hit it. Holy Mother was extremely hurt when she heard this news. She went to the monk and asked him to feed the cat in lieu of beating so that it would cease stealing. And to make sure that the monk doesn’t hit the cat again in her absence she said, “I live in that cat. I am there.”

In this way, Sarada Devi exemplified her compassion and belief in the inherent goodness of all creatures, urging kindness and understanding over harshness and punishment.

He recalled another anecdote from Belur Math exemplifying Holy Mother’s inclusive demeanour and Swami Vivekananda’s resounding respect towards her. He recounted how one of the workers in Belur Math was caught stealing something from the monastery by Swami Vivekananda, resulting in the worker’s dismissal from the service. Distressed, the poor fellow straightway went to Holy Mother’s house in Kolkata and confessed everything to her. Holy Mother instructed Baburao Maharaj to convey to Swami Vivekananda to reinstate the poor worker.

Swami Vivekananda didn’t agree at first but when he got to know that Holy Mother had asked to do so he burst out laughing and said, “Oh, you went straight to the high court. Now I’m left with no choice.” And in this way the poor worker was appointed back, showcasing the harmony and mutual respect between Swami Vivekananda and Holy Mother, and highlighting her compassionate and inclusive approach.

Achievement

The achievements of Sarada Devi, revered as the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna and an embodiment of compassion and wisdom, are stupendous and impactful. Her achievements are:

• Spiritual Guidance and Mentorship – Holy Mother played an indispensable role in guiding and nurturing countless spiritual seekers and disciples. She edified their body, soul and mind by imparting her own spiritual learnings. She used to say that even Brahma cannot send her children to hell.
• Advocating Women’s Education – Sarada Devi held progressive opinions on women’s education seeing it as a crucial means for women empowerment and societal advancement. She also supported Sister Nivedita’s initiatives of opening schools for girls.
• Compassionate Outreach – Holy mother is an embodiment of compassion. She is called Holy Mother for a reason. She selflessly and indefatigably worked towards alleviation of suffering of others. She never hesitated to extend a helping hand to poor, sick and marginalized. She truly was a magnanimous lady.
• Promoter of Harmony and Unity – Holy Mother embraced people from all the faiths, religions, castes and genders, fostering an atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect.
• Inspiration for Millions – Sarada Ma continues to inspire millions worldwide, even when she is no longer with us, through her life of devotion, humility, and unconditional love.

Legacy

Holy Mother bid the world goodbye on 21 July, 1920 battling black fever. Her departure didn’t just mark the loss of a spiritual saint; it felt like the world had lost a beloved mother. No other woman on Earth can exude the maternal instincts and motherly love which Sarada Devi did. No other woman can sacrifice her life for serving her children. The simplicity, immaculate purity, wisdom, selfless service, unconditional love, and spiritual illumination is not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s why ‘Holy Mother’ is one of a kind! There can never be another ‘Holy Mother’.

Holy Mother may not be physically with us but her blessings will always remain with us. Her teachings will continue to inspire posterities about morality, love, spirituality, compassion. and humanity. Holy Mother’s presence may be irreplaceable, but her spirit lives on through the timeless wisdom she imparted to humanity.