His Holy Name

 

Girish Ghosh’s Faith

When the Mother lived on the godown of the Sarakarbari Lane in Baghbazar (1896), Girish [Ghosh] was a frequent was a frequent visitor and came to salute the Mother. On the day that the Mother was leaving for Jayrambati (after the worship of Kali) the great poet came, and silently went up with Swami Yogananda. The others, who had gathered there, followed them. Girish prostrated himself before the Mother and said with folded hands, ‘Mother, when I come to you I feel like a little child coming to its own mother. Had I been a ‘grown up’ son, I would have served my mother. But it is quite different here; you serve us and we do not serve you. You are going to Jayrambati to serve the people, even by cooking food for others in the village kitchen. How can I serve you, and what do I know about serving the Mother?’ His voice became choked and his whole face flushed with emotion as he spoke. 

At last checking himself a little an turning to the others who stood behind him, he said, ‘It is difficult for human beings to believe that God can incarnate in a human form like our own. Can you realize that you are standing before the Mother of the Universe in the form of a village woman? Yet she is the Mother of the Universe – Maha-Maya, Maha-Shakti – appearing on the earth for the salvation of all creatures and at the same time exemplifying the ideal of true motherhood.’ The words were sublime, inspiring, and calculated to electrify the atmosphere. All listened with rapt attention, and then they followed the Mother to the railway station to bid her a respectful farewell.  

               - ‘Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’ by Swami Gambhirananda, P219-20

Mother and Sorab Modi

Sorab Modi [famous actor and director of Hindi films] related his reminiscences to Swami Niramayananda:

It was 1918. I was then a young man. My elder brother was a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna and from him I first heard about Sri Sarada Devi. My brother sent me from Bombay to Calcutta to meet Holy Mother. After arriving in Calcutta, I went to Baghbazar to see the Mother, who was then very ill. I had heard that no devotees were allowed to see her. I bowed down to Swami Saradananda and said: “I have come from Bombay to see the Mother and I want initiation from her.” Observing my passionate appeal, his mind softened. He asked a monk to escort me to the Mother and asked me to seek blessings from her. After bowing down to the Mother, I expressed my desire for initiation. Out of compassion she immediately initiated me.

Although she did not understand my language and I also did not know Bengali, we communicated well without any difficulty. The Mother spoke in Bengali and I answered in Hindi. While taking leave from her, I said, “Mother, I am going.” The Mother said: “My son, don't say 'I am going,' rather say, 'I am coming." When the Mother's attendant translated her words to me into English, I was amazed. I was unaware of the Bengali custom that one should speak that way while leaving. However, I returned to Bombay with a sweet memory of the Mother. She was wonderful and beautiful.

Thus many years have passed and now I am an old man. I almost forgot the Mother all these years (as I was busy with the movie industry). Now I am waiting for the call from above and that call can come at any time. I have no attraction for this world anymore. Now the forgotten Mother is coming to my mind again and again. Now those words of hers – “My son, don't say “I am going, rather say, 'I am coming."" – are ringing in my ears. Now I realize what was then inscrutable to me: I wanted to go away from the Mother but could not succeed. No one can go away from the Mother. Everyone will have to return to the Mother. This is the last realization of my life: I am coming to my Mother. 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P484

Food Prasad

 

Compassion

 

Conjunction of Day and Night

 

Forbearance