Effect of Japa

 

One God

Sabina Bibi, an elderly Muslim woman, purchased mangoes and jack-fruits in Kotalpur and sold them in Jayrambati. Holy Mother often bought fruit from her. Holy Mother called her “aunt”. During Muslim festivals, the Mother would send offerings to the darga (a tomb of a Muslim saint) in Shiromanipur. One day Mapheti [a Muslim cart-driver whom Mother hired frequently] asked: “Mother, you are a Hindu. Why do you send sweets and other offerings during Muslim festivals?”

She repled: “My son, is God different? All are one. You see, the Master practised Islam sadhana and prayed like the Muslims. Names of God are many but He is one.”

Mapheti once had a divine vision of the Mother. From then on he believed the Holy Mother was a pir, or saint. 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P431

Refuge of Fallen

Once a fallen woman came to Udbodhan House and fell at the Mother’s feet. Holy Mother embraced her and said: “Come to me, my daughter. Now you have realized what sin is. You are repentant. I shall initiate you with a mantra. Offer yourself at the feet of the Master. Don’t be afraid.” 

Some aristocratic women from Baghbazar, including Krishnabhavani, Balaram’s wife, heard that the Mother had given shelter to a woman of questionable character, so they decided to stay away. Krishnabhavani told this to Golap-ma, and she reported it to Holy Mother. She remarked: “Those who have taken refuge in me will come here. What can I do if someone’s coming to me stops other’s coming?” Later Krishnabhavani came to the Mother and apologized for her wrong judgement. 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P444

 

Right Path

The sister from Navasan now said, "Mother, for you all children are equal. But to those who want to know the desirability of marriage, you give permission to marry. To those who want to renounce the world, you give instruction praising renunciation. Should you not take them all on the one path that is good for all?" 

To that the Holy Mother said in reply, "Will they abstain because of my prohibition if their desire for enjoyment is strong? And to those who have understood by virtue of great merit that all this is Maya's play, and believe that God alone is the reality, should I not offer a little help and encouragement? Is there any end to the miseries of the world?" 

- The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P393

Lila

 

Soothing Benediction

Those who had the rare blessing of living with the Holy Mother learned that religion was a sweet, natural, joyous thing; that purity and holiness were tangible realities; that the odour of sanctity was literally a sweet perfume overlaying and destroying the foulness of material selfishness. Compassion, devotion, God-union were her very nature; one scarcely knew that she possessed them. It was through the soothing benediction of a word or touch that one sensed their presence.

Such lives are like the lake or river. The sun may draw up its waters, but they fill again to refresh the earth. So these saintly ones in body may be lifted from our sight, but their holy influence falls back upon us to revive our fainting hearts and give us new spiritual life, new strength of purpose. 

                    - Sister Devmata (Laura Glenn) on Holy Mother, 

                         ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P226

Japa for Disciples

Holy Mother demonstrated how to lead a spiritual life by continually practising japa. Even when she was sick in bed, she repeated her mantra mentally. She slept very little. One night Brahmachari Barada asked, “Mother, don’t you get any sleep?” 

She replied: “What can I do, my child? All these children come to me with great longing for initiation, but most of them do not repeat the mantra regularly. Why regularly? Many do not repeat it at all. But since I have taken responsibility for them, should I not see to their welfare? Therefore I do japa for their sake. I constantly pray to the Master saying, ‘O Master, awaken their spiritual consciousness. Give them liberation. There is a great deal of suffering in this world. May they not be born here again!” 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P468