The Mother as I saw Her - Life Sketch of The Holy Mother

The Mother as I saw Her Life Sketch of The Holy Mother

... Saradamani, a little girl of five, lived in the neighboring village of Jayrambati. Even at this age she had been praying to God to make her character as stainless and fragrant as the white tuberose. Looking at the full moon, she would say: "O God, there are dark spots even on the moon. But make my character spotless." It was this five-year old girl that was selected as the bride for Sri Ramakrishna. The marriage ceremony was duly performed. Such early marriage in India is in the nature of a betrothal, the marriage being consummated when the girl attains puberty. But in this case the marriage remained for ever unconsummated. Sri Ramakrishna lived at Kamarpukur about a year and a half and then returned to Dakshineswar. ... ... Her life began every day at three a.m. and being a strict observer of the Purdah, she finished her ablutions in the Ganges long before daybreak when people began moving about. Till it was broad daylight, she spent her time in meditation and Japa. She never came out till about one p.m., when there would be no one round about. She would then sit out, drying her long and luxuriant locks in the sun. In fact she lived so quietly and unobserved there that the temple Manager said once, "We have heard that she lives here, but we have never seen her." The following life is from the 'Introduction' in the book: "The Mother As I Saw Her" - by Swami Saradeshananda, (c) The President, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.