January 28, 2009

“I’m the Mother of the virtuous; I’m the Mother of the wicked”

Once Emperor Akbar asked Birbal, “Who is the most beautiful child amongst all the children in my kingdom?” Pat came the reply, “Jahapanah, I know one such child who is the best amongst all the children in your empire. I can show you that child and you can judge yourself.” Accordingly, one day, both in disguise, walked all through crossing different localities, reached the filthiest of all places, a slum. The whole place was full of stench and obnoxious smell. From a distance Birbal showed Akbar a shabby house where the most beautiful child stayed. They waited there for sometime and suddenly from inside the house came out a very ugly looking small kid with torn clothes, disheveled hairs. Behind him came out his mother and took the child on her lap and started cajoling him, as he was crying. By the very sight of the child, Akbar was furious and he started scolding Birbal for such a cheap joke of his. This conversation between Akbar & Birbal, who were both in disguise made the Mother loose her temper as both were criticizing her son. She shouted at them and made it very clear and emphatically told them that her child was the best in the world. Then Birbal told Akbar, “Jahanpanah, for every Mother her own child is the most beautiful kid compared to others.”

The above story vividly describes a typical average earthly biological mother who devotes herself faithfully to the discharge of her household chores, takes good care of her own children, weeps for them in their sorrow, laughs with them in their state of joy and considers only them as her very own and none else beyond the realms of her family. On the contrary, the aspect of Divine Mother represents grace, compassion, and love for all the sentient as well as the insentient beings. The Devi Mahatmyam commonly reffered as Chandi describes this all encompassing feature of Divine Motherhood in a beautiful verse, “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Matrirupena Sansthita….”, Salutations to that Power who is residing in every being in form of Mother.

Such a portrayal reflects in the life of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, the spiritual companion and helper in Sri Ramakrishna’s earthly mission. One day she invited a Muslim person Amjad (who was once a bandit and a desperado), for a meal, which was arranged on the porch of her house. Holy Mother’s niece began to throw the food at Amjad’s plate from a distance. She noticed this and said: “How can one enjoy food if it is offered with such scorn? Let me serve on him properly.” After Amjad finishes his meal, Mother cleaned the place with her own hands. Her niece shrieked: “Aunt, you have lost your caste!” “Keep quite”, Mother scolded her and added: “As Sharat is my son, exactly so is Amjad.” Sharat (Sw. Saradananda) was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission and a monk possessed of saintly virtues and Amjad was a man of disreputable character. Her behaviour on this occasion bears out her remark: “I am the Mother of the good and I am the Mother of the wicked. Whenever you are in distress, just say to yourself, I have a mother.”

To the Master, Sri Ramakrishna, she was the Goddess of Wisdom in human form. To her disciples she was the Divine Mother herself. To her devotees she was a more real mother than their own earthly mother. To the seekers of truth she was the final word, and to sinners she was the last refuge.

Her love and compassion were all-engulfing. By her love she conquered everybody. Her compassion flowed not only to humans but also to animals. She used to say, “He is unfortunate indeed who does not feel my compassion. I do not know anyone, not even an insect, for whom I do not feel compassion.” She was the embodiment of Sri Ramakrishna’s message of the Motherhood of God.

Although she is not there in her mortal frame in our midst but in her invisible form she continues to shower her blessings, even today, to anyone who accepts her as the real Mother and surrenders to her. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Dive is our Real Mother, not an adopted or a vague mother.

2 comments:

  1. The incident you have quoted about amjad is really heart touching. It reassures us of the Mother's love and grace...

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  2. The Birbal story and the holy mother co-relation are excellent. Holy mother’s compassion is unique, and she is for everyone, not to any individual.

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