Teachings of Holy Mother

Sri Sarada Devi, the holy mother, says: Don't be afraid my child, these earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God. God is one's very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is ever looking after you. Call on the Lord who pervades the entire universe. He will shower His blessings upon you.

Teachings of Holy Mother

The body means the existence of desire, otherwise it would not have existed. It all ends when one no longer has any desires. C84 In the Company of the Holy Mother.  By Her Direct Disciples.   Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama, 1980

Teachings of Holy Mother

Rebirth is inevitable so long as one has desires. It is like taking the soul from one pillow-case and putting it into another. Only one or two out of many men can be found who are free from all desires. TN292 Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Teachings of Holy Mother

Desire may be compared to a minute seed. It is like a big banyan tree growing out of a seed, which is no bigger than a dot. TN292 Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Teachings of Holy Mother

As long as a man has desires there is no end to his transmigration. It is the desires alone that make him take one body after another. There will be rebirth for a man if he has even the desire to eat a piece of candy. TN292 Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Holy Mother's Teachings

The grace of God is the thing that is needful. One should pray for the grace of God. TN301 Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Holy Mother's Teachings

Is faith so cheap, my child? Faith is the last word. If one has faith, the goal is practically reached. TD10 The Temple Dedication Souvenir, 1981. Dakshineswar: Sri Sarada Math, 1981.

Holy Mother's Teachings

Certainly you will have doubts. There will be questionings and faith will return again. That is how faith is established. C305 In the Company of the Holy Mother.  By Her Direct Disciples.   Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama, 1980

Holy Mother's Teachings

My child, I bless you from my heart that you live long, attain devotion, and enjoy peace. Peace is the principal thing. One needs peace alone. TN315 Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Holy Mother's Teachings

One who makes a habit of prayer will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life. A43 Swami Aseshananda. Glimpses of a Great Soul; a Portrait of Swami Saradananda. Hollywood: Vedanta Press, 1982.

Holy Mother's Teachings

Open your grief-stricken heart to the Lord. Weep and sincerely pray, 'O Lord, draw me towards You; give me peace of mind.' By doing so constantly you, will gradually attain peace of mind. TS78 Thus Spake the Holy Mother. Madras:  Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1971.

Excerpts from The Gospel of Holy Mother - Grief

People complain about their griefs and sorrows and how they pray to God but find no relief from pain. But grief itself is a gift from God. It is the symbol of His compassion. C220-2l & TN249 In the Company of the Holy Mother. By Her Direct Disciples. Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama, 1980 & Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Nikhilananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother; Life and Conversations. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977.

Excerpts from The Gospel of Holy Mother - Broom

Even the broom has to be replaced respectfully. An ordinary work too
must be done with care and attention.
P. 402 The Gospel of The Holy Mother

The Gospel of The Holy Mother

Whether a man calls on God or not, if he does not marry, he is
already half liberated. When the mind happens to be a little attracted
to God he will progress by leaps and bounds. P. 400 The Gospel of The
Holy Mother

The Gospel of The Holy Mother

Far better is it to work than to let the mind loose to indulge in riotous thinking. If the mind is allowed a little laxity, it will create such a turmoil. P. 397 The Gospel of The Holy Mother

Gospel of Holy Mother

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?
P. 393 The Gospel of The Holy Mother

The Gospel of The Holy Mother

It all happens according to one's Prarbhdha, the effect of past
deeds. Where a ploughshere has to hit, at least a needle must prick.
P. 391 The Gospel of The Holy Mother

Story of Shabri from Ramayana

Story of Shabari

In the Ashrama of Sage Matanga, a great devotee of Rama, named SHABARI, used to stay. She used to keep the place clean and tidy, and along with that she also performed her japa -repeating the holy name of GOD, did her ritualistic worship by offering flowers etc., and sang many songs in the glory of the Lord. Her chosen ideal was Rama for whose meeting she was waiting for long time.

Years passed by; Rishi Matang became old. When he was on his death-bed, he called Shabari near him and said, "Look, O devotee of Rama, your tapasya -austerities - and spiritual longing for Rama would not go in vain. Sri Rama is sure to visit this ashrama, this I can say on the basis of my spiritual power. Therefore, after my departure, I plead you to wait for Rama's arrival. Hence take charge of this ashrama and live in peace and as a devotee of Rama. Your efforts would be rewarded in due course of time." So saying the rishi passed away.

Simple hearted, poor, and belonging to lower caste, Shabari did not know much about running the ashrama. Soon everyone left her. The birds, the flowers, the shrubs and occasional domesticated animal became her friends. But she had full faith in the words of her Guru Matang. When he had said Sri Rama would come to that ashrama, she could not disbelieve those words.

Hence Shabari used to clean the place early in the morning, collect fruits, and would wait looking at the distant road for her Rama to come. Every day this was her routine. Every day she thought "Rama would definitely come today!" In these days of eager wait and expectation of seeing her Rama, she forgot all about her rituals, worship, japa or songs! She forgot about day and night, month and year as well as the seasons. Rains were replaced by the winter, winter turned into summer of scorching heat, but Shabari had lost her interest in everything. For her the sun rose with the definite hope that her Rama would come that day and she would be able to serve him.

These long years of wait turned Shabari into an old woman. Her eye sight became dim and the hearing was affected. She had no remorse. She continued to keep her tiring body busy in her routine of cleaning the ashrama and collecting fruits for Rama.

One day, at last, Sri Rama arrived in the ashrama. Pleasure of Shabari knew no bounds. The long awaited desire was fulfilled. Falling at the feet of Rama she said, "O Rama, I cannot describe your kindness in words. When so many great sadhakas (rishis and munis and yogis), cannot seek your Grace even in many births, you have come to me so soon."

So saying she washed the holy feet of her chosen ideal and offered him berries which she had collected from the forest that morning. And the beauty of the relation between the true Bhakta and the Lord was such that Rama was happy in eating the same fruit that had been tasted by Shabari herself, lest the fruit should be bitter!

Laxmana, with tears rolling down his cheeks, was silently observing the pure love between God and the devotee. Until now he used to think that there was nobody on the earth or heaven who loved Rama as dearly as he did. But today Shabari proved him wrong. When tears dried down in the eyes of Shabari, when her voice was not choking, when she lifted her eyes from the holy feet of Rama then Laxmana bowed down at the feet of Shabari and said, "O mother, your love for Rama will be remembered for ever in this world. I bow down in reverence to the great devotee of Sri Rama."

Then Shabari inquires about the purpose of their such hard journey. Rama recounts the sad tell of kidnapping of Sita, etc. Reflecting upon the facts, Shabari directs them to go further southwards to Pampa lake and to Kishkindha where the monkey king Sugreeva and the great Rama-devotee monkey Hanuman would be of great help in their search for Sita.

Gospel of Holy Mother - faith and doubts

Doubts will arise and again faith will come. This way alone faith is
strengthened. Gradually, after many such attempts, firm faith will
come. P. 367 The Gospel of The Holy Mother

Gospel of Holy Mother

Since death has no fixed hours, one should perform holy duties as
soon as an opportunity comes. P. 332 The Gospel of The Holy Mother