Mata Sarada Devi, also known as Sarada Ma, was the spiritual consort and wife of the great Indian saint and philosopher Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. She is revered as one of the most important female saints in modern India and is considered to be an embodiment of divine love and motherly affection.
Sarada Devi was born on December 22, 1853, in the village of Jayrambati in the present-day Indian state of West Bengal. Her parents were Ramachandra Mukhopadhyay and Shyama Sundari Devi, a pious couple who were known for their devotion to God. Sarada Devi was the youngest of their five children.
Sarada Devi’s childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, but she was known for her loving and caring nature, and her deep faith in God. When she was just five years old, her mother passed away, and she was brought up by her elder siblings.
In 1872, at the age of eighteen, Sarada Devi met Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was already a well-known spiritual teacher at the time. She became his disciple and, over the next few years, served him with great devotion and selflessness. In 1883, after Sri Ramakrishna’s passing, Sarada Devi became the head of the Ramakrishna Mission and continued to inspire and guide his disciples.
Sarada Devi was known for her simple and austere lifestyle, her deep devotion to God, and her compassion towards all beings. She believed that the highest form of worship was to serve others, especially the poor and the needy. She spent most of her life traveling around India, meeting with devotees and inspiring them to lead a spiritual life.
Sarada Devi’s teachings emphasized the importance of faith, devotion, and service to others. She believed that all beings were manifestations of the Divine and that by serving others, one could realize one’s true nature. She was also a strong advocate for the equality of men and women, and encouraged women to take an active role in spiritual pursuits.
Sarada Devi passed away on July 20, 1920, at the age of 66. Her life and teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world, and she is considered to be one of the greatest saints of modern India.
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