Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 The robber and his wife - The Holy Mother had visions of Kali throughout her life, and it is safe to infer that she was aware of her own divinity at all times. Although she lived like any other Indian woman-taking care of cooking, cleaning, and family affairs-yet whoever came in contact with her felt something special. People felt her extraordinarily sweet love-she gave more than their own mother at home could give them. It was a subtle divinity people felt, and it was truly rare that Sri Sarada Devi was provoked enough to reveal her true nature. Once she showed herself as Kali to a robber and his wife. It so happened that the Holy Mother traveled one day from Jayrambati to Calcutta on foot. A few village women accompanied her. The small party halted in Arambagh, about eight miles from Kamarpukur, because before them lay the uninhabited, notorious fields of Telo-bhelo. People hesitated to cross these fields alone even during the day for they were infested with robbers. Deep in the heart of Telo-bhelo there is to this day the terrible image of the Goddess Kali, which the dacoits used to invoke before roaming the fields in search of people to rob. This particular image of Kali is appropriately called "Robber's Kali." It was still early in the day, and Holy Mother's party decided that there was plenty of time, even for a moderate walker, to pass the dangerous area nad reach Tarakeshwar before dark. Holy Mother's feet already hurt and were tired, but by nature unobtrusive, she didn't want to delay the others on her account. Soon she lagged behind her companions who had to halt and wait for her to catch up. It was getting late, and rather than exposing the whole group to danger, Holy Mother asked them not to worry about her and keep going. She did not have to press them much. They gladly quickened their steps and soon were out of sight. The Holy Mother slowly walked on alone. The sun set. Night turned the solitary fields dark, and bushes and trees loomed as ominous black shadows. Frightened, the Holy Mother tried to walk faster when all of a sudden she saw a tall figure emerge from behind a bush. It was a fierce looking man who carried a lengthy staff. His thick, long hair hung down unkempt, and he wore heavy silver bangles around his wrists. She instinctively knew he was a robber. Obviously enjoying her terror, the robber shouted with a throaty, harsh voice, "Hello! Who is this standing here at this time?" He was about to grab the Holy Mother, when suddenly he stopped as if stunned by a gun. Much later on he told people that at this very moment he saw the full manifestation of Kali standing in front of him. The Holy Mother had turned into Kali and stunned the robber. He was still in a daze when the Holy Mother began talking to him: Father, my companions have left me behind and I have lost my way. Will you kindly take me to them? Your son-in-law lives in the Kali temple of Rani Rasmani at Dakshineswar. I am on my way to him. If you take me to that place, he will treat you cordially. The robber was too startled to do or say anything. His wife came out of the shadows to help him but before she could do anything, Holy Mother had taken hold of her hand. Full of confidence and affection she said. "Mother, I am your daughter Sarada; I was in a terrible plight having been left behind by my companions. Fortunately you and father appeared; otherwise I can't say what I would have done." This simple behavior, extreme confidence, and sweet disposition conquered the hearts of the robber couple who belonged to the lowly Bagdi caste. As a result they forgot the gulf of social difference that separated them from a Brahmin woman and consoling her as though she was truly a daughter of theirs, they did not allow her to proceed further because she was tired. The next morning, the Bagdi couple took the Holy Mother safely to Tarakeshwar and delivered her to her to her worried companions. What started out as a potential disaster, turned into an intimate experience, one that the Bagdi couple was not to forget for the rest of their lives. Under the influence of Holy Mother's love, the robber gave up his evil ways and took on a regular job. Love made all the difference. They looked upon the Holy Mother as their sweet daughter Sarada and even came to visit her in Dakshineswar. Victory to Divine Mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Dear Kalia, thank you for this wonderful story. It reminds me of the story in 'Shree Maa, the Life of a Saint', where Shree Maa asked the leaders of the two rival gangs to guard her puja and 'keep it quiet until we are done', which led to an end of the hostilities that had been plagueing the neighborhood (p.64f). But then, so much about Shree Maa reminds one of Sarada Devi.., may we always be able to see the good in everyone, with love, Henny , Kali Kali <kaliananda_saraswati@y. ...> wrote: > > The robber and his wife - > > The Holy Mother had visions of Kali throughout her life, and it is safe to infer that she was aware of her own divinity at all times. Although she lived like any other Indian woman-taking care of cooking, cleaning, and family affairs-yet whoever came in contact with her felt something special. People felt her extraordinarily sweet love-she gave more than their own mother at home could give them. It was a subtle divinity people felt, and it was truly rare that Sri Sarada Devi was provoked enough to reveal her true nature. Once she showed herself as Kali to a robber and his wife. > > It so happened that the Holy Mother traveled one day from Jayrambati to Calcutta on foot. A few village women accompanied her. The small party halted in Arambagh, about eight miles from Kamarpukur, because before them lay the uninhabited, notorious fields of Telo-bhelo. People hesitated to cross these fields alone even during the day for they were infested with robbers. Deep in the heart of Telo-bhelo there is to this day the terrible image of the Goddess Kali, which the dacoits used to invoke before roaming the fields in search of people to rob. This particular image of Kali is appropriately called "Robber's Kali." > > It was still early in the day, and Holy Mother's party decided that there was plenty of time, even for a moderate walker, to pass the dangerous area nad reach Tarakeshwar before dark. Holy Mother's feet already hurt and were tired, but by nature unobtrusive, she didn't want to delay the others on her account. Soon she lagged behind her companions who had to halt and wait for her to catch up. It was getting late, and rather than exposing the whole group to danger, Holy Mother asked them not to worry about her and keep going. She did not have to press them much. They gladly quickened their steps and soon were out of sight. The Holy Mother slowly walked on alone. > > The sun set. Night turned the solitary fields dark, and bushes and trees loomed as ominous black shadows. Frightened, the Holy Mother tried to walk faster when all of a sudden she saw a tall figure emerge from behind a bush. It was a fierce looking man who carried a lengthy staff. His thick, long hair hung down unkempt, and he wore heavy silver bangles around his wrists. She instinctively knew he was a robber. Obviously enjoying her terror, the robber shouted with a throaty, harsh voice, "Hello! Who is this standing here at this time?" > > He was about to grab the Holy Mother, when suddenly he stopped as if stunned by a gun. Much later on he told people that at this very moment he saw the full manifestation of Kali standing in front of him. The Holy Mother had turned into Kali and stunned the robber. He was still in a daze when the Holy Mother began talking to him: > > Father, my companions have left me behind and I have lost my way. Will you kindly take me to them? Your son-in-law lives in the Kali temple of Rani Rasmani at Dakshineswar. I am on my way to him. If you take me to that place, he will treat you cordially. > > The robber was too startled to do or say anything. His wife came out of the shadows to help him but before she could do anything, Holy Mother had taken hold of her hand. > > Full of confidence and affection she said. "Mother, I am your daughter Sarada; I was in a terrible plight having been left behind by my companions. Fortunately you and father appeared; otherwise I can't say what I would have done." This simple behavior, extreme confidence, and sweet disposition conquered the hearts of the robber couple who belonged to the lowly Bagdi caste. As a result they forgot the gulf of social difference that separated them from a Brahmin woman and consoling her as though she was truly a daughter of theirs, they did not allow her to proceed further because she was tired. > > The next morning, the Bagdi couple took the Holy Mother safely to Tarakeshwar and delivered her to her to her worried companions. What started out as a potential disaster, turned into an intimate experience, one that the Bagdi couple was not to forget for the rest of their lives. Under the influence of Holy Mother's love, the robber gave up his evil ways and took on a regular job. Love made all the difference. They looked upon the Holy Mother as their sweet daughter Sarada and even came to visit her in Dakshineswar. > > Victory to Divine Mother. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Kalia, What a great story. Thanks so much for typing it out for us. I really wanted to write something to express my feelings, but I've sat here for I don't know how many minutes, and all my words seem to diminish the beautiful expression of divinity this story discribes. So, thank you again... Jai Maa! Chris , Kali Kali <kaliananda_saraswati> wrote: > > The robber and his wife - > > The Holy Mother had visions of Kali throughout her life, and it is safe to infer that she was aware of her own divinity at all times. Although she lived like any other Indian woman-taking care of cooking, cleaning, and family affairs-yet whoever came in contact with her felt something special. People felt her extraordinarily sweet love-she gave more than their own mother at home could give them. It was a subtle divinity people felt, and it was truly rare that Sri Sarada Devi was provoked enough to reveal her true nature. Once she showed herself as Kali to a robber and his wife. > > It so happened that the Holy Mother traveled one day from Jayrambati to Calcutta on foot. A few village women accompanied her. The small party halted in Arambagh, about eight miles from Kamarpukur, because before them lay the uninhabited, notorious fields of Telo-bhelo. People hesitated to cross these fields alone even during the day for they were infested with robbers. Deep in the heart of Telo-bhelo there is to this day the terrible image of the Goddess Kali, which the dacoits used to invoke before roaming the fields in search of people to rob. This particular image of Kali is appropriately called "Robber's Kali." > > It was still early in the day, and Holy Mother's party decided that there was plenty of time, even for a moderate walker, to pass the dangerous area nad reach Tarakeshwar before dark. Holy Mother's feet already hurt and were tired, but by nature unobtrusive, she didn't want to delay the others on her account. Soon she lagged behind her companions who had to halt and wait for her to catch up. It was getting late, and rather than exposing the whole group to danger, Holy Mother asked them not to worry about her and keep going. She did not have to press them much. They gladly quickened their steps and soon were out of sight. The Holy Mother slowly walked on alone. > > The sun set. Night turned the solitary fields dark, and bushes and trees loomed as ominous black shadows. Frightened, the Holy Mother tried to walk faster when all of a sudden she saw a tall figure emerge from behind a bush. It was a fierce looking man who carried a lengthy staff. His thick, long hair hung down unkempt, and he wore heavy silver bangles around his wrists. She instinctively knew he was a robber. Obviously enjoying her terror, the robber shouted with a throaty, harsh voice, "Hello! Who is this standing here at this time?" > > He was about to grab the Holy Mother, when suddenly he stopped as if stunned by a gun. Much later on he told people that at this very moment he saw the full manifestation of Kali standing in front of him. The Holy Mother had turned into Kali and stunned the robber. He was still in a daze when the Holy Mother began talking to him: > > Father, my companions have left me behind and I have lost my way. Will you kindly take me to them? Your son-in-law lives in the Kali temple of Rani Rasmani at Dakshineswar. I am on my way to him. If you take me to that place, he will treat you cordially. > > The robber was too startled to do or say anything. His wife came out of the shadows to help him but before she could do anything, Holy Mother had taken hold of her hand. > > Full of confidence and affection she said. "Mother, I am your daughter Sarada; I was in a terrible plight having been left behind by my companions. Fortunately you and father appeared; otherwise I can't say what I would have done." This simple behavior, extreme confidence, and sweet disposition conquered the hearts of the robber couple who belonged to the lowly Bagdi caste. As a result they forgot the gulf of social difference that separated them from a Brahmin woman and consoling her as though she was truly a daughter of theirs, they did not allow her to proceed further because she was tired. > > The next morning, the Bagdi couple took the Holy Mother safely to Tarakeshwar and delivered her to her to her worried companions. What started out as a potential disaster, turned into an intimate experience, one that the Bagdi couple was not to forget for the rest of their lives. Under the influence of Holy Mother's love, the robber gave up his evil ways and took on a regular job. Love made all the difference. They looked upon the Holy Mother as their sweet daughter Sarada and even came to visit her in Dakshineswar. > > Victory to Divine Mother. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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