Sri Sarada Devi- Consort of Sri Ramakrishna (An Old and Rare Book)

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The present book, a collection of writings on Sri Sarada Devi by great monks, eminent scholars and thinkers of international repute and by common men and women, points to the unique life of Sri Sarada Devi whom Sri Ramakrishna regarded as his 'Shakti.'

These illuminating and scholarly writings are now buried in the forgotten columns and pages of old journals and books. Perhaps a generation hence these invaluable treasures will be lost for ever. I have for some time been thinking of preserving those by bringing out a supplementary volume to my edition of Sri Ramakrishna-in the Eyes of Brahma and Christian Admirers and the idea of compiling the present volume has also come to my mind especially in view of the exaggerated importance attached now-a-days to the movement for liberation of women. In the din and bustle of controversy over the ideal of independence of men and women in their married life it is forgotten that there can be no freedom without self-control and no self-respect without regard for the respect of others. Marriage to-day does not mean communion of soul and ideal. It has degenerated into mere fulfilment of lust and passion. Once the physical charm goes misunderstanding and quarrel ensue leading ultimately to divorce and break-up of family life. This social evil can be effectively controlled by developing understanding and harmony between husband and wife. The ideal of conjugal life, which Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi left as legacy to us, will go a long way to inspire married couples to lead peaceful and prosperous life. The society will be able to avoid confrontation between men and women if men show even a part of the respect shown by Sri Ramakrishna towards women and women exhibit a little more forbearance and understanding as evinced by Sri Sarada Devi.

Keshab Chandra Sen, the great Brahma leader with whom Sri Ramakrishna developed a very intimate spiritual friendship, while delivering a lecture on 'Women in India' at the Victoria Discussion Society, London, on 1 August 1870, said: "Time was when men and women freely mixed with each other in society in India, when celebrated ladies solved mathematical problems, and evinced the deepest interest in mathematics and science generally; when Hindu ladies entered into interesting conversations with their husbands on religious and moral questions and when ladies not only received high education but even came forward and selected husbands for themselves! But those days are gone. The people, both men and women, have fallen into a low state so much so that it is impossible to recognise in the modern Indian the noble soul of the ancient Hindu."