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| Sarada Devi : Source |
I rest my weary feet
On this emerald island
To replenish my soul
Foamy, froth of discontent
Disappears in the shore
Where peace lies in granule form
The sapphire morning sky
Gives me an indulgent smile
Crows, mynas, sparrows
Are birds of paradise here
The islanders are few
Only four in number
But they wear saris of fire
They speak in Love,
Their mother tongue
Our chilled bones are warmed
Their words kindle a lamp
In my heart cave
Light fills every corner
These souls are
Empowered with the blazing force
Of renunciation
That come from the poor widow
Sarada Devi*
*Sarada Devi (Bengali: সারদা দেবী;
Sharodā Debi (help·info)) (22 December 1853 – 20 July 1920), born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya (Bengali: সারদামণি মুখোপাধ্যায়), was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth-century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother (Sri Maa or শ্রীমা) by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order. Sarada
Devi played an important role in the growth of the Ramakrishna Movement.
Courtesy: Wikipedia
Ramakrishna Sarada Mission is a women’s monastic
organization in our little town Balurghat. We fondly call the nuns Matajis. It
is an entirely independent charitable organization exclusively for women run by
the nuns carrying out various philanthropic, cultural, spiritual and
educational activities. The Mission named after Sarada Devi has centers in
various parts of India and abroad.
Posted for Brian’s prompt Local @ Poetry Jam
&
Sharing it with Susan's Midweek Motif ~ A Woman's Day @ Poets United
A lovely thing they are doing.
ReplyDeleteluv the photo with lady with the long hair, luv long hair, grew my hair naturally for 13 years without cutting just trimming the edgws; then i cut it all off in 2012 i went from estatic joy to depression
ReplyDeleteoh but i'm over it now
luv the poem too, dont mind my ramblings this morning
much love...
love where you refer to it as the heart cave...ha...very interesting on sarada....other than being married to a spiritual leader, i wonder at her own awakening and desire to start such a group...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have this organization in your town. I like the way you have written about the saris of fire & also about the way their words kindle a lamp in the heart's cave. Sumana, I enjoyed the poem as well as the culture in this post today!
ReplyDeleteThese souls are
ReplyDeleteEmpowered with the blazing force
Of renunciation
Obviously the motivation is that strong to sustain the cause. Women power cannot be underestimated. Thanks for sharing Sumana!
Hank
love the homage to sarada devi
ReplyDeleteImages of power given over to teh weary, in thanks for Sarada Devi and the opening she made for other women! Transformation is possible in such a place:
ReplyDelete"Crows, mynas, sparrows
Are birds of paradise here"
Where sari's themselves have power to warm and light a widow's path... everything spells rest and rejuvenation. Thak you for this poem honoring a far-seeing woman.
I love the idea of a heart cave...wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAuthentical poem...read couple times....beautiful!
ReplyDeletecommendable work great honor
ReplyDeleteLight fills every corner - love that image of light shinning through darkness and bringing hope and love.
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful you have a monastery in your town, filled with beings of service to humankind. I enjoyed reading your poem about the holy mother, very much, Sumana.
ReplyDeletean apt homage to Ma Sarada Debi
ReplyDeleteNice tribute to Sarada Devi, Sumanaji.
ReplyDeleteLight fills the corners where love and goodness reside. What a comfort to know that these dear woman are ministering to others. So much need in these times.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sumana thank hyou!
What a unique find in your small town--I am sure few are aware of it yet sounds like they do a lot of good. Indeed a local treasure.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing Sumana. Nice to know her involvement and strong influence in bringing about the Ramakrishna movement.
ReplyDeleteWhatever path we choose in life we must embrace it with love and compassion. Thank you for telling us about the Sarada mission..
ReplyDeleteI like how you convey the power of their spirituality and serenity. They seem to be very inspiring women.
ReplyDeleteThe entirety is inspired, Sumana and for me, the language of Love...heart cave and the way in which it was lit...whoosh...very affecting.
ReplyDeleteSumana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the goodness about the Sarada Mission and its nuns. It is a blessing for many, that these missions exist, locally.
Eileen
My day was just made brighter by the thought of a people who "speak in Love". Thank you! ♥
ReplyDeleteThe Matajis sound like good people !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteYes, Ma Sarada was/is an embodiment of love, sacrifice, and selflessness.....so aptly captured, Beautiful lines!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting and edifying post, Sumana. You have captured the essence of a lovely spirit with your words. It is good to be reminded that, from time to time, angels walk amongst us.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to this wonderful woman, Sumana.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed wonderful, especially the lines "They speak in Love,
ReplyDeleteTheir mother tongue"