For the Love of Maa Sharada- 9

 One thing I could never make heads or tails of is the prevalent caste system. The four varnas which were heavily dependent on one’s occupation took a turn towards ego, pride, ignorance and now, we have about 3,000 castes and approximately 2,500 subcastes which are cruelly assigned to an individual in the womb itself. It portrays the sad reality our society is clutched in. Its regrettable that despite so many enlightened beings walking on Earth who gave us Love and Wisdom, there still exists discrimination be it in terms of caste, race, gender, homophobia, region, language, faith etc. as we have failed to apply their beautiful words in our own lives!

Discrimination and bias halts opportunities for some communities, subjects groups of people to impeccable suffering- physical, mental, spiritual as well as emotional and raises serious questions on human rights, the very fundamental of our constitution. No doubt, the result of the caste-system is cumbersome but the question is, is such systematic discrimination only prevalent in our country? The answer is ‘no’. In different parts of the world, the term ‘caste’ may not be in use but there too, people are being stabbed by the same dagger of a stupid supremacy and to know about it, you may watch Karolina Goswami’s this Youtube video.

When the world becomes extremely worrisome, I turn to my Sri Maa and my Swami, who are the perfect personification of Love. Swami has time and again stood strongly against the brutal caste system and all kinds of discrimination and my Holy mother only and only recognizes the love of the devotees. Their love makes me run like a small baby who clutches the dress of a parent and hides behind that frame of strength and unconditional support. Their words rejuvenate me in this world and now, I am reminded of an another incident of the Holy Mother, Maa Sharada who was once so happy after listening to the lovely bhajans that the devotees sung that she said to Swami Ishanananda, “Ah! The singing was enthralling. What is caste to devotees? All children are one. I feel like feeding all of them from one plate. But this wretched region, they make much of caste. However, there is surely no objection tomorrow, quite early in the morning you go to Kamarpukur and bring two seers of the Jilapis.” (Jilapi or jalebi is a type of sweetmeat)

And the next day, Swami Ishanananda did as what Sri Maa asked him to do and he returned with the jilapis by about 9 a.m. Sri Maa then beautifully decorated the jilapis on a plate around a big heap of puffed rice, and offered it very lovingly to her dear beloved, Sri Ramakrishna, the guru of all! She then sent this blessed delicacy to the devotees who partook from this holy prasaad merrily as Maa looked at them with love, grace and blessings from the next room.

Sri Maa was Maa to all! Jaya Ambe Hare, Jagdambe Hare. Jaya Jaya Jagjanani, Ambe Hare!

Sri Sharada Devi, the Holy Mother

Your eyes! Your eyes!

I know not what it says

But mine has missed you

Since many past ages

and the more I look at you

The more space my heart gets

To feel your eternal grace.

The one who bows to you

Lives in a heavenly place.

Yes, you are indeed

The Mother to All,

And to you, I embrace!

Jaganmata Pahimam! Pahimam! Pahimam!

No copyright violation or plagiarism intended.

Source:

Ishanananda, Swami. First Series Recorded by Swami Ishanananda. The Gospel of The Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. Recorded by her devotee-children. Sri Ramakrishna Math Printing Press, Mylapore, Chennai. 2008.