[2nd President and Spiritual Head; the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
772
In Satiram's life it also shows how she conducted herself. It shows that if a woman is very faithful to the husband, to the 'T', she can even overcome death. Satiram Saltri [a faithful Hindu wife of legend] came to know that her husband would be taken by death. So after they were married she fasted and they went to live in the forest. When Lord Yama [the Hindu god of death] came and took the life of her husband she followed him. She had the power of following because of her own sadhana [spiritual practice] and tapasya [austerity]. And while going Yama said to her, 'Why are you coming with me?' She said, 'My husband is dead.' Yama said, 'I am taking your husband to yamloka.' Just to get her off his shoulder he said, 'Ask me any boon you like but don't ask me for your husband.' She was so crafty she said, 'Give me a hundred children.' He said, 'All right, have your hundred children.' Then he walked on, but she was still following him. So he asked her again, 'Why are you following? You have the boon of one hundred children.' She said, 'You don't expect me to get married again because I am a sati? I am devoted to one man. I can only have these children from my husband.' So Yama favoured her and sent her husband's soul back. She stayed on Earth a hundred years and enjoyed life with a hundred children.
And thus it is shown that if a woman is clever and works for the highest for the husband, the husband can be served in that way.
It's a similar thing between the guru [spiritual teacher or preceptor] and the chela [disciple or follower]. If the chela is first-class the guru always gets credited for that; otherwise he gets discredited in the spiritual realm.
1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.
2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order.
Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.
For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online
Reference websites - please mouse over the name and click to connect:
Ramakrishna Math and Mission Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa Ramakrishna Dham
