Recorded by Sarayubala Devi, Udbodhan Office, Calcutta.15th June 1912

The Holy Mother was seated with a number of women devotees. I was

company. She welcomed me with a smile. I requested Gauri-Ma to bring from the library two books, the life of Sister Nivedita and the Indian lectures of Swami Vivekananda. I wished to read something fromthe life of SisterNivedita. The Mother agreed and said, “Please readNivedita’s life. I alsoreceived a copy of the book the other day. But I havenot yet looked into it.”I felt a little shy to read the book in the presenceof so many people. At thesame time, I was eager to read to the Mother the beautifulbiography of theSister wrote by Saralabala. So I obeyed her order. The Mother as well asthe other devotees began to listen with the rapt attention. Their eyes becamemoist on hearing of the wonderful devotion of Nivedita. Tears trickled downthe cheeks of the Mother.Referring to Nivedita, she said, “What sincere devotion Nivedita had! Shenever considered anything too much that she might do for me. She wouldoften come to see me at night. Once seeing that light struck my eyes, she puta shade of paper around the lamp. She would prostrate herself before meand, with great tenderness, take the dust of my feet with her handkerchief. Ifelt that she even hesitated to touch my feet.” Thethought of Niveditaopened the floodgate of her mind and she suddenly became grave.Those present began to give their reminiscences ofSister Nivedita. Durga-Didi said, “It is the misfortune of India that shepassed away at such an earlyage.” Another lady said, “She looked upon India asher motherland. Sheherself said so, many a time. On the day of the SarMswati Puj, she wouldwalk bare-footed, putting on her forehead the markof the sacred ash of thesacrificial fire.” I finished reading. The Mother nowand then expressed herfeelings towards the Sister. She said at last, “Thethe inner soul feels for asincere devotee.”It was the hour for afternoon worship. The Mother changed her clothes andsat on the carpet before the image of Sri Ramakrishna. She had made someflower garlands with her own hands to decorate theimage. Rash Behari, a

swami Vivekananda

swami Vivekananda

Rear photo Swami Vivekananda