When I read the life stories of Sri Sarada Devi, a 19th-century saint, I came across many unspoken tales of inspiration. Previously, I had written about a dacoit named Amjad.

Now, I tell the tale of Sarajubala Devi, who was practically Sri Sarada Devi’s right hand. The spiritual bond between the guru and disciple is a welcome addition to the cause of motivating women toward spiritual liberation.

Through Her Eyes

Sarajubala was born into a wealthy family in Kamarpukur, the birthplace of the great sage Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Her family was deeply spiritual and devoted to the divine, which inspired her on that path.

Nonetheless, as a woman in a patriarchal society, Sarajubala faced obstacles that often made her feel lonely in her spiritual pursuits. This was when she met her guru, Sarada Devi, who encouraged her to stay put and fight for herself and the cause of women’s spiritual freedom.

Eventually, Sarajubala became a key player in spreading awareness about the need for spiritual growth in women. Besides, much of what we know about Sarada Devi is through the eyes of Sarajubala, thanks to all the meticulous notes she made during their meetings.

A Walking Textbook

What’s most beautiful about Sarajubala is that she did not just note down and repeat Sarada Devi’s words like a parrot. Instead, she constantly strived to imbibe every word of her guru into her life. Over time, Sarajubala became a walking textbook of Sarada Devi’s teachings.

Her guru’s influence on Sarajubala extended beyond just a guru-disciple relationship. As time progressed, this spiritual bond sparked a movement among women to seek spiritual fulfillment in their own right.

Sarajubala’s life transformed into a living expression of devotion, love, surrender, and selfless service. She inspired many other women in her community by just being what she was, encouraging them to explore their spiritual paths and find their own connections with the divine.

A Silent Hero

We often talk about many historical heroes but forget those who appeared normal but significantly impacted society. In my view, this is a flaw in our culture which needs to be rectified.

Sarajubala Devi was one such silent hero. She committed herself to her guru’s cause and followed all her teachings. She also provided financial support to run schools established in the spirit of Sarada Devi’s teachings.

These institutions were not just designed to impart academic knowledge. Instead, they strived to instill spiritual values and a sense of self-worth in young women. Sarajubala understood that education was essential for women to gain independence and contribute meaningfully to society.

The Path of Selfless Service

Not everyone can become a guru with awe-inspiring spiritual experiences because destiny decides that. However, we can all be good humans, which is entirely in our hands. Sarajubala’s simple yet committed life was a testament to selfless service, a significant path to spiritual liberation.

Sarajubala transformed her learnings into tangible actions, ensuring that future generations of women would have the opportunity to pursue their paths of empowerment and liberation. We need more such silent heroes because these are the ones who genuinely inspire society to progress.

The more mundane-sounding stories that come out, the more people will realize that spirituality is not just for a handful who can brag about Divine Visions and Yogic Samadhi. Ultimately, spirituality is all about being a good human who serves society selflessly to the best of one’s abilities.

To all Sarajubala Devi-s who go unnoticed despite giving their best to the world, here’s my heartfelt gratitude. Trust me, whether the world values you or not, the divine will never fail to take you into its embrace.

Love,
Sri Devi Om