Inauguration Book 1998
Letter from Gauribrata Puri Devi
Sri Sri Sarada Mata Ashram
6676 122nd Avenue,
Ganges, Michigan 49408
The inauguration of this temple to Sri Sarada Devi is the fulfillment of a vision that began years ago. That vision called for the establishment of a proper place of worship for Sri Sri Ma, the revered Holy Mother, and for giving respect and honor to Her daughters of the Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram. Through the grace of Sri Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sri Ma, that vision is steadily being fulfilled.
My first experience with Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sri Ma came through Swami Bhashyanandaji Maharaj in 1973. The connection wirh my spiritual mother, Maraji Subrata Puri Devi, took place in 1987. In a real sense, it was those in-betWeen years of training with my guru, Swami Bhashyanandaji, that prepared my soul for the connection and work that began in 1987.
Years before, Swami Bhashyananda would read and translate stories about Sannyasini Gauri Ma. I remember one such story: how she was dragged to the feet of Sri Ramakrishna by a mystical "string" attached to her heart. When she arrived before him, he was actually winding a ball of thread! Whenever I heard this story, my inner soul would race with anticipation. I was completely captivated. Swamiji encouraged devotees Indra Makhija and Indu Sahasrabuddhi to join him in translating her life. This task was gradually accomplished, and in 1985 Swami Bhashyananda requested that I read this translation daily for one year in the Vivekananda Monastery Shrine room from 9:00 a.m. untill:1:00 p.m.! Swamiji commented, "By reading Gauri Ma's life, it will become clear to you what needs to be done here in Ganges, Michigan."
In 1987, when I joined Swami Bhashyananda on a pilgrimage to India, that anticipation was fulfilled. The connection with my Spiritual Mother took place during that visit. There, in CalcUtta, at the feet of Mataji Subrata Puri Devi-then head of the Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram, CalcUtta, India-my life work became clear: to establish a proper place of worship for Sri Sri Ma and to bring respect and honor to Her direct lineage, the Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram. Swami Bhashyananda encouraged me in the work which I had been given and, in 1989, Swamiji once again planned to take me to this ashram. But this was not to be. Swami Bhashyananda suffered a massive stroke and sent me on alone to Calcutta. It was then that I received Sannyas from Mataji Subrata Puri Devi and was given the very special name, Sannyasini Gauribrata Puri Devi, in remembrance of Sannyasini Gauri Ma.
After returning from his first visit to the West, Swami Vivekananda told Gauri Ma, "I have talked to the Western people about you and shall take you there." Although this did not take place in her lifetime, the Swami's wish is now being fulfilled-with the coming of Mataji Bandana Puri Devi, head of the Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram and direct disciple of Sannyasini Gauri Ma.
We pray that the inauguration ceremony, blessed by the holy presence of Revered Mataji Bandana Puri Devi, and by all our friends and family, will please Sri Sri Ma and Sri Ramakrishna and that Mother's Place may be a refuge to all. As Sri Sri Ma told Durga Ma, "To those who have come and those who have not come, even to those who will come in the future, let all my children know that my love and blessings are there for each and everyone of them." May our lives be dedicated to distribUting that love and to liberating one and all into Her loving Consciousness.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Sannyasini Gaunbrala Pun Devi
