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Sri Ramakrishna’s Prayer to the Divine Mother - Unique Relationship Between Sri Ramakrishna And Mother Goddess

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Sri Ramakrishna’s Prayer to the Divine Mother was published in the December 2005 edition of Prabuddha Bharata Magazine.

O Mother, I throw myself on Thy mercy; I take shelter at Thy Hallowed Feet. I do not want bodily comforts; I do not crave name and fame; I do not seek the eight occult powers.

Be gracious and grant that I may have pure love for Thee, a love unsmitten by desire, untainted by selfishness – a love craved by the devotee for the sake of love alone.



And grant me the favor, O Mother, that I may not be deluded by Thy world-be-witching maya, that I may never be attached to the world, to “woman and gold” conjured up by Thy inscrutable maya!

O Mother, there is no one but Thee whom I may call my own. Mother, I do not know how to worship; I am without austerity; I have neither devotion nor knowledge.

Be gracious, Mother, and out of Thy infinite mercy grant me love for Thy Lotus Feet.

Translated by Swami Purananda

Unique Relationship Between Sri Ramakrishna And Mother Goddess

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a 19th-century Indian mystic and saint, had a profound and unique relationship with the Mother Goddess, whom he worshipped primarily in the form of Kali. This relationship is central to understanding his spiritual experiences and teachings.

Intense Devotion and Visionary Experiences

  1. Personal Deity: Ramakrishna's devotion to the Mother Goddess was deeply personal. He viewed Kali not just as an abstract divinity but as a living, breathing presence with whom he could communicate. His prayers and meditations often led to visionary experiences in which he would see and interact with Kali.

  2. Divine Motherhood: He perceived Kali as the Divine Mother, a nurturing and caring entity who was the source of all creation. This perspective emphasized the nurturing and compassionate aspects of the divine, contrasting with more masculine depictions of God.

Spiritual Practices and Revelations

  1. Sadhana (Spiritual Practices): Ramakrishna underwent rigorous spiritual practices, often entering deep states of meditation and experiencing samadhi (a state of intense absorption or union with the divine). During these practices, he reported direct interactions with the Mother Goddess, receiving guidance and blessings.

  2. Ecstatic States: His encounters with the Divine Mother often brought him to states of ecstasy, where he would lose physical consciousness and merge into a higher state of spiritual awareness. These states were characterized by profound joy, peace, and a sense of unity with the divine.

Symbolism and Teachings

  1. Symbolism of Kali: For Ramakrishna, Kali symbolized the totality of existence, encompassing both creation and destruction, benevolence and terror. He taught that understanding the dual aspects of the Divine Mother could lead to a deeper comprehension of life's complexities and the nature of reality.

  2. Teaching of Divine Love: He emphasized the importance of divine love (bhakti) and surrender to the will of the Divine Mother. Ramakrishna's teachings often focused on the idea that through intense love and devotion, one could achieve liberation (moksha).

Influence on Disciples and Legacy

  1. Impact on Disciples: Ramakrishna's unique relationship with the Mother Goddess deeply influenced his disciples, most notably Swami Vivekananda, who carried forward his master's message of divine love and the unity of all religions.

  2. Universal Message: While rooted in the worship of Kali, Ramakrishna's teachings transcended sectarian boundaries, promoting a universal spirituality that respected all paths to the divine. His relationship with the Mother Goddess became a symbol of this inclusive and embracing approach to spirituality.

Sri Ramakrishna's relationship with the Mother Goddess was marked by intense devotion, visionary experiences, and deep spiritual insights. This relationship not only shaped his own spiritual journey but also left a lasting impact on his disciples and the broader spiritual landscape of India. Through his life and teachings, Ramakrishna highlighted the transformative power of divine love and the intimate connection one can develop with the divine through sincere devotion and surrender.