The story of Bhakt Mata Karma Bai is one of devotion, perseverance, and divine grace. Born in 1017 in Jhansi Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Mata Karma Bai was the daughter of Ram Shah Sahu and later married Padma Sahu. They resided in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, where they ran a prosperous oil business.
Mata Karma Bai's devotion to Bhagavan Sri Krishna was
profound. Legend has it that she used to feed Bhagavan Krishna
"Khichdi" with her own hands, a gesture of pure love and devotion.
This act of divine offering is celebrated on Mata Karma Bai's birth anniversary
at the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha.
However, their prosperity drew envy, particularly from Raja
Nal's son Dholan, who sought to sabotage their business. Dholan ordered the
kingdom's oil pond to be filled within five days, a seemingly impossible task.
Despite Padma Sahu's efforts, he failed to meet the deadline, bringing shame
upon their family.
Upon learning of her husband's predicament, Mata Karma Bai turned to her unwavering devotion to Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Through her prayers and divine intervention, the oil pond miraculously filled, saving their business and reputation. This incident solidified her status as "Mata Karma Bai," revered for her religious greatness.
Yet, the mistreatment by King Dholan prompted Mata Karma Bai
and her family to leave their homeland for Jagannath Puri in Odisha. In Puri,
Mata Karma Bai continued her devotional practices, waking early each morning to
prepare Khichdi for Puri Jagannath, a manifestation of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
However, a saint admonished her for neglecting personal hygiene before cooking.
Following the saint's advice, Mata Karma Bai began bathing
before cooking, causing a delay in the preparation of Khichdi. As a result, by
the time she fed Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the temple doors would open. Observing Bhagavan
Sri Krishna Krishna's face covered in Khichdi, the saint realized his mistake
and advised Mata Karma Bai to revert to her original practice.
Since that day, Mata Karma Bai's offering of Khichdi became
the first to be placed in the temple of Bhagavan Jagannath, symbolizing her
unwavering devotion and the divine reciprocation of her love.
The story of Bhakt Mata Karma Bai serves as an inspiration,
emphasizing the power of devotion, faith, and the divine grace that transcends
worldly challenges and adversities.