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The motto of [[Ramakrishna Math]] and Mission, 'Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya Ca' is also shared by Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.<ref>A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.130</ref>
The motto of [[Ramakrishna Math]] and Mission, 'Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya Ca' is also shared by Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.<ref>A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.130</ref>


== The Presidents ==
== Presidents ==
=== Pravrajika Bharatiprana ===
The first president of the Math was [[Pravrajika Bharatiprana]] (1894–1973).<ref>''Pravrajika Bharatiprana'' (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.43</ref><ref>Bengali newspaper, ''Ananda Bazar Patrika'' on 31 January 1973</ref> Formerly she was known as Sarala Devi, a disciple and personal attendant of [[Sri Sarada Devi]]. Following the guidance of her Guru and other disciples of [[Sri Ramakrishna]], Sarala Devi lived in [[Varanasi]] from 1927 to 1954, performing spiritual disciplines. She received the Kaula Sannyasa and the name Sri Bharati from [[Swami Saradananda]].<ref>A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.98-101</ref> Assuming the leadership of the Sri Sarada Math, Bharatiprana served from December 1954 to January 1973, till her [[Mahasamadhi]].<ref>A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.232</ref>
Her life was written in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] as ''Bharatiprana Smriti Katha'' and later translated in [[English language|English]] by Pravrajika Atmaprana as Pravrajika Bharatiprana.<ref>A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.233</ref>


# [[Pravrajika Bharatiprana]]<ref>''Pravrajika Bharatiprana'' (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.43</ref><ref>Bengali newspaper, ''Ananda Bazar Patrika'' on 31 January 1973</ref>
=== Pravrajika Mokshaprana ===
[[Pravrajika Mokshaprana]] (1915–1999) was the second president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srisaradamath.org/mokshaprana.php|title=Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata|website=www.srisaradamath.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909210222/http://www.srisaradamath.org/mokshaprana.php|archive-date=September 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She also served as the headmistress of Sister Nivedita's Girls' School from 1946 to 1948.<ref>Mokshaprana, Pravrajika. "Sri Sarada Society Notes, Fall 1999, Volume 5, Issue 2" (PDF). Sri Sarada Math.</ref><ref>Mokshaprana, Pravrajika. "Guiding lights – Presidents and First General Secretary of Sri Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission".</ref>
# [[Pravrajika Mokshaprana]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srisaradamath.org/mokshaprana.php|title=Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata|website=www.srisaradamath.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909210222/http://www.srisaradamath.org/mokshaprana.php|archive-date=September 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
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# [[Pravrajika Shraddhaprana]] <ref>Pravrajika Shraddhaprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.20</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/pravrajika-shraddhaprana-mataji-passes-away/story-4Jg6Nxhgj0v6rXpDFjkPTK.html|title=Pravrajika Shraddhaprana Mataji passes away|date=2009-02-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>

⚫
# [[Pravrajika Bhaktiprana]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srisaradamath.org/administration.php|title=Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata|website=www.srisaradamath.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002064429/http://srisaradamath.org/administration.php|archive-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/healer-at-the-helm/cid/1264963|title=Healer at the helm|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>
=== Pravrajika Muktiprana ===
⚫
# Pravrajika Anandaprana<ref>{{cite news |title=President Of Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Passes Away At 97 |url=https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/president-of-sarada-math-ramakrishna-sarada-mission-passes-away-at-97 |access-date=30 April 2024 |publisher=Ommcom News |date=30 April 2024}}</ref>
Pravrajika Muktiprana (1915–1994) was the first general secretary of the Math. Her parents were disciples of [[Swami Shivananda]], a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. She actively participated in the movement that led to the formation of Sri Sarada Math. An excellent administrator, her biography on Sister Nivedita 'Bhagini Nivedita' is a masterpiece.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srisaradamath.org/muktiprana.php|title=Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata|website=www.srisaradamath.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917221608/http://www.srisaradamath.org/muktiprana.php|archive-date=September 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Pravrajika Shraddhaprana ===
⚫
[[Pravrajika Shraddhaprana]] (1918–2009) was the third president. She, too, belonged to the first batch of Sannyasinis. She was a powerful speaker and writer. Her book 'Asamanya Patralekhikha Nivedita' contains selected translations of Sister Nivedita's letters.<ref>Pravrajika Shraddhaprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.20</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/pravrajika-shraddhaprana-mataji-passes-away/story-4Jg6Nxhgj0v6rXpDFjkPTK.html|title=Pravrajika Shraddhaprana Mataji passes away|date=2009-02-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>

=== Pravrajika Bhaktiprana ===
⚫
[[Pravrajika Bhaktiprana]] (1920–2022) was the fourth President of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srisaradamath.org/administration.php|title=Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata|website=www.srisaradamath.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002064429/http://srisaradamath.org/administration.php|archive-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/healer-at-the-helm/cid/1264963|title=Healer at the helm|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> The president Mataji was assisted by vice president,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://saradavedanta.org/our-presidents/|title=You are being redirected...|website=saradavedanta.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902205424/http://saradavedanta.org/our-presidents|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/happy-birthday-sister/cid/1393362|title=Happy birthday sister|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> Pravrajika Anandaprana and general secretary Pravrajika Amalaprana.

=== Pravrajika Anandaprana ===
Pravrajika Anandaprana (1927–2024) was the fifth president of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.

Anandaprana was born in 1927 in Kolkata. She received spiritual initiation from Swami Shankarananda,7th president of Belur Math. She joined the order in 1957 at Baghbazar Nivedita Girls' High School. She was elected a trustee of the Math in 2017. In 2018 she became a vice president of the Order.

On 14 January 2023, she was elected the 5th president of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.

Anandaprana was assisted by vice president, Pravrajika Sadhanprana, general secretary,Pravrajika Atandraprana and Asst. Secretary Pravrajika Anilaprana, Treasurer Pravrajika Jnanadaprana.

⚫
Anandaprana died on 30 April 2024, at the age of 97.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Of Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Passes Away At 97 |url=https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/president-of-sarada-math-ramakrishna-sarada-mission-passes-away-at-97 |access-date=30 April 2024 |publisher=Ommcom News |date=30 April 2024}}</ref>


== Branches ==
== Branches ==

Revision as of 18:03, 7 April 2025

Sri Sarada Math is a convent named after Sri Sarada Devi,[1][2] the consort of Sri Ramakrishna, founded on 2 December 1954.[3] Headquartered at Dakshineshwar, Kolkata, the organisation has branch centres in other parts of India, and in Sri Lanka and Australia.[4] The nuns use the title "Pravrajika" before their ordained name, and are usually addressed as "Mataji" meaning 'revered mother'.[5][6][7]

Overview

Sri Sarada Math is the monastic order for women established as an independent counterpart to Ramakrishna Order. The main aim of the organisation is to fulfill the mission of Swami Vivekananda, that is 'Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva' serving God in Man, irrespective of caste, creed, and nationality as well as the upliftment and empowerment of women.[8][9]

The organisation mainly propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita Vedanta and four yogic ideals–jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga.[10]

Apart from religious and spiritual teaching, the organisation carries out educational and philanthropic work in India. The mission bases its work on the principles of karma yoga, the principle of selfless work done with a dedication to God. The Sri Sarada Math and its sister organisation, the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, publish many important Vedanta and Ramakrishna-Vivekananda texts. Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, its sister organisation[11] also shares the same headquarters at Dakshineshwar, Kolkata.[12]

History

2 December 1954, the Sarada Math was inaugurated by the then President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Revered Swami Sankarananda.[13] During its formative days, the women who joined this order was from a family of Sri Ramakrishna devotees, such as Brahmacharini Renu, Brahmacharini Asha, Brahmacharini Lakshmi, Brahmacharini Gauri, Brahmacharini Kalyani, and others.

Brahmacharini Asha had in 1946 written an article entitled, Hindu Women's Right to Sannyasa published in Udbodhan magazine, in which she expressed her strong desire for the life of renunciation.[14] It created interest among intellectual circles, especially in the circles of Ramakrishna followers.[14]

From 1954 to 1958, Sri Sarada Math was a branch centre of the Ramakrishna Math at Belur.[15] The Trustees of Belur Math assumed the responsibility of its administration. However, only the inmates of the Sri Sarada Math conducted the day-to-day work of the Math. When the necessity arose, they sought advice from the senior monks of Belur Math. After the inaugural of the Sri Sarada Math, Swami the Belur Math authorities instructed that monks would no longer visit it without proper reason or prior permission.[16]

In 1958, eight Brahmacharinis of the women's Math were tonsured, and they performed the Shraddha ceremony. Then on 2 January 1959, in the Old Shrine of Belur Math, the president, Swami Shankarananda and other senior monks conducted the Viraja Homa, and the eight Brahmacharinis were ordained into formal Sannyasa. They were given the ochre robes and new names. Swami Madhavananda had compiled the names. They would be prefixed by 'Pravrajika' and ended with 'prana'. So the names of the eight pioneer sannyasinis were Pravrajika Bharatiprana,[17] Pravrajika Mokshaprana, Pravrajika Muktiprana, Pravrajika Dayaprana, Pravrajika Vidyaprana, Pravrajika Shraddhaprana,[18] Pravrajika Bhaktiprana, and Pravrajika Medhaprana.

On 26 August 1959, the Sri Sarada Math was recognised as an independent organisation and the full administration was handed over to the nuns. Seven of its nuns were elected to be the Trustees. The Trust deed was registered on 9 September 1959 and it was officially registered as a non-government trust on 11 September 1959.[19] With this, the president of the Sri Sarada Math was also given the responsibility to give spiritual initiation (Mantra Diksha), brahmacharya initiation and the conferring of Sannyasa to eligible women. Thus, an independent Order of Sannyasinis was created.[20]

Sri Sankaracharya did not sanction sannyasa for women.[10] But Swami Vivekananda laid the foundation to admit women into the Puri Sampradaya, one of the ten Orders of the Dasanami Sampradaya started by Sankaracharya.[21] Not only this but the nuns were also given the right to confer Sannyasa upon other women. This was an epoch-making incident in the history of the Hindu religion.

From the establishment of Sri Sarada Math in 1954 till it was legally independent in 1959, the total number of its members was 52. After that, many followers of Ramakrishna came forward to help. In May 1960, the Trustees of the Sri Sarada Math established the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. The function of the Math gives emphasis on spiritual development (Atmano Mokshartham) while the Mission's main aim is service to society (Jagad Hitaya). Women with faith in this ideal can become members of the Mission.

Following the legal establishment of Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, the two institutions run by the Ramakrishna Mission for women, the Matri Bhavan (maternity hospital) in south Kolkata and the Entally Ashrama, Women's Welfare Centre in central Kolkata were handed over to Ramakrishna Sarada Mission in 1961.[22]

With donations from Sri Devendranath Bhattacharya, the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vidyabhavan, a degree college was started in 1961. Later, some girls who received education at this college, have joined Sri Sarada Math and became nuns.

In 1963, the Ramakrishna Mission authorities handed over the Sister Nivedita Girls' School[23] to the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.[22]

Motto

The motto of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, 'Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya Ca' is also shared by Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.[24]

Presidents

  1. Pravrajika Bharatiprana[25][26]
  2. Pravrajika Mokshaprana[27]
  3. Pravrajika Shraddhaprana [28][29]
  4. Pravrajika Bhaktiprana[30][31]
  5. Pravrajika Anandaprana[32]

Branches

There is a branch centre in New South Wales, Australia.[33]

Publications

Nibodhata,[34] is the Bengali journal,[35] published every two months. It contains articles on various matters related to religion, science, art, culture, society, history.[36]

Samvit is the English journal published by Sri Sarada Math's New Delhi Center. Samvit was first published in 1980, through the efforts of Revered Pravrajika Muktiprana, the first general secretary of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. The journal covers various religious and spiritual issues.[37][38]

Besides journals, the Sri Sarada Math and its branch centres also have published several biographies of religious and spiritual personalities, and books on Ramakrishna-Vedanta.

References

  1. ^ Udbodhan (Phalgun issue B.S.1379)
  2. ^ "Sri Sarada Devi: The Universal Mother". 16 June 2021.
  3. ^ Swami Vivekananda's Dream, Sri Sarada Math (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineshwar, 2005), p.7
  4. ^ "Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata". www.srisaradamath.org. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Addressing Religious Leaders".
  6. ^ Clémentin-Ojha, Catherine. 1998. "Outside the Norms: Women Ascetics in Hindu Society." Economic and Political Weekly 18: April 30
  7. ^ Pechilis, Karen. 2004. The Graceful Gurus: Hindu Female Gurus in India and the United States. New York: Oxford University Press.
  8. ^ "Our Origin | Rasik Bhita". Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  9. ^ Echoes of Vedanta in the far East (Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of New South Wales: Australia, 1994), p.i)
  10. ^ a b Pravrajika Atmaprana, Monasticism for Indian Women, Monasticism Ideal and Traditions (Sri Ramakrishna Math Chennai: Chennai1991), p.303
  11. ^ "Sri Sarada Math | Indian religious society".
  12. ^ "Sri Sarada Math | Indian religious society". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  13. ^ A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.133
  14. ^ a b A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.124
  15. ^ A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.135
  16. ^ A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.134
  17. ^ Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineshwar, 1992), p.48
  18. ^ Pravrajika Shraddhaprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineshwar, 2009),p.20
  19. ^ "SRI SARADA MATH NGO in KOLKATA WEST BENGAL Address Contact details".
  20. ^ Pravrajika Atmaprana, Monasticism for Indian Women, Monasticism Ideal and Traditions (Sri Ramakrishna Math Chennai: Chennai1991), p.303
  21. ^ Udbodhan (Phalgun issue B.S.1379)
  22. ^ a b A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.138
  23. ^ "Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls School, Kolkata, West Bengal, India". www.sisterniveditagirlsschool.org. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  24. ^ A Blessed Life, Biography of Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Pravrajika Jnanadaprana, Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar, 2012), p.130
  25. ^ Pravrajika Bharatiprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.43
  26. ^ Bengali newspaper, Ananda Bazar Patrika on 31 January 1973
  27. ^ "Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata". www.srisaradamath.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  28. ^ Pravrajika Shraddhaprana (Sri Sarada Math: Dakshineswar), p.20
  29. ^ "Pravrajika Shraddhaprana Mataji passes away". Hindustan Times. 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  30. ^ "Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata". www.srisaradamath.org. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  31. ^ "Healer at the helm". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  32. ^ "President Of Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Passes Away At 97". Ommcom News. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  33. ^ Cite error: The named reference auto3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ "Nibodhata Patrika". Archived from the original on 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  35. ^ "Sarada Math nun breathes her last".
  36. ^ "Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata". www.srisaradamath.org. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Website of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata". www.srisaradamath.org. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved Apr 6, 2020.
  38. ^ "Samvit". www.maasamiti.org. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
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