 |
150th Birthday of Holy Mother, Sri
Sarada Devi
|
SPECIAL SERVICE AND CELEBRATION IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE 150TH B IRTHDAY OF HOLY MOTHER SRI SARADA DEVIOn Sunday, October 3, 2004 at 11:00 AM the Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg began its 2004-2005 season with a special opening service and celebration in commemoration the 150TH Birthday of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. Swami Adiswarananda served as host and was joined by a number of distinguished participants and musical artists:
Dr. Stanley M. Giannet, Associate Dean of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences, Pasco-Hernando Community College;
Dr. Parimala Nathan, Lecturer on Indian Religions;
Maria Seiler, Director of the Annual Easter Sunrise Service, Delray Beach, Florida;
Indira Sastry, Chairperson of the Religious Committee of the Hindu Temple of Florida, Tampa; Jean Bomonti, President of the Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg;
Members of the Choir of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, with Edwin Santayana, director; and
Musical artists, John Campbell (keyboard), Susan Campbell (flute), Scott Campbell (guitar).
Members and friends of the Vedanta Center received a beautifully printed invitation for this special program and announcements also appeared in regional newspapers such as the St. Petersburg Times .
Special celebration summary
On a beautiful sunny morning, the chapel of the Center was filled to capacity with devotees and friends who came from different cities and towns of the Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida and the U.S. to attend this very special event (see photograph). Swami Adiswarananda led the participants into the chapel and the service began with Vedic Chanting and devotional songs performed by members of the Choir of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, creating a solemn and joyous atmosphere. We are grateful to the members of the choir and its director Edwin Santayana for coming all the way from New York to participate in the celebration. Swami then gave his opening prayer, welcomed all the devotees and participants, and presented his introductory remarks on the inspiring life and message of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
In his introductory remarks Swami said: “In the life of the Holy Mother we find a rare combination of human and divine qualities that continues to inspire millions of spiritual seekers all over the world. Her life and teachings touch our very souls and grant us peace and joy. By her love she conquered everybody. Her compassion flowed equally to all beings and things of the universe. Holy Mother herself said, ‘He is unfortunate indeed who does not feel my compassion. I do not know anyone, not even an insect, for whom I do not feel compassion.’ She was the embodiment of the Master’s message of the motherhood of God. To the disciples she often said: ‘Whenever you are in danger or in trouble, remember that you have a mother.’ ‘Do not be afraid, the Master is behind you, and I am too as your mother.’ In her invisible form she continues to give her blessings, even today, to anyone who accepts her as the real Mother and surrenders to her. Holy Mother Sarada is our real Mother, not an adopted mother, nor a vague mother. Our real Mother.”
Swami then introduced each of the participants who offered their own insights into the life and message of the Mother. Jean Bomonti, President of the Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg, welcomed all the participants and those in attendance, and reflected on her own forty years of devotion to Holy Mother Sarada Devi. Dr. Stanley M. Giannet a senior member of the faculty of Pasco-Hernando Community College, gave a stirring talk on the unity of all faiths and referred to Holy Mother as one whose entire life is a demonstration of that unity. Indira Sastry, an ardent devotee of Holy Mother, represented the Hindu Temple of Florida in Tampa. She brought the greetings and best wishes for the occasion from the Hindu Temple and spoke of Holy Mother, as “a unique phenomenon in the realm of sacred beings…unique for being the perfect wife, saint, mother and teacher in one…a deep reservoir of spirituality, yet quiet and peaceful like the deep sea.”
Swami Adiswarananda then introduced the musical artists, John Campbell (keyboard), Susan Campbell (flute), and Scott Campbell guitar) who performed a rendering of Swami Vivekananda’s Song of a Sannyassin, followed by a beautiful instrumental piece composed especially for the occasion. The final two speakers were Dr. Parimala Nathan, a lecturer on the religions of India and Maria Seiler, Director of the Annual Easter Sunrise Service, Delray Beach, Florida. Dr. Nathan discussed the place of the Holy Mother in the long tradition of great spiritual women of India. Maria Seiler, a long time devotee of Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother, spoke inspiringly of the influence of Holy Mother on her own life and the great spiritual nourishment that she has received from the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda. The Choir of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center then performed two English selections: The Living God, based on the poems and words of Swami Vivekananda, and My Sweet Lord, an emotionally stirring song composed by the late George Harrison, himself a great devotee of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Adiswarananda concluded the service with a prayer to Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swamiji, and invoked Their blessings upon all. Following the service the entire congregation was served refreshments in the garden of the Center. Also, Swami took the opportunity of this special occasion to officially release a new, beautifully designed, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center publication, Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother: Her Teachings and Conversations (by Swami Nikhilananda, translator and edited by Swami Adiswarananda).
The devotees and friends of the Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg wish to express their grateful appreciation to Swami Adiswarananda for all his efforts in making this wonderful event possible.