Gauri Ma

Gauri Ma (February 1857 Shibpur, Howrah, British India – 1 March 1938), born Mridani,[1] was a prominent Indian disciple of Ramakrishna, companion of Sarada Devi and founder of Kolkata's Saradeswari Ashram.

[2] While Gauri Ma was living at Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna gave her the ochre robes of a sannyasini and made arrangements for the accompanying rituals.

Prior to this, Gauri Ma had worn a sannyasini's robes as an external sign of renunciation, but she had not taken any formal vows.

Gauri Ma received initiation from Sri Ramakrishna at an early age in Ghola.

During her years of pilgrimage Gauri Ma practised severe austerities such as fasting, observing silence, and long hours of meditation.

[7] Gauri Ma lived as a companion to Sarada Devi, the wife of Ramakrishna, whenever she was at Dakshineswar.

"[8] While Gauri Ma was living at Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna gave her the ochre robes of a sannyasini and made arrangements for the accompanying rituals.

Prior to this, Gauri Ma had worn a sannyasini's robes as an external sign of renunciation, but she had not taken any formal vows.

[9] Ramakrishna encouraged Gauri Ma to settle down from her life of pilgrimage and devote herself to working for the betterment of women in India.

The women of India's plight was great, and Ramakrishna wished her to work to improve their education and development, both intellectually and spiritually.

"[11] Gauri Ma was gently reminded by Sarada Devi, "The Master (Ramakrishna) said that your life was meant for serving women – the living goddess.

For thirteen years, the ashram was located in rented houses, moving four times to accommodate its growing population.

[15] The sannyasinis of Saradeswari Ashram wear traditional red bordered Saree and also wear Shankhaa(a conch bangle which represents a married Bengali woman), because Sri sri ma Sarada devi didn't like women living like sanyassins and wearing ochre, therefore Gauri Maa initiated the ritual of marrying the ashramite sannyasinis with Shaligram narayan or Jagannath ji, so that they can live like married women.