– Smt. Shakar Menon (1961)
When I was about fifteen years old, that is, when I was in the School Final Class, I first read the works of Swami Vivekananda. I read the whole work of seven volumes and whenever I read the chapters relating to My Master, discussion between the master and disciples, I used to feel, ‘had I but the good fortune to be living in the world when this God-man was living’ I should have considered my life blessed. I had earnest desire to sit at the feet of a real God-man.
The consummation of my long-cherished desire came true in due course. The Sadguru I had been longing for, came in the form of the Divine Mother, and in Mother, I saw the embodiment of everything. I had longed for. I had my first contact with Mother in the year 1951. In fact, Mother in her ever flowing grace, had already forestalled my thoughts, and had even graced my house, with her divine presence, even before I came to know of it.
This happened in a most unexpected manner. We were then staying at Trivandrum. We had then temporarily given our house at Trichur for occupation to Dr. H. U. Kamath. Mrs. Kamath was a devotee of Mother and she had invited Mother to bless her house with her divine presence. Thus it was, that even before our knowing Mother in person, she had already graced our house with her presence. How happy we were to hear about the news of Mother’s visit to our house from my sister and relatives at Trichur.
I received my initiation at Trichur at the hands of the Divine Mother, on the 2nd December, 1952, and ever since that date, I had always been trying my best to be a satsishya, a worthy disciple of Mother. I had been attending the weekly bhajans and the (nama yagnams) and following the discourses and precious advices given by Mother to the best of my ability. Mother had advised us to make every house a temple, and with this end in view, I had been assembling the members of my family every evening for common prayer and worship. Singing Ram Nam with my children and family assembled around me, I really feel a sense of elation and mental peace.
I had no so-called miracles or uncommon experiences to narrate. But I can truly say that Mother’s unseen hand was always guiding and helping me all through my life. In the year 1955, I fell a victim to a very dangerous disease that threatened my life and I was taken to Madras for operation and treatment. We left for Madras with prayers to Mother for help and guidance in a spirit of absolute surrender. Our prayers were really heard. All through the long crisis from the diagnosis of the disease through the operation and protracted treatment, Mother’s guiding hand was fully discernible. Weak and timid though I was, by nature, I felt as if a new strength and courage was given to me, and even the doctors complimented me for my equanimity and courage at the time of the operation. I lay confined to the hospital for about four months. Though I was ill, I did not feel life a suffering. On the other hand, I was always cheerful and never felt depressed. Hospital life, in fact, was pleasant to me. Every one was kind and considerate, and I had the company of very good friends. Oh! Mother, this was all due to you, and your grace alone!.