Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, at Benaras :

Swami Brahmananda, in the course of his morning strolls, visited the Lakshmi-nivasa and inquired about the Mother's health from Golap-Ma and sometimes made fun.

One morning, as he came there, Master Mahashaya (M) came out of his room and from the upper verandah Golap-Ma said, 'Rakhal, Mother asks you, why Shakti (Divine Energy conceived as a woman) is worshipped first (before the male aspect)?'

Swami Brahmananda replied, 'It is because Mother has in her keeping the key to knowledge of Brahman. There is no other way unless Mother, out of compassion, unlocks the door with the key.'

And he sang a song in the baul tune:

O mind, remain immersed in meditating the feet of Shiva's wife;

Be immersed and avoid all misery.

All these three worlds are vain, and in vain you roam about.

Meditate within you the Coiled Energy that's of none but Brahman.

This is Kamalakanta's (poet's) message,

'Sing the glory of Mother Kali.

This indeed is a stream of bliss; and paddle on slowly.'

As the song proceeded, he fell in the grip of a divine ecstasy and danced merrily; and at the end cried out, 'Ho, ho, ho!' and dashed out of the place.

The Mother enjoyed his dance and singing from above, and below were Master Mahashaya and a few other devotees who also felt stirred to the depths by it all.

(Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Gambhirananda, p.268,269)

Sri Ramakrishna Mission