In 1897 when Sister Nivedita offered to work for India, Swami Vivekananda extended a hearty welcome:
“Let me tell you frankly that I am now convinced that you have a great future in the work for India. What was wanted was not a man but a woman, a real lioness to work for the Indians, women specially.”
Swami Vivekananda invited Nivedita to come to India and work for the women of this country. It was natural therefore that she thought deeply on the ideals of Indian womanhood, the problems of Indian women, their position in society, and their education.. She was convinced of India’s great future after having studied it’s history that this was a land of great women…
Nivedita was the most forceful and devoted friend of the national leaders who helped to change India’s destiny in the first decade of the twentieth century. Her position was remarkable because her dedication was exemplary. In her service to the country she was not worldly or matter-of-fact. Soaring on the wings of passion and puja, she gave India the worship of her heart. She gave India her life; for India she lived and died.
Pravrajika Bharatiprana was the first President of the Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. She was a student of Sister Nivedita and a direct disciple and personal attendant of Sri Sarada Devi. Her simple, quiet and serene personality made her the object of everyone’s reverence. Many men and women were inspired to lead spiritual lives after taking initiation from her. Her mind always dwelt on a higher level of consciousness. Despite her efforts to conceal her real self, her Mahasamadhi brought her extraordinary spiritual attainment to the notice of all who witnessed it. During her last moments she withdrew her mind and uttering Satchidananda Brahma, Satchidananda Brahma, Shivoham, Shivoham(God, the Existence- Knowledge-Bliss; I am Shiva) her mind merged in to the Infinite Brahman.
Pravrajika Mokshaprana was the second President of the Sri Sarada Math and the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. During her long tenure of twenty-six years of spiritual ministration, she initiated thousands of people, guiding them to lead a spiritual life. Before she became President of the Math, she was headmistress of Sister Nivedita’s Girls’ School from 1946 to 1948. She had an ardent interest in providing education for women as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda. Bold and fearless, she encouraged other women to be fearless and self-confident. Her compassionate heart attracted many souls from far and near. Whether tribal children of Northeast India, scholars from America or probationers of the Math, everyone received her motherly love and inspiration.
Pravrajika Muktiprana was the first General Secretary of Sri Sarada Math and the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. When she was only sixteen years old, inspired by reading ‘Talks with Swami Vivekananda’ she cherished the dream of joining a women’s Math. She asked Swami Nirvanananda if the women’s Math mentioned by Swami Vivekananda existed. Since it had not yet been established, in 1941 she started a women’s ashram of her own. Her charming and spirited personality attracted a group of young students who lived there with her. When Sri Sarada Math was established in 1954, Muktiprana was appointed as the General Secretary. She held the post for forty years, setting a unique example of dedication and selfless service. She kept contact with innumerable devotees and friends in India and abroad. She was an extraordinary administrator. She had genuine affection, sympathy and patience for everyone in the Order: junior or senior. She had the quality of untying the knots in a personality and kept a watchful eye on each member so they felt she knew them better than they knew themselves. Her life was dedicated to being free and making others free.
Pravrajika Shraddhaprana Mataji was the third President of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. Shraddhaprana Mataji is a disciple of Swami Virajananda the 6th President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Before joining the Sister Nivedita Girls’ School in 1948, she was a lecturer in the Annie Besant College, Varanasi. After the passing away of Pravrajika Muktiprana in 1994, she was elected as the second General Secretary. She held this office till 17 November 1999. All along her life, Rev. Shraddhaprana Mataji was unique in her depth of human understanding and love. Her method dealing with different people with due sympathy and honour is also noteworthy. As an administrator, she possessed great sagacity & infinite patience which was revealed in her handling all the difficult situations & issues. In fact, our Order owes a lot to her love of labour, imagination, ingenuity and creativity as well as to her great insight and foresight.
Pravrajika Bhaktiprana Mataji is the Fourth President of Sri Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Dakshineswar. She received diksha (spiritual initiation) from Swami Vijnananandaji, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the fourth president of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. When Matri Bhavan was transferred from Ramakrishna Mission to Ramakrishna Sarada Mission in 1961, the Pravrajika Bhaktiprana Mataji became its secretary. Under her leadership, Matri Bhavan transformed from a 10-bed maternity care centre to a 100-bed state-of-the-art hospital. She used to say, “All my life, I have tried to live for others. That’s what Ma would’ve wanted me to do... Without Ma’s blessings, we are nothing.”
She was elected vice-president of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission in December 1998