LAKSHMI DEVI
Of Lakshmi Devi, Sister Nivedita writes in her The Master as I saw Him, ‘Amongst the ladies who lived more or less continuously in the household o Sarada Devi at this time, were Gopal’s Mother (Gopaler Ma), Yogin-Mother (Yogin-Ma), Rose-Mother (Golap-Ma), Sister Lucky, and a number of others. These were all widows - the first and the last child widows - and they had all been personal disciples of Sri Ramakrishna when he lived in the temple-garden at Dakshineswar. Sister Lucky or Lakshmi-Didi, as is the Indian form of her name, was indeed a niece of his, and still is comparatively a young woman. She is widely sought after as a religious teacher and director, and is most gifted and delightful companion. Sometimes she will repeat page after page of some sacred dialogue, out of one of the jatras or religious operas, or again she will make the quiet room ring with gentle merriment, as she poses the different members of the party in groups for religious tableaux. Now it is Kali and again Saraswati, another time it will be Jagaddhatri or yet again, perhaps, Krishna under his Kadmba tree, that she will arrange, with picturesque effect and scant dramatic material.’
