– Priyamvada Madhukar Pandey
Swami Vivekananda had told sister Nivedita that “For the future children of Bharat, you should become a mother, servant, and friend in monopoly.” She followed this instruction of her Gurudev. Bharat’s shame and pride had become Nivedita’s shame and pride. No foreign woman had accepted Bharat’s religion, culture, sorrow, and dreams as Sister Nivedita,”No foreigner had understood so subtly the hopes and aspirations of the lives of the common people of Bharat, the true nature of Bharat’s conscience.
Her self-revelation towards Bharat was so internal, all-encompassing, and perfect that calling him a foreigner was an insult to him. She never uttered words like ‘Bharat’s need’, or ‘Bharat’s woman’, she would say ‘our need’, or ‘our woman’. She used to get emotional as soon as the talk of Bharatvarsh arose. Taking the rosary, she used to chant, ‘Bharatvarsha, Bharatvarsha, Bharatvarsha! Maa maa maa!’
On remembering the service of Sister Nivedita towards Bharat, an electric wave of devotion towards Bharat runs in our heart. Tribute to sister Nivedita, who aroused the inspiration of bhakti in our hearts.
“In fact Nivedita was Jagat janani – Lokmata. We have seldom seen so much maternal affection which can assimilate the whole country outside her family area, she could sacrifice for the benefit of those among whom she worked, and that is why she looked at all human beings in the form of Narayana – Rabindra Nath Thakur.
World victorious patriotic monk Swami Vivekananda said in 1897 AD, “For the coming fifty years we should take care of only one thing and that is our motherland. Bharat Mata is the only awakened Divine. Sister Nivedita made this message of Swami ji her living work and carried it till the last breath of her life. Born on 28 October 1867 in Ireland, Margaret Elizabeth Noble was simple, devoted, and free-spirited since childhood. She had inherited patriotism and selflessness. Margaret’s grandparents were participants in Ireland’s freedom struggle. Margaret was deeply influenced by the service of Father Samuel, who served as the cleric, and the devotion of Mother Mary, who took full charge of the household.
Studying diligently, she became a teacher and also did new experiments in the field of education. She was very cordial with her students. Along with education, she also instilled a sense of service among her students. After the sudden death of her father, she also took over the responsibility of the family. He had good knowledge of Christianity as well as Buddhism. She was deeply impressed by the ideal words of Lord Buddha. She also had a desire to practice Hinduism and was very eager to find the truth.
When Swami Vivekananda went to London in 1895, Margaret met him for the first time. Many of her doubts were cleared by Swamiji’s lectures. Regarding the result of Swamiji’s words on those present, Sister Nivedita said, “As people who are thirsty for water are satisfied by getting the flow of the river, similarly the people of Europe are satisfied by getting Swamiji’s thoughts.” She listened to all the lectures at his London residence. After contemplating the thoughts, she asked him questions also. Arguments also took place between them. Gradually the path of spiritual perfection started. Impressed by Swamiji’s unusual leadership qualities, immense love for society, and selfless and brilliant personality, Margaret accepted Swamiji’s discipleship. Margaret Elizabeth Noble came to Bharat on 28 January 1898. In a short time, he made everyone his own with his affection and devotion. He was initiated into Brahmacharya on the auspicious day of 25 March. She received the name Nivedita from her guru Swami Vivekananda.
Sister Nivedita made this name meaningful by dedicating her whole life to Bharat Mata. Her affinity for the land of Bharat was so intrinsic that she would mention Bharat as ‘this country’ and England as ‘that country’ in the speech. Sister Nivedita started the girls’ school with the blessings of Sharda Devi, the consort of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. In those days, to motivate the girls to come to school, the sister used to go door to door and contact the parents. He explained to them the importance of education. Explains the importance of primary education in Bharat’s culture, rites, and mother tongue. In school, along with reading and writing, the sister taught painting, sewing, embroidery, weaving, making clay items, and other handicrafts. To awaken patriotism in the mind of the girl child. Even after being banned for singing ‘Vande Mataram’, he continued the tradition of singing ‘Vande Mataram’ in the school.
Once he asked the school girls, “Who is the Queen of Bharat?” So the answer was received – ‘Queen Victoria.’ She became very angry with this answer. He explained to the girls that Mother Sita is the queen of Bharat. Sita and Savitri should be the ideal Bharatian woman. Sister Nivedita has made an important contribution to the field of women’s education in Bharat since modern times. When there was a plague crisis in Calcutta, she got involved in the service of the plague victims. Young people were also motivated to serve. When sister Nivedita used to clean the roads with a broom, the youth of Calcutta would also join her in work. Where even though the doctors were afraid to go, the sister used to go there and greet the patients. Condolences to the families of the deceased. To meet the financial needs of the work, she reduced the milk from her very small diet of only milk and fruits and continued to do service work.
Nivedita became a devotee of Kali Mata. She was an excellent speaker. He also wrote many books like Kali – The Mother, My Master as I Saw Him, The Web of Bharatn Life, Studies from an Eastern Home, Aggressive Hinduism, etc. Instilled confidence and patriotism among the people. He also had practice in the field of art. Personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Avanindranath Tagore, and Nandalal Bose were influenced by his thoughts.
He also wrote many books like Aggressive Hinduism etc. Instilled confidence and patriotism among the people. He also had practice in the field of art.
Personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Avanindranth Tagore, and Nandalal Bose were influenced by his thoughts. In the poetry of the great poet Subramaniam Bharathi of the South, he filled women’s respect and patriotism. Sister Nivedita’s contribution is also in the work done by Dr. Jagdishchandra Basu in the field of science. Sister Nivedita was angry and sad because of being a citizen of a slave country like Bharat only due to the opposition of Dr. Basu in the scientific world called the rationalist of England. He has also been involved in making Dr. Basu prestigious in the field of science of the world. In his speech, in writing, in contemplation, there was devotion to Bharat. She had become completely Bharatian. She had become completely Bharatian. She used to she wrote her name as ‘Ramakrishna-Vivekananda’s Nivedita’. This gives proof of her devotion towards her Guru.
It is written on her samadhi located in Darjeeling – The sister Nivedita, who offered her everything to Bharat, is here in eternal sleep. Irish by birth, English by education but completely Bharatian in mind, intellect, and deed! Taking inspiration from Sister Nivedita, who is completely devoted to Bharat Mata, if we will be devoted to Bharat Mata with our mind, intellect, and deed, then it will be a true tribute to her on her birthday.
(The author is a Jeevanvrati Karyakarta at Vivekananda Kendra.)
Read More : भगिनी निवेदिता का शिक्षा दर्शन
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