The Mother’s Name and the Fear of Death

In the songs Sri Ramakrishna sang, the Divine Mother appeared as a presence whose nature inspired wonder and whose name drew the devotee’s mind toward Her. One of the songs he sang reflected on Kāli’s dark form and asked who could truly understand Her. It described Her as appearing black beyond comparison, yet illuminating the lotus within the heart when contemplated there. The song also spoke of how the mind could become absorbed in Her through the mere remembrance of Her name, even without having seen Her.

Sri Ramakrishna then sang of a devotee who had surrendered himself at the Mother’s feet and asked whether he could still fear death. The song described Kāli’s name as something precious, carried close and planted deep within the heart. The devotee had taken refuge in the Mother’s name and prepared himself to cross the sea of life.

The song turned toward the moment when Yama, the lord of death, would appear. The devotee imagined opening his heart and showing him the name of Kāli growing there. The song ended with a declaration of readiness to cross life’s sea while calling out in praise of Durga.

These were among the images Sri Ramakrishna brought before his listeners through the songs he sang: Kāli’s mysterious form, the power attributed to Her name, the devotee’s surrender at Her feet, and the image of meeting death with the Mother’s name held within the heart.

Source & Note

This article is based on Sri Ramakrishna’s The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The material has been edited and adapted for this publication.