Sri Sri Subrata Puri Devi
Sri Sri Subrata Puri Devi (August, 1906 – January, 1993)
Eternal Mother, Sri Sri Saradamoni Devi, blessed the child with commentary, “The line on the palm if the girl is very prominent and bright. She will get a godhead Guru.” That girl established het identity as Sri Sri Subrata Puri Devi, the third ascetic Mataji of Shri Shri Saradeswari Ashram.
Born on lunar day of the new moon of the month of Bhadra, 1315 B.S (August, 1906), she was the second child of Prafulla Kumar Gangopadhyay, a dignitary of the Central Government and Hemangiri Devi held from an aristocratic family. The arrival of the girl at the rented house of Goabagan was took place at the age of six detaching the tie with the parent at her own will. Observing the graceful signs of auspiciousness, Gaurima affectionately used to call the girl "Kamala", mentioning “Where she dwells will be bestowed with divine grace”.
From the very beginning, Sri Sri Gauri Puri Devi identified the girl as the future leader of the Ashram. So, initial lession of the girl was towing the line of Sri Sri Ramkrishna’s teachings that the significance of the God as given by both Gaurima and Durgama to mould the girl. Accordingly coaching on education, domestic work, practices of rituals of Kamalama were rapidly progressing under the tutorship of Durgama. She was well conversant with Hindu Shastras, Upanishads, other scriptures and mythological Epics. Gaurima herself gave the lession on Sanskrit literature to her in which she acquired miserliness. Kamalama was also well-versed in music and attained expertise in ‘Esraj’ – kind of stringed musical instrument. Her service to the indisposed and oppressed co-ashramites was illustrative. It was she who looked after and served till the last day of aged Gaurima with her own hand. The skilful nursing completely touched Gaurima’s heart and she rewarded Kamalama with most lofty blessing, “Kamala, my Damodar will conversed with you” and that became true in her life with self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control and these three led her life to sovereign power.
As per volition of Sri Sri Gauri Puri Devi, Kamalama was initiated at the age of eight by Durgama and subsequently received asceticism from her also. Thus the prophesy of the Eternal Mother, Sri Sri Sarada Devi came absolutely true in the life of Kamalama. At the time of asceticism she was ornamented Subrata Puri, one who took serving vow. Kamalama had the traits of quick appreciation, strong determination, restraining the self and detachment from mundane affairs. For the need she was interacting with each and everyone but without any antipathy to anything.
She was officially throned to the chair of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees on 11th December 1963. In 1987 around February a team of devotees from America under the leadership of a lady named Eva Eschored came to visit the Ashram first time and became nonplussed. In 1989 April she again came back seeking, “Mother! Initiate me in sannyas”. She was the disciple of Swami Vasyanandaji of Vivekanada Monerstary at Ganges, Michigan. As her guru permitted, Subrata Puri Devi baptised her with loin-cloth observing the prescribed rituals. Shi gave title to her after sannyas ‘Gauribrata’ and commanded her, “Carry Gaurima to your own land. Try to shape your women society with her noble ideals”. Gauribrata established a beautifull monastery naming “Mother Place/Mother Trust” at the Ganges, Michigan and the same was inaugurated by her successor Mataji Bandana Puri Devi in July 1998. During the region of Sri Sri Subrata Puri Devi the germination of the link with the foreign land had been established.
Sri Sri Subrata Puri Devi received the experience of the apex of realization - the ‘Omnipresent’. Fulfilling her mission she left this earthly life on 12th January, 1993.