Sri Ramakrishna, the prophet of Dakshineswar, was born in 1836. To him, love of God and realization of the Divine was found manifesting in his life partner Sri Sarada Devi, who he worshipped as the Holy Mother. While Gauri Ma was living with Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother at Dakshineswar; Sri Ramakrishna gave Gauri Ma the ocher robes of a Sannyasini (nun), and made arrangements for the accompanying rituals of sannyas. Sri Ramakrishna himself offered a bilva leaf into the homa fire. Sannyasini Gauri Mata Puri Devi was the only woman monastic disciple, that was given her formal vows during Sri Ramakrishna's life time. In 1895 commissioned by Sri Ramakrishna, Sannyasini Gauri Mata Puri Devi founded the oldest Womens Math (convent), Sri Saradeshwari Ashram, in Kolkatta, India. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission and in 1901, the Ramakrishna Math. In 1954, Trustees of the Ramakrishna Math funded and started the second womens math (convent), Sarada Math. Sri Ramakrishna was a mighty spring, his disciples so many powerful streams carrying his universal message forward. Mothers Trust/Mothers Place, also known as Ramakrishna Sarada Ashram, Lakeshore Interfaith Institute, Ganges, MI., USA is an affiliated branch of Sri Saradeshwari Ashram where the nuns take their final vows of Sannyas from the "oldest" womens convent commissioned by Sri Ramakrishna. The Ramakrishna Monks and Ramakrishna/Sarada Nuns, work together as equals in their service in their mission. A Must to Read! for persons interested in Religion, Hinduism, Vedanta, Philosophy and Comparative Religion. (For photos and archives please view:) www.motherstrust.org

Mataji Gauribrata Puri Devi, President
Mothers Trust/Mothers Place
Ramakrishna Sarada Ashram
Lakeshore Interfaith Institute, Ganges, MI., USA