Shree Lalita Mauli
Life & Teachings of Shree Lalita Mauli
Part III
The Hidden Radiance of a Sadhak
Keeping Name and Fame at Bay
In the second part of this study of the Life and Teachings of Shree Lalita Mauli, we saw an incident that quietly revealed the depth of divine grace working through Lalitadevi. Two children belonging to her household servant had fallen critically ill due to severe food poisoning. The doctors had lost hope of their survival. Yet, through Lalitadevi’s sincere prayer to Shree Krishna, the sacred Tulsi water she administered, and the herbal remedy she prepared, the children gradually recovered.
News of this unexpected recovery spread rapidly through the surrounding villages. Word travelled from home to home that Lalitadevi possessed extraordinary spiritual strength and compassion. Soon, people began arriving at her doorstep seeking relief from their difficulties—physical ailments, family troubles, and emotional suffering.
However, Lalitadevi never considered herself a healer or miracle-worker. She saw herself only as a humble servant of God. Whoever came to her, she welcomed with kindness, offering prayer, guidance, and reassurance. She made no distinction between people—whether they were rich or poor, Hindu, Christian, or Muslim. To her, every suffering person was simply a soul seeking help.
Yet inwardly she remained cautious. As a sincere sadhak, she wished to keep away from name, fame, and public recognition, for she knew that such things could easily distract a seeker from the true goal of spiritual life.
Service Beyond Barriers
On one occasion, a Christian woman was brought to Lalitadevi. The woman suffered from a severe gynecological disorder that caused unbearable abdominal pain. The agony was so intense that she often cried out in distress. Many suspected that the illness might be cancer. The family, having exhausted medical options, approached Lalitadevi with great hope.
At that time, Lalitadevi was observing a period of mauna (sacred silence) as part of her spiritual discipline. She spoke to no one. Yet silence did not prevent her from responding with compassion.
She did not attempt to diagnose the illness, nor did she concern herself with medical explanations. Accepting the suffering woman with motherly concern, Lalitadevi inwardly prayed for divine guidance.
Inspired by an inner prompting, she gently applied oil to the woman’s abdomen and continued to pray silently to Shree Krishna for her well-being. The treatment was simple, but it was offered with deep faith and selfless intention.
Over the following days, the woman began to experience relief from the intense pain that had tormented her for so long. Gradually her condition improved, and she regained strength.
For those around her, this appeared extraordinary. For Lalitadevi, however, there was nothing miraculous. She always attributed such outcomes entirely to the grace of God.
The Sadhak’s Inner Resolve
Incidents like these slowly enhanced Lalitadevi’s reputation in the region. People began to see her as a spiritually gifted woman capable of alleviating suffering.
But she remained deeply uncomfortable with such attention.
Her spiritual aspiration was not to become known as a saint or healer. Her only desire was to remain absorbed in sadhana, devotion, and remembrance of the Divine. She repeatedly reminded those around her that all power belonged to God alone and that she herself was merely an instrument.
Thus, while the world around her began to recognise something extraordinary in her presence, Lalitadevi continued to walk the path of a humble seeker, quietly performing service and spiritual practice without seeking recognition.
It was this humility that preserved the purity of her spiritual life and prepared her for the greater unfolding of grace that was yet to come.
Faith Guided by Wisdom
Through many incidents in which people experienced relief and healing after approaching her, Lalitadevi had begun to witness what seemed like divine intervention at work through her prayers and service. Often, she did not consciously apply any known medical method; instead, she relied on the inner inspiration that arose from deep faith and surrender to God.
Yet Lalitadevi was a sincere sadhak who constantly examined her own actions with humility. When she reflected deeply on the growing number of people approaching her, she became cautious. She did not wish to fall into the subtle trap of name, fame, or blind dependence on others. She therefore began to look at every situation more carefully and responsibly.
One day, a Muslim woman came to Lalitadevi in great distress. Her young son had fallen seriously ill. The child had not passed urine or stools for a long time, causing severe bloating of the abdomen. The pain and discomfort had become unbearable, and the mother was desperate to save her son.
Lalitadevi immediately advised the woman to take the child to a doctor for proper medical treatment. However, the anxious mother pleaded with her, insisting that Lalitadevi first see the child before they sought medical help. Moved by the mother’s distress, Lalitadevi agreed.
In the scorching afternoon heat, she gathered some simple medical items—a soap solution, a rubber tube, and other basic accessories—and went to the child. With calm care and practical understanding, she administered an enema, which soon enabled the child to pass the accumulated waste. The relief was immediate. The bloating subsided, and the child’s suffering eased considerably once his system was cleared.
Even after the child recovered from the immediate crisis, Lalitadevi firmly insisted that the mother must take him to a doctor for a thorough examination and further treatment if necessary.
This incident beautifully reveals Lalita Mauli’s balanced wisdom. Though she possessed deep faith in divine grace, she never encouraged blind reliance on miracles or supernatural intervention. She clearly understood that faith should never replace practical wisdom or scientific understanding.
Her life demonstrated that science, faith, and spirituality are not in conflict. Rather, they complement one another when guided by sincerity and discrimination.
Lalitadevi encouraged people to have faith in God, but she never supported blind faith in religion. True spirituality, according to her example, must walk hand in hand with reason, responsibility, and compassion.
Through such actions, Lalita Mauli quietly taught that divine grace works most beautifully when supported by wisdom and right effort.
Service to Society and Nation
While Lalitadevi remained deeply engaged in social and community service, her sense of duty extended equally toward the freedom movement of the nation. For her, service to the motherland was not separate from spirituality—it was an expression of it.
In response to the call for the Swadeshi Movement, she actively participated by spinning yarn on the charkha, transforming raw cotton into thread. This was not merely a symbolic act; it was her way of contributing to self-reliance and national awakening. She also organised and participated in Prabhat Pheris—early morning processions where patriotic songs were sung to inspire a spirit of unity and love for the country among the people.
During the period of the Second World War, Lalitadevi was selected by the Red Cross Society to oversee and monitor programs related to the preparation of garments for soldiers. She undertook this responsibility with the same sincerity and dedication that marked all her work.
A Vision for Education
Lalitadevi also used cultural platforms as a medium for social awakening. She organised and directed dramas that conveyed messages of social reform, unity, and moral values. One such performance was attended by the local Collector, who was deeply impressed by both the content and the execution of the play.
Recognising her dedication and leadership, the Collector invited Lalitadevi to his office and felicitated her. Lalitadevi saw in this recognition not personal achievement, but an opportunity to serve a larger cause.
She had long nurtured a vision—to establish a school on a nearby hillock that could provide education to children from five to six surrounding villages, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds who had little or no access to schooling.
Seizing the moment, she humbly placed her request before the Collector, seeking support for this noble initiative. Moved by her sincerity and commitment, the Collector immediately sanctioned one acre of land for the school.
Construction of the school soon began, reflecting her determination to bring education to the underserved. However, as destiny would have it, around the same time, her husband, Shri Devrai, received a transfer as the Principal of a school run by the Jain community in Moodbidri, and the family had to relocate. Yet, the seed she had sown for education continued to bear fruit.
Recognition Without Attachment
The British administration took note of Lalitadevi’s tireless and selfless service to society. In recognition of her integrity and commitment, she was appointed as a Bench Magistrate, becoming one of the first women to hold this position in Karnataka.
She served in this role for nearly ten years, discharging her responsibilities with fairness, compassion, and a strong sense of justice. However, true to her nature, she remained inwardly detached from position and recognition. After fulfilling her duties, she chose to resign, preferring a life of quiet service over public office.
A Life of Tireless Dedication
Throughout this period, Lalitadevi’s health continued to be delicate. Yet, physical weakness never diminished her spirit.
Her daily routine was one of extraordinary discipline and commitment. She would rise as early as four in the morning and remain actively engaged in various responsibilities until late in the evening. She managed her household with care, nurtured her children, supported her husband, and simultaneously dedicated herself to social work, women’s upliftment, Hindi education, and other community initiatives.
Amidst all this activity, her spiritual practices never wavered. Prayer, meditation, and remembrance of the Divine remained the silent foundation of her life.
Often, late into the night, after completing all her duties, she would sit in quiet solitude and compose poems and writings reflecting her inner spiritual experiences and realisations. These writings were not intellectual exercises but spontaneous expressions of a heart immersed in devotion.
Detached in Action
What stands out most in this phase of Lalitadevi’s life is not merely the breadth of her activities, but the spirit in which she performed them.
Despite recognition, responsibilities, and increasing influence, she remained inwardly detached from name and fame. She neither sought appreciation nor claimed ownership of her achievements. To her, all actions were offerings at the feet of the Divine.
Thus, she lived the profound truth of Karma Yoga—acting fully in the world, yet remaining untouched by it.
During this period, in Lalitadevi, one sees a rare synthesis: a householder, a social reformer, a patriot, and a sadhak—moving in perfect harmony under the silent guidance of grace.
Reference: Shree LalitaMauli by Smt Lila R Joshi, Shree Nityananda Nilay Gurukul, Panvel
I am deeply grateful to Shri Vinay Masurkar, Smt. Lilatai Joshi and the many devoted followers of Shree Lalita Mauli who have lovingly shared and preserved the fragrance of her grace.
In particular, Smt. Lilatai Joshi, through her remarkable work Shree Lalita Mauli, written in Marathi, has played a significant role in bringing Mauli’s life and teachings closer to countless devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda. Her dedicated effort has ensured that the spiritual legacy of Shree Lalita Mauli continues to inspire seekers and devotees across generations.
Note:
“Images shared in this article are in good faith for spiritual purposes.
Credit unknown. Will acknowledge/remove if required.”
