Swami Vivekananda asserted, “Why is it that our country is the weakest and the most backward of all countries? Because Shakti is held in dishonour there.” In this context, Sri Ramakrishna’s ritual worship of his wife and spiritual consort Sarada Devi as the Goddess Shodashi, on June 5, 1872— two decades prior to the Swamiji’s statements – holds special significance. That worship had not just awakened Sarada Devi’s own divinity, but also prepared her for the important role she was to play in the worldwide spiritual movement of the Ramakrishna Mission – a movement that helped shape minds and, in turn, the slow but sure resurgence of women in all walks of life, including the Independence struggle.

Sarada Devi’s immediate reaction to Sri Ramakrishna’s mention of the spiritual partnership he expected from her was: “What can I do? I’m merely an uneducated woman?” But, we see, that later, even while in the middle of her domestic chores, Sarada Devi would be sought by Swami Vivekananda and his brother monks for her opinion on important matters, especially if there was a conflict of ideas – and Sarada Devi’s word was final for one and all among the monks and devotees. In a letter to Swami Shivananda, Swami Vivekananda writes: “You have not yet understood the wonderful significance of Mother’s life. None of you. But gradually you will know.”

The spiritual movement that started with the worship of the Goddess Kali by Sri Ramakrishna, evolved into the awakening of the divinity in the living form of Sarada Devi – but it didn’t end there. It emphasised the divinity in all women.

Today women in India are surging ahead in all spheres of public activity – even in physically challenging areas. But crimes against women persist. The concept of Shakti, too, will surge ahead, bringing back concepts which were already in Hinduism and re-emphasising those best suited for our times.