ABSTRACT
The first year at Sarada Mandiram is really a trial period, during which the candidate gradually finds out whether or not she is suited to monastic life. At the same time, she is very carefully observed by her seniors, to see if she has the necessary qualities of docility and obedience to succeed. Bright girls who always have the urge to express or offer opinions are likely to be crushed early in the piece. Candidates are expected to passively accept what is told to them during classes, and heaven help the candidate who actually contradicts a statement by one of the ‘leading lights’ of the Order, such as she may feel tempted to do while reading an article in a journal of the Order. This is particularly so for candidates from Karnataka, many of whom had been actively encouraged to enter into religious debate by the Head of their local Ramakrishna Math or Mission, before deciding to come to Sarada Mandiram.
