"I do not want to be worshipped only in one place," She said. "On the contrary, it is my wish to be worshipped in the home of every devotee, not merely according to scriptural rites. . . . If anyone pays homage and gives offerings to me in the simple and sincere language of the heart, such as 'O My Mother! Take this food, wear this garment,' and then uses those things himself, it will be regarded as good an act as worship. The prayer of a simple and sincere heart constitutes my worship."

Finally, She enumerated sixteen reasons for the immersion, and Annada, his reasoning mind appeased, could resist no longer.

According to Her command, the image was photographed the following morning and copies circulated to any devotees who wanted them. Then, with a few companions, Annada hired a boat, rowed out into the middle of the Ganges, and plunged Her into the water. There, as far as anyone knows, She remains today.

The Divine Mother continued to appear to Annada in dreams. "I am Adyashakti ('Primordial Force'), and I am to be worshipped as Adya Ma," She said. She dictated to him a Sanskrit hymn in Her honor, the Adyastotram, promising that anyone who sang it with devotion would find favor with her.

Copyright 1999, Daksineswar Ramkrishna Sangha Adyapeath. If you have any questions about this page, contact mashani9(AT)adyapeath(DOT)org. For questions about Adyapeath contact kalidas99(AT)adyapeath(DOT)org.