The December 1996 issue of `Udbodhan’, the Bengali monthly of the Ramakrishna Order published by Ramakrishna Math, Kolkata, narrated an incident recorded by Late Swami Vasudevananda. It occurred during the 1915-16 drought in Bengal. The sufferings of the people were reported to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi by Swami Vasudevananda and Her blessing was sought. Mother sat in contemplation for 5 minutes with closed eyes. Then she opened her eyes and told Swami Vasudevananda to arrange for the worship of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna with Lotus flowers and assured him, `then and there you will get rains’. It proved to be correct and there were torrential rains continuously for 5 hours at night. Swami Vasudevananda arranged such worship in many more places and wherever it was arranged, the result was the same. News spread and there was heavy demand for the monks of the Ramakrishna Order to perform such worship in many places. The faith of the people was such that they started purchasing Sri Ramakrishna picture and worshipped Him with the help of local priests. The result was again the same!

Was the above a miracle? Worship is a matter of faith. Apart from this, for the monks of the Ramakrishna Order, such worships are a participation in the agony of the people when they suffer to get even a glass of water. It moves one’s heart to see children, pregnant women, old men and women, standing in long queues in front of public taps to fetch a bucket of water to quench their thirst. Prayers and Yajnas are conducted to assure the people that the monks are with them and share their sufferings. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, when conducting relief work in the drought affected areas of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts during the months of January/February this year, printed and distributed prayers for rains and also performed special pujas. There nothing happened, except the attitude of the people changed and they showered love and affection on the monks because they participated in their suffering.

With no signs of rain in entire Tamilnadu this year again and the scorching heat extending into the third week of June, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, performed Pushpa Archana (Flower Worship) of Sri Ramakrishna with 1008 lotus flowers at the Universal Temple dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna on Tuesday the 1st July 2003 at 8.30 a.m., praying for rains. A printed notice of this proposed worship was distributed to devotees regarding the date and time 2 weeks before. Many devotees brought lotus flowers as offering. There were more than 4000 lotus flowers for the Puja. The flowers were offered to Sri Ramakrishna after repeating mantra by one and all assembled. The mantra was the well known `Om Aim Sarva Deva Devi Swaroopaya Sri Ramakrishnaya Namah'. That was all. No other ritual was there. The flowers were first offered by the swamis and brahmacharins and then a plateful of flowers were offered on behalf of the devotees. More than 1000 devotees participated in the special prayers. It was a wonderful experience for all those who participated in the prayers and Sri Ramakrishna sitting serenely amidst hundreds of lotus flowers was a sight to behold! Lastly Arati was performed and the devotees given Prasad.

Did it rain after the above prayers? Between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m. of 2nd July there was a heavy downpour all over the city, including Mylapore. Though there has been sporadic rains in Chennai city before the special prayers, the downpour on the night of the prayers was the heaviest all over the city. According to All India Radio news, more than 2 Cms. rains were reported in more than one place. Is it a miracle? As mentioned above, it is a matter of faith. The devotees believe that grace of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda have answered their prayers.