Shraddha

Ma Prem Shraddha left her body on 1 October 2024 around 11 am in her hometown Devariya, UP. The last rites were performed by family members that same evening.

Remembrance of a Remarkable Life:
A Tribute to Ma Shraddha

by Swami Sagar from Osho Nirvana, Bhagwanpur, Haridwar, UK

In the quiet corners of Rishikesh where the sacred Ganges flows, I had the privilege of meeting an extraordinary woman, Ma Shraddha, whose life story reflects resilience, spirituality, and an unwavering spirit.

A Challenging Beginning

Shraddha’s journey began in the early years of her life, when she was married at a young age. Tragically, she became a widow at just 21, facing the harsh realities of life alone. Traditional beliefs led her in-laws to abandon her, leaving her in an ashram, a fate that many women of her time had to endure. Despite these challenges, she found strength in her role as a mother to her daughter, navigating the difficulties with courage.

A Transformative Encounter

While living in the ashram, Shraddha met a Swami who introduced her to a transformative book, Mei Mrityu Sikhata Hu. This encounter was pivotal in her life, leading her to the Pune Ashram in 1981, where she embraced a spiritual path under the guidance of Ma Mridula. To support herself and her daughter, Shraddha took on various jobs, including stitching, sewing, and nursing, embodying the resilience of a single mother in pursuit of a spiritual life.

A Life of Change and Growth

In 1985, after Osho asked Yoga Chinmaya to establish an ashram in Pokhara, Shraddha moved there for two years, deepening her spiritual practice. She later spent six months in Jabalpur and two years at the Tapoban Ashram in Nepal. During these years she sustained herself with small jobs, all the while continuing her meditation practice.

Our Meeting in Rishikesh

In 2006, Shraddha moved to the Panchwati Ashram in Rishikesh, where our paths crossed. I was organizing Osho book exhibitions in nearby traditional ashrams, often meditating by the Ganges. One day she saw me and made it a point to meet me. The next day she returned and waited patiently until I finished my meditation. Our conversation revealed her connection to Osho and that of her family, including her maternal uncle, and as being an Osho sanyasin.

Our bond grew stronger as she shared her life experiences, emphasizing Osho’s influence on her journey. Many seekers visited her to learn about meditation and about Osho’s teachings. She often said that “Osho has handled our lives.”

The Final Years

In 2021, Shraddha faced a devastating diagnosis: cancer in the food pipe, a hereditary condition that took a toll on her health. Despite her illness, she remained determined and stubbornly insisted on joining me for a meditation camp just last year. Her spirit was indomitable, a testament to the strength she has shown throughout her life.

During her time in Rishikesh, she developed a close relationship with Ma Madhu, one of Osho’s first sanyasins, further enriching her spiritual journey.

A Lasting Legacy

Shraddha’s life was a tapestry of challenges, spiritual discovery, and deep connections. As I remember her, I am struck by her strength, her laughter, and her unwavering belief in the power of meditation and Osho’s teachings. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she has touched and in the lessons she imparted on resilience and love.

May her spirit continue to guide us, and may we honor her memory by living with the same courage and dedication that she exemplified throughout her life.

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