The Transformation of Amjad

A community of poor silk weavers lived in and around Jayrambati, the famed saint Sri Sarada Devi’s hometown. To make their situation worse, the former British Government of India banned domestically produced garments. This caused a loss of their subsistence, and these weavers turned to devious ways. Records indicate that dacoity peaked around this time.

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One such affected person was Amjad, who alternated between being a part-time dacoit, cultivator, and laborer. A tall, dark, and well-built man, he appeared even more fearsome than he was in reality.

Deep in his heart, Amjad wanted to change his negative life habits but couldn’t because of poverty and his stubbornness. As a result of his internal conflict, he lived in confusion and frequently presented a disheveled appearance.

He once heard that receiving initiation from a monk could change his fate. So, along with two other associates, Amjad went to Swami Brahmananda (Rakhal), a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.

Initiating them means taking all the negative Karma of three dacoits, Rakhal mused, perturbed by their presence. He was already well-known for avoiding spiritual initiations. As had become his custom, he skillfully delegated responsibility to Sri Sarada Devi.

(Author’s note: There’s an undertone in some texts that Rakhal often indulged in politics because he did not like Sri Sarada Devi as much. It appears that Swami Vivekananda once reprimanded him for this. There is a possibility that Rakhal intentionally sent the dacoits to Sarada Devi to test if she was a true saint.)

Rakhal’s actions frequently irritated Sri Sarada Devi, yet as the kind saint that she was, she quietly initiated those who approached her. When Amjad and his friends went to her, she became concerned that her aged body would give way if she took their Karma, putting her spiritual purpose on hold. In a dilemma, Sarada Devi initially dodged the dacoits.

However, Amjad, a Muslim, was unfamiliar with the concept of initiation. Further, he was known for his unreasonable stubbornness, a common trait among people lacking spiritual insight. The more Sarada Devi resisted, the more the three dacoits became determined to get her initiation.