TARA PATEL -THE LITTLE STAR ( 9-8-1912 to 12-6-2012 )
A little star, Taraben, was born to Nathabhai and Surajba on 9th August, 1912. She joined the Ashram on 13th August, 1930 when she was 18 years old. Her husband Manibhai Patel was working in the Smithy and later in Le Foucheur. Taraben was staying on the first floor of Quadra's House above Ichchhaben and after Satukaka's [Dr. Satyendra] passing shifted to Nanteuil.
She was working in the kitchen when the dining room was in the Ashram main building. She has also worked in the Granary and later she was working in the Mother's kitchen with Lilaben and Sumanben.
Narrated to friends by Taraben :
One day in the morning, Taraben went in deep meditation sitting in her chair. I was waiting for her to come out of meditation, to serve her breakfast. After a long duration when she came out of the meditation, I asked if she went to sleep? Then she mentioned her experience in English. She had gone upstairs to The Mother, who was seated in Her chair, surrounded by the Gods, Goddesses and Lord Ganesh. First I [Taraben] did Pranam to Mother and then to the gods, goddesses and lord Ganesh.
Everyday Taraben used to wear a white starched ironed sari. She was very particular about her clothes. This is how she used to go to The Mother and for work. She used to stand near by The Mother when She was having Her meal till She finished. After finishing Her meal She used to wipe Her hands with Taraben's sari's palloo. In her mind Taraben used to say "Mother I have dressed up like this only for You".
In the early life of the Ashram, there were many cats. A few used to go to The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Amongst these, for some special cats, Mother used to get prepared fish or non-vegetarian items. The Mother insisted that these items should be properly prepared. Afterwards these preparations would be taken to The Mother. Then these were served to cats.
If Taraben was near by, The Mother would ask her to taste the preparation. Although Taraben was pure vegetarian, she would taste as the Mother has asked her and opine whether it was properly prepared or not. Taraben said that The Mother did this to remove certain stigmas from her mind.
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