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In Memoriam: Sri Daya Mata
(January 31, 1914 - November 30, 2010)

It is with the deepest respect and love for our beloved president and sanghamata that we share with you the news that Sri Daya Mata passed away peacefully on November 30, 2010. To the countless thousands of members and friends who were profoundly touched by her presence, she was the embodiment of our Guru's teachings and life work, and her unconditional love will most certainly continue to bless the lives of each one of his worldwide spiritual family.

A Special Message From the SRF Board of Directors

December 1, 2010
Dear Ones,

Late last evening, our beloved Sri Daya Mataji, president and sanghamata of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, peacefully left her mortal form. Her life, so radiant with the light and love of God, has joined the vast ocean of His omnipresent love. How grateful we are that Divine Mother allowed her to stay for so many years to bless this world with her motherly love and compassion, which have touched the lives of us all. Our hearts long to have her with us still. Yet we would not mar with grief the heavenly joy of the divine welcome she has received in the realm beyond this world, or begrudge her the bliss beyond imagining that her soul knows now for having so nobly, courageously, and perfectly fulfilled the vast spiritual responsibilities Gurudeva placed on her shoulders.

From the very beginning when she came to the ashram as a shy young girl of seventeen, Guruji saw in her a disciple in whom he could place his utmost trust − a true devotee who yearned for God above all else, who would be the "nest egg" of his work, and mother to countless souls on the spiritual path. Through her heart's receptivity, he guided the unfolding of her life, infusing in her the spiritual strength that enabled her to face every challenge the years would bring with utter faith in God, and with the sole desire to do her Guru's will. Through the years, she laid a firm foundation for his work in both East and West and guided it from her complete attunement with his intent and spirit. She faithfully recorded his words of wisdom and steadfastly upheld the purity of his sacred teachings for all the generations of devotees to come.

Our beloved Daya Mataji stirred our hearts with yearning for the Divine, as Gurudeva stirred hers, by living to the fullest his words: "Be so drunk with the love of God that you will know nothing but God; and give that love to all." Immersed in that joyous consciousness, she felt for all of God's children. Souls from around the world poured out to her their deepest feelings and cares, and with the tender love of Divine Mother she held them in her thoughts and prayers. Through her outreaching heart many experienced, perhaps for the first time, what it meant to be loved unconditionally. She wanted only to serve, and her thought was never of self, but "How can I help that soul?"

The essence of her being was love itself and our souls deeply responded. In reverent thankfulness for the blessed gift of her life we bow to God and Guru. And we invite you to join us in prayer as we inwardly strew her soul's path with flowers of gratitude for all that she has given to each one of us, to our blessed Guru's work, and to this world. Let us honor our beloved Ma by going forward with courage and with the divine enthusiasm she instilled in us, laying at her feet the greatest tribute − our resolve to follow her example by living divinely, loving God selflessly, and loving one another as part of Him. With invisible bonds of purest love, we will keep her close in our hearts until one day we meet again in His boundless joy.


Yours in divine friendship,
Mrinalini Mata, Vice President

For the Board of Directors of SRF/YSS

We will have information about memorial services and special tributes to honor our beloved Sri Daya Mata as soon as can be arranged, and we suggest that you periodically visit our website for details.

If you wish to send flowers, may we suggest that you consider instead a donation in memory of Sri Daya Mata to Paramahansa Yogananda's work, the cause that was nearest and dearest to her heart and soul.

Ongoing updates will be posted to our website in the coming days.

In divine friendship,
Self-Realization Fellowship

SRF Announces New President
Sri Mrinalini Mata Elected President and Spiritual Head of SRF/YSS

The Self-Realization Fellowship Board of Directors is happy to announce that Sri Mrinalini Mata has been elected president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India — to succeed the late revered Sri Daya Mata as the spiritual leader of Paramahansa Yogananda’s worldwide work. Her appointment was made by a unanimous vote by the SRF Board of Directors on Friday, January 7, 2011.
Watch video clips here.)
Since 1966, she has held the position of vice president of Self-Realization Fellowship. In this capacity, she closely assisted Sri Daya Mata in overseeing the spiritual and humanitarian activities of SRF/YSS, including the worldwide dissemination of Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings, the establishment and guidance of temples, centers, and retreats, and the spiritual direction of the SRF monastic communities. She has also served as editor-in-chief of SRF books, lessons and periodicals, a responsibility she will continue to hold.
Born in 1931 in Wichita, Kansas, the future Mrinalini Mata grew up in San Diego, California. It was in 1945 at the young age of 14 that she first met Paramahansaji, at the SRF Temple founded by the Guru in San Diego. Just a few months later, her desire to dedicate her life to seeking and serving God found fulfillment when, with her parents’ permission, she entered Paramahansa Yogananda’s ashram in Encinitas as a nun of the SRF Order. (Two years later her mother also entered the ashram, receiving the name Meera Mata after taking her final vow of sannyas.)
Chosen by Paramahansa Yogananda for a Special Role
Through daily association during the years that followed (up until the time of the Guru’s passing in 1952), Paramahansaji devoted close attention to the spiritual training of this young nun. From the very beginning of her life in the ashram, he recognized and spoke openly to the other disciples about her future role, and personally trained her to prepare his writings and talks for publication after his passing.
About Mrinalini Mata’s personal training under Paramahansaji, Sri Daya Mata wrote: “Gurudeva made clear to all of us the role for which he was preparing her, giving her personal instruction in every aspect of his teachings and in his wishes for the preparation and presentation of his writings and talks.”
Among the works that have been published as a result of her efforts are Paramahansa Yogananda’s masterful commentary on the four Gospels (entitled The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You); his critically acclaimed translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (God Talks With Arjuna); several volumes of his poetry and inspirational writings; and three lengthy anthologies of his collected talks and essays.
Mrinalini Mata — whose name refers to the lotus flower, an ancient symbol of spiritual unfoldment — has made a number of visits to India to assist Sri Daya Mata in guiding the spiritual work of Sri Yogananda’s society there and has lectured on his teachings in principal cities of the subcontinent. Her talks on the guru-disciple relationship and a variety of other subjects have been published in Self-Realization magazine as well as released in audio and video formats — including In His Presence: Remembrances of Life With Paramahansa Yogananda, an inspiring video about her years with Paramahansaji and her reflections on his life and teachings.
"I Ask Your Prayers As We Go Forward Together"
Following her election as president on January 7, Mrinalini Mata addressed these words to the SRF monastic community: “I humbly ask your prayers in assuming this responsibility at the request of the Board of Directors. My only wish through the years has been to absorb Master’s teachings and serve his blessed work — to be the kind of disciple that he wanted each of us to be, focused on the one Goal for which we came, God alone; and fully surrender to his will for the guidance and welfare of his work and all who follow this path. I hold in my heart always the example of our beloved Sri Daya Mata, and the words she so often spoke when facing the decisions she had to make for this society: ‘Master, not what I want, but what do you want me to do?’ That has been the principle by which she guided his work through these many years — and it will be the touchstone for all in future to whom this responsibility is entrusted. God and Guru are the head of this work. It is by Their blessings and our united efforts to be in tune with Them that it will continue to grow and flourish. I cherish your divine friendship, the devoted and selfless service you all give, and ask your prayers as we go forward together.” 
Mrinalini Mata is one of the close disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda personally chosen and trained by him to help guide his society after his passing. She has dedicated more than 60 years to selflessly serving the Guru’s work. (