Born into a scholarly Brahmin family on April 23, 1858, in Gangamoola, Karnataka, India, Pandita Ramabai was destined to break boundaries. Her father, Anant Shastri Dongre, a Sanskrit scholar, ensured she received an education rare for women of her time. Despite being orphaned at a young age, she emerged as a revered Sanskrit scholar, receiving the titles of Pandita and Sarasvati in Calcutta for her extraordinary knowledge.
Widowhood and Life's Turning Point
However, it was the tragic death of her husband shortly after their marriage that marked a turning point in Ramabai's life. As a young widow, she experienced firsthand the oppressive societal norms that bound Indian women. Her journey led her to England, where she first encountered Christianity. Reading St. Luke's Gospel in Bengali sparked an interest, and through the writings of Reverend Goreh, she found herself intellectually convinced of Christianity's truth.
Indian Woman Converted to Christianity
On September 29, 1883, Ramabai was baptized along with her daughter Manoramabai in Wantage Parish Church. She later reflected, "I can only give a faint idea of what I felt when my mental eyes were opened... I looked to the blessed Son of God, Who was lifted upon the Cross." Her conversion provided hope and a new purpose, driving her to advocate for women's rights through a Christian lens.
Ministry of Rescue and Hope
Ramabai's faith fueled her resolve to rescue and educate destitute women and children in India. In 1889, she founded Sharada Sadan in Pune, dedicated to child widows. Her Mukti Mission in Kedgaon became a sanctuary during the 1896 famine, offering refuge to thousands. Her life's work was guided by her deep reliance on God, as she once expressed, "A life totally committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose and nothing to regret."
Holy Spirit Revival in India
Through her ministry, Ramabai witnessed a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit. She recalled, "In six months from the time we began to pray in this manner the Lord graciously sent a glorious Holy Ghost revival among us... Many hundreds of our girls and boys have been gloriously saved." Her legacy of faith and social reform continues to inspire, with the Mukti Mission still active, embodying her vision of dignity and equality for all.
