Through her unbroken, unending toil Nivedita wore herself out. She knew not the meaning of rest. People exploited Nivedita and did not take the trouble of enquiring what she herself needed.

In 1905 she wads seriously ill. Her close friends, especially the monks of the Ramakrishna Ashram, tended and nursed her. She rallied-for the time being. But she would not rest, little caring to save her wasting body. The British Government partitioned Bengal and this resulted in a great agitation. Nivedita jumped into the fray. Next year, East Bengal experienced devastating floods. This was followed by famine. For miles Nivedita waded through the water and rendered service to the victims of flood and famine, in village after village. She harnessed the youth of Bengal in organizing relief for the affected people.

Her health grew much worse. But unmindful of her own state, she went on serving the poor and saving the distressed.

When her health was very bad, she made her will. All that she had in this world by way of property, the little money she had with her, and even the copy right over her writings, she left to the Beleur Math. She wanted that her bequest should be used to give national education to the women of India.

October 13. It was morning. Nivedita was in Darjeeling The sun, which had for days been hiding its face behind the dark clouds, suddenly appeared this morning, and its rays entered Nivedita's room. She was absorbed in deep meditation. Opening her eyes to the sunshine, she murmured: "This frail boat of mine is sinking, but I can yet see the sunrise". These were the last words of this noble soul.

It was not, however, just a boat that had sunk; it was a mighty ship. The sunrise that she was was the kind of illumination which only the like of her can see.

Sir J.C. Bose founded his famous Institute for research. There, in Nivedita's memory, he got installed the image of a woman stepping forward, lamp in hand.

In the lap of the Himalayas rests the earthly form of this great lady. Over her grave is erected a humble memorial which bears this simple epitaph.

"Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India".