The mother who bore you, the father who fostered you and the teacher who opened your eye to the mystery of Nature in and around you, have all to be revered. However high you may rise in social status, however huge may be your bank account, if your parents are neglected in distress, your life has been a tragic waste. Parents are mightily happy, when their children evince the slightest regard for their comfort. Any little sign of gratitude is welcomed by them with delight. If you have no urge to please them and make them happy, how can you ever hope to please God?
The mother seeks love, craves for gratitude, thirsts after sympathy. She values feeling, not external display. The Divine Mother too is moved by the same feeling. She does not appreciate demonstrative trappings like matted hair, rosaries, marks on the forehead or sacerdotal robes. She values sincerity, yearning, virtue,compassion, love.
The Vedas declare that Her Grace, that is to say, Immortality, can be achieved by Tyaga (detachment), rather than by hectic activity, or affluence or progeny. Give up; do not grasp in clenched fists. Release; do not bind and get bound. No joy is equal to the joy of sharing, giving, renouncing. (SSS Vol.8, p. 133)
Every child has Five Matas (mothers) and owes its loyalty to these five that fill its life with meaning and purpose. The dehamata (the mother who gave birth to its body), the gomata (the cow that gives it milk and the bullock that is the partner in growing its food throughout life), the Bhumata (land that in return for seeds offers grain a hundredfold), the desha-mata (region inhabited by a society that stamps its ways of living, lines of thinking and ideals and goals) and Veda-mata (the heritage of spiritual treasure). The first mother has to reveal to the child the glories of all the other four and so her status is crucial, her responsibility is pivotal. That is the reason why I have resolved to start a Women’s College in the first instance, in order to preserve and promote Dharma, the Universal Sanathana Dharma I have come to vitalise and lead to victory. (SSSm Vol.3, p. 55)
Motherhood is the most precious gift of God. Mothers are the makers of a nation’s fortune or misfortune, for they shape the sinews of its soul. Those sinews are toughened by two lessons they should teach; fear of sin, and fondness of virtue. Both these are based on faith in God being the inner motivator of all. If you want to know how advanced a nation is, study the mothers; are they free from fear and anxiety, are they full of love towards all, are they trained in fortitude and virtue? If you like to imbibe the glory of a culture, which the mothers, rocking the cradles, feeding, fostering, teaching and fondling the babies. As the mother so the progress of the nation; as the mother, so the sweetness of the culture. (MBI, p. 120)
A mother is God’s nurse-maid and the duty of a mother to her children is God’s grace; and this Grace is God’s monthly salary to her. (Ddd, p. 67)
Establish the status of the mother in the home; as the upholder of Spiritual ideals, and therefore, the Guru of the children. Every mother must share in this effort - the expansion and steady manifestation of God-consciousness latent in every child. (Ddd, p. 13)
When women leave their homes for jobs, where are the housewives to do the household chores? When both husband and wife go to their offices where are the mothers to look after the children? When the mothers go to school to teach other children, who will teach their own children? Even if the monetary position is eased, other difficulties arise in the home. In trying to secure comforts, the office-seeker achieves only an emptiness at home.
The mother is held as the object of affectionate reverence in Indian culture. She is the mistress of the house, the earliest teacher of the child, the person who lovingly transmits the culture of this ancient land to its heirs in their most formative years. The mother and the father are the first examples in social behaviour that the child sees before it and learns to imitate. They teach adoration of God and surrender to the Highest; they represent equanimity and love before the watchful and receptive eyes of the children: So they have to be inspired to take their share in the spiritual awakening. Tolerance and humanity have to be promoted in the rising generation through the promotion of spiritual discipline among the mothers. Everyone has a mother as the source of his life and body. So the mother has to be strong in mind and body, ripe in culture and character, sanctified by holy thoughts and steeped in love and dedication. Good mothers make a good nation. Mothers have to be repositories of detachment, discipline and devotion. (VS, pp. 126-128)
I chose the mother who was to experience My closeness during gestation. The Avatar alone has this freedom of choice. In other cases, karma determines the time and place, the group and the grade. (TSF, p. 163)
Man is the chosen one in this whole world teeming with millions and millions of creation. Woman is very superior in the whole creation including man. There are many examples to prove that woman is really superior. Is it not because of the boons granted to Kausalya in the form of giving birth to Divine, Rama became famous and worshipped as God? Is it not by Sita’s fostering and rearing that the twins, Kusha and Lava became so great? Again, Shivaji became great and valorous because of the upbringing of his mother Jijabai and Gandhi became famous because of the encouragement from his mother Putlibai. Several great Rishis, warriors, virtuous heroes and wicked people as well were born from the womb of the mother. That mother is the very embodiment of Prakriti, nature. (DTB Vol.4, p. 1)
The valiant Shivaji became such a great hero because his mother Jijabai fostered him with good ideals. It is because of Kausalya’s tutelage that Rama became so great. It is all that is in the child and the child blossoms. What is the reason for Gandhi becoming a Mahatma? He also indulged in various types of activities. One day his mother was worshipping. She had taken a vow that she will not take even a morsel of food unless she hears the cuckoo sing. One day it was 12 in the afternoon. The cuckoo did not sing. The mother did not eat. Gandhi was very young then. He asked why have you not eaten so far mother. She said the cuckoo has not sung. Then he went to the backyard and tried to sing like a cuckoo. He came inside and said ‘mother, the cuckoo has sung, you can eat’. It was not the singing of the cuckoo. The mother came out, caught hold of his ears and said, ‘What sin have I committed to give birth to you who is speaking a falsehood. It is the duty of a man to speak truth. Man is the very embodiment of truth. Man should not utter falsehood under any circumstances. She felt very bad. Gandhi saw it. So this went like a dart into his heart. From that day onwards, he never uttered an untruth. It is the mother alone, not the father, who puts the child on the right path. (DTB Vol.4, p. 7)
All the Kauravas died in the Mahabharata War. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari were very sad all their sons died. So Krishna came there to enquire. They were very sad, overwhelmed with it. Gandhari tried to scold Krishna in many ways.’Of the 100 sons, could you not even protect one? Could you not save even one? What is the sin that I have committed? Why is it that you did not have kind looks?’ Then Krishna said, ‘Gandhari, don’t be hasty. Those sons who could not look after the honour of the mother, how could they expect a kind look from God? Have you ever seen them revering the mother?’
Gandhari had tied her eyes. She never saw the children. They were not the recipients of the mother’s grace. Then how can they expect the grace of God? In the Mahabharata War, the vision of the mother has been talked about in a great deal. Mother is the very foundation of everything. Amma is the very first word. Therefore, she is called Matrudevi. The four important sayings in the culture of Bharat are:
Matru Devo bhavah,
Pitru Devo bhavah,
Acharya Devo bhavah,
Atithi Devo Bhavah
Matru Devo Bhava -Revere the mother as God, Pitru Devo bhava-Revere the father as God, Acharya Devo bhava- Revere the Guru as God, and Atithi Devo Bhavah- Revere the guest as God. The mother gives birth to the children. She shows the father. Nobody has the authority to show the father. Only the mother has the authority to show the father. Then the father shows the Guru. The Guru leads the child to God. This is the ancient tradition and culture of Bharat. We have forgotten this ancient culture and tradition and have gone into the maze of untruth. Nothing is true in the world. Nothing is permanent. Only truth and reputation are permanent. How do you get this reputation? If we honour, obey, revere and love the mother, then only we can get reputation. We should not disregard the mother. If you have some kind of doubt, go to her in a nice way and clarify. Tell her in a nice way and explain. Don’t hurt her at any time. No one who hurts the mother will prosper in life. If you disregard your mother now, tomorrow you will be disregarded by your children. If you cheat your friend, you will be cheated later by somebody else. So you should have the grace and love of the mother first.
Even the Russians had known this truth from ancient times. They have decided that December 8 will be Ladies Day in Russia. They give all freedom to women that day. The men have to go into the kitchen because the women go out to serve society. They go to many hospitals to serve. Mother knows only service because she is full of sacrifice. If anybody sheds tears, the mother feels and sheds tears. So the mother is of full compassion. Even the woman’s heart has become hard because of changing times. What is the reason? We get such problems because of the company we keep, because the world is full of such bad elements. So, even their hearts have become hard. If they are good, everybody is good. It is very difficult to get the company of good people. (DTB Vol.4, pp. 9-11)
Students! You have to follow the instructions of your parents. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava (Revere your mother and father as God). You have come from your parents. Mother is the maker of your fortune. She is responsible for your progress. Don’t act against her wishes. Don’t oppose her words. Treat your mother with love. Then you will get your mother’s grace. Mother is Loka mata (mother of the universe), Jagan mata (mother of the world). Don’t think that she is related to your body only. She is the Jagan mata who has come in the form of your mother. Gangadhara Bhat served his mother tenderly and lovingly. As a result of his sincere service to his mother, he got Swami. That is why Swami has kept him so near and dear.
Our Narasimha Murthy (now warden Brindavan) came to Prasanthi Nilayam and took charge as warden. One day, he came to Me and said, ‘Swami, my mother is serious. She has cancer’. I asked him, ‘Foolish boy! You are are telling Me, mother is serious. Which mother? That is your body’s mother. Body’s mother is not permanent. You take hold of the permanent mother. Eternal mother.’ After some days, he came to Me again and said, ‘Swami, mother passed away’. I comforted Narasimha Murthy. Stay here itself. Don’t leave Puttaparthi. This is your birthplace. Swami is your mother. I will look after everything.’ Narasimha Murthy’s mother was a noble soul. She would often say, ‘ Narasimha Murthy, even in adverse situations, don’t go away from Swami. Stay with Him always.’ (Loud applause). All mothers are suffused with love principle. They pray to so many Gods and Goddesses for the well-being and progress of their children. Try to understand your mother’s selfless love. All should look after their mothers lovingly. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 66-67)
More fragrant than the sweet smelling flowers
Like jasmine and the Champaka,
Softer than the cheese and the butter,
More beautiful than the eye of the peacock,
More pleasant than the moonlight
Is the love of a mother. (Telugu Poem)
(SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 136)
When Rama went to the forest with Sita, one day he told her: ‘Bhujata! In this world there are no greater adorable deities than one’s mother and father. When one has near to him a loving mother, who cares for him continually and fosters his well – being, without adoring her as Divine, how can a man contemplate on a Being that is subtle and beyond his daily experience? The Divine transcends all human understanding. How can this be recognised? People can not comprehend the hearts of parents who are close to them, whose love they experience in daily life, how can they comprehend the Absolute, which the Upanishads declare is beyond the reach of speech and the mind? Hence, the injunction that the mother and the father should be adored as Divine. It was my foremost duty to carry out the will of my father. (SSS Vol.26, p. 145)
(S S S Vol XXVI p.145)
Every mother blesses her son by saying ‘Shri Rama Raksha’, may Rama protect you always. (SSS Vol.30, p. 104)
All mothers are Goddesses
Today is Easwaramma day, the day of the Matru Devata (Mother Goddess). All mothers are goddesses. That is why in Bharat, people follow the maxim: Esteem the mother, the father, the teacher and the guests as God. Once when Sita was teaching how to worship God, Rama intervened and said: ‘Oh simple-minded one! Who is greater in the world than the mother and the father? They know our difficulties and needs. They are able to understand our feelings. They are able to fulfill all our wants. Having such known entities who take interest in your welfare, why should you go after unknown entities?’ At all times, the parents are there looking after you. You have to worship them. The mother can be compared to the earth and the father to the seed. Unless the seed is sown in the earth the plant will not sprout. You cannot ignore the father and mother who are responsible for your birth and growth. Even if you become the Prime Minister you must remember you owe your birth in the world to your mother. You must develop humility and discrimination as a mark of education. You should not discard love of God at any time. If you forget God, you are not human but demonic. Money, beauty and youth will not last long. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 126-127)
Ever person, man or woman, should respect the parents, install the Divine in the heart and pray
to God constantly. It is everyone’s duty to bring a good name to the parents. It was because of the noble behaviour of Lava and Kusha that their mother, Sita became renowned. When Lava and Kusha were engaged in a battle with Rama, Lava aimed an arrow at Rama with a prayer that if their mother Janaki was a Sadhvi (a supremely noble woman) the arrow should render Rama unconscious. Rama became unconscious when the arrow hit him. See what happened The mere thought of his mother lent so much power to his arrow!
This shows that when you cherish the mother and seek God’s grace, the blessings of the mother become more powerful. (SSS Vol.30, p. 109)
Queen Sunayana (consort of Emperor Janaka) says, ‘You (Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi) are the mothers of the very embodiments of Dharma, the very personification of love. Rama, whose heart embraces all beings in compassion. You have earned everlasting fame all over the world. (RKRV Part I, p. 463)
The mother’s lap is the school for everyone. It is the temple. The mother is everyone’s primary wealth. To recognise this truth about one’s mother, is the duty of every person.
There is no higher God than the mother. The father is one’s treasure, the mother is his God. Instead of giving value to such precious wealth and divinity, people engage themselves in all kinds of activities to acquire riches and position.
The father and mother are inseparable like word and its meaning.
Everyone should cherish one’s parents as embodiments of Divine. (AP, p. 39)
Mothers are responsible for the well being of their children. Never forget your mother. To set an ideal in this regard, I used to visit the Samadhi of my parents on My birthday. To inculcate this good feeling in the hearts of people, even Sai Baba is visiting the Samadhi of his parents, I have undertaken this sacred activity. Every individual should adore, respect, worship and love his/ her mother. I have initiated this Ladies day in order to foster respect and love for the mother. Not only the 19th of November, but the 19th of every month is being observed as Ladies Day in some States. Whatever may be the circumstances, good or bad, do not forget your mother. Due to the effect of Kali Age, people consider their mothers as mere cooks in the kitchen. Not only that, they have been degraded to the level of servants. This is the misfortune that has befallen on man today. ( DD on 19-11-1999, p. 5)
It was because Aryamba was a devoted and pious woman and observed sacred practices that the great world-teacher, Adi Sankaracharya was born to her. For Vivekananda to achieve worldwide renown, his mother’s sacred life was responsible. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was able to preach the sacred doctrine of love to the world and achieve greatness because of his mother’s good qualities. (SSS Vol.26, p. 151)
Mothers of those days led a pure and pious life, cherishing sacred thoughts, fostering virtues and setting an example to the world. Parents today get up from their beds quarrelling with each other. When the parents wake up hurling abuses at each other, the children wake up levelling blows at each other. As is the seed, so is the plant. Parents today should ponder over the sacred ideas cherished by parents in the olden days. For all the bad ways followed by youth today, for all their wayward behaviour and bad conduct, the parents are to blame. If the mothers are good, there will be no room for bad behaviour by the children. Although parents may appear innocuous like fig fruits, they are responsible for the misbehaviour of their children, like the worms inside the fruits. (SSS Vol.26, p. 152)
There have been many mothers in the world who have sought, by their strenuous endeavours, noble thoughts and sacred practices, to bring up their children in the path of righteousness. In the city of Calcutta, there lived a mother and his son. For the education of the son, the mother made many a sacrifice. She, however, impressed on the son one lesson: ‘Dear son, do not be concerned about worldly education. The foolish ones acquire all kinds of scholarship, but have no understanding of what they are. By study alone, a man does not get rid of his lowly ways. Through scholarship, one learns only to engage himself in controversy but does not acquire complete wisdom. Why pursue studies which end up only in death? One should study that which frees him from death. Only spiritual knowledge can lead to immortality. It is enduring. Worldly knowledge is temporary. For earning one’s livelihood, worldly education is necessary. But this education should be acquired only to lead an independent life, with limited desires. Therefore, dear son, while pursuing studies embark also on the spiritual quest.’ (SSS Vol.26, p. 155)