31/05/2026
*****Mother's Day*****
Do we need a day to be reminded of the value and importance of a mother? It seems yes, in today's society. Not only has it become an extremely rare phenomenon, motherhood and parenting are all nearly absent.
Here, so that there is no misunderstanding, I am not referring to women and every child-mind, or teenage girl who gives birth. These we have hundreds of million around the world. Much credit, value, respect and importance are given to such mothers. But can anyone tell me who brought those devilish souls into the world? How come society is so sick, mad and barbarous, when it has always been said that mothers are the first teachers in the school of life!? My observation is that not only the teachers have failed, but there is an absence of the first teachers. Yes, the so called first teachers themselves, are illiterate in regard to self and life education. The consequence is today’s society. What to say about parenting? Do’s and don’ts have nothing to do with parenting. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can say that.
Here we are talking of learning, not academic input, no moralistic ones neither about unexplained religious rubbish. Here it is a question of observation with a clear mind, a mind unobstructed by any dose of ideologies, a deep penetrating insight into the realities of life starting with oneself. Furthermore, one should have critical thinking and deep reflection, without giving ready made answers. How many mothers teach their children how to use their five mental faculties and transcend their emotions!? Instead, they blackmail them using mother’s emotions. Children are pampered, paralysed so that they become dependent on their mothers. Pampering, helping, guiding is very important to children, but when it becomes blind attachment then it poisons the mind. Mothers generally have good intentions, they want the best, of course, only materially for their children, but in so doing they do a lot of harm to them.
Mother Mary, mother of Gautam Buddha and Shree Ram, mother of Shree Krishna and many others were true mothers. The first virtue of a mother is to be a door to souls of high evolution in the world. Otherwise, they contribute to a sick society. A glance around will be enough evidence to my mind.
In ancient India, there have been many examples of true mothers and motherhood. Here I relate to only one:
There was a young boy by the name of Satyakam. When he reached the age to be admitted to a gurukul, he went to a sage in charge of a gurukul. In ancient time a gurukul was like a big family. Thus, the word guru and kul. Guru means the remover of darkness, while kul means family. The gurukul was most like a university where children from the age of twelve were admitted till the age of twenty-four to have experience, knowledge, information about self and life (man, God and the Universe). So, Satyakam approached the sage and asked to be initiated into the sacred science of self and life. In that era, it was the tradition to ask about the name of the father and his origin. Later on, or in a future work I can perhaps explain the rationale behind this instance. Satyakam said, “I do not know the name of my father.” So, he came home and asked his mother. “You know my son, during my younger days, I served many men, then only you were born, so I cannot tell who really your father is and what is his name. My name is Jabala and you are my son Satyakam. So, you are Jabala Satyakam.” So said the mother. The boy went to the gurukul and repeated that simple yet subtle reality to the guru. Seeing the innocence of the child, the guru was moved and he said, “You are no doubt a Brahman for only a brahman can utter such a ‘truth’, so I will initiate you, my son.”
Now let the reader think how many mothers can be so frank, fearless to reveal such a delicate reality to her son. And what to say about the son? Such an innocence, such a purity, though born from such a woman!
Anyway, mothers are mothers, the very fact that they give birth to the body, they deserve gratitude, respect and we have certain duties towards them till they live. If it were not for mothers, society would not exist, even what we call great souls, avatars, saints, philosophers would not exist. So let us be very respectful, loving, caring to our mothers.
