The institution of motherhood is given pedestal position according to the philosophy of Sanaatan Dharma and as such, due recognition is given to five mothers:
1. Mother Earth
2. The cow
3. The religious texts
4. The biological mother
5. The Divine Mother
These have all been sources of life, of sustenance of some particular kind, and hence, admiration, reverence, worship and provision for continuity are but a few of the duties of their earthly children.
1. Mother Earth. The earth is the principal source of food, water and air, the basic needs of all plants and animals, including humans. Earth provides the stratum for every physical life and an ecosystem that is necessary for survival. Without a thriving Mother Earth, or Motherland, there would be deficiencies in physical life. In puja, Mother Earth is worshipped as ‘Prithvi Maataa’.
2. The Cow. Gratitude and reverence are shown to the cow for its importance in the development of the physical welfare of humans and moreso, in the sustaining role it plays in the life of a newborn babe. The only food that is of nutritional value and which can be ingested and digested successfully at this stage of a child’s life is milk. The chief source of this provision is the cow and it is for this reason that it is regarded as sacred. In puja, the cow is worshipped as ‘Gow Maataa’.
3. The Religious Texts. It is said that wisdom or enlightenment comes with knowledge. Scriptural knowledge is a necessary tool for sustenance and survival. Such knowledge guides humanity towards a positive state of wellbeing. Reading of scriptural texts is ‘nitya karma’ (daily practice) and is one of the five daily debts that must be repaid. This is referred to as ‘Rishi yagya’, owed to the seers and sages, the backbones of our traditions. The reverence accorded to the text by worship and reading inspires an individual towards spiritual evolution.
4. Earthly Mother. ‘Maatri Devo Bhavah’, the scriptures declare. Mother is God, for she gives life, sustains and maintains it. She also ensures that positive qualities are nurtured and she destroys the weeds of evil tendencies. Success begins at her feet. Indeed, she is God and is worshipped daily by her children.
5. Divine Mother. Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are forms of the Divine Mother and it is with their blessings, guidance and inspiration that an individual is endowed with intelligence, good health, wealth and success of every kind. Hence we worship the Divine Mother daily.
Mother, indeed, can be seen to play a pivotal role in the development of each individual and dependence on her is a necessity for successful existence. Therefore, worship of the mother, in all her five forms is of paramount importance.
