What does Sanaatan Dharma have to say about this very important role of the mother? Our scriptures give us an explanation of who we should consider a mother and also some advice on how a mother should be.
Our scriptures tell us that we have seven mothers:
- Aatma maataa – the biological mother. Through her womb, we came into the world. This relationship between mother and child is a very strong bond. There is no other relationship like it. Why? Because she carried you inside her and shared with you from the time of your conception whatever she eats, thinks and feels. We say the biological mother is God personified. The Supreme has three functions – to create, sustain and destroy. The mother creates us, sustains us and tries to remove all our bad habits and make us into something good. The mother is like God because she is performing these three functions. She is also the embodiment of Devi. She is Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, these three forms of energy that make things happen. Durga Maa is iccha shakti or the power of the will. A mother is able to look after her children as they are her priority. She will discipline with love and teach them the right things. Mother is also the Lakshmi of the home. She sustains and provides for the child in the physical, psychological and spiritual realms. Mothers demonstrate true self-sacrifice and unconditional love. Like Saraswatee Maa, she tries to make sure we are educated. She is the power of creative activity, kriyaa shakti. She teaches us life lessons. The biological mother takes care of us and she embodies all the qualities of the divine. The adopted mother also fulfils all of these functions. Mother, therefore, is a set of qualities that a person possesses.
- Guru patni – the wife of the Guru or She is also like a mother. In the past, children would live in the gurukul and the Gurumai would spend time with them, like their mother. In modern times, the Gurumai, the wife of your Guru, must be treated as a mother, with respect.
- Bramhaani – the wife of a Brahmin who is living the right life and who also possesses these qualities. She should be treated as a mother and she should act as a mother.
- Raja patnika – the wife of the king or leader. Whether it is the wife of the president or a community leader, she too should be treated as a mother.
- Dhaynoo – a cow. In our ancient traditions, the cow was a provider. The cow provides milk, fertiliser and more. In this way, it has the qualities of a mother so we should take care of it and treat it with respect.
- Dhaatri – physician or nurse; a healthcare provider who cares for you. When you are sick, nobody understands your pain, although they may sympathise with you. These people in health who help us are forms of the mother and we should show them love and respect.
- Prithvi – the earth. The earth provides for all our needs. However, in return we pollute the rivers, cut down the trees and damage it because of greed. We should learn from nature; nature is selfless – it gives us everything while asking for nothing. We must respect the earth as a mother.
Mother is Energy
The Divine Mother represents all the energies in creation. In a yagya, there are 64 flags that represent the 64 energies or subtle powers in creation. Once you’ve realised the self, these 64 powers take care of you. Remember this, you are not doing anything in this world; whether you sit still or are active, the world still goes on. These energies are the cause. We know of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati and the Nau Durga. These energies are the Devis.
Mother is Truth
As Chanakya said, “Satyam Maataa.” Mother is truth and that truth takes care of us. Truth is God.
What is truth? Truth is that which is in accordance with reality or fact. It is one of the four pillars of Sanaatan Dharma. It is reality. Truth is listed as one of the ten components of dharma as listed in the Manu Smriti. If truth is the reality, then why do we have to tell the truth? Telling the truth doesn’t have to do with the world. It has to do with us. When you do not speak the truth, you lose your piece of mind. Telling a lie is a sin and what is a sin? A sin is an action against yourself. This is captured deep within us, in your consciousness. The entire point of life is to go beyond your mind and to quieten it. By lying you ruffle the mind and place negativity in it. While telling a lie is sin, telling the truth is a sign of love. The Upanishads declare that “truth alone will triumph”.
Is it really possible to know the truth? Long ago people believed the earth was flat and the centre of the universe. With your logical mind, there is no way you can know the full truth. It all depends on what you believe. Belief is based on some facts you may have but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is true. Satyam Maataa is an experience of who you really are. All we can do is submit to the Divine Mother, in order to rid ourselves of ignorance and find the truth. The Supreme Mother that protects us is our very self.
From a discourse by Pt. Dr. Umesh Persad
