Mother in Hinduism

According to Hinduism, God creates, maintains and destroys the universe but the power with which these functions are performed is called Shakti (universal energy), the Divine Mother. This is the origin of mother worship and thus the idea that the human mother is worthy of reverence and worship just as the Divine Mother or Shakti. The saying, “Maatri Devo Bhavah” is therefore a maxim that speaks to the seemingly boundless, endless and all-encompassing power of the earthly or biological mother, a power that equates with that of Divinity.

In Hinduism, mother is the one person who is considered to be the most exalted and worthy of respect and service. She is one of the five mothers worthy of worship, according to scriptural injunctions. The unparalleled love possessed by a mother for her children are the subject of praise and reverence in numerous stotras and other scriptural verses. No doubt, mother is the very embodiment of qualities such as love, sacrifice, forbearance and selfless service to her children.

The powerful ideals exemplified by outstanding mothers through the ages and pages of Hindu scriptures have very clearly demonstrated that women, and more so, mothers, have been given a pedestal position in a world of many different relationships. And why not? The example of Shri Raam as a child, as a young adult, a married householder and even as king, gives credence to the saying that Mother is the first Guru; she is indeed the first God. He taught by example that Mother’s blessing is integral to success. His first action as he arose early in the morning was seeking His mother’s blessings. He needed her good wishes and benediction before going to the forest. On His return from exile, one of His first actions was to bow at the feet of His mothers. The mere presence of the mother invests one with protection; the reverse deprives one of sustenance and fulfilment. Indeed, such an example of Shri Raam, God in human form, teaches the world that the source of bliss and blessings is at the feet of “Maa” – mother.

The word “Maa” comprises the Hindi consonant “Ma” and vowel “aa”. This consonant pertains to the heart which evokes the emotions of love, joy and happiness while the vowel relates to “aanand shakti” or the power of bliss. It is not by chance, then, that one’s mother is the treasure-house of all bliss, love and success. Like Durga Maataa, the essence of “ichha shakti” (power of will), like Lakshmi Maa, “gyaan shakti” (the power of knowledge) and Saraswati Maataa, “kriyaa  shakti” (power of activity), the earthly mother ensures that her child is a well-nourished child, whose activities are directed by her will and with proper knowledge.

The power wielded by mothers on their children’s lives spread far beyond worldly experiences and the impact created by them starts from the womb. Even before a child is born the mother’s impressions strike deep roots within his consciousness. The example of Prahalad is phenomenal as he was engrained with devotion to Lord Vishnu while still within his mother’s womb. Maha Shiv Puraan also records how Bhagavan Shiva appeared to fulfil the request of child Upamanyu who was taught devotion using the “Panchakshar Mantra” by his mother. Many are the scriptural episodes that prove the unique and effective role of the earthly mother in a child’s upbringing. None can assume her role. She is irreplaceable. The importance of the  mother in her role as educator is aptly summed up in the following scriptural quote: “From the point of view of reverence due, a teacher is ten-fold superior to a mere lecturer, a father a hundredfold to a teacher and a mother a thousand-fold to a father.”

As special emphasis is placed on the earthly mother this month, in celebrating Mothers’ Day, it may be worthwhile for all to reflect on the contribution of mothers since, for seven life-times, one can never repay the debt one owes to one’s parents.