| CATEGORY | LOVE |
| SUB CATEGORY | PARENTAL LOVE |
| How to revere one’s mother? |
| Every human being is born from the mother’s womb. He is fostered by the mother’s love and enjoys many things in life because of the mother. He enjoys, all happiness in life because of the mother’s love. Hence, there is no higher divinity than the mother. But this divinity relates to the body alone. Man has to recognise the truth that the food which sustains his body is derived from the Sun. The Sun helps food crops to grow. Hence, without the Sun man cannot have food to sustain life. The term Sathyam (Truth) is made up of three syllables which represent life, food and the Sun. It follows that man is inherently an embodiment of truth. As such, he should lead a life based on truth. Unfortunately, man today leads a life divorced from truth. Consequently, he becomes a prey to innumerable troubles. He has no peace. He is racked continually by many afflictions. Man has to recognise the significance of Love and Truth, which are fundamental to human existence. The mother represents these two basic qualities. Divine Discourse 6 May 1997 |
| What is the importance of blessings of parents in achieve successes? |
| Love the mother and revere the father. Rama attained godhood because he was the son of Kaushalya. Lava and Kusha became heroic children because of their great mother, Seetha Devi. It is the noble thoughts of the mother which make the children great. A mother may go wrong in other respects, but she will always strive for the well-being of her children. Hence every son has to love the mother as the primary duty. Then he should love the father and revere the preceptor. The mother confers the body. The father protects it. The preceptor imparts knowledge and wisdom. For every human being all three are essential for getting on in the world Divine Discourse 6 May 1997 |
| How special are mom’s blessings? |
| Many great men have embarked on noble deeds after securing the blessing of their mothers. For instance, before going to battle to fight against the demon, Taarakaasura, Sanat Kumara got the blessings of his mother, Gowri. Similarly, Parasurama received his mother’s blessings before he went to fight his foes. Likewise, Vinatha blessed her son Garuda. Every mother similarly blesses her son by saying: “Shri Rama Raksha” (May Shri Rama protect you always.) It is because of the blessings of noble mothers, the wives of great sages, that many men were able to perform heroic deeds. Shankaracharya taught that sons who did not get the blessings of the mothers suffered from various vicissitudes in life. Those who had the blessings of their mothers often secured freedom from rebirth. Many high-souled men have extolled the greatness and power of mothers. It is the foremost duty of children to secure the blessings of their mothers for their worldly well-being. Divine Discourse 6 May 1997 |
| What are the two obligations of a daughter/son? |
| Many mothers are worried about the future of their sons if they adhere to the righteous path. They fear that such children may not be successful in life. In ancient days mothers thought otherwise. They would be immensely happy if they found the children devoted to God. They would feel happy with the thought. “My son will be a good man. He will earn a good name.” Even now, in this sacred land of Bharath, parents should strive their utmost to bring up their children on the right lines. Children also should revere their parents, who account for their physical existence. But they should realise what they owe to God, who is the basis of all life. Recognising this double obligation to the mothers and to the Divine–they should redeem their lives by purposeful living. There are greater things than even life itself. The supreme achievement is God-realisation. It is the summum bonum of human life. This was the lesson which Aaryaamba taught to Shankara. She assured him: “When you have secured the grace of Devi, what is it that you will lack in your life? You will bring fame to the country as a whole.” Achieving a great name, however, is not all. Shankara lived in a state of perpetual bliss. Within a short span of 32 years he achieved incredible things. All because of Devi’s grace. Divine Discourse 6 May 1997 |
| Why should I consider my parents and elders opinion even though I am independent now? |
| Boys and Girls! Your foremost duty is to revere your parents. The mother gave birth to you. The father protected you. You have to esteem the preceptor as divine because he imparts knowledge to you. Without reverence for these three, all your other achievements in life will be worthless. The mother, the father and the preceptor represent the Divine Trinity–Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara as creator, sustainer and remover of ignorance respectively. Divine Discourse 23 Jan 1997 |
| Whom should I respect first? |
| Speak softly and obligingly. By using harsh words even to your mother, you will ruin yourselves. Consider Mother, Father, Teacher and Guest as God. You have to respect your parents even after your marriage, since they gave birth to you and brought you up. Wife is your selection. But mother is not so. Mother should be given first place. You have to talk to her sweetly, softly and respectfully. Divine Discourse 18 July 1997 |