Role of the Mother

In His special discourse on the occasion of the Ladies Day, Bhagavan described Gayathri as the mother of Vedas, and also of all creation. He further sub-divided the Gayathri Principle into the following four components.

1. Sathyavathi: The all-pervasive Truth which pervades the entire creation just as butter is present in every drop of milk.
2. Angavathi: Every person is made up of the five elements. Differences are only in the outer forms. Divinity behind the five elements is the same in all.
3. Anyavathi: Different forms of the Divine are indicated by corresponding symbols - Rama by the bow, Krishna by the flute or the peacock feather, Saraswathi by the Veena, Siva by the Damaru (handheld drum) and Vishnu by Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Wheel), Gada (Mace) and Padma (the Lotus Flower). Divine forms have various characteristic symbols but Divinity is the same in all.
4. Nidhanavathi: Nidhanavathi is represented by the nine paths of devotion, namely - listening, singing, chanting the name of the Lord, service, Seva to the Lord's Feet, adoration, prayer, friendship with God and surrender to God.

Describing the mother as the first teacher, Swami said that as compared to male teachers, the teachings of women teachers are better assimilated by students because the latter teach from the heart with love.

A married lady has many great titles like `Dharma Patni' (Righteous wife), 'Griha-Lakshmi' (Goddess of the house), (Lady of the house) and 'Ardhaangi' (equal partner of the husband). These titles have more value than socially recognized titles like 'Padma Bhushan' and 'Padma Vibhushan' (given by the Government). A lady must look after the home first and then work outside, if necessary. A house without a mother is like an empty choultry. A lady should be an ideal to her children, look after her husband and then do outside work. She can study, get degrees, enter politics or do any other work but she should not neglect the home, which is the very foundation of her life. Husband and wife are both equally responsible for establishing harmony in the home. But times have changed. Womanly ideals are not being practiced and there are no ideal men and women today. That is why the world is in such a sorry state.

Parents must aspire to make their children good persons (those who see God in man) and not great persons (those who see man in God). Though Sri Rama and Ravana were very learned persons, Sri Rama set an example of a good person by his deeds, while on account of his excessive ego and desire, Ravana became an evil person though he was great in his own way.

Swami explained that the acronym MAN stands for Maya, Atma and Nirvana. The teaching contained in this term (MAN) is firstly 'Get over Maya', secondly 'See the Atma', and thirdly 'Attain Nirvana'. It is well known that a great person has no peace and is always worried while a good person is peaceful wherever he goes. So, not even in a dream should a person aspire to be a great man. A person becomes good when he is respected as such in society. Swami mentioned that goodness is a natural quality of a woman while greatness is that of a man.

Bhagavan, quoting Dr. Geetha Reddy, said that God is one's greatest and closest Friend. He is interested in one's real welfare while worldly friends are influenced by one's position and wealth, only as long as these last. Explaining further, Swami added that Nature is the best teacher, Heart is the real Guru and God is the only Friend. As the Greek lady Ms Hellen Sotiriou had sung (at the end of her talk), the relationship with God should be based on Love. Love for God alone leads to Bliss. Spiritual vibration comes out of a heart full of Love for God. Such Love makes one rejoice always and under all circumstances.