By Pandit Rabindranath Persaud, President, Viraat Sabhaa Guyana

AS THE World celebrates Mother’s Day, it is important to fully understand the purpose of Motherhood.To become a mother is the expectation of every married woman. Women who endorse the sacred institution of marriage are always eager to enjoy motherhood. It is this enthusiasm that influences the sacrifice of being a good mother.

Hinduism, the oldest existing civilization, advocates the principle of Mother resting at the pinnacle of Life. In the order of reverence, Mother is placed first; Father, preceptor and guests follow behind. It is a clear indication that the Shastras and other scriptural injunctions give confirmation to the sacredness of motherhood. Hindus see mothers as a representation of production and productivity.

It is in this vein that the Hindus recognize the Earth, rivers, cows, Vedas, Light and the Universe (Prakriti) as a depiction of Mother. It is with this conviction that the Hindus admit that Mother is the unending link in the chain of Life. Mother is beginning-less and endless.

The greatest embodiment of sacrifice is mother. Mothers are the only persons to have a dual experience simultaneously — the pain of giving birth to a child and at the same time the happiness to see a well-born child.

No matter how old we become, we must remember that we are born out of our Mother’s compassion, tolerance, affection, love, might, power and devotion. That is to say, we are all products of positive opulence, and these very propensities are the criteria for influencing our full process of evolution.

Mothers always express unconditional love. When a child asks a mother what she wants, the mother would reply “I want you to be good and happy”. The institution of Motherhood surpasses every other institution.

In The Mahabharata, Bheesham Pitamah stated: “Wherever women are honoured, there God dwells”.
The way of Life of every Hindu is to protect our daughters, wives and mothers. In the Uttar Kand of the Ramayan, Shree Raam mentioned to his learned brother, Latchman, that no wealth is equivalent to one’s mother and motherland.

As we observe this auspicious occasion, it is incumbent upon all celebrants to fulfill the aspirations of their mothers, as well as to be patriotic to our motherland.

It is very evident that no one has the blessing to fully experience heaven or hell, but every child of this world can testify to being a product of a mother and motherland. In the Shreemad Bhagawat Gita, Shree Krishna always reminded Arjuna of this Mother when he saw it fit to indulge Arjuna to pursue his path with confidence. In the Mahabharata, when Shree Krishna was leading Arjuna on the battlefield, he told him that his enemies are unconquerable. “Only if you secure the blessings of the Universal Mother you will become victorious; therefore, be recipient of your Mother’s blessings today, and be victorious forever”.

The Viraat Sabhaa Guyana wishes all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.