Mother ......

                   Mother… is a very important part of everyone's life. In fact, life itself exists because of a mother. I consider her to be divine, and I once read somewhere that since it is not possible for God to take care of everyone at the same time, He sent mothers to this Earth to look after all, to love all. This is a law of nature—not just for humans but also for animals. Even our scriptures give great importance to the mother. Phrases like "Matru Devo Bhava" (Mother is God) show that she is considered equal to, or even greater than, God. To express the importance of a mother, it has also been said: "Swami of the three worlds is a beggar without a mother."

                    In reality, it is very wrong to differentiate between mother and father in terms of who is greater, and in fact, their love can never be compared. From childhood, knowingly or unknowingly, we tend to be more attached to our mother—this is something even the father understands and accepts, because he too has a mother. So he never feels bad about it. Some researchers in psychology have proven that, at birth, boys tend to be more attached to their mothers, while girls are more attached to their fathers. For parents, both sons and daughters are equally precious, and they love them equally. Just as water and oxygen are essential for our survival, the presence of a mother and father is just as important in our lives.

                   Just like a potter places a lump of clay on the wheel, pats it firmly to steady it, and then gradually shapes it with a gentle, loving touch to create a beautiful piece of art—something similar happens in our lives. Just as the potter first steadies the clay with firm hands, in the same way, the father provides the initial firmness and stability to a shapeless life. Then, like the mother, he adds the gentle touch of love and care to help shape it into something good. That’s why both the mother and father play equally important roles in shaping who we become.

                    Once a child is born, no matter how they are, a mother loves them unconditionally. She forgets everything else and devotes herself to their care, making them capable and strong. If the child makes a mistake, she won’t hesitate to discipline them with a smack on the back. This is not something unique to humans—among animals too, a mother cares for her young, nurtures them, and helps them grow strong. For example, a cat raises her kittens and teaches them how to hunt. A mother becomes so absorbed in her child that the child becomes her entire world. For the happiness of her child, she does everything possible, and when needed, she even takes on a fierce form to protect them. From the very moment she realizes there is life growing inside her, until the last breath of her life, she cares for her children. The bond of a young child is also the same—when a baby cries, no matter how many expensive toys you offer, they will not calm down without their mother.

                    The opinion I’m about to express may seem a bit harsh, but it reflects the reality of today. Until we become aware of ourselves, our likes and dislikes are essentially those of our mother—she knows everything about us. But once we start understanding the world, do we ever try to find out what she likes or dislikes? The truth is, whether consciously or unconsciously, we take our mother for granted in many ways. We often impose things on her without showing any respect for her opinions or thoughts, and we don’t even realize we’re doing it.

                    Let me give a very simple example that has probably happened in every household: if there’s ever a bit less salt in the curry, we just discard it without a second thought. In countless such situations, we react without considering her feelings at all. A mother gives up her dreams to show us ours and stands firmly behind us so we can fulfill them. But have we ever asked her about her dreams?

                     I’ve seen this too—some people read just a few books, gain a little education, and start thinking too highly of themselves. God knows why, but they begin to feel ashamed of their mother's level of education or her appearance. If someone is coming over, they even tell her outright, “Mom, please don’t come outside.” Yes, there are people who are embarrassed by their own parents. Even when it comes to marriage proposals, I’ve personally witnessed situations where girls with a certain mindset lay down the condition that the groom should not live with his parents after marriage. They want to live independently, away from his mother and father.

                    For everyone, their own mother is always special. When she is around, we often fail to truly value her, but once we are away from her, we begin to understand her worth. In today’s 21st century, we become aware of a mother's efforts only on specific days like March 8th (International Women’s Day) and 2nd second Sunday of May (Mother’s Day). It’s on these days that we reflect on her and the sacrifices she has made for us. (I’ve already referenced this to some extent in the article titled “She” — https://sunitpkulkarni.blogspot.com/2025/03/she.html.)

                    It is often said that a mother forgives all the mistakes of her children. No matter how her children behave with her, the love she holds for them never diminishes—not even a little. It’s not just the one who gives birth that we call a mother. We also consider someone a mother if she cares for and nurtures us. Though Lord Krishna was born to Devaki, he is known as the son of Yashoda.

                   We refer to our vast nation as Bharat Mata (Mother India). We even call the cow Gomata (Mother Cow), as she nourishes us. The land that sustains and nurtures us is Dharti Mata (Mother Earth), and the one who carries the weight of the entire world is Prithvi Mata. That’s why it cannot be said that only the birth-giver is a mother—motherhood is far greater than just giving birth.

                    Today, if even for a moment we think about our mother, all that she has done for us over the years comes flooding back to our mind. These memories bring a smile to our lips and tears to our eyes. For everyone, their mother is a deeply emotional and cherished subject. Every day, we make time for everything and everyone—so why not take out a little time for our mother too? She has always listened to everything we had to say; now it’s our turn to listen to her. Just as she always encouraged us to chase our dreams, now it’s our time to encourage her to fulfill the dreams she may have set aside because of us. Sometimes, we must become a mother to our own mother—showering her with love, giving her the respect she deserves, and truly understanding her.

                    In the end, no matter how much one writes about a mother, it will never be enough. A mother is an endless stream of love—one that never runs dry. That’s exactly why she deserves to be cherished and valued.

                                                                                                            Thank you, 
                                                                                                          Sunit Kulkarni
                                                                                                      +91 9422292820 
                                                                                                sunitkulkarni@hotmail.com 

( Marathi Blog- https://sunitkulkarni.blogspot.com/2022/08/blog-post_23.html)