Happy Mother’s day to all Mothers of this Universe.
Devi is Mother! Universal Mother!
English literal meaning of the above mantra is this: ” To that Devi Who in All beings is abiding in the form of Mother, Salutations to Her. Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.”
I bow down and surrender myself to you, O’ Devi, The Universal Mother! 🙏🙏🙏
Today, on the occasion of Mother’s day I am going to share one Text written by Adi Shankaracharya “Matripanchakam”
But, before that I must share a story on Adi Sankaracharya and his mother Aryamba. Shankaracharya got his primary education from his mother as he lost his father Sivaguru. when he was just 7 years old. Mother Aryamba played a key role in teaching Vedas and Upanishads to the young Shankara.
Without going into details about Shankaracharya, I would like to share one significant event here.
From the early childhood Shankara was very keen on becoming a monk. His mother opposed this idea of Shankara on becoming a monk. However Shankara had firm determination on becoming a monk. One day Shankara accompanied his mother to a nearby river and took a plunge into the river. Suddenly, a crocodile appeared from beneath the river and caught hold of his leg. Shankara then cried out to his mother for help. His mother saw that crocodile was pulling his son into the river. His mother also felt helpless. Shankara then urged her to allow him to die as monk. As soon as his mother gave her a consent, the crocodile spared his life and went back to the river. Shankara was saved miraculously. After that he began his journey to become a monk after his mother gave him permission with one condition that he would be present during her death and follow all the rituals that are recommended in shastras.
Shankaracharya promised his mother that he would be present during her death and follow all the rituals
At the age of 12 he left home. Once, when Adi Shankaracharya was in the North India, he intuitively came to know that his mother is sick and death is near. Upon realization, that his mother has limited time in this world, he walked all the way back to his native Village : Kaladi, Kerala, India. He stayed for few days beside his mother’s death bed. Finally she died and Adi Shankaracharya went back to Himalaya.
Adi Shankara expounded the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He advocated the ancient concept of Hinduism which explains the unification of Atman and Brahman. He started his writing his own analysis on Upanishads, Brahma sutra, Bhagavad Gita and other sacred Texts. ” Matripanchakam” is one among them.
Following Five verses are believed to be composed by Adi Shankaracharya on the death of his mother.
1)The unbearable pain endured by her at the time of delivery, the lack-lustre feeling and the emaciation of the body during pregnancy, the year-long sharing of the bed dirtied by the baby, none of these sufferings borne by the mother because of pregnancy can be compensated in the least by a son, however great he may be. Salutations to that mother.
2) Having dreamt of me as clad in the robes of an ascetic, she rushed to the gurukula where i was studying and wept aloud. The entire gurukulam also wept with her at once. O mother, salutations to your feet.
3) O mother, I did not give you even water at the time of death. I am barred from performing the prescribed religious rites for you on your death anniversary. O mother I could not taraka mantra for you at the time of death. O mother, bestow your incomparable compassion on me who was late in coming.
4) When you fondled me as a child these affectionate words came out of your mouth: “You are a jewel, you are my eyes, O my dear one, my son, may you live long!” To that mouth I am now giving these dry grains!
5) O mother, who at the time of delivery cried aloud in pain, ” O mother, O father, O Lord Shiva, O Krishna, O Govinda, O Hari, O Mukunda”, I offer this obeisance to you.
The Sanskrit document can be read at this site: Link is here. https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_shankara/maatri5.html
Salutation to the Divine Mother!
Ancient Hindu Scriptures expound a reverence for the Divine Mother. The 10th Chapter of Rigveda, known as Devi Sukta [ Hymn on Goddess] says:
I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful, first of those who merit worship.
Thus, gods have established me in many places with many homes to enter and abide in.
Through me alone all eat the food that feeds them, -each man who sees, breathes, hears the word outspoken.They know it not, yet I reside in the essence of the Universe. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it.
I, verily, myself announce and utter the word that gods and men alike shall welcome.I make the man I love exceeding mighty, make him nourished, a sage, and one who knows Brahman.
I bend the bow for Rudra [ Shiva], that his arrow may strike, and slay the hater of devotion.
I rouse and order battle for the people, I created Earth and Heaven and reside as their Inner Controller.
On the world’s summit I bring for the sky the Father: my home is in the waters, in the Ocean as Mother.Thence I pervade all existing creatures, as their Inner Supreme Self, and manifest them with my Body.
I created all worlds at my will, without any higher Being, and permeate and dwell within them.
The eternal and Infinite Consciousness is I; it is my greatness dwelling in everything.
——- Devi Sukta: Rig Veda: 10.125.3 – 10.125.8.
Conclusion: Without mother there can not be a father.
YOU ARE MOTHER!!!
Published in your name, O’ my Mother! I love YOU.
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