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Mother's Day Notes

Mother's Day Notes
(and why there's no Mother's Day in India)

Many western scholars and orientalists find it surprising that in India the female form of God (She, or Mother Goddess) is much more popular than the male form (He, or Father). From pre-historic times, we see that in India, as creator of men, and matter, the Mother Nature is worshipped. (see: Worship of Women)

The great sage Shankaracharya gets emotional in a prayer dedicated to Mother Divine.

"Oh Mother! in this world in the midst of your numerous worthy sons myself happen to be an example of Wantedness but oh the great Benefactress do not abandon me for a bad son is born at times but never there has been a bad mother!"

To Shankaracharya, divine mother is Brahman himself and human personality is only her reflection.

Hindu mythology boasts of innumerable goddesses. Goddess of Earth, Goddess of Rain, Goddess of Wealth, Goddess of Knowledge, and Goddess of Fertility. These deities are honored and worshipped all year around and their human form is mother at home.

There was perhaps no need to dedicate one day in the year as Mother's Day.

See Also: Mother and Child: Pictorial Exhibition

Amma's Column by Jyotsna Kamat

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Jyotsna Kamat

Jyotsna Kamat Ph.D. lives in Bangalore.


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