नास्ति मातृसमा छाया:

नास्ति मातृसमा गति:।

नास्ति मातृसमं त्राणं

नास्ति मातृसमा प्रपा।।

There is no shade like a mother,

No resort like her,

No Security like a mother,

No other ever-giving fountain of life…

Happy Matrudin to all

Today is the New Moon Day (Amaavasya) of the Shraavan month. The last day of the month. Month of Bhadrapad begins tomorrow. Today is celebrated as “Pola” in Maharashtra and South India. Cattles are worshipped today.

And today is Mother’s Day. A day to remember all the great mothers like Jijabai, Kaushalya, Devaki and many more and their contribution towards parenting their kids. Also, a day to express our gratitude to the “Gaumata”, “Tulsimata” and “Bharatmata”. Today is the day to remember them and express our gratitude towards every person and every object which has help us nurture our life including our own Mother, who has not only given us birth but also took care of us and help us grow.

1. Mother, a shade: I still remember my mother standing right by my side with a ruler in hand and hitting me when I erred, while learning Gujarati. Educating me in a Convent school, she took the pains that I learn my mother tongue Gujarati, when I was in 8th std. She made me do it the whole vacation. Today, I say with pride, that if my command over the language is good and my grammar is strong, it is just because of Her. I thank her today for her efforts.

2. Mother, the last resort: I still remember that whenever we siblings wanted to get our things done, our mother was our last resort. Rather when it came to dealings with my father, it was always Her, who stood strongly for us.

3. Mother, a security-giver: Mom is the best security a child can ever get. The way she takes care of her child can only be compared to a lioness taking care of her cubs. She will go to the extent of fighting and killing the enemy. She will protect and teach the kid to protect himself.

Jijabai who took Shivaji under her care and nurtured him to grow up to become a great king. In the initial years of growing up, she has played not only the role of a mother but also protected Shivaji from all the evils of society.

4. Mother, the ever giving: A mother showers all her love and warmth and affection to her child and does not leave anything for next time.

There is no great personality who wouldn’t acknowledge the contribution of their mother to their lives. Satyakaam Jabaal is known by his mother and so are many. Even today, a child’s good mannerisms and character are attributed to his mother more.

We should also remember that our great culture and civilisation have already given us a Mother’s Day, centuries back, so we have been, foremost, in acknowledging the role and contribution of a mother towards building a home, society and country, which the West is acknowledging from last few decades or maybe a century or two. Let’s not forget that and educate our next generation about it too…

In the end, let us give thought for what our mothers have done for us and always remember to be grateful to them.

मातृदिनस्य शुभ आशयः।

Wishing you all a very Happy Matrudin.

Image source: TOI