Mother’s Day symbolizes honoring mother and motherhood. People around the world are celebrating “Mother’s Day” by sending flowers, gifts and cards to their mothers. In my view, this day has been commercialized to maximum possible extent by thrusting upon the sentiment of mother! For all of us who hail from the Indian origin, we have the highest regards towards mother. The Taittariya Upanishad which dates back to 10,000 years BC has a famous saying which goes as below:
मातृ देवो भव
पितृ देवो भव
आचार्य देवो भव
अतिथि देवो भव
[Meaning – Let you be the one who worships mother, father, teachers and guests as God]There is one more from ‘Raamayana’ :
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी
[Mother and motherland are superior to the Heaven.]
It is not just our culture, but history from all corners of the world has special respect for mother honoring motherhood, personified as a goddess. Here are just a few of those – Ancient Greeks celebrated in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. Also, the ancient Romans celebrated in honor of Cybele, a mother goddess. In the British Isles and Celtic Europe, the goddess Brigid, and later her successor St. Brigid, were honored with a spring Mother’s Day. So what does that indicate? Mother is the most important thing in everyone’s life without whom there is no life!
Now, here comes my question – Why should we restrict all our love, affection, respect, honor and much more limited just to one day in a year? Shouldn’t we all be paying the tribute everyday? Life has become so mechanical we have no time for most important things in life. Few days back I received a SMS which went on like this : “In the past nobody had a ‘Watch’, but everyone had Time. Now everyone has a watch, but nobody has ‘Time’…” How true!
For me everyday is mother’s day. There can be no day in my life when I am not thinking about my Mother who is my flesh and blood, and she also the reason for my existence in this world. If at all there is any person who has stood by me through thick and thin, it has to be none other than my mom! In recent times, I have come across *few people* who wish to stay away from parents [in-laws in case of married woman] citing various reasons though they live in the same city. If you are one of those, think of the reason for your existence and for being what you are today! Time is now for us to show respect and appreciate our parents efforts in making us what we are today. Happy Mother’s day today and everyday for all the mothers out there!
chetan kumar says
A mother’s work is never done, She works from morning until dawn, She spreads her love And keeps you warm, But only once a year we say
Mother we wish you “Happy Mothers Day!”
Mohan says
That is the harsh reality in the modern days… Well, that is the message I have said out here on this post that we need to care and pamper mothers throughout the year…
maverickshree says
I never wished my mother “Happy Mother’s Day” till date..Bcoz I simply don’t believe in this commercialised system of celebrating one particular day in a year. Every child and every mother share a strong bonding which none can define or express in words..As you said it correctly..Our Mother is the reason behind our existence…and what can we gift a person,who has gifted us a beautiful LIFE ? 🙂
Mohan says
Bang on! Absolutely.. neither have I wished my mom till date!
PS says
Thanx Mohan. Ur point is also well taken.
Mohan says
You are most welcome!
PS says
Nice piece of writing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. All said and done, there is no harm in celebrating such days as a special day… after all we do celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, etc. But the particular date is so special to us.
Mohan says
I don’t deny the fact you have mentioned. But the question here is about ensuring they feel that special through out the year and not just for one day!
Rinzu Rajan says
yeah you’re right… every day should be mother’s day… but with the busy schedules and burdensome work … we tend to forget those simple i love you mom’s and those cuddly hugs…
lovely post…keep writing…
Mohan says
Thanks Rinzu, welcome 🙂
Samvedna says
Now, here comes my question – Why should we restrict all our love, affection, respect, honor and much more limited just to one day in a year..exactly the same I think……bdays anniv. are fine but parents days are evryday.
Mohan says
Absolutely!!! That is my thought too 🙂
Akshad says
Nicely researched article, I like the thought but beg to differ on one account…
People assume that everything coming from the west is well without thought or significance… i dunno about other days but if i remember correctly mothers day was closely linked to Julia Howe’s proclamation which was deeply rooted with a pacifist reaction to carnage in the American Civil War… Its actually not about remembering your mother but about your mother remembering you 😉
Mohan says
Hmm… I wasn’t aware of it! thanks for the info Akshad.
S.R.Ayyangar says
I fully endorse your view. All these Mother’s day, Father’s day, friendship day etc are for those people who remember them only on these days ignoring on other days!
For sensible people, all days are same with the same love and affection towards parents or friends.
Amy says
I partially agree with you on this…”For sensible people all days are same with the same love and affection towards parents or friends.” It’s the day that we have dedicated to our mother and father to make it something special…I bet noone in the world make everyday special to their parents…
Amy
Mohan says
Why not? One need not make them feel special, it would be a great tribute if we could spend a day without hurting them anyway!
Mohan says
Thanks Ayyangar! Well, I don’t see a problem in celebrating such occasions by observing once a year, but I wish the same is practiced through out the year instead of a burst of all for just one day.
Roshmi (Musings of an Unknown Indian) says
“जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी
[Mother and motherland are superior to the Heaven.]”
I think this should be: “The mother is higher than the motherland… even higher than heaven.”
“People around the world are celebrating “Mother’s Day” by sending flowers, gifts and cards to their mothers. In my view, this day has been commercialized to maximum possible extent by thrusting upon the sentiment of mother! ”
Absolutely! Folks with an eye on commerce or business opportunities… will never let go of such a lucrative opportunity…
And that is sad…
Mohan says
Good for economy though! No?
Roshmi (Musings of an Unknown Indian) says
Sure! Yet commerce has eclipsed sentiments and emotions. Sadly!
Janaki says
I do agree that all these so called “special days” is an attempt to Make money, more than spreading love!
But on the other hand, if 1 day is kept aside, specially, to think of that one person, then why not? We are all so busy in our lives anyway……. So through commercials and special programs on Tv, we are reminded not to forget the special people in our busy lives…. I welcome such a thought!
And about people opting not to stay with parents and in laws! It’s true that one has to love their parents, but is it necessary that only staying together is the way to show your love and respect? Because staying together under one roof, involves a lot of adjustments, and in the bargain, love is lost, and there’s only bitterness! So isn’t it better to rather stay apart and have cordial relations?
Now a days, there’s such a huge generation gap! We all have just 1 life, why don’t we live peacefully ?
Mohan says
Janaki, think of a time when each of us grow up to our parents age and rely much on kids of our age for the support which they need more as they grow old. All differences can be sorted out through a progressive discussion. The problem with many as far I know is that we hesitate to indulge in discussion. They are wise too to understand…. generation gap is just a difference in the thought process. People can live more peacefully when staying together! how many D-I-L’s aren’t seeking the support of their In-Laws to raise the kids? Where does it lead to?
Shilpa says
Yup. There is no point in keep a special day for mothers. Everyday has to be mother’s day.
Mohan says
Good that you agree with my point.
Sowmya says
Nice and topical post on Mothers day – Mohan. I completely concur with your sentiment that a Mother’s contribution and importance shouldn’t be commercialized and trivialized to one day of celebration and 364 days of exploitation (aka “taking advantage”)!
Incidentally, there is one correction – the quote “Janani Janmabhoomischa” has been wrongly attributed to the Bhagavad Gita.
I believe it is the second line of a sloka from the Ramayana whose first line goes “Api swarnamayi lanka, na me lakshmana rochate..” It is attributed to Rama (the first NRI;)??), telling Lakshmana that the Golden Lanka does not attract his fancy, because, his mother and motherland are greater to him than Heaven itself!
Mohan says
Ah.. thanks for that correction Sowmya! Let me update the post right away.
Saumen says
Thanks Mr.Mohan for yet another good article…For ethics & culture, the only way to give demo to our child(rens) is the way I am treating our parents…and most of us shall get the same from our child(rens).
Regarding MOTHER….whenever I try to write somthing…it could not stop my feelings…
I find all mothers are like great Yogi……a Yogi rejects all materialistic comfort on earth and tries to build a relationship with an unknown world i.e. with God and divine atmosphere. Our mothers are also doing the same when they get married……they leave all comforts at their home and starts journey to make a new journey to an unknown atmosphere at in-laws family.
I also find our mothers are the GREATEST ADMINISTRATOR on this earth…..most of our Administrators are finding problem in making right balance between Raaj-Satta & Dharma-Satta….they are very confused as when to use what satta(administrative power)……….but our mothers know it very right and uses those at right proportion to build up their child/childrens. Our mothers provide love also they give slap (if needed), give indulgence and also strict punishment……ALL THESE, our MOTHERS DO WITH THE POWER OF LOVE and that is the way mothers gives us sanskara(ethics).
At present, I can remember, one of my favourite song…which I often sing when I am alone(sung by SP Balasubramanium)…
yeh toh sach hai kee bhagwan hai, hai magar phir bhee anjan hai
dharatee pe rup ma bap kaa, uss vidhata kee pehchan hai…
janmdata hai jo, nam jinse mila,
thamkar jinakee unglee hai bachpan chala
kandhe par baithke, jinke dekha jahan
gyan jinse mila, kya bura kya bhala
itne upkar hain kya kahe, yeh batana naa aasan hai
dharatee pe rup ma bap kaa, us vidhata kee pehchan hai…
janam detee hai jo, ma jise jag kahe
apanee santan me, pran jiske rahe
loriya hothon par, sapne bunatee najar
nind jo var de, hanske har dukh sahe
mamta ke rup me hai prabhu, aapse paya vardan hai
dharatee pe rup ma bap kaa, us vidhata kee pehchan hai…
aapke khwab ham, aaj hokar jawan
us param shaktee se karte hain prarthna
unakee chhaya rahe, rehatee duneeya talak
ek pal reh sake ham naa jinke bina
aap dono salamat rahe, sabke dil me yeh arman hai
dharatee pe rup ma bap kaa, us vidhata kee pehchan hai
yeh toh sach hai kee bhagwan hai….
I feel, when we could able to inculcate gratefullness towards our mother….then only, at later stage, we could able to develop the same towards our GREAT MOTHER(GOD).
Mohan says
Absolutely!! I too cherish that song by SPB sir a lot 🙂
Whatever we say and write… it is still very less compared to the contributions that every mom puts in each of our lives.
Saumen says
Thanks Mr. Mohan for your reply…..To conclude, I want Mother’s day to be there….it is an added opportunity(bonus day) to show our love & affection towards her in a special way…Just like the way we celebrate Durga puja(at Bengal).
Swaram says
Ya I luv this song too !
Mohan says
🙂 🙂 🙂
Mohan says
Like that bonus day concept 🙂
Swaram says
Yes! Every day is special when we know hw to live it 🙂 Nice title 🙂
Mohan says
Thanks Swaram 🙂
Rahul says
Nice thought Mohan..Even i do not believe in the concept of days, it is just a ploy by greeting card companies to sell stuff..But i do think these days do you a reason say ‘I love you’ to your mom, we don’t do that everyday right..nyways nice post..Do have a look at my dedication to my Mom on my blog.
Mohan says
Right Rahul.. thats is where i spoke about the life being mechanical where in no one has *time* 😉 let me jump over to read your article now.