By Shahnawaz Ahmad Ansari
Dedicated to my mother
Mother’s Day isn’t just a date on the calendar; it is a day that glows with countless emotions, each reflecting a unique aspect of the profound bond between a mother and her child.
Close your eyes. Imagine the hushed stillness of a starry night. A melody, soft as a whisper, caresses your ears. It’s a lullaby, a song of love sung by a voice that knows your soul. This, my friends, is the essence of motherhood – a connection that surpasses the physical, a bond woven from the very fabric of being. As Maya Angelou so eloquently described, “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” A mother, a force both fierce and gentle, a storm of love that shapes our lives forever.
From the scientific lens, a mother is the first environment, the original ecosystem that nurtures a new life. Her heartbeat is the first music a child hears, her voice the first melody. Science tells us of the genetic legacy she bestows, of the traits and whispers of ancestors carried forward. But beyond chromosomes and DNA, there is an intangible inheritance—a legacy of love, resilience, and spirit.
Religiously, a mother’s value is immeasurable. Across religions and cultures, mothers hold a sacred space. In Hinduism, the Vedas depict the mother as a manifestation of the divine feminine – Durga, the protector, and Lakshmi, the bestower of prosperity. The Bhagavad Gita famously states, “Matru devo bhava (Revere your mother as God).
Buddhism speaks of a mother’s love as the closest thing to unconditional love, and Sikhism preaches respect and care for mothers as paramount. Similarly, Christianity reveres Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the epitome of maternal love and sacrifice. Islam emphasizes the importance of honouring one’s mother, with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saying, “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers.” Every faith holds her in high esteem, for she is the creator of leaders, thinkers, and believers.
Moreover, religion is not the sole source of the mother’s significance. Everyone – philosophers, thinkers, scientists, poets, and litterateur geniuses across time have recognized her as the cornerstone of society. Mencius, the Chinese philosopher, believed, “The mother is the root, the son is the branch.”
John Locke, the English philosopher, wrote, “A child’s first place of learning is its mother’s lap.” Eminent poet – John Milton, in “Paradise Lost,” depicts mothers as symbols of comfort and security. William Shakespeare, in “King Henry V,” emphasizes a mother’s profound influence, and in “Romeo and Juliet,” he likens nature’s nurturing aspect of motherhood.
A mother’s love, however, defies definitions. It’s a symphony of countless acts, big and small. It’s the sleepless nights spent cradling a feverish child, the gentle hand that wipes away a tear, the unwavering belief that fuels a child’s dream. Mothers are chefs, and magicians transforming bland vegetables into culinary delights. They are cheerleaders, their loudest applause reserved for their child’s victories. They are confidantes, offering a safe harbour for whispered secrets and teenage angst.
Imagine the brilliance of Marie Curie, a mother who unravelled the secrets of radioactivity, cradling her child while conducting groundbreaking research. Her story shatters the myth that motherhood confines a woman to the walls of a home. It’s a testament to the boundless capacity of a mother’s spirit.
Great leaders, too, have acknowledged this profound influence. Abraham Lincoln, the towering figure who steered America through its darkest hour, credited his mother for his very success. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Mother is the child’s first teacher. The message she gives the child, the child gives to the world.”
Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte, the emperor who reshaped Europe, believed the fate of a child was forever intertwined with the mother’s hand that guided it. He famously declared, “Give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated nation.” Mothers shape nations and history. These words paint a powerful picture – mothers as the architects, not just of families, but of entire societies.
In India, mothers play a crucial role in shaping families, communities, and the nation. They teach important values like tolerance and compassion, which are vital for a strong democracy. Modern Indian mothers are not just homemakers; they are also professionals, breaking stereotypes and raising children who are both global and traditional.
Despite their many roles, mothers often sacrifice their own needs. They may eat cold meals, delay their dreams, or pause their careers, all for their families. These sacrifices are the unseen part of motherhood.
A mother is not just a woman who gives birth. She is the architect of life, the builder of dreams, the unwavering pillar of strength, and the fount of unconditional love. She is the very essence of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family. And in her selfless love lies the potential to create a world filled with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Let us strive to be worthy of this love, let us honour the mothers who have made us who we are, and let us carry forward the legacy of their love to build a brighter future for generations to come.
This Mother’s Day, let us take a moment to acknowledge the immensity of this role. Let us celebrate the mothers who make us who we are. Let us not wait for a designated day to express our love and gratitude. Let us remember the countless, silent sacrifices they make, the unwavering faith they hold in us, and the unconditional love that shapes our lives. Let us shower them with affection, not just today, but every day. Let us pledge to recognize the divine in every mother’s heart, to see the messiah in her actions, and to follow the path of goodness she has laid before us. For in doing so, we honour not just our mothers, but the very essence of humanity itself.
CandidQalam 
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