MERCIFUL MOTHER

Usually, in a family, the father will be strict and stern! He is the head of the family and the chief earning member.Thus he is the authority for any action and nothing can be done without his sanction! Getting groceries, clothing, books and toys for children, other utilities and jewels for the lady of the house depends on his will and pleasure! It is very rare that we come across a family where the mother is the absolute chief! Here the man, the head of the family, is just an earning member; all other work of managing the family, its expenses, and every need of every child of the family is looked after by the mother! The head of the family is God! The lady of the house is Prakriti , the kinetic energy that is always dynamic in her activity! The head of the family is potential energy, and in general a supervisor who does not work but oversees how the work is being done! This is the relationship between The Purusha and Prakriti or Maya! Who is the better of the two, Father or Mother? Evidently it is the mother who is kind, considerate,

merciful, understanding, forgiving and sacrificing for the sake of her family and children! The father may be harsh, arrogant, strict and stern, selfish and moody! Whatever mistakes the child does, it is the mother who pardons and corrects him finally! She is the embodiment of compassion for all her children

A religious teacher had a rich cloth merchant as his disciple. As is usual for merchants, he was  miserly. The teacher had plenty of books and needed a piece of cloth to wrap the book for safety. He approached his merchant disciple for the piece of cloth. The disciple said he had no cloth suitable for the book the teacher had. He further said that the teacher could have informed him a few hour earlier. He wanted the teacher to remind him frequently so that he can satisfy the desire of the teacher! This conversation between the teacher and the merchant was overheard by the merchant’s wife. She felt sorry for the disappointment of the teacher. She wanted to help him in this very simple matter. She sent for the teacher and enquired reverentially what he wanted. Having heard what he required, she directed him to go home and said that he would get his piece of cloth for the book the next day morning!

Soon after her husband came home she asked if he has closed the shop. He answered in the affirmative. The merchant wondered why she was asking such a question. She asked him to go back to the shop and get two pieces of the best available cloth! The merchant was shocked and and didn't know the cause for such hurry. He said he would get it the next day morning. But she insisted that he should go to the shop, open it and bring two pieces of the best cloth available! The merchant had no other alternative! He had to obey his dear wife though he managed to ward off the wish of his spiritual Guru! This  lady of the house had to be obeyed instantaneously if there is to be peace of mind at home!

Unwillingly he walked back to his shop, opened it at the late hour of the night and brought the two pieces of cloth desired by her. Early in the morning, the next day, she sent the two pieces cloth to the teacher so that his books could be wrapped for safety! Interestingly she sent a note along with the pieces of cloth saying, “ If in future you want anything from us, ask me, and you will get it.” The anecdote is just an illustration of how hard hearted man is in fulfilling even the small wishes of others! The merchant could have given the cloth to his teacher immediately. But his miserliness came in the way! He was casual and did not realize the significance of his teacher’s wish!

But the lady of the house, compassionate as she is, overheard the conversation between her husband and the teacher and decided to take action immediately! She knew he was wrong in denying the teacher’s wish! It was not for any money or material but for just a piece of cloth to cover his book! How miserly and mean has been the conduct of her husband! The teacher deserved much more than the piece of cloth! She is the representative of the Divine Mother, who will, by herself, grant the genuine desires of humanity! The father may be unmoved but the mother cannot afford to be merciless! Sri Ramakrishna says, “ Therefore those who pray to the merciful Divine Mother and ask for Her blessings have better chances of having their prayers heard than those who worship God in the sterner paternal aspect.” Glory to the Divine  Mother!”