A noble-minded spiritual seeker, the more he suffers from adversities, holds on to God more and more fervently without losing his inner peace. The intimate relationship between a mother and her child is so dear, affectionate, beautiful and nectarine, that it is considered to be a unique relationship since ancient times.

Putlibai, Gandhiji’s mother, was strictly following a daily ritual. She broke her everyday fast only after listening to the cuckoo bird sing, as the ritual demanded. One day as was her wont she waited rather long into the day and finally partook of her food after hearing the cuckoo’s song. Actually, out of sheer love for his mother, Gandhi mimicked the song of cuckoo, for he knew his mother would be hungry waiting for the bird sing, which was not likely to happen. Putlibai came to know of this good-natured prank of her child and chided him. Though she knew it was only Gandhi’s love expressed thereof, with tears in her eyes she lamented, "Have I begotten such a liar of a son? I am an unlucky woman. What sin have I committed?" and warned him not to ever again take to falsehood. Gandhiji vowed that day, that he would never utter untruth. Ever since, he was reputed for having adhered to his promise and to truth.

A mother and her child fled to Madras (Chennai) from Rangoon during the Second World War. They had no relative or friend at Madras, and were worried about food and shelter. The mother thought that she on her part could sustain the hunger and cold, but how would her son survive? However, they stayed close to the bus stand. Everyday the mother begged for alms from door to door most of which she used to feed her son. At times when there was not enough food, she fed her child and slept hungry herself. The mother, on account of her frequent starving, became weak. The son understood her predicament and pleaded that it was then his duty to take care of his mother. He too, like his mother, went begging, offered the collected few morsels to his mother and himself went without food. He too started showing signs of deprivation.

One day he happened to be at the door of an officer’s house, and saw the officer seated in an easy chair. He cried out in hunger. The officer beckoned the boy in and asked him to sit so that he could be served food. The boy pleaded that he would take the food home and not eat there. The officer rather angrily inquired, "If you are really hungry, why do you insist on carrying the food home?" However he brought out a plate full of food, gave it to the boy, and asked him to eat. The boy refused, and on being forced further let out a cry "First to mother, first to mother," and breathed his last. The officer was touched to the quick by the boy’s love towards his mother even in the state of utter deprivation. He reasoned how meritorious the mother should be for having begotten such a son.

None can fully describe a mother’s love. The affection between a mother and her child is the basis for true love. Today’s children fail to recognise the sacredness of such love. They put themselves before their mother and family, and do not try to understand their mother’s needs. A true son is one who acts befittingly, conscious of his parent’s love and sacrifice for him. Modern children are busy seeking their own happiness and pleasure neglecting the well being of their parents.

There is none that has sought the blessings of his mother and not made an impression in the world. A mother loves her son in spite of what he is – good or bad. A mother is kind in heart, and her kindness is radiant in her compassionate love. The world today is losing the affection and tenderness of parents’ love.

Once there was a fair in Vidyasagar’s town. The affluent people of the town came to the fair in all their finery. Vidyasagar’s mother being poor came in a ragged sari. Vidyasagar was pained to see her and was disturbed by the family penury. Having taken up a job he offered his first earnings to his mother and pleaded her to buy a sari for herself. Vidyasagar’s mother disagreed saying that it was his hard earned money and all that she wanted was his good reputation. On his persistence that she should ask for anything for herself, the mother agreed that she would do so at an appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Vidyasagar became famous and thereby affluent. He reminded his mother of her promise to ask for something of him. He pleaded "Mother, please just ask of me, what kind of jewellery do you need?" The mother took him aside and pointed out that theirs was a small village without any facilities for the education of children. She requested him to construct a school. Vidyasagar fulfilled his mother’s wish by constructing a school.

After some time, he again pleaded with his mother to ask for something for herself. Again the mother was concerned about the health of the village children instead and said "the village does not have any medical care, construct a hospital for the children." Vidyasagar built a hospital honouring his mother’s words.

Later Easwaramma approached Sai again and said, "Swami, I am pained to see the mothers of our village carrying sick children to Bukkapatnam for treatment. It would be a great relief if we have a hospital here." Fulfilling the mother’s wish Sai constructed a hospital.

We do not need any other grace if we obtain God’s grace, need no other love other than the mother’s love. You may not know but even to this day the mother’s (Easwaramma) love is explicitly seen. Though she left her body 40 years ago, she still moves around embodied. At times she comes to me with messages: "Swami, you accept and use handkerchiefs offered to you." But I asked, "How could I not accept anything offered with devotion?" Nevertheless Easwaramma persisted, "There are many noble souls with pious feelings, but there are also few with ill hearts and evil motives. People may offer poison-smeared handkerchiefs. Therefore please do not accept them from every one." I promised her that I would do as she wished. Even now, she comes to my room at times. Boys who live in my quarters know that. As she talks to me these boys wake up and listen to our conversation.

One day I told the boys, "Dear boys, I wear a silk dhoti, and it is difficult to fasten it tight. I need a belt to tighten it." The boys tried to get a suitable belt. At last when they got one I observed, "This belt has a shining buckle. If I wear this belt some may comment that Sai Baba is wearing a golden waist band." I rejected the belt. Few days hence Easwaramma came to my room and conversed with me. The boys present in the ground floor woke up, came to me and said, "Swami, none can come into your room, we have even locked the elevator. Who has come in? Who were you talking to?" I then said, "Gruham Ammayee (mother of house) and she gave me this," showing them the belt. The belt does not have any add-on, it can just be stuck around.

Such mothers who care for her children are many. However, there is a difference in choices. The mothers who beget children of their choice are different from the mothers who beget after having been chosen to be mother by their children. Easwaramma is the one who I have selected as my mother. Hence the intimate and subtle bond between her and me.

Chaitanya having besought such true love from the Lord, went about spreading the love for and of God. "Chant the name of God, think of God, there is none else beyond God," he declared to the world. Chaitanya’s mother advised him, "Dear child, it would be difficult for you to carry on all alone at your age. Moreover, I have a desire to get you married to Lakshmi. She is an ardent devotee and belongs to a reputed family." Chaitanya said that he did not need any companion since he had God as one, and that he had offered himself to God. But the mother persisted, "Dear child, you may have offered your heart to God, but it is also necessary to have bodily relations in the world, this is the law." Honouring his mother’s request Chaitanya got married to Lakshmi. Immediately after his marriage, Chaitanya embarked on a pilgrimage to propagate divine love. Having left home, he did not return though months rolled into years. Lakshmi being a pious lady and noble at heart could not bear the separation and died thinking of Chaitanya. Upon his return, Chaitanya learned about his wife’s death. Chaitanya’s mother was very sad and lonely after the death of Lakshmi. She asked Chaitanya to marry again. Chaitanya could not reject her proposal to marry Vishnupriya as his second wife. After his marriage Chaitanya again set out on his mission, and forgot his house hold duties.

Carrying cymbals in his hands Chaitanya went about singing God’s glory. Few jealous miscreants bared him of his cymbals and then the drum. However Chaitanya undeterred sang, "I had these bindings, now they too are gone. I have my hands, to clap and sing the glory of God." Though, at times, he was beaten up he was determined to sing the name of God, "This body is not mine, it is God’s own," was his constant thought.

Those who do not recognise the power of devotion are disillusioned by empty dreams. Good or bad, everything results from the mother. A son’s heart becomes sacred if the mother’s heart too is tender and sacred.

In Dwapara Yuga, Krishna went to the Pandavas and offered to act as an emissary, to make peace with the Kauravas. The five brothers and their wife Draupadi pleaded with Krishna not to do so since it was below his honour to beg the Kauravas on their behalf.. Moreover Draupadi pleaded that the war should not be encouraged, for it would see the end of many kinsmen on either side.

However, Krishna went to Hastinapura to make peace, impressing the Kauravas of the ill effects of war. He even appealed to King Dritharastra and his son Duryodhana to offer the Pandavas to take back their kingdom, but to no avail. As Krishna returned to the Pandava camp Nakula and Sahadeva ran to him, hugged him and were happy to see him back unharmed by the proud and wicked Kauravas.

Ashwathama, the son of Dronacharya severed the heads of all the sons of Draupadi, sneaking into their camp at night. This happened after the war. Aswathama who was on the defeated side, wanted to take revenge for the death of his father, his king etc. The Pandavas grieved for their sons. Arjuna vowed to Draupadi, "I will drag Ashwathama to you and behead him at your feet. Your grief would find revenge in his death."

As promised Arjuna defeated Ashwathama and brought him to Draupadi Ironically Draupadi ran to Ashwathama and cried," How could you have killed the sons of the dearest disciples of your father Dronacharya?

They came not to you in anger

Neither in battle field were they, fully armed,

Nor anytime have they hurt you.

What hands had you to kill

The innocent while they were fast asleep.

She asked if any mother would even bear the sight of her son’s murderer. But Draupadi was a great woman and mother. She further said, "Today I mourn for my children. If my husband kills you, as he has vowed, how much will it afflict your mother." She turned to Arjuna and requested him to release Ashwathama from his captivity. Arjuna was not ready to let Ashwathama go. Draupadi persisted that killing a preceptor’s (guru’s) son is the worst sin. She asked Arjuna to forgive Ashwathama: forgiveness is a divine quality.

Forbearance is truth, Forbearance is Dharma

Forbearance is Veda, Forbearance is non-violence

The Pandavas were the mightiest and just rulers of the land, but the heart of Draupadi was noble. A woman’s heart has incessant flow of compassion. At times of distress and fury she may be harsh but would later forgive on quieter moments. The woman, through the ages, has nurtured and sustained this noble quality. Many a woman of Kali Age has lost this subtle compassionate heart. However, there are many noble and chaste women who give Bharath a reputed position among all countries of the world. The world enjoys many conveniences and comforts only because of women. They are the home-makers and on them depends the progress and prosperity of the country. Women should not be considered mean or talked to meanly. When men consider all elderly women their mothers and younger women their sisters, only then would the country be at peace. Men should know this truth and conduct themselves accordingly.

A mother should not be considered as an ordinary being. She is an object of worship. The grace and blessings of a mother brings prosperity to the world.

The blessing conferred by Gouri to her son

That protection, of body, of prosperity, of fame;

The most divine protection of Sri Rama:

Be an armour of protection for you.

Women of yore were highly noble. Not that there aren’t any today. Women are hurt to see their children suffer the effects of treading the wrong path. They sacrifice their whole world to help their children do well. A mother’s love cannot be categorized and her sentiments should not be hurt.

Once Parvathi and Easwara, the divine couple, saw a person sitting on the edge of a branch of a tree. Parvathi, the Divine Mother, observed that the man would fall from the height and die. She pleaded Easwara to save his life. Easwara replied, "You have observed him first and are concerned about his fall, so it is your duty to protect him." Parvathi most reverently said "Dear Lord, how can I save him without your intervention. I am only the negative aspect of nature. You are the positive energy. Unless both of us will, how can he be saved?" Knowing Parvathi’s concern Easwara replied, "In order to obtain anything man should desire and ask of God. Without prayer, grace cannot flow. At least he should call out to God before he falls to his death." Parvathi agreed, "As the man falls if he calls out "Mother" (Amma), I will save him. If he calls out "Father (Abba), you have to save him".

The divine couple waited for the man to fall, and were anxious to save him. The stupid man fell crying out "Ayyo." All through his life, the man had not thought either of his mother or father. How could such a selfish, wicked man think of them at his end? God’s love is expressed in the love and affection of the parents. One should readily express his gratitude to these earthly embodiments of God.