The Conch – Newsletter of the New Govardhana Community, May 2016.
MOTHERS IN ISKCON. By Ambika devi dasi. Did you know that there are seven kinds of mothers? In the Vedas it is described that these are: the biological mother; the wife of the king; the wife of the guru; the wife of a brahmana; Mother Earth; the nurse (caregiver); and the cow. Other references throughout the scriptures are made to various mothers, such as Srimati Radharani being the universal mother. Mother Parvati is mentioned, as is Mother Ganga. These mothers display munificence to those who approach them in a prayerful mood.
What is that quintessential quality of a mother? It is affectionate love for the living entity placed under her care, and, according to Vedic understanding, it also means playing a critical role in ensuring the spiritual advancement of her children. In Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, it states: âThe highest perfection of life is for a father, mother, spiritual master, husband or any other family member to help others return home, back to Godhead. That is the most preferred welfare activity for the benefit of relatives.â That is why many of our ISKCON mothers, particularly in the earlier days of ISKCON, made the supreme sacrifice of sending their children to a gurukula, so they could help perform the âhighest welfare activityâ for their children.
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