Just a month ago , we celebrated 'Mother's day ' here in the U.S.A. and today, Americans are celebrating 'Father's day.' Well, in india , we children are always encouraged to honor our Father, Mother and Guru everyday of our lives not just on days specially designated for this purpose.
An Hindu saying goes thus :
Mata Pita Guru Athithi devo bhavaha
Which means Mother , Father, Guru , and Guest - treat them like Gods! In other words , hold all of these people ( mother, father, guru and guests) in high regard.
But for those of us who have lost their parents ,do not despair!
Another Hindu prayer goes like this :
Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva Twameva Bandu S'Cha Sakha Twameva Twameva Vidya Dravinam Twameva Twameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva
Thou art my mother and my father. Thou art my brother and my friend. Thou art my knowledge and my wealth. Thou art my all. My light of lights Thou art.
YES! we may lose our physical father and mother at one time or the other , but our Father in Heaven He is always our eternal spiritual guide ! HE is never lost to us nor are we lost to Him!
And there is no need for him to search for any other path.
Yes! Dear all! on this Father's day , he is our divine father , our eternal Guru , who is guiding us in our day to day life .
Sloka 23 of Bajagovindam states
kastvaM ko.ahaM kuta aayaataH kaa me jananii ko me taataH . iti paribhaavaya sarvamasaaram.h vishvaM tyaktvaa svapna vichaaram.h .. 23..
Who are you ? Who am I ? From where do I come ? Who is my mother, who is my father ? Ponder thus, look at everything as essenceless and give up the world as an idle dream.( Stanza attributed to Surendra)
Yes! Give up all earthly bondages - This is my Mother, this is my father , this is my son and this is my daughter etc etc - It is only in this janma , they are your relatives .
This does not mean you do not 'respect' your parents - you always 'honor' and do your duty by your parents . But the only lasting relationship is the relationship you have is the 'relationship' with Lord -Adi Purusham! He IS YOUR fATHER, MOTHER AND GURU ALL ROLLED INTO ONE!
Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada sings in 'NIRVANA SHATAKAM'
Na Me Mrityu Shankaa Na Me Jaati Bhedah Pita Naiva Me Naiva Maataa Na Janma Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah Chidaananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
I have no fear of death, nor have I any distinction of Caste, I have neither father, nor mother, nor even birth, nor relation, nor friend, no teacher, no disciple, I am pure Knowledge and Bliss, I am all Auspiciousness, I am Shiva.
Thank you Mr. Ranga for educating me as well. Yes foreign friends may not understand and the reasons are obvious, but ignorant people like me have no excuse. Please keep these coming.
