BY SRINIVASAN UMASHANKAR  

 

 

It was the cold morning hours and the day broke with a gorgeous sunrise and everything was looking bright. Sipping a cup of hot tea; I was waiting for the hawker to deliver the paper. The initial glance was anyway over and more of it was always there for the asking, later in the day. The better half just pushed me into getting ready quickly for performing the annual rituals of my mother that happened to fall on the day as the Guruji who usually guides the ritual was about to drop in at the house any time. My elder brother rang me up to share his intense feelings about mother citing her final painful moments. Despite many odds surmounting; this iron lady fought with a firm resolve and righteous determination all through her life. It was heartrending to watch mother writhe in pain for a prolonged period. She had demonstrated well that though medicines are always there to relieve us to an extent from the physical discomfort persisting in the body with accompanying side effects as well to endure but staying tough mentally coupled with building a strong positive attitude will make us stay bold and face any given situation in life with confidence.

 

Very early in life; she had to take up a job, as the need arose, for earning livelihood and to make both ends meet as her husband (my father) passed away prematurely due to a renal failure. She was then barely 34 years old. She decided that her two very young children would be just fine with their caring maternal grandmother around who was then staying with her son at a posh Government bungalow and had dashed in from Kolkata to Nagpur following this unfortunate development and eventually made this place her very own to serve us, which is perhaps the greatest sacrifice one can ever do. Mother had only two priorities in mind; work and children, in that order. The task on hand was like a mountain and to mark a new beginning from scratch. Having thus been appointed on a compassionate ground; she then quickly and meritoriously passed the departmental examinations, climbed the ladder high to assume the coveted position, and eventually superannuated with dignity and honour. This is even while taking care of her two very understanding sons’ pretty well and providing them with the best of education. Never at any point of time mother let the two boys feel the loss of their father and the fatherly guidance.

 

Listening to her memorised recitation of the chapters of Bhagavad Gita and the Samkshepa Ramayanam with diction and emotional expressiveness was a hair-raising experience. She had a strong affinity for Sanskrit, the god’s own language, which was ingrained in her. A definite sense of purpose and unfailing pursuit of goals to be achieved were her driving life energy. She was an epitome of grit and brilliance. The long rituals concluded with chanting of mantras by the priests in chorus that gave us an elevating experience. The day eventually paved the way for the night to surround the atmosphere. Me and my better half were just relaxing and recollecting some of the previous experiences. She was deeply attached to the mother (in law) having nursed her in bed for a long time. A few days before my mother passed away with tears flowing in her eyes and emotions running high; she turned to my better half and quipped you are more than a daughter for me and showered heaps of blessings for her unflinching commitment. Serving parents and elders is an honour and not all will have this privilege. That was the happiest moment.

 

Perhaps, mother had a premonition that her final moments are approaching fast and on the fateful day rather surprisingly she wanted us to finish off our dinner earlier so that we were not running on empty stomachs! Yes, she breathed her last on my lap minutes thereafter and a pall of gloom descended over the house. For a moment; it seemed as if the tower had collapsed and everything was lost! For all that one can accomplish in life so also for all the blessings that one carries; there is always one thing behind - mother’s unconditional love and support. No matter what conditions mothers are in, she always cares for their children, exists in their hearts and in forms that are difficult to comprehend. There can be no parallel drawn to the unconditional love and sacrifice of the mother towards her children and they can move the mountains. Mother is divine. She is omnipotent and omnipresent. Mother can don the role of anyone in the world, even the mightiest. That is Nari Shakti. Our culture accords the highest status to the mother. Respect and love your mother, the most auspicious being in the world.