Motherhood in Sanatana Dharma

A mother is considered to be the first guru of a child. She has a bigger responsibility in guiding the child to follow the right path. It was quite common to address a child using the child’s mother’s name. for example Arjuna in Mahabharata was often called as “Partha” which means Pritha’s son (Kunti’s other name was Pritha). He was also called as Kaunteya which referred to Pritha’s other name Kunti. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata that a person is protected by his or her mother. The absence of mother deprives a person of protection.  Even if a mother is disabled, she still protects her children. She is called “dhatri” because she carries her children in her womb, “Janani” because she is the chief cause for the birth of her children, “amma” because she nurses her children’s young limbs, “sura” because she looks after her children. Sanatana Dharma trains all men to consider women to be a form of the Divine Mother. The Manu Smriti mentions that mothers are superior to fathers and that they deserve more respect . A mother's words have to be obeyed. She has the highest authority in the house and she corrects and guides her family with great affection. She wishes for her children to succeed in life and takes an interest in their education and upbringing. She gets full credit when her children are successful  and turn out to be good citizens. To this day mothers are worshiped not just by her children but by the entire community. Celebrating motherhood is not a one day event like the "Mother's Day" celebration but the celebration and worship goes on for a lifetime. Unlike in N.America where women had no right over their children, women in the Vedic Culture had more rights compared to their husbands. Women had no right over their children in N.America almost till the middle of 20^th century; Children were viewed as the property of their father in N.America and the women were expected to be subservient and  were not considered to be equal to their husbands. 

The following question from the Yaksha Prashnam chapter of the Mahabharata illustrates the importance given to a mother in the Vedic culture.

The Yakshan asked Yudhishtirar, 'Name that which is heavier than Earth?'

Yudhishtirar answered that a person’s mother is heavier than Earth.

 The word guruthara is used in Sanskrit for heaviness. This word also refers to respect. Hence, Yudhishtirar answered that a person’s mother is greater than Earth. She has to be worshiped in the same manner in which a person worships the Devas. Sage Apasthamba mentioned that mothers are greater than fathers. The Vedas give permission to people to abandon their father if their father is immoral, gambles, is an alcoholic and is a nuisance to the family. The same Vedas however mention that even if a person’s mother does not have good character, she must be protected and worshiped. During the Gaya Shradham, 1 pindam is offered to a father whereas 16 Pindams are offered to a mother praising every sacrifice she made to raise her children. A mother readily forgives her children. Like the Earth, she is very patient and tolerates the mistakes of her children. Hence a mother is greater than Earth.
The following question & answer from the Yaksha Prashnam episode also establish the superior position assigned to mothers.

What is the soul of a man?

 
A man’s son is his soul.  The word atma means that which attains everything it wishes for in Sanskrit. A man’s child is his soul as the father expects his children to achieve the things which he never achieved. The gestation period of human beings is considered to be 12 months by the Vedas. This is because the child resides in the heart of its father for 2 months before residing in its mother’s womb for ten months. A wife is called as “jaaya” in Sanskrit which means that the husband takes birth through her as their son. Immediately after a child is born the wife should be treated with respect as a mother by the husband.