1997 Ladies Day Discourse of Sathya Sai Baba
Role of the Mother

Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas, and of all creation. The Gayathri principle can be sub-divided into the following four components:

Sathyavathi: The all-pervasive Truth which pervades the entire creation just as butter is present in every drop of milk.

Angavathi: Every person is made up of the five elements. Differences are only in the outer forms. The divinity behind the five elements is the same in all.

Anyavathi: Different forms of the Divine are indicated by corresponding symbols—Rama by the bow, Krishna by the flute or the peacock feather, Sarasvathi by the Veena, Shiva by the damaru (hand-held drum) and Vishnu—by the Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Wheel), Gada (mace) and Padma (the Lotus Flower). Divine forms have various characteristic symbols but the Divinity is the same in all.

Nidhaanavathi: Nidhaanavathi is represented by the nine paths of devotion, namely—listening, singing, chanting the name of the Lord, service, seva to the Lord's feet, adoration, prayer, friendship with God and surrender to God.

The mother is the first teacher and as compared to male teachers, the teachings of women teachers are better assimilated by students because the latter teach from the heart with love.

A woman should not neglect her home

A married lady has many great titles like Dharma Pathni (Righteous wife), Grihalakshmi (Goddess of the house), Illalu (lady of the house) and Ardhaangi (equal partner of the husband).

These titles have more value than socially recognised titles like Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan given by the Government. A lady must look after the home first and then work outside, if necessary. A house without a mother is like an empty choultry (a shed or hall). A lady should be an ideal mother to her children, look after her husband and then do outside work. She can study, get degrees, enter politics or do any other work, but she should not neglect the home, which is the very foundation of her life.

The husband and wife are both equally responsible for establishing harmony at home. But times have changed. Womanly ideals are not being practised and there are no ideal men and women today. That is why the world is in such a sorry state.

Parents must aspire to make their children good persons (those who see God in man) and not great persons (those who see man in God). Though Rama and Ravana were very learned persons, Rama set an example of a good person by his deeds, while on account of his excessive ego and desire, Ravana became an evil person though he was great in his own way. Goodness is the natural quality of a woman.

The acronym MAN stands for Maya, Atma and Nirvana. The teaching contained in this term MAN is firstly “Get over Maya”, secondly “see the Atma”, and thirdly “Attain Nirvaana”.

It is well known that a great person has no peace and is always worried while a good person is peaceful wherever he goes. So, not even in a dream should a person aspire to be a great man. A person becomes good when he is respected as such in society. Goodness is a natural quality of a woman while greatness is that of a man.

God is your greatest and closest friend. He is interested in your real welfare while worldly friends are influenced by your position and wealth, only as long as these last. Nature is the best teacher, the heart is the real Guru and God is the only Friend.

As the Greek lady Ms. Helen Sotiriou said at the end of her talk, the relationship with God should be based on love. Love for God alone leads to Bliss. Spiritual vibrations come out of a heart full of Love for God. Such Love makes one rejoice always and under all circumstances.