Mother's love is delicately layered, fragrantly pure and brightly hued like the petals of a perennial bloom! A humble tribute to the memory of my dear mother, whose death anniversary coincides with MAKAR SANSKRITI.
Makar Sanskriti (14th January) is a
religiously sacrosanct day. It stands for the first day of the month of Magh,
the eleventh month according to Nanakshahi calendar. Magh symbolizes the
cleansing process of the mind and body, devotion, charity and selfless service.
People flock
to religious places to offer special prayers and listen to hymns and the name
of the month from the lips of the priest. They take dips in ice-cold waters of
the sacred water bodies including the ones on the premises of the religious places
of their towns and cities. They wish each other happiness and good health for the
days to come. Such is the holiness associated with 14 January, which falls on the
next day after Lohri festival.
.........
For me the
pious day carries the memories of a deeply felt loss. The passing away of my
dear mother leaving me shattered, forlorn and orphaned. However, it also serves as a catalyst for commemorating her unique persona. As the holy day dawns, I become conscious of
the juxtaposition of an acute emotional vacuum together with the substantive
feeling of her soothing presence floating lovingly around. My thoughts instinctively
create a pathway of remembrances: of her
charm and steadfastness, unconditionality of her love, the privileged freedom
to take her for granted, the foolish
neglect to acknowledge her benevolent generosities, the occasional incivility
to her in the foolhardiness of youth and the selfishness of childishly expecting whatever from her.
How grandly she bore it all! While turning the pages of the book of
memories my inner being resonates with a paradigm of images, though blurred but mirroring
the myriad connotations of the purity of her soul. My heart contracts, cries, a
lump gags the insides and hot tears come rushing down of their own accord. The
questions raise their head inwardly as to why was she always selflessly toiling
and looking after our needs, when many a time my siblings and I behaved like
brats actually deserving reproach. Why did she always forgive and
overlook numerous slips of the tongue and deviations on my part? When I recall those moments, my mind strangely picks up the
hazy pictures, my heart wrenches with unspeakable emotions, chokes and sheds silent
tears.
How I envy
mother’s fearlessness! The strength of a
steely character and a value system, which could overcome all obstacles, were
innate to her. Her faith in the Almighty was unshakable. When I was young, often
I’d hear her recite hymns in her sonorous voice creating an eerie mystical effect.
I imbibed the essence of her piety, and that has impregnated my being as an inheritance. Though far away somewhere
in her heavenly abode, yet the sweet sensation of her protective fold lightens
all sorrows. Her gentle and holy touch pervades my consciousness whenever I detach myself
even momentarily from the hustle and bustle of daily living.
My communication with her stays on an
uninterrupted, unobtrusive, effortless zone. It floats forever. Unknowingly her
soul merges imperceptibly with my interiority and anchors my life, guides me,
listens to me and always stays close to me. Whenever life’s dilemmas had waylaid
me and pulled me down, she responded to my silent prayers and instilled courage and confidence.
My mind’s eye treasures the images of her beliefs, her pearls of homespun wisdom,
not available anywhere anymore.
My
heart fills with pride to realize how trusting she was considering present day unsound social
alignments! True to herself, she never hesitated to speak her mind. Guarding her own interest above what is righteous was totally alien to her. Her simplicity is
stuff for stories. Many expensive jewellery items she had, and never thought of
wearing them herself and gifted all to her children.
Perhaps
Mothers are like that!. Self-effacing, self-sacrificing and regal!
That the Almighty chose this hallowed day for her departure from this world--- was truly in
consonance with the purity of her soul.
image courtesy: the internet.
Friends, awaiting your thoughts on the subject.
Friends, awaiting your thoughts on the subject.
A touching tribute.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot dear friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart warmimg tribute to your mom. I was teary-eyed reading it. :'(
ReplyDeleteThank you Saru for such a warm comment. When you're young you don't realize the all embracing purity of parents' love. Now when i remember those blissful days, the emotional deluge becomes overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteThe memories do teach us a thing or two.
This is one loss that can never be compensated. The love, the kindness and the comfort cannot be matched. The only payback we can do, is to match our mothers in their compassion and love.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pattu for coming here after a long time! Absolutely, there are lessons to be learnt from her life.
ReplyDelete