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Sri Swami Chidnandaji
Om Namo Narayanaya!
I bow again and again at the feet of all of you who are the very embodiment
and symbol of the Almighty Mother. I am very happy to get this opportunity
of giving this message in your service. Our most worshipful Master Swami
Sivananda used to consider Indian women as the manifestation of the Universal
Mother.
The key to the future development and progress of any nation is held by
the women, because the mother is the first teacher of any child in every
generation. Home is the elementary school for all children for inculcating
good habits and higher values for the future development of the nation
and the most effective element of education. Just as a potter or an idol
maker takes hold of highly plastic clay and shapes it at will, likewise
a mother shapes the character of a child by the manner of her speaking
and conduct. Thus important and effective power is yours, and you have
to keep this in mind while taking proper care and train the children in
your family for building a strong future India.
The preservation of our culture is the responsibility of women and not
men. Woman is the custodian of the culture of the land. Any soul born
in a home gets initially conditioned and that too seriously by the atmosphere
prevailing therein. The mother influences the child far more than the
father. The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the nation.
You should understand yourself. The real you is your imperishable soul.
The real you is neither male nor female and has neither any name nor any
form. Do not forget this truth even for a moment. To realise the great
divine power of the imperishable Self is as much your birthright as it
is that of men. This has been firmly established in the ancient culture
of India. The country, which produced great realised sages, also produced
great ladies, who could participate on an equal footing with those sages
in the debates on the knowledge of the Self. The main amongst them were
Gargi, Maitreyee, Sulabha, Chudala, Madalasa etc. You are directly connected
with this tradition. Not just in the past, but in modern times also we
have great realised ladies like Anandamayee Ma, Janaki Mai, disciple of
Ramana Maharshi, Sati Godavari Mai, Ramadevi, Mata Krishnabai etc.
To consider women as the weaker sex is a retrograde viewpoint. You are
all very powerful. You have the power to uplift man from the state of
incompetence and deficiency. You are the very embodiment of the all powerful
Divine Mother. You will not find this elevating sentiment about women
in any other society. During marriage ceremonies in Bengal the bride is
given a sharp knife, when the bridegroom and the bride come into the marriage
pandal. This symbolises the liberating power that can release man from
bondage. You should understand this well and preserve your exalted status
bestowed on you by the Indian culture.
Even in the polluted atmosphere of today you can make home a heaven on
earth. Conduct daily prayers in the home. Display pictures of great saints.
Read life stories of Sarada Devi, Meerabai, Madalasa and other female
devotees and realised souls. Tell your children the stories of devotees,
patriots, warriors and hermits. Stop all worthless talk. Your home itself
will be converted into heaven if you maintain a sublime atmosphere in
the home. Safeguard and perpetuate the flame of the lamp of Indian culture.
May God bless you all! Hari Om Tat Sat.
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