A Mother’s Tears and Triumphs
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
A Mother’s Tears and Triumphs
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
माँ के आँसू और उसकी उपलब्धियाँ
~ गुरुमाई चिद्विलासानन्द
एका आईचे अश्रू आणि तिची सार्थकता
~ गुरुमाई चिद्विलासानंद
માતાનાં આંસુ અને તેમની ઉપલબ્ધિઓ
~ ગુરુમાઈ ચિદ્વિલાસાનંદ
Lágrimas y triunfos de una madre
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Lágrimas e Triunfos de uma Mãe
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Larmes et triomphes d’une mère
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Tränen und Triumphe einer Mutter
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Lacrime e trionfi di una madre
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
母の涙と偉業
~ グルマーイ・チッドヴィラーサーナンダ
母親的淚水與欣榮
~ 古魯瑪義捷維拉薩南達
Łzy i Triumfy Matki
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Design Concept by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Read by Isabelle Anderson
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
डिज़ाइन संकल्पना : गुरुमाई चिद्विलासानन्द
पठनकर्ता : चंदन छापरवाल
डिज़ाइनर : करण सिंह भुल्लर
डिज़ाइनर : करण सिंह भुल्लर
Design Concept by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Read by Isabelle Anderson
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
डिझाइन
संकल्पना : गुरुमाई चिद्विलासानंद
डिझाइनर
: करण सिंह भुल्लर
ડિઝાઇન
સંકલ્પના : ગુરુમાઈ ચિદ્વિલાસાનંદ
ડિઝાઇનર : કરન
સિંહ ભુલ્લર
Concepto del diseño de Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Diseño: Karan Singh Bhullar
Conceito do design de Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
Conception graphique de Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
Konzept und Design: Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
Ideazione di Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Designer: Karan Singh Bhullar
デザインコンセプト： グルマーイ・チッドヴィラーサーナンダ
デザイン： Karan Singh Bhullar
設計理念：古魯瑪義 捷維喇薩南達
設計師：卡藍·辛格·布拉
Koncepcja projektu według Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Projektant: Karan Singh Bhullar
I am awestruck by the deep meaning of this poem, and by the way it honors all mothers, inspires them to set the highest spiritual goals for the next generation, and shows how a mother feels when this goal is reached. I am also very touched by the examples of the squirrels and the offering of a leaf as inspiration for working to create a better world in tiny steps that even a little child can understand and put into action. And Gurumayi’s prayer near the end of the poem about the earth as a paradise that even angels find immensely attractive gives me goosebumps.
This poem is especially for mothers, but I see it also as inspiring everyone to strive for virtues, to contribute even “pebbles” to improve the world, to envision paradise, to have great hope, and to continue their sadhana with this elevated spirit. My own prayer now is that Gurumayi’s vision be manifested.
This poem is especially for mothers, but I see it also as inspiring everyone to strive for virtues, to contribute even “pebbles” to improve the world, to envision paradise, to have great hope, and to continue their sadhana with this elevated spirit. My own prayer now is that Gurumayi’s vision be manifested.
Hindelang, Germany
I have always revered the Divine Mother, and I have long sought ways to truly worship her. As a mother myself, I have tried to emulate her. Yet, I have often focused on my own shortcomings, believing them to be obstacles to attaining a standard of motherhood seemingly so far beyond my own. I now recognize that this has been a misunderstanding.
In this beautiful poem, it seems that Gurumayi has given my heart the prayer it has been searching for in order to really honor the universal mother, as well as my own motherhood. "Today and every day I offer my thankfulness to you, Maa—you who are worthy of this benevolent and most powerful title." Repeating this refrain, I often experience that I am able to merge into Gurumayi’s own heart. I feel her great love and protection, and in turn connect with my own love. I understand that this love is a form of our own beloved Maa, the mother goddess.
In this beautiful poem, it seems that Gurumayi has given my heart the prayer it has been searching for in order to really honor the universal mother, as well as my own motherhood. "Today and every day I offer my thankfulness to you, Maa—you who are worthy of this benevolent and most powerful title." Repeating this refrain, I often experience that I am able to merge into Gurumayi’s own heart. I feel her great love and protection, and in turn connect with my own love. I understand that this love is a form of our own beloved Maa, the mother goddess.
Washington, United States
After many years of healing my relationship with my mother, I was able to take in Gurumayi’s poem with so much resonance and gratitude.
When I spoke with my mom on Mother’s Day, I shared with her that I now understand that her love and vision for me are as powerful and deep as my love for her. In allowing myself to let in her love, I can see the truth of who my mother really is and let go of the past.
I am grateful for the guidance and inspiration in Gurumayi’s poem! It has given me the strength to shift my perspective and enter a new phase in my relationship with my mother—one in which we enjoy and appreciate each other.
When I spoke with my mom on Mother’s Day, I shared with her that I now understand that her love and vision for me are as powerful and deep as my love for her. In allowing myself to let in her love, I can see the truth of who my mother really is and let go of the past.
I am grateful for the guidance and inspiration in Gurumayi’s poem! It has given me the strength to shift my perspective and enter a new phase in my relationship with my mother—one in which we enjoy and appreciate each other.
Nelson, Canada
As I read Gurumayi’s poem, I recalled the many great challenges my mother had overcome in her life. I was not able to be by her side when she passed, and I felt brokenhearted.
Then, several years ago, on the night of my birthday, I had a vivid dream. In it, I saw my mother on her deathbed, dressed in white, eyes closed; Gurumayi was by her side.
The dream soothed and healed my broken heart. I realized that I may have not been able to be with my mother when she passed, but Gurumayi was, and she helped my mother in that crucial moment. I painted the image from the dream, and I keep the painting on my puja. It brings me solace.
Then, several years ago, on the night of my birthday, I had a vivid dream. In it, I saw my mother on her deathbed, dressed in white, eyes closed; Gurumayi was by her side.
The dream soothed and healed my broken heart. I realized that I may have not been able to be with my mother when she passed, but Gurumayi was, and she helped my mother in that crucial moment. I painted the image from the dream, and I keep the painting on my puja. It brings me solace.
Québec, Canada
I do not have children. But I have been rescuing wolves and wolf-dogs born in captivity all over the United States for many years. I care for them, socialize them, and some of them become "ambassadors" and come with me when I give lectures on animal protection. These wolves are my family. They love me unconditionally and teach me how to live life to its fullest.
When I read Gurumayi’s praise of those who have given birth and also “anyone who has adopted another for any reason,” my heart melted into a pool of love.
When I read Gurumayi’s praise of those who have given birth and also “anyone who has adopted another for any reason,” my heart melted into a pool of love.
New Mexico, United States
As we celebrate Mother’s Day in our own families and friendship circles, I was very moved by all the ways I felt Gurumayi’s poem acknowledges and honors mothers around the world who are facing enormous challenges right now in trying to help their families just to survive. On the one hand, phrases in the poem evoke the suffering and dangers a mother faces in conflict zones, and show how a mother will give her all to protect her children “even if her own life is in danger of annihilation” and “even as their own world turns topsy-turvy.”
On the other hand, I see touches of great tenderness throughout the poem, including the gratitude and admiration that Gurumayi affirms again and again in the refrain addressed to Maa, and especially in the final image of a heart formed by blue-and-yellow flowers, which I recently learned are the flowers called “forget-me-not” in English. What a fitting conclusion to this paean to mothers all across the world—and the centuries!
Connecticut, United States
Once again, in honor of mothers everywhere, Gurumayi has given voice to the experience of what I feel it is to be a mother, of having a mother, of thinking about all those who have shown me motherly qualities.
Listening to Gurumayi describe motherhood also opens my perspective to experience such sweet gratitude for the qualities of the mother within myself. What a marvel! I feel tears of gratitude to my own mother and to all those who have nurtured me like a mother.
I celebrate Gurumayi, who has inspired me to go inside and find there the nurturing qualities of the mother, and who has nurtured and protected my heart.
Listening to Gurumayi describe motherhood also opens my perspective to experience such sweet gratitude for the qualities of the mother within myself. What a marvel! I feel tears of gratitude to my own mother and to all those who have nurtured me like a mother.
I celebrate Gurumayi, who has inspired me to go inside and find there the nurturing qualities of the mother, and who has nurtured and protected my heart.
South Melbourne, Australia
In this poem Gurumayi has described my inner longings, concerns, wishes, dreams, and my “motherhood music.” I will hold this poem as an expression of the many paths I find myself on in this journey of motherhood. For me it is also a reminder to make our Mother Earth a more loving place as I support my children—through the duties and joys of motherhood—as they blossom into the beings they are meant to be.
My heart is filled with gratitude for Gurumayi’s love and spiritual direction.
My heart is filled with gratitude for Gurumayi’s love and spiritual direction.
Pennsylvania, United States
Gurumayi’s generous and compassionate ode to both biological mothers and all those who mother others struck a responsive chord in my heart. I have always loved the company of children, and have greatly enjoyed playing a nurturing and supportive role in the lives of my friends’ children. Yet I have never had children of my own. For many years I felt frustrated and puzzled at missing out on the joys of being a biological mother.
While visiting with a friend one summer, whose young son I had happily befriended, I told her, “I don’t understand why God hasn’t given me children of my own, since I love children so much.” To my astonishment, she just laughed and replied, “You were probably the mother of ten children in a past lifetime, and God just decided to give you a rest.”
Her creative response transformed my sense of deprivation into feelings of gratitude and acceptance, and gave me a perspective suggesting I hadn’t missed out on motherhood after all!
While visiting with a friend one summer, whose young son I had happily befriended, I told her, “I don’t understand why God hasn’t given me children of my own, since I love children so much.” To my astonishment, she just laughed and replied, “You were probably the mother of ten children in a past lifetime, and God just decided to give you a rest.”
Her creative response transformed my sense of deprivation into feelings of gratitude and acceptance, and gave me a perspective suggesting I hadn’t missed out on motherhood after all!
Illinois, United States
As a mother I am overflowing with gratitude and profound emotion to be recognized by Gurumayi through this poem. I don’t feel alone any more in facing the challenges of a mother in times like these. In fact, my daughter is leaving our home to be on her own. This is the destiny of all mothers—to love unconditionally while allowing their children to be free to live their life, yet always remaining ready to help them.
I take refuge in Gurumayi’s infinite grace and compassion. I find in her such a great consolation!
I take refuge in Gurumayi’s infinite grace and compassion. I find in her such a great consolation!
Milan, Italy
Gurumayi’s poetry illuminates my heart with the mystery of the mother.
When I was a child, my mother had a serious health issue. She had to leave our family home and stay in the hospital for many days. During her absence, I felt lost and desperate. Nevertheless, this dramatic experience changed my attachment to my mother by opening me to the greatness of the universal Mother. In my lifetime, I have found a mother’s love in nature, in teachers, in other benevolent people, and—at the summit of this exploration—in the Guru.
Yesterday, as I was admiring all the myosotis flowers that are decorating the meadows in my region—just like those forming a heart at the end of Gurumayi’s poem—I remembered the English name for these flowers, which for me reflects the immense love expressed in Gurumayi’s poem: Forget-me-not!When I was a child, my mother had a serious health issue. She had to leave our family home and stay in the hospital for many days. During her absence, I felt lost and desperate. Nevertheless, this dramatic experience changed my attachment to my mother by opening me to the greatness of the universal Mother. In my lifetime, I have found a mother’s love in nature, in teachers, in other benevolent people, and—at the summit of this exploration—in the Guru.
Rodez, France
I can feel Gurumayi’s love for me in this poem, just as I feel her unconditional love, care, and protection in my everyday life, both at work and at home. My Guru is always there to protect me, in both exasperating and joyous moments.
For me, this poem pulsates with dharma in every syllable. After listening to this sacred poem, I felt very protected, like a child who has just received a really tight hug as a symbol of safety and pure love.
This poem inspired me to renew my commitment to show my love and care for my own mother, and to convey my deep gratitude to her for teaching me about the power of bhakti, devotion.
For me, this poem pulsates with dharma in every syllable. After listening to this sacred poem, I felt very protected, like a child who has just received a really tight hug as a symbol of safety and pure love.
This poem inspired me to renew my commitment to show my love and care for my own mother, and to convey my deep gratitude to her for teaching me about the power of bhakti, devotion.
The Houghton, South Africa
Gurumayi’s poem filled my heart with so much gratitude. Because I had Gurumayi in my life as a young adult, I was able to honor and give my love and gratitude to my Ma when she was still alive.
I also gave her the greatest gift: I introduced my mom to the Guru and the Siddha Yoga path, and she became the most devoted gopi. We offered lots of seva together, attended many Siddha Yoga satsangs together, and spent time together at Shree Muktananda Ashram. I am most blessed and fortunate.
I also gave her the greatest gift: I introduced my mom to the Guru and the Siddha Yoga path, and she became the most devoted gopi. We offered lots of seva together, attended many Siddha Yoga satsangs together, and spent time together at Shree Muktananda Ashram. I am most blessed and fortunate.
Willemstad, Curaçao
I felt so fortunate to read these golden words of Gurumayi about the greatness of motherhood.
Our teenage daughter has just left home for her higher education. My wife and I connect with her every day. The motherly love which Gurumayi describes in her poem is just what I see transpire every day between my daughter and her mother. Gurumayi’s vivid language helps me to understand their sacred relationship and what a mother truly holds in her heart.
When I read Gurumayi’s words, “With great courage and faith / a mother releases her children to the world,” my heart acknowledges these qualities in a mother. And when she says that we all “have the ongoing obligation / to recognize and support such mothers,” I respond with the intention to nourish and cherish a mother’s dreams for her children throughout my life.
Our teenage daughter has just left home for her higher education. My wife and I connect with her every day. The motherly love which Gurumayi describes in her poem is just what I see transpire every day between my daughter and her mother. Gurumayi’s vivid language helps me to understand their sacred relationship and what a mother truly holds in her heart.
When I read Gurumayi’s words, “With great courage and faith / a mother releases her children to the world,” my heart acknowledges these qualities in a mother. And when she says that we all “have the ongoing obligation / to recognize and support such mothers,” I respond with the intention to nourish and cherish a mother’s dreams for her children throughout my life.
Hosur, India
Among all the powerful themes in this poem, one that especially touched my heart was Gurumayi’s respect for, and acknowledgment of, all those who are not biological mothers but who have nevertheless “adopted the duties of motherhood.” This is especially meaningful for me because my mother died young, when I was still in third grade, leaving me with a deeply wounded spirit and a desolate heart.
It was not until much later that I was able to see how many loving hearts and supportive hands contributed to rescuing me from my despair by showing me, again and again, that I was both loved and lovable. These nurturing mother figures included my grandmothers, my favorite aunts, mothers of my friends, and a series of attentive teachers, as well as understanding uncles and, after transcending his own grief, my father.
With profound gratitude, I join Gurumayi in celebrating each of these mothering “luminaries” in my life, who blessed me with their love and compassion, their guidance and good counsel, their wisdom and understanding.
It was not until much later that I was able to see how many loving hearts and supportive hands contributed to rescuing me from my despair by showing me, again and again, that I was both loved and lovable. These nurturing mother figures included my grandmothers, my favorite aunts, mothers of my friends, and a series of attentive teachers, as well as understanding uncles and, after transcending his own grief, my father.
With profound gratitude, I join Gurumayi in celebrating each of these mothering “luminaries” in my life, who blessed me with their love and compassion, their guidance and good counsel, their wisdom and understanding.
Illinois, United States
I am not a mother and I had always felt the desire to become one. In 1996 at a Siddha Yoga retreat in Sitges, Spain, a friend of mine asked Gurumayi, “Will I have a child, Gurumayi?” She replied, “The world is your child.”
When I heard those words from my friend, I couldn’t help but think they were for me too. I understood that God wanted my great love to be distributed in the world. I have never had any regrets since. And I now understand that all of Gurumayi’s poems about mothers are meant for me too.
When I heard those words from my friend, I couldn’t help but think they were for me too. I understood that God wanted my great love to be distributed in the world. I have never had any regrets since. And I now understand that all of Gurumayi’s poems about mothers are meant for me too.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
What an extraordinary gift is this poem by Gurumayi—filled with her warm love and grace and reverberating with the deep meaning of each of her words. As I read it over and over, I kept on filling myself with its immense love for Maa.
Mersin, Turkey
Gurumayi’s beautiful words express her own love for us in such a poetic and heartfelt way. In honoring us mothers, and women in general, she has understood, and helped me see, in a multidimensional way the play of this world in all its beauty and its insufficiencies too.
But all is well. Gurumayi’s blessings cleanse my heart. Whenever I am willing to go there, her grace lifts me into the realm of love, the realm where I can understand that we are all the reflection of the great Mother of all creation. May I use the love and power of that understanding for the good of all.
But all is well. Gurumayi’s blessings cleanse my heart. Whenever I am willing to go there, her grace lifts me into the realm of love, the realm where I can understand that we are all the reflection of the great Mother of all creation. May I use the love and power of that understanding for the good of all.
New Mexico, United States
Gurumayi has touched this mother’s heart so deeply, having captured in this poem all that I have experienced as a mother. Gurumayi’s profound understanding and acknowledgement of what it means to be a mother in this world in all its totality was very healing for me.
Massachusetts, United States
Reading Gurumayi’s poem inspires me to give thanks to my Mum, now and always.
She gave me life. She knew I was coming and even named me years ahead of time. She welcomed me into her life and gave me everything unreservedly. She prepared me for my journey and gave me my freedom to pursue my own dreams, to live my life apart from her. This was probably the hardest gift of all to give—yet she knew she had to let me go. She told me she knew that day would come and she couldn’t stand in my way. We shed and shared a tear that became the elixir of love that bathed our hearts and cemented us together no matter the distance, for there is none between such hearts
She gave me life. She knew I was coming and even named me years ahead of time. She welcomed me into her life and gave me everything unreservedly. She prepared me for my journey and gave me my freedom to pursue my own dreams, to live my life apart from her. This was probably the hardest gift of all to give—yet she knew she had to let me go. She told me she knew that day would come and she couldn’t stand in my way. We shed and shared a tear that became the elixir of love that bathed our hearts and cemented us together no matter the distance, for there is none between such hearts
Peppermint Grove Beach, Australia
Gurumayi’s poem is so exquisite and so beautifully rendered that I listened to it four times. The sentence “Her never-resting heart must be filled with thousands of prayers” describes my mother best, for my mother prayed for me incessantly.
I was a rebellious teenager and my mother and I fought a lot. When I started following the Siddha Yoga path, my mother was critical of my having an Indian Guru. But as my practices deepened, our relationship began to heal.
Many years later, when my mother was already in her eighties, she looked at me and said, “Now I see that my prayers for you bore fruit. I see that having Gurumayi as your spiritual teacher made you the person I always knew you could be. Now I can die in peace.” My mother died a few months later.
It’s as if my mother’s utmost “job” in life was to bring me to Gurumayi. Listening to the poem, I inwardly thanked my mother for her love and told her how much I love her.
I was a rebellious teenager and my mother and I fought a lot. When I started following the Siddha Yoga path, my mother was critical of my having an Indian Guru. But as my practices deepened, our relationship began to heal.
Many years later, when my mother was already in her eighties, she looked at me and said, “Now I see that my prayers for you bore fruit. I see that having Gurumayi as your spiritual teacher made you the person I always knew you could be. Now I can die in peace.” My mother died a few months later.
It’s as if my mother’s utmost “job” in life was to bring me to Gurumayi. Listening to the poem, I inwardly thanked my mother for her love and told her how much I love her.
California, United States
Gurumayi’s poem reached deeply into my heart. I prayed for guidance for how to fulfill my Guru’s command to honor all the mothers in my life, and to “never take them for granted.” To do so, I wish to purify my heart and live constantly by “the golden virtues” that Gurumayi speaks of, so that I can do my part to make this planet, “our beloved Mother Earth,” into a paradise surpassing all places in the universe.
Washington, United States
What a blessing! For the last fifteen minutes I felt that Gurumayi was hugging my heart. Tears of joy and gratitude have been streaming down my face. I’ve long known how profoundly fortunate I was to have the mother I had. Gurumayi’s poem intensified that understanding exponentially. I vow to be worthy of such grace.
Oregon, United States
It was only through Gurumayi’s grace and teachings that I learned how to be a good mother. I am eternally grateful for those blessings. Thanks to her grace and guidance, my son has become more than I could ever have imagined—a focused, loving, good person. I am so grateful to Gurumayi for sharing with us her deep insight into every facet of life.
California, United States
How moving it was to read this poem from beloved Gurumayi, who knows so much about the heart of a mother! At the end of the poem I felt as if I had been embraced in her warm hug.
Rome, Italy