Letter # 48: “Let’s Honour Motherhood”
Christmas eve is a time for delivery; Santa delivers presents and Mary delivers Jesus. The biblical version of Jesus’ birth is familiar but did you know that the Holy Koran also speaks of it? It’s not surprising, as the religion of Abraham is transmitted through his blessed son Ishmael as Islam. Genesis 20 states: “And as for Ishmael … I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers ...”
Chapter 19 of the Koran is wholly devoted to Mary. It makes for a breathtaking read of Mary’s labour and psychological anguish: “And the birth pangs forced her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh! Would I had died before this and become a thing totally forgotten!’” [V23]. When she brought the baby to her people, they shamed her: “O Mary! You have surely done something strange. Sister of Aaron! Neither your father was a bad man, nor was your mother unchaste” [V27-28]. Mary pointed helplessly at the baby wanting them to speak to the baby but the people questioned how could they speak to a baby? Then, startlingly, baby Jesus replies, “Verily, I am God’s servant ... And he has made me blessed wherever I may be … And be dutiful to my mother … And peace be upon the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised to life again.”
On reflection, it’s quite fitting that Jesus’ mother’s name was Mary. The name comes from the Aramaic word maryam, which means “rebellion”. As a virgin mother, she was certainly outside the mainstream of norms, and thus faced huge challenges. Nevertheless, Jesus’ supported her. Jesus, from the Hebrew word “Yeshua”, means salvation. Despite all trials and tribulations, the Mary loved Jesus, and Jesus was dutiful in ensuring salvation for her. Likewise, Guru Nanak first pays homage to the mother when he sings, “Anand pia meree mai. Satguru main paya”, which verse means “Oh my mother, I am in perfect bliss; I have realised the Lord.” Which to honour first the mother or the Lord? Guru Nanak cleary mentions mother first.
Which came first male or female? Scientific studies of the genes in mitochondria suggest that the first human was a female, who can be traced to ancient Africa. Paradoxically, science has given her the Biblical name Eve (from Hebrew hawwah, literally a “living being”). The Srimad Bhagavatum sates that woman is created from half the body of a man [C6, p183]. The truth is that we don’t know. But we do know that both genders play a crucial role in life. In the Vedic scheme, any creation requires planning and knowledge (therefore, the creative principle’s, Brahma’s, wife is Sarasvati, or endless knowledge); maintenance requires resources (therefore, the maintaining principle’s, Vishnu’s, wife is Lakhsmi, or limitless wealth); destruction requires force (therefore, the destructive principle’s, Shiva’s wife is Durga, the endless glorious destructive energy). Lord Krishna states: “I am all devouring death, and I am the generating principle of all that is yet to be. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience.” BG 10:34. Yes, we men respect these fine womanly qualities. While in awe of the womb (OE wamb, belly or uterus) we also fear the hysteria of women (Greek hystera, womb). And we certainly feel the sadness and great turmoil that women go through on losing their uterus.
Let’s honour motherhood this Christmas eve, as we await, with anxious anticipation, the birth of salvation and hope.
God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Hare Krishna; Radha-Swami; and Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla.
Chapter 19 of the Koran is wholly devoted to Mary. It makes for a breathtaking read of Mary’s labour and psychological anguish: “And the birth pangs forced her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh! Would I had died before this and become a thing totally forgotten!’” [V23]. When she brought the baby to her people, they shamed her: “O Mary! You have surely done something strange. Sister of Aaron! Neither your father was a bad man, nor was your mother unchaste” [V27-28]. Mary pointed helplessly at the baby wanting them to speak to the baby but the people questioned how could they speak to a baby? Then, startlingly, baby Jesus replies, “Verily, I am God’s servant ... And he has made me blessed wherever I may be … And be dutiful to my mother … And peace be upon the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised to life again.”
On reflection, it’s quite fitting that Jesus’ mother’s name was Mary. The name comes from the Aramaic word maryam, which means “rebellion”. As a virgin mother, she was certainly outside the mainstream of norms, and thus faced huge challenges. Nevertheless, Jesus’ supported her. Jesus, from the Hebrew word “Yeshua”, means salvation. Despite all trials and tribulations, the Mary loved Jesus, and Jesus was dutiful in ensuring salvation for her. Likewise, Guru Nanak first pays homage to the mother when he sings, “Anand pia meree mai. Satguru main paya”, which verse means “Oh my mother, I am in perfect bliss; I have realised the Lord.” Which to honour first the mother or the Lord? Guru Nanak cleary mentions mother first.
Which came first male or female? Scientific studies of the genes in mitochondria suggest that the first human was a female, who can be traced to ancient Africa. Paradoxically, science has given her the Biblical name Eve (from Hebrew hawwah, literally a “living being”). The Srimad Bhagavatum sates that woman is created from half the body of a man [C6, p183]. The truth is that we don’t know. But we do know that both genders play a crucial role in life. In the Vedic scheme, any creation requires planning and knowledge (therefore, the creative principle’s, Brahma’s, wife is Sarasvati, or endless knowledge); maintenance requires resources (therefore, the maintaining principle’s, Vishnu’s, wife is Lakhsmi, or limitless wealth); destruction requires force (therefore, the destructive principle’s, Shiva’s wife is Durga, the endless glorious destructive energy). Lord Krishna states: “I am all devouring death, and I am the generating principle of all that is yet to be. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience.” BG 10:34. Yes, we men respect these fine womanly qualities. While in awe of the womb (OE wamb, belly or uterus) we also fear the hysteria of women (Greek hystera, womb). And we certainly feel the sadness and great turmoil that women go through on losing their uterus.
Let’s honour motherhood this Christmas eve, as we await, with anxious anticipation, the birth of salvation and hope.
God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Hare Krishna; Radha-Swami; and Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla.
I wish to express my gratitude for your comments, which inspire me to carry on writing. Please forgive my fallibilities in presenting this material. Also, feel free to send this message on to someone that you might think would like to receive it. If you do send it on, my only request of you is that you send it as it is, in its entirety, and to not alter or modify any of the text, references or authorship information. Thus you will help to give credit or liability to where they are properly due.
Jas Bhopal
Copyright© 2008"
“Practicing goodwill makes for a good life."
Jas Bhopal
Copyright© 2008"
“Practicing goodwill makes for a good life."
Tel: 604 273 6641 (also for fax on request)
References: "The Holy Bible" Online version; "The Koran" (As translated by SV Mir Ahmed Ali 2005 ISBN 0-9761870-0-0); "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" by Srila Prabhupada (ISBN 0-89213-268-X); "I Am That" Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj ISBN 0-89386-022-0; The Dhammapada ISBN-10:1-84483-344-5; The Sacred Sukhmani ISBN 81-7205-098-4; Wikipedia.
posted by Dr. Jas Bhopal @ 9:23 AM
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1 Comments:
A reader wrote: "Hi Dr. Bhopal,
Thank you so much for your inspirational and compelling writings.
Through them, I've learned much, been greatly encouraged and spiritually nourished.
Have a blessed and Merry Christmas. May it be a time of reflection, thanksgiving and celebration as you spend time with friends and family, and share in the wonder of our hope and salvation.
God Bless!"
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