Sri Ram, the righteous one, was a constant source of joy to his mother. He always fulfilled her wishes, whether spoken or unspoken, and performed his duty as a son in the best possible manner. Kaushalya knew that the best thing for her son’s growth was to send him with Sage Vishwamitra, who would teach him all that was required. So, Sri Ram went with the sage without her having to utter a single word. When Sri Ram had to break the news of his exile to his mother, he did so in a way that would cause her no pain. Kaushalya expected him to tell her about being crowned as the ruler of Ayodhya; instead, Ram told her that he has been gifted the great kingdom of the forest. His ability to perform dharma with sweetness and understanding gave happiness to his parents, making him the ideal son. Similarly, Kaushalya’s ability to guide Ram during his childhood in order to bring out the best in him, made her an inspiring mother.
The bond between a mother and a child is the purest expression of love. When the mother nurtures the child in her womb, her selfless love and dedication allows the child to grow beautifully. When the child is born, she shelters him from danger and relieves any malady at the first sign of discomfort. For a mother, her child is the greatest gift, a boon bestowed on her by the gods. Rarely can a child love his mother in return, with the same depth. The mother looks at her child as if he is the world, whereas for a child his inquisitiveness to discover the world, takes him away from his mother. This is the nature of childhood, but Ram always made his mother feel his first responsibility was towards her.
Sri Ram loved his mother in such a way that his own happiness was secondary, bestowing on her joy, like the blessing that he was.
Kaushalya’s ability to guide Ram during his childhood in order to bring out the best in him, made her an inspiring mother.
