The feet of the parents are like a pilgrimage
Amongst Hindus, service to parents is described as the best service. Religious texts equate parents with gods. Amongst parents, the mother has been accorded a higher position than the father. The mother who gives birth and the motherland that sustains an individual are described as more outstanding than heaven.
In reality a child is born of its father and mother. Since they are instrumental in giving the body to a child, they are the first gods to the child. Since the mother rears the child in her womb for nine months, bearing the pains of carrying it, and giving the child good thoughts through this period, parents are worthy of reverence.
Amongst Hindus, rendering services to parents has been described as Pitra-rin – a loan from the parents. It is the duty of every child to repay this loan or debt in adult life. Therefore, a son cannot refuse to get married. Sanyas or renunciation is also prohibited unless the son has settled this loan or debt.
A teacher has a significant role in imparting knowledge to a child. However, the mother has been specially commended as the first teacher of the child.
In the Manusmriti, 2/145, the situation has been described as:
A religious teacher is 10 times more important than a teacher. A father is 100 times more important than the religious teacher. A mother is 1000 times worthier than the father.
In the Shivpuran, the importance of parents is described thus:
That son who reveres his father and mother wholeheartedly attains the fruit of having gone around the world. Whoever leaves them home and travels alone even though on pilgrimage sins as though he has killed his parents. For a son the feet of the parents are like a pilgrimage. To visit other pilgrimages one need to travel long distances. This pilgrimage is close at hand. For the man the love and respect of his parents and for a woman the love and respect of her husband are the best pilgrimages available within the home.
In the religious texts, the best example of love and respect for parents one comes across is that of Shravan Kumar, who achieved immortality through his devotion. Lord Ram became an ideal son by honouring his father’s commitment and went in exile into the forests for 14 years. Motivated by the lives of great men and women one must always revere and look after parents to repay the debt of their having brought one into this world.
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