Mother’s Love Mother’s love is an indescribable feeling. It is unconditional. No matter what you do your mother will always love you. It is difficult to put this in words, as a mother’s love is incommunicable. The mother is prepared to go to any length and sacrifice for the sake of the children. She will sacrifice even her life to protect her children. Mother is the very foundation of everything. When I was little, one of my favorite books used to be Mama do you love me. In this story a little girl would propose many situations where the child does bad things and asks her mother if she still loved her. Her mother would repeatedly answer, I will love you till the stars turn into fish in the sky, and the puffin, a small arctic bird, howls at the moon. Telling the little girl that no matter what she did, even if, her mother would be upset with her she would never stop loving her. At this point I would like to quote Shri Shankaracharya: Mother, you are our Atman. You are our paramatattva. There is nothing more dear and desirable than you. ~Aditya Natraj

The Divine Mother A mother’s love is pure, infinite, precious, and unconditional. Since ancient times, mothers have been worshiped and they took great care of their children. She is the only one who bears, fosters, and moulds a child into a good human being. That is why one calls one’s own country as motherland. The motherly love would never diminish. It is everyone’s foremost duty to love his or her mother. Easwaramma means mother of Easwara [God]. Mother Easwaramma was the most lovable and dedicated mother to the whole world. She always thought of the welfare and happiness of others. She had a heart filled with compassion. Even though mother Easwaramma was illiterate, she was such a devoted person. Easwaramma, the mother of our beloved Swami, was named as Namagiriamma at the time of birth. But after her marriage, Kondama Raju, Swami’s grandfather—a man of wisdom and blessed with the vision of the future—told her that the name “Easwaramma” was the most appropriate one for her as he knew that she was going to become the mother of Easwara, and started calling her so. Easwaramma was born in such a poor family that she didn’t even have proper food to eat. But she always used to give away to the poor and needy whatever she had with her. She was the embodiment of sacrifice. She used to talk lovingly to all those who came to her. When devotees felt sad that Swami was ignoring them, she would console them saying, “whatever Swami does is for your own good.” When she was with Swami she had three wishes. All her wishes were for the welfare of the people in the village. She told Swami that the village needed a hospital, a school, and drinking water. Swami promised her that He would fulfill her wishes. All three of her wishes were fulfilled by Swami’s grace before she passed away. Easwaramma was extremely happy to see her dreams come true and her joy knew no bounds. Due to her love, devotion, loyalty, and holy purity, she yearned for Swami at her final moment of death. Swami answered her call and was at her side as she passed away peacefully. ~Surya Janagan, (Age 10)SSE, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, USA

Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2009 Below the children have expressed their feelings for ‘mother’ on Easwaramma Day, celebrated on May 6th every year. These are students from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers of Bethesda, MD; Louden, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Doylestown, PA; Medford, NJ; Holmdel, NJ; and Palm Bay, FL. Dear Mom, You are the only one that always listens and never gives up on me. No matter what I do wrong, or even if I succeed, you are there to help me do my best and always support me. Also, when I am struggling with something, you take your own time, drop your duties to help me or Jashal. You never give up on anything, no matter how tired you are. You seem like God to me because I have never seen anyone still standing and willing to help as much as you, after all you have gone through. The values you hold are caring, kindness, generous, helpful, supporting, and willing. That is the best mother for me, and [these are] the values god has. I love you, and you are the best mother and friend ever. I love you. Lots of love,Miraj Patel, 16 yrs Mothers Baba says: mother is God.My mother has always been there for me.My mother has always helped me in difficulties.My mother has always wanted the best for me.She has taught me how to live life and be responsible.All mothers are caring and loving. ~Sujan Patel, 13 yrs                                 MomMarvelousOutstandingMagnificentMajesticYou are the best at everything Dear Mom, Happy Mothers Day! You have helped me with so much since the day I was born. You fed me and gave me baths and so much more. Then I grew up and you still gave me the same amount of love. When I get home, you are waiting for me and you ask me ‘how was your day?’ You help me with my homework and with studying. Finally, at night, I smell that delicious food that you cooked. You are the best mom in the world, and I just wanted to say a big thank you and Happy Mothers Day!Love,Nisha~Nisha Desai, 10 yrs My Mom and My Senses I open my eyes and I see my caring momI open my mouth and taste the food my mom makes for meI open my ears and hear my mom speak words of adviceI open my arms and give my mom great big hugs to show I love herI open my heart and feel glad I have the BEST MOM EVER!!! ~Shivani Kommireddi, 10 yrs Mother Sai-Thank You We thank You each andeverydayIn a very special wayFor the air and water that You giveEvery moment for us to liveFor the birds and the treesWith which we findour peaceFor the food You giveus to eatMother Sai You arereally sweet! We thank you each andevery momentIn a heartfelt wayFor keeping us in Yourloving foldMother Sai, You are theloveliest mother. ~Shruti Padmanabhan,11 yrs My Mother My mom’s the bestShe is full of zestShe’s so niceShe’s a priceless prizeShe is a person I can trustAnd care for her, I mustShe is the best motherShe loves me like no otherAnd I love her too! ~Deeksha Kommireddi, 8 yrs MOTHER EARTH Mother Earth,You make my life worthEverything ever existent,Life has meantLike we have been sentTo enjoy the world in peace.Let us not let Mother Earth ceaseSo we can sayFor generations “Mother Earth, Happy Birthday!” ~ Devan Kowdley, 9 yrs Mother Earth She took care of us day by day,Till our desires melted away,She fed us food from her various forms,She gave us trees, flowers, and acorns. Sometimes you fall on her with a thump,And you develop a big bump,But still she nurses you with care,In any form, everywhere. Pollution, garbage, is all give awayWe do this almost everyday,All we get is love,All around, below, and above. All our supplies are her boon,She lights our way at night with a shining bright moon,Our house, our bed,Think about it… let it go to your head. Her love cannot break,And it is always free to take,Oh Mother!Do we trouble you so?With our junk that piles on you, now so low. What shall we do?To help you?Let us recycle and reuse,We will choose to do what is right,Oh mother! Your land will no longer be a fright. ~Siddhika Sai Sreenivasan, 10 yrs How much my Mother did for meI could never see,Even in plain sight,Sometimes I forget she tucks me in at night. My mother taught me how to read and write,She helped me with my homework almost every night,Mother cooked such good food,It gave me a good attitude! She brushed my hair,And took me everywhere,I don’t have a single clue,Without a Mother what would I do? There is much more,To explore,What she does for me.But one thing she taught,Was to love everybody! ~Siddhika Sai Sreenivasan, 10 yrs What is a Mother? What is a mother?Is she sweet or is she sourIs she meek or filled with powerDoes she shout instead of singIs she into jewelry, like bracelets and ringsDoes she get confused when she is given a slight hintOr is she confident, and believes in the fine printBut enough questions have been askedTo figure out our mother must be our new taskI know my mother knows me in and outShe knows when I am hurtOr when I am up and aboutShe knows if I am lyingOr telling the truthShe is a better detective, than any of the famous sleuthsAnd when I misbehaveShe is the first to yellShe shouts like crazyAnd makes life a living hellBut when I am sad, and very depressedShe …is the first whom I caressAnd like every mother she’s quick to actShe takes all her opinions and makes them into factsA mother solves all your problemsWhether they be…..as big as the skyOr….as tiny as an eye flyMy mother is the reason I am able to go to schoolButSometimes she is the reason why I am called a foolShe would

Mother Sweet Mother Mothers, how sweet they smile from even the smallest tweet. They are loving and kind, how much they love us, yet we are so blind. So gleeful and happy they are, and yet so peaceful. They love us only from their heart, and we must take our part. So many things to say and yet so quiet they stay. ‘I love you’ they would say, and we must say you are a mother so fine and out of the blue. They clean us, feed us, and most importantly they care for us, but we make such a fuss. We can change that, we can love them and they will love us back. No matter where we go they will never give up. They will love us and surely that love will show. ~Falak Gajjar, Bridgewater Center, Grp. 2

Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2013 May 6th of each year is observed as Mother’s Day. For this occasion, our children submitted poems, drawings, and other creations for publication in Sai Sarathi. These following submissions on the theme of “mother” are from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the USA. Amma My mother whom we call “amma” is a kind person who helps me with my home work. Amma does many things in her life like cooking, cleaning, helps us with the home work, taking us to our classes, and many more. She is very busy still she will spend a lot of time with me and my sister Jayanee. She correct my mistakes and teach me good things.She is a sweet, kind and beautiful person. She is also very clever I love my mother. ~Mayura Kugapalan Amma Amma helps with my home work and school projects. She takes care of me when I am sick. She is sweet and loving. She goes to college.Her favorite color is purple.Her favorite food is rice and curry.Her favorite thing is reading books.Her favorite person is me (Jayanee)I love amma. ~Jayanee Kugapalan Mother Just like a sailor who follows theNorth Star without hesitationto reach his or her destinationWe the sailors sail throughThe Sea of LifeAs our mother’s; the North StarWho guides us Without her the world would befull of darkness-nowhere to beWith the light of the North Star totally goneWith her the light mysteriously appears on Without her we wouldn’t survive with the monstrous, horrendous, cruel wavescrushing us into juicewith our mothers she would protect us—keep us safe That is why our mothers are a great work of art that comes straight from Swami’s heart.Thank you and Sairam, ~Prachi Soni Mother, Mother Mother, Mother bitter-sweet,Like healthy foods I don’t like to eat,You are my shoulder to cry on,You are my friend to laugh along,My bravery when I am scared,Day and night you’ve always cared,Mother, Mother I know your heart,Has always been an ocean of love from the start. ~Brundha Akkupalli, Group 3Fairfax Sai Center MOTHER Mother you are my best friendI know you will be with me ‘till the endMother you are the best teacherFrom the day you taught me abcTo the day you taught me what person to beMother you are so very caringBecause of all the love you’ve been sharingMother you are my godIn my heart, footsteps you have trod. Mother I love you soMore than you knowWithout you I am lostScanning the world for your warmthEven when I’m close to youYour love finds me at every doorI found your warmth always in my HeartAs the Sun is to lifeYou are to me Mother you are everything I aspire to beWhen I look into a mirror you are what I hope to seeYou are always singing while you tirelessly toilFor me and dad, both of us you really spoilI see you always doing the right thingInto our household divinity you bringYou love and support me drying every tearI am so thankful to have you here Mother you are always helping me through  the toughest of timesI know because you are constantly showing me the right signsMother you are forever there for me and dadEven when I occasionally tend to get madMother you always seem to careRegardless of the burdens you have to bearMother I’m so happy you’re always with meBecause without you, I don’t know where I will be Mother, you’re the purest embodiment of love.Surely, God has sent you from aboveAs a blessing, as a gift.For you guide me through this large world.For you are not just a mother, but a friend.Mother,You are everlasting.You are everywhere. [Poem dedicated to ‘mother’ by all Group 4 Girls at South Bethesda Center.] Mom I disobey you but you still love me, I get mad at you but you still love me, I yell at you but you still love me, No matter what I do you love me, This unconditional love you have for meis greater than anything else in the world, It makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world…. ~Sandeep Kanchiraju, Group 3Fairfax Sai Center Mother A mother is someone who gives you light after months of darknessin her womb,A mother teaches you what’s right of all the mistakes you have made,A mother gives you joy when you are really sad,A mother gives you hope when you are really bad,A mother bears all the pain even if you are a burden,A mother is a gift that you get but don’t know its value until she’s dead. ~Rahul Karnam, Group 4Fairfax Sai Center Eashwaramma—A Loving Mother Eashwaramma [Sai Baba’s mother] grew up in a village 10 miles from Puttaparthi called Kolimikuntla. Eashwaramma and Pedda Venkappa Raju, Swami’s father, were distant relatives. Eashwaramma was wedded at the age of 14, which was not rare at the time. Eashwaramma was a kind-hearted housewife, who had given birth to seven children before our dear Swami was born to her. Her house was filled with laughter and little children learning how to walk and talk. When Swami was born to her, she was proud to have a divine child. She was bound to give birth to Bhagavan, and so it happened. One morning, she was at the well drawing water, when a blue light arose from the well. It pressed itself inside her and she fainted. She was soon to be the mother of Swami. Our beloved Swami was born on November 23rd, 1926. His family was proud to have such a child in their family, but there was one person who was prouder than anyone else. That proud person was Swami’s own mother, Eashwaramma. As Swami continued His childhood in His home in Puttaparthi, along the banks of the Chitravati River, Eashwaramma enjoyed her motherhood as the mother of the Avatar. After many years, Eashwaramma felt that Puttaparthi needed improved facilities. Eashwaramma expressed her desire to Swami, and He was ready for the task. Swami promised Eashwaramma that He would help the villagers of Puttaparthi.

 Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2014 May 6th of each year is observed as Mother’s Day. For this occasion, our children submitted poems, drawings, and other creations for publication in Sai Sarathi. These following submissions on the theme of “mother” are from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the USA. My Mom My mom is a very caring person. She helps me through my life by teaching me about educare and how to be positive, responsible, organized, and manage my time. She gives me unconditional love and is like God to me. She is very helpful. I love her a lot and I know she loves me a lot too. Mom you mean a lot to me. ~Pranav Kuppili, 10 yrs old, Medford lakes Sai center A Rap Song Sathya [truth] is the way,That’s all I gotta sayGo follow Sai’s teachingsFrom this Easwaramma Day! So above anything,Don’t ever tell a lie,Because when fibbing is the reg’He might take you down a peg!Don’t ever cheat a person,Or mislead them either,Because life is a car,And it is a two seater,So even though you’re in it,Swami is steering at the wheel,If you made him a reckless driverhow would that make you feel? Dharma [righteousness] is the way,That’s all I gotta sayGo follow Sai’s teachingsfrom this Easwaramma Day!Remember everybody to do the right action,Or your stairway to heaven will have no traction,Listen to the man, the one and only Sai,Come to His mandir [temple] to Put-apart-the-I Shanti [peace] is the way,That’s all I gotta say,You should follow Swami’s teachingson this Easwaramma Day!He once said help ever hurt never,And He will help us through any stormy weather,And we should keep in our brain to love all serve all,Little things matter—before you walk, crawl Prema [love] is the way,That’s all I gotta say,You should follow Swami’s teachingsfrom this Easwaramma Day!So if you love others,Swami will love you,All you need is love,And He will find you,If life is a meal,Then love is an ice cream cakeContinue to loveAnd a four course meal you will make Ahimsa [non-violence] is the way,That’s all I gotta say,You should follow Swami’s teachingsfrom this Easwaramma Day!Don’t fight with anybody,Lead a peaceful life,Or your problems will multiplyYou’ll be rife with strife.So the next time you have doubts,Or don’t know what to do,Think about this rap,Because you just got schooled! ~Devan Kowdley, Group 3, Loudoun Sai Center A Short Narrative for Moms Most children have unusual upbringings. Being a triplet, I can fairly say I’ve had my share of an unusual one. Whenever my mom tells someone that she raised triplets, the phrases that usually follow are, “Oh My God!” or “God Bless You!” or even “I can’t imaging!” While growing up, I could not understand why everyone was making such a big deal about raising triplets. It didn’t seem like much work. I mean, my mom instilled discipline in us at a young age. By first grade, we were doing our chores and helping in the household. Now that I am taking business classes in high school, I realize that having three kids at once isn’t just a financial mess, it also causes a lot of stress. I don’t know what I was thinking. When we came home from the hospital, my siblings and I did not give our poor mom even an hour of sleep! And, on top of that, we threw the once-in-a-blue-moon tantrum. But now, we all know we owe our mother so much. It is pretty much a debt that can never be repaid. I know when I grow up I will look to my mom for advice and her infinite wisdom about kids. So, to all mothers: Bless your heartsAnd Happy Easwaramma Day! ~Avinash Narayana DoddiGroup 3, Medford Lakes Sai Center, NJ Mother o Mother EaswarammaYou are the mother of my LordYou are the Mother Mary,you are the mother of our lordMa Easwaramma Ma Easwaramma Mother Easwaramma is very lucky in this world as she gave the birth to the Lord Sathya Sai Baba. She was a kind and loving woman. She saw the problems of the villagers of Puttaparthi, and asked her son to provide them with a school, hospital, and drinking water. Swami listened to His mother and built schools, university, super specialty hospitals, and fulfilled her wishes. Mother Easwaramma used to cook and feed Baba. ~Siri Kalari, Edison Center My Mom My mom is a very caring person. She helps me through my life by teaching me how to be positive, responsible, organized, manage my time, and Educare. She gives me unconditional love and is like God to me. She is very helpful. I love her a lot and I know she loves me a lot too. Mom you mean a lot to me. ~Pranav Kuppili, 10 yrs old, Medford lakes Sai center Mothers There is only one person who will love you forever, no matter what you do. Friends will walk away and siblings will ignore. Only one will always come back, always be there for you. Many don’t acknowledge how much their mothers do. They take the most important person in their life for granted. Mothers offer only love; unconditional, ever-lasting, love. Some view this as obsession and find it annoying but isn’t that the point? Mothers want you to believe that you are what matters, nothing else. In this way, they are the most selfless persons in the world. The perfect person is your mother. You will always have one person who loves you, someone who cares. Though you may not know it yet, one day you will truly appreciate your mother for all she has done. ~Arya AmaroGroup 3, Medford Lakes Sai Center, NJ Dear Mother, Happy Mother’s DayI love you each and every day.A Mother’s love is so sweetIt’s so sweet, it’s like a treat.When you sing a lullabyI go to sleep without a cry.When I am feeling very grayYou make me smile and see the way.O Mother Sai lead

Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2015 May 6th of each year is observed as Mother’s Day.  For this occasion, our children submitted poems, drawings, and other creations for publication in Sai Sarathi. These following submissions on the theme of “mother” are from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the USA. Mothers are for every one The mother of a tree is a fruit,Who gives the tree its roots.Love is what all mothers conveyThis is what, I’m trying to say. The mother of the bear and the mother of the hare,Really do love and care.They are just as sweet, and hard to beat,Don’t use them for meat. The mother of the human, love the youngShe watches them leap from rung to rungShe gives everyone her share of rice,Isn’t that, oh so nice. She teaches values to you and meShe helps us be a familyShe teaches us that, “You can do”And that is very true. When you have a fever bugShe gives you a great big hugThen you feel like you want to swayAnd your fever runs away We must keep them dear and near,So we will never scream and fear.The mothers are here and they’ve taken birthJust for us, on this mother earth. ~ Vaishnavi Ravichandar, Age: 10Flushing Sai Center, NY. Dear Mom, I like how you cookI like how you tell me how to do stuffThere is only one of youYour tacos are very goodYou are energeticYou are really sweetI love mom, a lot ! ~Johnmar Jimenez, SSE Group 1Manhattan & Metropolitan Center Mother Me and you spend a lot of time togetherOnly you in the whole house sleep with meThere are so many things you do for meHeart is bigEnergetic you areRoses are red and so you are! ~Laura Cristina Melo, group 1Manhattan & Metropolitan Center Mom, I love you so muchThere are so many things you do for meCoffee makes me think about youI love you very muchEvery day and every time. ~Krishna Ganesh- Group 1Manhattan & Metropolitan Center Mother’s  Love Her tender arms are always open when we need a hug,Her kind heart understands when we need a friend,Her gentle eyes become stern when we need a lesson,Her love and strength give us wings when we need to fly! Her sympathetic words guide us when we need help,Her powerful hands assist us when we need a push,Her admirable actions show through when we need a role model,Her love and strength give us wings when we need to fly! ~Sneha Sreejith, Group 3Bridgewater Center

Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2017 May 6th of each year is observed as Mother’s Day. For this occasion, our children submitted poems, drawings, and other creations for publication in Sai Sarathi. These following submissions on the theme of “mother” are from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the USA.

Mother’s Day: Priya Donthula Priya Donthula is a talented woman and she is the best person I have ever known. Priya Donthula is my mother. Priya is compassionate, cheerful, and a hard-working woman. She was born and raised in India and then came to America where she married my father in 2001. After many years of her stay in America, she had already adapted and is now very comfortable living here, but she would do anything to go to India for vacation to meet her family. I know all of this because I have been living with my mother since I was born. Priya is a woman who loves to read, she is always eager to learn, and she is the most caring person I know. She would do anything for her family. She lives with my dad, brother, and me, obviously. Priya Donthula should be rewarded for all of the things she has done for many people in the world and me, and I should thank my mother for being such an amazing woman. I am sure that everyone that knows my mother would agree with me. My mom should not only be recognized on mother’s day, but she should be recognized everyday of her life. First of all, my mother is a compassionate woman. My mother loves to take care of people, even if she doesn’t know them. My mother always says “Service to mankind is service to God,” this is a value that my mom has always instilled in me. She even helps her friends when they are feeling down or if they need any sort of help. My mom is a great listener, too. She takes time to listen to whenever her friends or her family is sad or needs a person to talk to. For example, one of my mom’s friends was very sick and couldn’t walk, and when my mother heard about this she immediately rushed to her house and took care of her the entire day. She had even cooked meals for her friend. This was not the first time that my mom had been this compassionate. Whenever her friend was sick or hurt, she wouldn’t hesitate to get to her friend’s house. Therefore, my mother is a very compassionate woman. Secondly, Priya is a very cheerful woman. She can probably cheer up anybody, no matter what mood they’re in. For example, she always has fun with my brother and me; and when someone in my family is in a bad mood, she somehow has a way to cheer us all up. One time I was very angry at a young age because I didn’t win a prize at a birthday party, but my mom somehow already knew what to do. She left the party early and told me to go home with my friend. When I got home I was very sad and angry, but as I rang the doorbell I saw the same toy that I wanted from the party on our table. Like that I was cheered up, but when I was in a better mood my mom had also taught me the important value of acceptance, and she also taught me that success and failure are part of life. My mom had done it again. Even if I’m older now, my mom still cheers me up. For example, when I get something wrong on a test, my mom doesn’t yell or hit me; she just simply tells me that I should keep working hard. Even if my mom only said something, it cheers me up a lot to hear it from her. My mom is actually always cheerful. Wherever she goes joy follows; so because I live with her, I am always happy. You have to cheer up the ones who have been made fun of or hurt. Now you can see part of why my mother is a great woman. Finally, my mom is a very hard-working woman who always loves to take a challenge. Every day, before I wake up, my mom is already at work, cooking me breakfast and lunch, and cleaning the house. Also, while I’m at school, my mom ensures the house is clean and sparkling by the time my brother and me come back home. In addition, my mom loves to take challenges. For example, my mom is not scared to do anything. One time, when there was a steep hill that led to a waterfall, (when my family was going hiking), I stopped, but my mom didn’t. She knew it would be very hard for her to go down the hill if I couldn’t, but she always takes it upon herself to take a challenge. Somehow, my mom does it. Not only has my mom done this in a physical way, my mom almost always loves to take mental challenges, too. She takes challenges from cooking to math to hiking. As you can see she is a one of a kind lady. Now you can see how cool my mom is and you can see how she fits all these different character traits. She is a compassionate, cheerful, and hard-working person. She always puts her family before herself. She could have flown a plane across the Atlantic like Amelia Earhart or she could have been a famous entrepreneur with lots of money, but she chose to be my amazing mom. My mother is a very special person. I couldn’t wish for a better mom. I want my mother to have the best mother’s day she could have. ~Ajay Donthula, Group 2, Cherry Hill Sai Center

Student Offerings to the Divine Mother 2018 May 6th of each year is observed as Mother’s Day. For this occasion, our children submitted poems, drawings, and other creations for publication in Sai Sarathi. These following submissions on the theme of “mother” are from the Sai Spiritual Educational [SSE] classes of the Sai Centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the USA. Vaishnavi Ravichandar, Age 13, Group 3 , Flushing Center Aidan, Group 2 SSE, Manhattan Center Amara, Group 2 SSE, Manhattan Center Vihaan, Group 1 SSE, Manhattan Center Jazmine, Group 2 SSE, Manhattan Center Shanti, Group 1 SSE, Manhattan Center Jhnomar, Group 2 SSE, Manhattan Center Ishan, Group 1 SSE, Manhattan Center