“Mother Always Comes First”

He Is often called Sai Maa, Mother Sai, Who Is verily The Supreme Creator. From That Hiranya Garbha of Sri Sathya Sai emerged this vast physical creation and the many mysterious realms of existence, that Mother Sai is verily The Surpeme Source n’ Force. On Earth, He preached the supreme importance of Motherhood, which always stands first and foremost.  A beautiful illustration on the beauty called ‘Mother!’ by Ms Loraine Burrows from the UK, livng in Thailand.

My mind goes back to the first Christmas that I spent in our Lord’s Divine presence. It was in 1977 in Whitefield. It was one of the most special days of my life as we spent almost the entire day with our beloved Lord. But to relate the story properly I have to go back a few months. At the time I was living in the United States and I had come to Prasanthi for a visit. Swami called me and a small group of Americans for interviews,  twice  in Whitefield. After the second day, Swami called Dr Hislop to come and talk with us about the changes in the Sai international Organisation.

Dr Hislop explained how things were changing globally and more and more people were learning about (Sri) Sathya Sai Baba. He said that Swami had asked all countries outside India to make their centres and practise more in accordance to the country in question. In other words bhajans should be sung in local languages as well as Sanskrit and Hindi. A group of us around New York got together and tried to make English bhajans, mostly translating the original bhajans into English. One day I was driving my car and a song came into my head in its entirety. It was “You are Lord of the Universe”.  When I got home I sang it to my husband and he said it was OK but the last verse was wrong- “Mother of the Universe, Father of the Universe, the Light of mankind (Sri Sathya) Sai Baba.” He explained that (Sri Sathya) Sai Baba was a man, therefore it should be “Father of the Universe, Mother of the Universe…” So I changed it!

Later that year I was in India.  Swami was to perform the marriage of one of my dearest friends on Christmas Day 1977. The marriage took place in Swami’s house in Brindavan. At the end of the beautiful ceremony Swami said: “It is an Indian tradition – wedding song.” There was silence because no one knew any wedding song. Then Swami said: “Happy song? English song?” Swami looked at Faith and she glanced over to me. Swami then looked at me, waiting for me to sing at the same time someone nudged me and said: “Loraine, you sing.” I thought that this was my chance to sing this new song “Lord of the Universe”, so I started to sing. It was a total disaster because no one had ever heard this song before and the rhythm was off and it sounded awful. Swami told everyone to be quiet and then He looked at me and said “sing”, so I sung and Swami sang with me! We got to the last verse and I sang “Father of the Universe, Mother of the Universe” and Swami sang “Mother of the Universe, Father of the Universe.” He looked at me as if to say – “you got it wrong!!” He also said: “Mother Always Comes First!”

Mother Always Comes First – A Sacred Reflection On Love, Gratitude, And Divine Care

Mother Always Comes First is a deeply touching spiritual theme that reminds us of the first love, first protection, and first sacrifice we experience in life. Before a child knows the world, the child knows the mother’s warmth. Before learning language, prayer, duty, or discipline, the child receives care through the mother’s touch, patience, and silent suffering.

A mother’s love is often selfless and natural. She gives without keeping account, protects without seeking praise, and worries even when everyone else is peaceful. Her love begins before birth and continues through every stage of life. She may hide her pain, but she cannot hide her concern for her child’s welfare.

Mother Always Comes First teaches that gratitude to one’s mother is not only a social duty, but a spiritual value. The mother is the first teacher, first nurse, first guide, and first example of love. She teaches not only by words, but through sleepless nights, daily sacrifice, forgiveness, and constant care.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave great importance to reverence for parents, especially the mother. He often reminded devotees that one must honor the mother, father, teacher, and God. The mother has a sacred place because she gives the body, nourishes life, shapes early character, and plants the first seeds of faith, kindness, and discipline.

Mother Always Comes First reminds us that motherhood reflects divine compassion. A mother may scold, correct, and discipline, but behind it is usually concern and love. In the same way, divine grace may sometimes correct us through difficulties, delays, or lessons, but its purpose is always protection, purification, and growth.

In many homes, the mother is the quiet center of strength. She may cook, clean, work, pray, guide children, care for elders, and manage worries silently. Many of her sacrifices are never announced. Yet the peace of the home often rests upon her patience. To respect the mother is to respect the foundation of family life.

Mother Always Comes First becomes meaningful when love is expressed through action. It is not enough to speak sweet words only on special days. A mother should be respected through gentle speech, patient listening, helpful service, and sincere care. Giving time, attention, and gratitude is often more valuable than expensive gifts.

A child may grow older, become educated, earn money, and gain respect in society, but should never forget the mother’s role in that journey. Every success carries her unseen blessings. Her prayers may have protected the child when no one else knew the danger. Her faith may have given strength when the child felt weak.

Mother Always Comes First also teaches that society must honor women and motherhood with dignity. A culture that respects mothers becomes more compassionate, balanced, and value-based. Children who are taught to respect their mother learn humility, gratitude, and sensitivity. These qualities help them become better human beings.

The mother also represents the first experience of forgiveness. A child may make mistakes many times, yet the mother’s heart continues to hope, pray, and love. This does not mean that every action is accepted without correction. It means that true love does not easily abandon. Such patience is a sacred lesson for all relationships.

In spiritual life, the idea of mother expands further. The Divine Mother nourishes the universe, protects beings, and guides the heart toward truth. Earth is also called mother because she supports all life with patience. When we honor our own mother, we also learn to honor nature, womanhood, compassion, and the Divine Mother’s grace.

A mother’s blessing has deep power. Even a simple prayer from her heart can become a shield for the child. Her tears, hopes, and silent wishes carry purity because they are born from love. A wise person never takes such blessings lightly. Serving the mother with humility becomes a sacred form of worship.

In the end, Mother Always Comes First is a reminder to live with gratitude, tenderness, and respect. The mother is not only a person in our life; she is a living symbol of sacrifice, patience, protection, and divine love. When we honor her through care, obedience, kindness, and prayer, our own heart becomes softer, purer, and more blessed.

Supreme Mother Kundalini