The Seven Mother's of Vedic Wisdom

Ancient wisdom texts of India, collectively known as the Vedas, talks of the creative and energetic force of manifestation that is understood to be feminine. This “Shakti” energy manifests in the seven mothers that guide us through this human form of life.

The Birth Mother

As the Shakti Ma, the energetic force of the Divine creates, maintains, and transforms the cosmic manifestation, the biological mother creates, maintains, and does her best to transform us into the best versions of ourselves. Through her sacrifice, her thoughts and her actions, she nurtures and cultivates the physical body and consciousness of the child, planting erasable impressions forming a cultural and spiritual foundation even as it is still within the womb.

The Caregiver

Not every child is raised by the birth mother. The loving nurturing and care given by a person to the young, vulnerable and sick whether a man or woman, by definition is the energetically feminine role of mother. Caring for people in their time of need is a selfless offering that takes great strength and courage, a role that should always be honoured and respected.

The Earth

A generous and stalwart mother, the Earth unconditionally gives her children all they need for their sustenance, producing all of life’s necessities, and asking only for respect in return. Unfortunately, rather than respecting and treating the planet with the great love and gratitude any good mother deserves, we continue to mindlessly exploit her resources without any hint of moderation. The result of this abuse is that we are suffering the effects of climate change and resource depletion, scarcity and extinction.  Mahatma Gandhi said, there is enough food in the world for everyone’s need, but not for everyone's greed.

The Wife of the Chief Administrator

Traditionally this role would belong to the Queen, the “Raj Patnika” or wife of the King. Responsible for cultivating a societal atmosphere conducive for the people’s material and spiritual prosperity, an ideal ruler in Vedic India was respected as more than just a king, but as a father to the citizen’s as well. Subsequently, the queen was viewed as a respected mother, who viewed the residents of the kingdom as her own children, inspiring and helping the king to implement policies favorable for the ultimate welfare of all.

The Cow

In an agrarian society the role of the cow and bull was central. Today, besides her intrinsically gentle and meek nature (which for anyone that has been around cows will find it infectious), the production of milk, enables the making of numerous dairy products that help to sustain life.  The cow’s generosity often invokes a feeling of gratitude. Recognizing the motherly aspect of the Divine in others, including animals, is important, because it helps to invoke the gratitude required to treat others with love and respect, thus making the world a more peaceful and happier place.

The Guru Patni (Wife of one’s Guru)

In the Vedic tradition, once children reached the age of five, they would customarily be sent to a “Gurukula” (boarding school) where they would receive their worldly, and more importantly, spiritual education. The Guru’s wife would then take on the role of mother for the students, bestowing upon them the warmth and affection needed for developing children living away from parents, as they imbibed the discipline and structure required for learning.  

Wife of the Priest or Sage

In Vedic civilization, sages, or advanced spiritual practitioners, were the philosophical and moral leaders of society, acting as a spiritual compass for administrators, who were responsible not just for the citizens’ material well-being, but their spiritual well-being as well. The wives of the priests, ensured that the goal of life, to become a more compassionate, loving and selfless human being, was not lost in the melee of rituals. rules and regulations.