View source for Becoming a Mother - A Spiritual Responsibility

Becoming a mother is one of the most significant roles in human society, but according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, it carries a weight far greater than simply providing material care. Citing the eternal wisdom of the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', he defines motherhood as a spiritual duty. A woman should not desire to become a mother unless she is determined to train her child in such a way that the child will not have to take birth again in this material world. This standard transforms parenting from a social obligation into a path of liberation.

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=== The Heavy Responsibility ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently quotes the instructions of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva to emphasize that becoming a parent is not a license for sense gratification but a heavy responsibility. The Vedic injunction—''pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt''—warns that one should not become a father or a mother unless they can save their dependent from the clutches of death. If a mother cannot guide her child toward spiritual realization, she fails in her primary duty.

* [[Vaniquotes:One should not become mother, one should not become father, if he cannot release his children from the clutches of death|One should not become mother, one should not become father, if he cannot release his children from the clutches of death.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A guru should not become a guru, a father should not become a father, a mother should not become a mother, nobody should become relatives, kinsmen, if one cannot save his son, his disciple, his friend from the imminent danger of birth and death|A guru should not become a guru, a father should not become a father, a mother should not become a mother, nobody should become relatives, kinsmen, if one cannot save his son, his disciple, his friend from the imminent danger of birth and death.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to Rsabhadeva, one should not become a father or mother unless one is confident that he can beget children whom he can deliver from the clutches of birth & death|According to Rsabhadeva, one should not become a father or mother unless one is confident that he can beget children whom he can deliver from the clutches of birth and death.]]

=== Spiritual Family Planning ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda introduces the concept of "Vedic contraception," which differs vastly from modern methods. Real contraception is not the prevention of pregnancy for the sake of unrestricted sexual enjoyment, but the voluntary restraint from begetting children if one is unable to raise them as devotees. If parents are not competent to deliver their children from the cycle of birth and death, they are advised not to bring them into the world.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to Bhagavata, the spiritual family planning is that one should not become a father or one should not become a mother, unless he is able to maintain their children to the extent of liberation|According to Bhagavata, the spiritual family planning is that one should not become a father or one should not become a mother, unless he is able to maintain their children to the extent of liberation.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to our Bhagavata philosophy, if one is not able to beget nice children, then he should not become father, mother. That is real contraceptive|According to our Bhagavata philosophy, if one is not able to beget nice children, then he should not become father, mother. That is real contraceptive.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This is Vedic contraception, that if you are competent to give instruction to your children how to avoid the cycle of birth, death, old age and disease, then you become father. Otherwise don’t become father, don’t become mother|This is Vedic contraception, that if you are competent to give instruction to your children how to avoid the cycle of birth, death, old age and disease, then you become father. Otherwise don’t become father, don’t become mother.]]

=== The Transcendental Mother ===

Beyond the duty of material motherhood, Śrīla Prabhupāda discusses the exalted spiritual ambition of becoming the mother of God. In the spiritual world, devotees like Mother Yaśodā serve Kṛṣṇa with such intense love that Kṛṣṇa allows Himself to be controlled by them. This position is achieved not by ordinary means but through lifetimes of ''tapasya'' and pure devotion. Unlike the Māyāvādīs who want to become one with God, the Vaiṣṇava aspires to serve God, even in the role of a parent.

* [[Vaniquotes:To become mother of Krsna or to become aunt of Krsna, it is not ordinary thing. It requires many, many lives' tapasya. Then one can become mother of Krsna|To become mother of Krsna or to become aunt of Krsna, it is not ordinary thing. It requires many, many lives' tapasya. Then one can become mother of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the attitude of the denizens of Vrndavana, such as Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasoda, is to be found the ideal transcendental concept of becoming the father and mother of Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead|In the attitude of the denizens of Vrndavana, such as Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasoda, is to be found the ideal transcendental concept of becoming the father and mother of Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Only a devotee can understand that to become one with God is not a sublime idea. In Vrndavana the devotees want to become the father or mother of God - to control God with love. This fact the Mayavadis, or Advaitavadis, cannot understand|Only a devotee can understand that to become one with God is not a sublime idea. In Vrndavana the devotees want to become the father or mother of God - to control God with love. This fact the Mayavadis, or Advaitavadis, cannot understand.]]

=== Training and Association ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that women should be trained from an early age to become chaste wives and good mothers. He notes that this training does not necessarily require formal schooling but is acquired through good association. By learning to be faithful and dedicated, a woman becomes an asset to her family and creates an environment conducive to spiritual life.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you train woman from the very beginning how to become chaste and faithful to the husband, they can become a very good mother, very good asset in the family|If you train woman from the very beginning how to become chaste and faithful to the husband, they can become a very good mother, very good asset in the family.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Woman should be trained up from the very beginning how to become good wife and good mother. That is the duty. Vama-svabhava. So here is example; Kuntidevi is one example, Draupadi one example|Woman should be trained up from the very beginning how to become good wife and good mother. That is the duty. Vama-svabhava. So here is example; Kuntidevi is one example, Draupadi one example.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You ask about marriage, yes, actually I want that every woman in the Society should be married. But what is this training to become wives and mothers? No school is required for that, simply association|You ask about marriage, yes, actually I want that every woman in the Society should be married. But what is this training to become wives and mothers? No school is required for that, simply association.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Becoming a mother is a path of selflessness and spiritual service. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that unless one is prepared to stop the cycle of birth and death for their child, the endeavor of parenthood is incomplete. By taking up this responsibility with Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a mother not only delivers her child but also perfects her own life.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Becoming a Mother|Becoming a Mother]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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