Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sookti – March 19, 2020 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Jananī, janmabhūmiśca, jāhnavī, ca janārdanaḥ
Janakaḥ, pancamaścaiva jakārāḥ paṃca durlabhāḥ ǁ
Janani (mother), Janmabhūmi (motherland), Jāhnavi (River Ganga), Janārdana (Lord Vishnu) and Janakaḥ (father)- these five, all of which begin with the alphabet ‘Ja’ are gifts very rarely obtained by humans! Only fortunate people obtain them!
It is normal to have a casual attitude towards objects that are easily available to us. Only when they are taken away or distanced from us, we begin to appreciate their value. Vedas emphatically declare that the mother who has given birth and raised us is to us greater than God. Our Puranas state that the Supreme Lord descends in the form of a mother to guide us through life.
The word ‘mother’ is used in another four instances. Earth which sustains and nourishes us all through life is addressed as ‘Mother Earth’. Cow, which through its milk sustains us during our infancy, is addressed as ‘Mother Cow’. The water which quenches our thirst is addressed as ‘Mother Ganga’. Vedas, which bestow us with knowledge are addressed as ‘Mother Veda’ (Veda māta).
Among the five gifts beginning with ‘Ja’ mentioned above, three are addressed as mother. The other two- Janardana and Janaka- take the place of father.
Every living being, be it animals, birds or humans, are dependent up to a certain stage upon their parents for nourishment. In raising kids, mother plays are far more significant role than father! Mother shares with her child not just her blood and muscles, she also showers tender love and warmth.
He who has obtained mother’s blessings knows no defeat. There are innumerable stories in our Puranas that stand as a proof to it.
Janārdana refers to Lord Maha-vishnu. For having killed demon Jana, He was conferred the title ‘Janārdana’. That which has the tendency to repeatedly take re-birth is Jana. Desires know no end. Irrespective of whether the old desire has been fulfilled or not, new ones keep arising. He who destroys these desires is Janārdana.
He who always seeks that his sons should be victorious is Janaka.
As such, those who have obtained the blessings of these Ja-kāras and who have the opportunity to offer services to them are truly fortunate.