We are all born to fulfill our karma, and Shree Maa and Swamiji say we all have three debts of karma to complete prior to achieving moksha.

We owe a debt to the Gods and Goddesses, which we discharge by making this world a better place because of our having been here.

We owe a debt to our ancestors, which we discharge by respecting the elderly, including parents, the way we will want to be respected when we are old, and by teaching the young people the way we want this world to become.

The third debt is to the Gurus, which we discharge by living in accordance with the wisdom that they have taught us.

Shree Maa says that Swamiji is fulfilling his debt of Karma to his Mother in the most beautiful way. Swamiji’s mother is 100 years of age and is enjoying Her son’s care right now. Shree Maa explains that we should learn and follow this example that Swamiji is showing.

Parents are so important, for where we are today, what we are doing today, and what our achievements and aspirations are, in part, are predicated upon the path that our parents and ancestors have prepared for us. Each of us took birth with a certain destiny and a propensity to fulfill that destiny. We took birth into a specific family that created an environment most conducive for us to become what it is that God intended.

Many of our families inspired us to become what we are by showing us what we might not want to become. By both positive and negative re-enforcement, our families prepared our paths, just as we are preparing the paths of those who will come after us.

Therefore, we want to say, Thank You!

Shree Maa explains that as children, our parents were the most important part of our lives.

We were totally dependent on them and they shaped our thinking, setting the stage for where we are today. The scriptures say that the Father and Mother are considered superior and we should take care of them as the top priority.

In India, children are engrained with the Dharma to respect, serve, and worship the parents. Mothers are considered first as the most respected.

Why is this value engrained as part of Sanatana Dharma? Because we must repay this debt and it is very difficult. Parents have gone through so much pain — the Mother has given birth to us, the Father has worked hard to support us, both parents have helped raise us, educate us, and get us settled in our lives.

Therefore, when our parents are old and cannot take care of themselves it is our duty to pay back their love, effort ,and blessings by serving them and honoring them in every way possible, even at the cost of great personal sacrifice. This is what Swamiji’s example is showing to us.

Shree Maa says that we must always take the opportunity to please our parents, to serve them, and to take care of them when we can. She explains there is great merit to following Swamiji’s example and sacrificing for our parents. She says no matter how much spiritual sadhana we do, it will not yield fruit if we do not serve our parents. Service to one’s parents will lead us to heaven or moksha.

What can you do to help bring joy and serve your parents today? What can you do to honor your ancestors?

May we all be blessed to have the opportunity to serve our parents and follow Swamiji’s example of impeccable dharma.

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!