Mothers and the Divine: An Intertwining Bond

There’s a beautiful keertane (devotional poem) in Kannada, “Jagadodhaarana aadisidaloshodhe,” written by Sri Purandaradasaru (composer, singer and a great philosopher), the father of Carnatic music (Karnataka Sangeeta). This composition caught my attention from long time and has stayed with me ever since. It’s a simple yet profound portrayal of Yashoda, a mother, playing with her son—Sri Krishna. What makes it extraordinary is that this child is not just any child; He is the Supreme Creator & Sustainer Himself.

As I reflect on this keertane, it feels like Sri Purandaradasaru captured the very essence of love and creation. The relationship between mother Yashoda and her son Sri Krishna is deeply layered. On the surface, it is the pure, unconditional love of a mother for her child. But on a deeper level, it is an interplay between two creators—one, the mother, who nurtures life, and the other, the Lord, who creates and sustains the universe.

One line from the keertane (devotional poem) that always astonishes me is –
“Anor aniyana Mahato mahiyana” – Smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest.

This is a direct reference to the Upanishads, where the nature of the divine is described as infinite, pervading everything from the tiniest atom to the vast cosmos. And yet, this infinite being humbles Himself, becoming a playful child in his mother’s arms.

Think about it for a moment: the Supreme Creator of the universe allows himself to experience the innocence of childhood, while the mother—Yashoda in this case—holds the power to shape and nurture that life. This intertwining relationship between the mother and the divine child is nothing short of magical.

It also reminds me of every mother’s role in creation. When a mother cradles her child, she is both a creator and a nurturer. Her love shapes the child’s world, and her care sustains their life. In a way, mothers carry a spark of the divine within them, mirroring the creative force of the universe itself.

This realization fills me with wonder. The beauty of this world and the universe lies in this balance—between the nurturing love of a mother and the sustaining power of the divine. Together, they create and maintain the delicate harmony of life.

Sri Purandaradasaru’s keertane doesn’t just tell the story of mother Yashoda and her kid Sri Krishna. It speaks to all of us. It reminds us to see the divine in the everyday—to recognize that creation isn’t just about grand cosmic events. It’s also in the tender moments, like a mother playing with her child.

This intertwining of love and divinity, of creation and sustenance, is what makes this world, and this life, so beautiful.

Another interesting perspective to add here is this- the soul, present in every living being, deserves to be cared for and nurtured just like a mother cares for her child. When we nurture the soul within us and within others, we begin to feel the omnipresent and omnipotent power of the divine. This connection reminds us that we are all integral part of this creation, carrying the spark of the infinite within us. Let’s honor that spark with the same love and devotion that mother Yashoda showed to Sri Krishna.

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