Why caring for parents is the premier duty

Service to the parents is defined as the finest service in the Hinduism. Religious texts equate the parents with the gods. Amidst parents, mother accorded highest position than father. Mother who bring a child into the world & motherland sustains individual is described outstanding than the heaven.

Father and mother are contributory in providing body to child they’re foremost gods to child. Since mother rears baby in her womb for 9 months, sufferings of lugging it & giving baby positive thoughts in this phase, parents are worthy of worship.

Rendering duties to parents defined as “pitra-rin” — loan from progenitors. It’s obligation of all children to reimburse this loan/debt in adultlife. Hence, son cannot ignore to get wedded. Sacrifice or Sanyas is too forbidden unless son settled this loan/debt.

A mentor has vital role in bestowing knowledge to child. Nevertheless, mother been especially advocated as first educator of the baby.

In the Manusmriti, 2/145, it has been defined as:

A spiritual teacher is ten times more significant than teacher. A dad is hundred times more significant than religious educator. A mom is thousand times more honorable than father.

In the Manusmriti, 2/227, it’s further explained:

Parents who bring a child into the world & rear baby face pain that can’t be defeated in 100 yrs. Hence, father, mother & teacher must constantly be kept smiling and content by care & service. This’s crucial to accomplish truth and progress in living.

In Manusmriti, 2/233, it’s further inscribed:

One attains satisfaction in the society through worship to mother. One achieves peace in world by reverence to father. One accomplishes contentment of Brahmlok (home of Brahma) by reverence to teacher. Those who’ve grace of all 3 obtain contentment that all sects can provide. Without blessing of 3, no any religion can proffer respect or honor. No any actions bear advantageous result. Parents & teachers must be obeyed. No customs or rituals are essential. Serving to them is duty, it’s most immeasurable religion.

In Shivpuran, significance of father-mother is defined:

Son who idolizes his father & mother deeply wins the outcomes of having moved around world. Whoever run away from their parents, home & travel solo on pilgrimage crimes as he assassinated his parents. Feet of parents are as similar as pilgrimage for son. To tour pilgrimages one requires to cover long ranges, this journey is in hands. For man, love & admiration of his mother-father & for woman love & admiration of her spouse are best pilgrimages ready within home.

In religious manuscripts, best instance of love & admiration for parents comes over is of the Shravan Kumar, the one who gained immortality by his dedication. Lord Ram displayed as perfect son by honoring his father’s promise & went for banishment into jungle for 14 yrs. Motivated by lives of prominent men & women, one must eternally worship and take care of parents to reimburse debt of bringing them into this life.

Caring for aging parents can feel overwhelming. Caregiving is not a job that one applies for – it is a job that happens in the blink of an eye. This on-the-job training can feel like being on a roller coaster with all of the ups and downs especially when caregivers have no idea of caregiving responsibilities and no prior life experience as a caregiver for aging parents.

Caregiving results from love. Sometimes it takes more than love to succeed in caregiving situations. There is no substitute for knowledge, for being prepared, and for having the confidence to know what to do in all care situations. Taking action to find caregiving support is an important step to easier caregiving situations.