Madalasa – The Mother Who Taught Her Sons

 Madalasa understood the spiritual truth that lies beyond the changing world. She knew Brahman and the nature of maya, and this knowledge became the foundation of the way in which she raised her sons.

She taught them from an early age, singing to them of their true nature. Her teaching was expressed in the ancient words “Tat tvam asi” — “That thou art.” Through these words, she directed their attention away from the temporary world and toward the reality that lies beyond it.

Her sons listened to her teaching and, as they grew older, turned away from worldly life. They chose the path of renunciation rather than remaining within the responsibilities of the royal household.

This troubled their father, Raja Ritadhvaja. He did not want his sons to leave the world in this way. When the fourth son was born, he therefore arranged for him to be educated by a royal teacher, hoping that this son would follow a different path.

Madalasa nevertheless continued to guide him. Before the boy left, she secretly gave him a message in a ring. It contained the teaching she wanted him to remember: only God is real, everything else is false, and the soul is never born and never dies. He was also reminded to live according to what he had been taught.

The meaning of these words became clear to him only later. When he finally understood their significance, he realized that he was the Infinite Brahman. Having reached this understanding, he gave his kingdom to the minister and renounced the world.

The story of Madalasa is also connected with the place of the mother as teacher. The mother is the first guru, and the reverence given to her continues throughout life. In Madalasa, motherhood and spiritual instruction are brought together: she gives her sons not only her care, but also the knowledge she herself possesses.

Source & Note

This article is based on Elizabeth U. Harding’s Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar (Nicolas-Hays, 1993). The material has been edited and adapted for this publication.