Male god as mother

In Maharashtra the word ‘Mauli’ means mother. But god Vitthal is often addressed as Mauli, meaning mother of the devotee, suggesting the androgynous nature of the deity as the ultimate creator of the universe. In bhakti poetry tradition the relationship between the male god and his devotees is constantly reinforced using the example of the relationship between a mother and her child. Speaking of mother and child bonding, the bond between the mother and her daughter is especially strengthened during the first pregnancy of the daughter. This tale from South India describes how Shiva chose to play the role of a mother to comfort and nourish a daughter during her
first child birth.

For many years a merchant from South India worshipped Shiva and prayed to him to bless him with a child. Eventually, Shiva blessed him with a daughter. When this young girl came of age, the merchant married her to the son of a wealthy family from another state across the river Kaveri. Unfortunately, the merchant died of old age without getting a chance to see his grandchild. Soon the girl became pregnant with the her first child. As per the custom her mother invited the girl to her parental home for the delivery of her first baby. But the husband of the girl advised her, “Your mother is now old. Why do you want to burden her in her old age. Instead she can come and stay with us and help you with our first child.” The daughter readily agreed and conveyed the message to her old mother. The old lady too consented to visit her daughter with all the paraphernalia needed for delivering the baby. Meanwhile river Kaveri got flooded blocking all the travel across the river. The old lady could not cross the river and come to her daughter’s house.

Everyday the daughter would wait at the door way for her mother, counting days and thinking she would turn up today or tomorrow as her delivery date drew near. She kept thinking ” My mother will bring all the clothes for the new baby and saree for me and she would also bring some of my favourite food along. Oh mother! how much I miss you now as I am going to be a first time mother”.

The due date drew closer , but the water from the river Kaveri refused to subside. Meanwhile, Shiva who was observing the daughter of his devotee felt pity for the new mother to be, and took the form of her mother. Like her mother, his back was bent, his hair were white, and he carried a bamboo staff in his hand. He walked towards the girls’s house, taking slow steps and panting a bit. Uma and Ganga were sent ahead as servants with bundles of goods needed for the new mother.The girl was overjoyed to see her mother. ” I have bought you new sarees, and jewels and your favourite sweets” said the old lady. The very next day the daughter went into labour and Shiva as the old woman helped the daughter deliver the baby like a professional midwife. A baby boy was born, whom Shiva cleaned and bathed in perfumed water, placed him in the cradle and and gently rocked him to sleep singing lullabies. Shiva diligently performed each and every duty a mother would do for her daughter during her first delivery.

When the floods receded, the old lady- the real mother of the girl arrived at her house. When the daughter saw the two woman face to face, she cried ” Oh God! who is my real mother? ”
Shiva smiled at the girl, blessed her and quietly disappeared into the sky.

Story Collected by : Vidya Kamat
Source: Tamil Temple myths by David Shulman
Location : Tamil Nadu
Image copyright: Vidya Kamat