The spirit of Mother's Day.
Mother’s Day invites us to pause and honor those who have nurtured life with compassion, resilience, and grace. While we traditionally associate this day with mothers in a familial or biological sense, there’s a deeper spiritual truth worth recognizing: the essence of motherhood is not confined to gender, but to anyone who takes on this nurturing role.
In tantric philosophy, the concept of Pañca‑Kṛtya, the five divine acts of the universe, offers a profound way to understand the nurturing spirit — not just in mothers, but in all of us.
What is Pañca‑Kṛtya?
Pañca‑Kṛtya refers to five sacred functions performed by the Divine:
Sṛṣṭi (Creation)
Sthiti (Preservation)
Saṃhāra (Destruction or Dissolution)
Tirobhāva (Concealment or Illusion)
Anugraha (Grace or Revelation)
These acts aren’t just cosmic events — they are patterns of life expressed through human action. This Mother’s Day, let’s look at how these five acts illuminate the sacred nature of caregiving and remind us that we all carry the potential to embody divine care.
1. Sṛṣṭi: Creation
Whether it’s birthing a child, an idea, a project, or a community, we all engage in Sṛṣṭi. Creation isn’t just biological — it’s emotional, intellectual, spiritual. On this day, we celebrate those who give life in countless forms, especially mothers, but also teachers, friends, mentors, and caregivers of all kinds.
To create is to participate in the divine rhythm of becoming.
2. Sthiti: Preservation
We are all stewards. We preserve relationships, protect dreams, hold space for healing, and maintain harmony in our homes and communities. Just as a mother shields her child with unwavering care, each of us embodies Sthiti when we offer support, consistency, and protection to others.
It’s a quiet strength — the kind that holds the world together.
3. Saṃhāra: Dissolution
Letting go is an act of love too. Every time we release an old belief, dissolve a toxic pattern, or step back to allow others to grow, we enact Saṃhāra. In parenting, it might look like loosening the reins. In friendship, it might be the hard truth. In ourselves, it’s the courage to change.
Destruction, when done with compassion, makes room for something better.
4. Tirobhāva: Concealment
Much of what we do for others goes unseen. The invisible emotional labor, the silent sacrifices, the tears no one knows about — these are acts of Tirobhāva, the divine concealment. In the same way mothers often mask their own pain to protect their children, we too hide parts of ourselves to offer peace to others.
It is a sacred anonymity — a selfless veil.
5. Anugraha: Grace
Ultimately, Anugraha is the act of giving — not just resources, but presence. A kind word, a forgiving heart, a moment of deep listening — these are acts of grace. We each have the capacity to bless others simply by showing up with love.
To offer grace is to remind someone of their worth, even when they forget it themselves.
Honoring Motherhood in All Its Forms
Mother’s Day, at its highest expression, is not just about biological motherhood — it is about nurturing. It is about honoring the divine actions that sustain life and love. On Mother’s Day we can recognize those who embody these qualities, whatever their gender, identity, or relationship status.
And while we celebrate the mothers who raised us, we also bow to the mothering spirit in everyone — the creators, the protectors, the sacrificers, the silent warriors, and the givers of grace.
This Mother’s Day, let us expand our circle of gratitude. Let us see Pañca‑Kṛtya alive in the world around us and within ourselves. Because when we act with care, presence, courage, and compassion — we, too, become part of the sacred dance.