In the past, mothers used to play a big part in moulding their children. For instance, there is the example of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He was a native of Calcutta. He justified his name by being a great scholar (Vidyasagar means ocean of knowledge). He belonged to a very poor family. His mother brought up her son at the expense of her own food. Pursuing his studies under the most adverse circumstances, he completed his education and found a job on a salary of Rs.50 per mensem. In due course, he rose to an eminent position by dint of hard work.

One day he approached his mother and said: ‘Mother, I have reached an eminent position thanks to your blessings and guidance. I am now able to fulfil any of your wishes.’ The mother said: ‘Not yet, my son. I have three desires but I shall tell them in due course.’ Reaching a still higher position after sometime, Ishwar Chandra renewed his appeal to his mother. The mother said: ‘Our village is poor and the village has no school. Please set up a school here so that the children will not have to go outside for their education. That school will be an ornament for me.’ The son carried out her wish.

Later, the mother revealed her second wish. She wanted Ishwar Chandra to set up a small hospital in the village to serve the villagers. She said this would be her second ornament she wanted from him. He set up a hospital as desired by his mother. In the following years, Vidyasagar rose to greater eminence, but remained as humble and free from conceit as ever. He asked his mother what her third desire was. She said that he would build a small rest house (choultry) for travellers passing through the village to stay. Vidyasagar built a small community hall in the village.

Today’s educated persons get puffed up over their petty educational attainment. It was his mother’s teachings, which made Vidyasagar practise humility. (SSS Vol.29, pp. 120-121)