Introduction

The following Storybook contains the tales of several mothers across the Indian Epics. They are told from the each woman's perspective, hopefully exploring a bit of the depth of motherhood. Their stories personify the cycles of forgiveness, sacrifice and unconditional love. Each of them share in a collective experience of motherhood; what it means to be a mother. For them, motherhood is both a blessing and a curse, as they endure the cost of love, family, friendship, and devotion. These women are no strangers to sacrifice, of others and of self, and heartbreak. However, they persist with unconditional love for their children and in some cases, forgiveness against all else.

"She smiles now, seeing the new future in their eyes

So full of potential, a new story on the rise.

On their first steps, she holds their hand,

On their first fall, she kisses where they land;

When they suffer, she suffers, cursing the pain,

When they laugh, she laughs praying in vain.

She smiles now as she beholds the beauty of life,

Embracing the bittersweet feeling of new love and strife.

When the day begins, she puts on her wings

When the night comes, sweet melodies she sings;

As darkness falls, she tells them to be brave

Against all its evil, their innocence she saves.

She smiles now, the tears streaming down her face,

Out of pain, out of suffering, comes the new human race.

When they leave home on a new journey bound

She begs for mercy: 'keep them safe and sound'.

Some too will become mothers, for the cycle repeats,

Of the birth and death, which none can cheat.

She smiles now, knowing that it is time to let go

Out of love, out of sacrifice, out of forgiveness they grow

When life was hard, she was always there,

With love, with grace, with everlasting care

When the light faded too, she shone in the dark

And when she fades, she'll remain in their hearts."

For many, motherhood is not a stage of life, but when they become mothers, it becomes an entire existence. The devotion, love and self-sacrifice that accompanies being a mother, being a parent, is unparalleled. And so this Storybook is also dedicated to all mothers, in all forms and capacities.