माता गुरुतरा भूमेः — Word-by-Word Meaning
माता गुरुतरा भूमेः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
माता
mātā
the mother
गुरुतरा
gurutarā
heavier, weightier (in honour and worth)
भूमेः
bhūmeḥ
than the earth
खात्
khāt
than the sky, than space
पिता
pitā
the father
उच्चतरः
uccataraḥ
higher, loftier
तथा
tathā
likewise, so too
मनः
manaḥ
the mind
शीघ्रतरम्
śīghrataram
swifter, faster
वातात्
vātāt
than the wind
चिन्ता
cintā
worry, anxious thought
बहुतरी
bahutarī
more numerous, more abundant
तृणात्
tṛṇāt
than blades of grass
Complete Translation
माता पृथ्वी से भी अधिक गुरु (भारी एवं पूज्य) है; पिता आकाश से भी ऊँचा है; मन वायु से भी अधिक तीव्र है; और चिन्ताएँ घास के तिनकों से भी अधिक हैं। युधिष्ठिर का यह प्रसिद्ध उत्तर माता को पृथ्वी से और पिता को आकाश से भी श्रेष्ठ बताता है, और साथ ही चेतावनी देता है कि चंचल मन और उसकी चिन्ताएँ अनन्त हैं।
Origin & History
Source: Mahabharata
Author: Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana)
Period: Itihasa (ancient epic literature)
In the Yaksha Prashna of the Mahabharata, the four younger Pandavas fall lifeless beside a lake after ignoring the warning of its guardian Yaksha. Yudhishthira alone answers the Yaksha's profound questions, and by his wisdom his brothers are restored to life. This verse is among those celebrated answers, exalting the mother above the earth and the father above the sky, while observing the boundless speed of the mind and the endlessness of worry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the verse Mata Gurutara Bhumeh come from?▼
It belongs to the Yaksha Prashna of the Mahabharata (Vana Parva / Aranyaka Parva), the famous dialogue in which a Yaksha tests Yudhishthira with searching questions and he answers each with great wisdom.
What is the meaning of 'the mother is heavier than the earth'?▼
It means the mother surpasses even the earth in the weight of her worth, sacrifice and the honour owed to her. The verse pairs this with the father being loftier than the sky, exalting parents above the greatest things in creation.
What does the second half teach about the mind?▼
That the mind is swifter than the wind and that anxious cares are more numerous than blades of grass. It is a reminder of how restless the mind is and how endless worry becomes unless one learns to steady and master it.
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