The mother is as the fire-stick about the bodies of all men. She is the medicine for all sorts of calamities. The existence of the mother grants protection to one; the reverse deprives one of all protection.
माता देहारणिः पुंसां सर्वस्यार्तस्य निर्वृतिः। मातृलोभे सनाथत्वमनाथत्वं विपर्यये॥