"You alone are my mother, you are my father, you are my friend and companion. You are my knowledge, my wealth, and my all-in-all, O Lord."
— Vedic Prayer from Guru Stotram in Skanda Puran
Reflecting Beyond Cards and Celebrations
Each year, Father’s Day gives families a reason to pause and express gratitude to the men who have loved, raised, and guided them. Cards are exchanged, phone calls made, social media posts shared, and memories recalled. While all of these acts are meaningful, for a spiritual aspirant, Father’s Day can become something far more profound—a doorway to self-reflection, divine remembrance, and a redirection of love toward that one being who is not just our father in this life, but across countless lives—Shree Krishna.
In his discourse, Swami Mukundananda brings out a truth that rarely crosses the surface of popular culture. He says, "Our real father is not the one who gives birth to this body, but the one who gives birth to our soul. That is Shree Krishna, our eternal father." While we honor and deeply respect our bodily father, the celebration becomes truly transformative when we awaken to the spiritual dimension of fatherhood, not bound by time, karma, or birth, but grounded in eternity, truth, and divine love.
Honoring the Bodily Father: Gratitude Within Dharma
In the Vedic worldview, gratitude toward one's bodily father is enshrined in the concept of Pitṛ Rina—the debt we owe our parents. It is through the body given by our parents that we can perform karma, earn knowledge, and even engage in sadhana. As the Bhagavad Gita says, "From food come beings; from rain, food is produced; from sacrifice arises rain, and sacrifice is born of action" (BG 3.14). This chain of blessings begins with our parents, who provide the platform—the body—with which we engage in the world.
Fathers often shoulder silent responsibilities—working long hours, sacrificing comforts, carrying emotional burdens, and doing their best to protect and guide their children. It is only fitting that we take a day each year to offer our thanks and show reverence. However, this gratitude must be expressed with the awareness that all worldly roles are impermanent, including that of a father. As Swamiji explains, the relationship of a soul with its worldly father is temporary, arising due to karmic circumstances, and ends with the body. In the next life, that same soul may have an entirely different father, family, and role.
We should fulfill our responsibilities toward our earthly father with love and respect but without attachments. But a seeker must also ask the deeper question: Who is the father of the soul— one who accompanies us birth after birth, life after life, and never abandons us?
The Supreme Father: Recognizing Shree Krishna as the Soul’s Origin
It is in this deeper inquiry that the philosophy of Father’s Day expands into its full spiritual significance. Shree Krishna is not only the creator of the universe, but He is the seed-giving father of all living beings. In the Bhagavad Gita (14.4), He declares:
"O son of Kunti, for all species of life that are produced, the material nature is the womb, and I am the seed-giving Father."(BG 14.4)
This statement transcends the temporary labels we attach to physical relationships. Our real father is not defined by DNA or surnames, but by spiritual origin. Just as electricity powers all devices regardless of their shape or size, Shree Krishna enlivens every soul regardless of its body, form, species, or culture. He is the life force behind all existence—the eternal caretaker who witnesses our birth, guides our progress, and awaits our return to Him with infinite patience and unconditional love.
Swamiji beautifully says that Shree Krishna has already played every possible relationship with us—He has been our father, mother, friend, spouse, and child in past lifetimes. There is no role He has not performed out of His love for us. If that is true, then why limit our concept of love and fatherhood to the bodily dimension?
The Illusion of Worldly Relationships
One of the central ideas shared by Swamiji is that the roles we assume in this world are like costumes worn on a stage. In one life, a soul plays the role of a son; in another, a king; in another, a beggar. These labels arise from karmic destiny, not eternal identity. When we say "this is my father," it is only valid in this birth and is based on bodily identification. Our real identity—as the soul—remains unaffected by birth or death.
In the Bhagavad Gita (2.13), Krishna teaches:
"Just as the embodied soul continuously passes from childhood to youth to old age, similarly, at the time of death, the soul passes into another body. The wise are not deluded by this." (BG 2.13)
Thus, our relationships are like stops on a train journey—meaningful, perhaps even beautiful—but not the destination. When a traveler forgets where they’re going and becomes attached to the station, they miss the train. Similarly, when we forget Shree Krishna as our true Father and become absorbed in only our bodily ties, we limit our potential for spiritual growth.
This doesn’t mean we disregard or dishonor our physical father. Quite the opposite—we honor him with the understanding that he, too, is a soul on a divine journey. But the love that is eternal, the bond that transcends all forms, is with Shree Krishna, who calls us His own regardless of our actions or identities.
The Guru: The Divine Link to the Supreme Father
Before we can reawaken our relationship with God, we often require someone who already knows the path—who can show us the way, remove the ignorance, and lift the veil of maya. That person is the Guru.
Swamiji reminds us that until we meet God face to face, “seva (service) to the Guru is equivalent to seva to God.” The Guru becomes a manifestation of the divine father, nurturing our spiritual progress, disciplining our ego, guiding us through doubt, and protecting our faith.
In Vedic tradition, it is said:
“Acharya Devo Bhava” – The teacher is God.
And in the Bhagavad Gita (4.34), Krishna advises:
“Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth.” (BG 4.34)
Thus, in the highest spiritual sense, a disciple has two fathers—the eternal father (Shree Krishna) and the spiritual father (the Guru). Both deserve our reverence, and both are critical to our liberation.
True Celebration: Reclaiming Father’s Day as a Devotional Practice
So, how does one celebrate Father's Day in the deepest, most transformative way? According to Swamiji’s insights, we must turn inward and upward. The real celebration is to redirect our love toward the one father who never leaves us, who never dies, and who never stops guiding us—Shree Krishna.
That doesn’t mean we must neglect our bodily father. Instead, we celebrate both, but with correct spiritual orientation. We express our love for our physical father through actions of gratitude, service, and kindness. And we express our love for our divine father through sadhana, surrender, chanting, and remembrance.
We can write a letter to Shree Krishna on Father's Day, telling Him that we’re ready to come back. We can read His words in the Bhagavad Gita as if they were spoken directly to us by our eternal father. And we can honor our Guru by walking the path he has laid out for our purification and self-realization.
Here are devotional practices you can follow to celebrate this day in its highest spiritual sense:
1. Offer Gratitude to Your Bodily Father: Spend time with your father. Thank him for his love and sacrifices. If he is no longer alive, offer prayers for his soul’s peace.
2. Deepen Your Relationship with Shree Krishna: Offer a special prayer, chant His names, or write a letter to Shree Krishna expressing your longing to be with Him. Reaffirm your identity as His child.
3. Honor the Guru: If you have a spiritual guide, take time to reflect on their grace. Read or listen to their teachings. Offer seva in their name.
4. Study the Scriptures: Read a chapter from the Bhagavad Gita. Reflect on Shree Krishna’s words as the loving advice of the Divine Father to His children.
5. Serve Others: Serve someone in need in the name of your father, earthly and eternal. Every act of love done with God-consciousness becomes divine.
In Bhagavad Gita 9.17, Shree Krishna declares:
"Of this universe, I am the Father; I am also the Mother, the Sustainer, and the Grandsire. I am the purifier, the goal of knowledge, the sacred syllable Om." (BG 9.17)
He doesn't just play one role—He is all relationships distilled into love.
A Soulful Realization
Once we realize that all other relationships are passing, and only our relationship with Shree Krishna is eternal, something within us changes. We stop expecting perfect love from imperfect people. We stop blaming others for failing us and instead start seeking what only God can provide: unconditional acceptance, absolute security, and eternal belonging.
As Swamiji explains, even the most loving earthly father has limitations. He can protect us only while he is alive. He may not know the answers to our deepest questions. He might not understand our inner struggles. But Shree Krishna knows it all—He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He knows the exact path we’ve walked and the pain we’ve carried. And like a loving father, He waits for us, never giving up, always ready to welcome us back.
Final Thoughts: Returning to the Eternal Embrace
Let this Father’s Day be a return, not just to the arms of a man who raised us, but to the heart of the Father who created us. Let it be a recommitment to sadhana, a reaffirmation of faith, and a rekindling of love for Shree Krishna, who has always been with us, even when we forgot Him.
Let it also be a time to thank our Guru, who serves as the compass on this journey home. And yes, let it be a day of warm hugs and heartfelt gratitude for the men who gave us strength when we were weak and taught us to walk when we stumbled.
But above all, let it be a day when we whisper to Shree Krishna with a surrendered heart:
“O Father, I remember now. You are mine, and I am Yours. Forever.”
Call to Action
For more such soul-enriching wisdom, guided meditations, and deep insights into the eternal truths of life, we invite you to subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s official YouTube channel. His discourses illuminate the timeless teachings of the scriptures and offer practical guidance for spiritual seekers. Whether you are beginning your journey or walking steadily on the path, you’ll find invaluable inspiration to stay connected with your divine purpose.
🔸 Swami Mukundananda – YouTube Channel
🎉 Celebrate the Bond of Love and Devotion this Father’s Day!
Join us at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas for a heartfelt Father’s Day Celebration filled with joy, gratitude, and divine blessings. Let’s honor and appreciate the guiding lights in our lives—our fathers—through a beautiful blend of cultural and spiritual experiences.
👉 Reserve your spot today and make it a day to remember!
🔗 radhakrishnatemple.net/events/fathers-day
May every day become a Father's Day when lived in devotion to Shree Krishna.
FAQs – Honoring the Eternal Father on Father’s Day
1. Isn’t Father’s Day meant to honor our earthly father? Why bring in spirituality?
Yes, Father’s Day is traditionally meant to honor our biological or adoptive father. However, for a spiritual aspirant, this day becomes even more meaningful when we remember that all worldly relationships are temporary, while our relationship with Shree Krishna—the eternal father of the soul—is timeless. Acknowledging both helps us grow in gratitude and spiritual maturity.
2. What does it mean that Shree Krishna is the “father of the soul”?
According to the Bhagavad Gita (14.4, 9.17) and Swami Mukundananda’s teachings, Shree Krishna is not just the creator of the universe, but the seed-giving Father of all living beings. He births the soul—not the body—and remains our eternal well-wisher across lifetimes, unlike worldly relationships which change with each birth.
3. How can I balance honoring both my physical father and Shree Krishna on Father’s Day?
You can express gratitude to your earthly father through love, service, and respect—this aligns with the Vedic value of Pitṛ Rina. At the same time, deepen your devotion to Shree Krishna through prayer, sadhana, and reflection. This dual observance makes your celebration both heartfelt and spiritually enriching.
4. Why does the blog say that worldly roles like fatherhood are just “costumes”?
Swami Mukundananda explains that in each lifetime, we play different roles due to karma. A soul may be a father in one life and a child in another. These are temporary labels—like costumes in a play. But the soul’s eternal relationship with God as the true father remains unchanged.
5. What role does the Guru play in connecting us with our eternal father?
The Guru is the divine link between the soul and Shree Krishna. Just as a father raises a child, the Guru raises the soul by removing ignorance and showing the path to God. Serving the Guru with love and humility is considered equal to serving God, as the Guru reveals our true spiritual lineage.
