This phrase originates in Sanskrit. Its believed that this is the order in which reverence should be offered.

Since the mother gives birth, she comes first. The father comes second because the mother knows him best and can point the child to the father. The teacher comes next as the parents bring the child to the teacher and finally, the teacher points the child to God.

Yudhishthira said: The path of duty is long. It has also. O Bharata, many branches. What, however, according to thee, are those duties that most deserve to be practised? What acts, according to thee, are the most important among all duties, by the practice of which I may earn the highest merit both here and hereafter?

Bishma said: The worship of mother, father and preceptor (teacher) is most important according to me. The man who attends to that duty here, succeeds in acquiring great fame and many regions of felicity. Worshipped with respect by thee, whatever they will command thee, be it consistent with righteousness or inconsistent with it, should be done unhesitatingly,

O Yudhishthira! One should never do what they forbid. Without doubt, that which they command should always be done.

They are the three worlds. They are the three modes of life. They are the three Vedas. They are the three sacred fires. The father is said to be the Garhapatya fire; the mother, the Dakshina fire; and the preceptor is that fire upon which libations are poured.

These three fires are, of course, the most eminent. If you attend with heedfulness to these fires, you will succeed in conquering the three worlds. By serving the father with regularity, one may cross this world. By serving the mother in the same way, one may attain to regions of felicity in the next. By serving the preceptor with regularity one may obtain the region of Brahma.

Behave properly towards these three, O Bharata, you will then obtain great fame in the three worlds, and you will be blessed, great will be your merit and reward.

Never transgress them in any act. Never eat before they eat, nor eat anything that is better than what they eat. Never impute any fault to them. One should always serve them with humility.

Thinking of all duties, I have told thee their essence.