Happiness and Values in Life
It's true that everyone desires happiness in life, but having values enhances it. Values are often linked with children. Recently, I participated in a debate where there was a thorough discussion about the necessity and increase of children. The atmosphere became more engaging when some participants encouraged Hindu and Sanatani families to have as many children as possible. The responses to this were agreeable and pleasant. Many speakers associated the increase in children with necessity, but I believe that in today's world, alongside having more children, good upbringing should also be prioritized. In the current era, the new generation is more concerned and cautious about the future. Nevertheless, if India is recognized globally for its culture, it is due to its values. Our motherland has witnessed mothers raising children who have made us a great power. Our spirituality has endowed us with values, and generations of our children have adhered to them, setting examples in the country.
In this series, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat ji has also called upon Indian married couples to have 3 children during his lecture series in Delhi, which is being respected everywhere in the Hindu world. Bhagwat ji has given prominence to having 3 children in the interest of the nation. We also believe the same about maintaining the importance of relationships and Bhagwat ji's call should be welcomed.
I hold the view that children and values are crucial. Since our school days, there have been discussions about the Ramayan, Yoga Vishisht, Vishnu Purana, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, and Geeta in our homes. Our spirituality links human life to the Grihastha Ashram, which involves managing household responsibilities. However, in today's world, if within the household, spouses are becoming hostile towards each other and resorting to legal action, what should we make of it? The concerning issue is that the current young generation has embraced the culture of live-in relationships, meaning whether they marry or not, they believe no one should object to them living with someone. This is a very sensitive and contentious topic, and I would argue that by promoting it, our values are being undermined. The debate is not about being for or against it; it's about values and the ideal human life. Sanskars involve teaching children things that will benefit them in life, and by observing all sixteen spiritual rites from birth to last rites, setting an example that earns admiration. However, there are many alarming cases where live-in relationships are central. Our spirituality should be embraced, and the rites of an ideal life should be adhered to.
From the time the children go to school to college or till they grow up or till they become parents, they are children in front of their parents. They will keep on getting blessings like milk bath, children and fruits. Blessings like unbroken good fortune are the gift of parents. Parents also give blessings like become mother of many sons to their children. All these were mentioned with great enthusiasm in the debate which is related to Sanatan Dharma. When I was also asked for my opinion, I would say that our ideal sanskars should remain established. Those which are related to children. If there are two-three children in someone's house, brothers and sisters are included in them, then later on relations like aunts, maternal aunts, nephews and nieces will flourish, but if someone does not have children or there is only one child, then the foundation of relations will be destroyed. Both the daughter and the son should be from an ideal family. A speaker said that today's young generation is reluctant to have more children. Some cited the stress of jobs and work in their lives, while others discussed the useless knowledge of mobile phones. I believe that ideal values, ideal relationships, ideal children, everything should be followed. Mobile phones have already snatched the innocence of our children when they were really five years old. In joint families where grandparents live with the children, there is a great need for values. There are children who even today dote on their parents, grandparents or other elders when they meet them. I have discussed about ideal joint families many times from the stage of Senior Citizen Kesari Club and hundreds of families bring their grandchildren and introduce me to them. In such a situation, people who talk about ideal families, ideal children and increasing the number of children are being welcomed. This is not an emotional matter but rather a matter of the values and culture of our ideal families which should be expanded to the extent possible.