The world today is moving at a very fast pace. This rapid pace has also impacted the lives of children, exposing them to numerous new experiences while bringing forth a plethora of everyday challenges. These challenges range from the very basic to crucial aspects that shape their lives and careers. As it is said, challenges serve as grooming classes that mold a beautiful sculpture from rock. This transformation is only possible when they receive correct guidance and direction.
We understand that parents are the first guides for children, making parenting crucial in guiding them through each phase of life. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu emphasizes that the bond between parents and children is vital as it establishes the comfort and trust required for effective parenting. Parents Worship Day is one such initiative that boosts parent-child bonding, thereby enhancing trust within the family.
Challenges A never-ending Saga
Challenges are something that continues throughout a human life. The type of challenges changes as a child grows, and It is impossible to navigate life without encountering hurdles. In fact, some challenges may persist throughout one’s life, but humans learn to adapt. Exposure to challenges begins in infancy and continues through adulthood and the teenage years. These challenges encompass peer pressure, bullying, depression, anxiety, addiction, health issues, and more. The troubles faced are not always big unless there is someone to guide them through the hurdles to overcome them.
Parenting and Children
Children are like saplings that need proper care to grow into beautiful plants. Parenting, akin to gardening, involves providing everything in the right proportion—whether it’s love, care, affection, liberty, discipline or resources. Parents play a crucial role in guiding children through various phases of life. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu emphasizes that parents always think about the welfare of their kids, never harboring ill intentions. Therefore, their guidance is not only based on experience and knowledge but is solely meant for the well-being of their children.
Building a Foundation to Fight Hurdles
Bapuji says: If a child is nurtured to develop a good character, they will be able to navigate through any hurdles without requiring additional help. On the contrary, if the child develops a bad character, despite being provided with numerous resources, they will end up destroying everything. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a strong foundation through good values, enabling children to overcome obstacles on their path.
In Bhagvat Gita Lord Krishna says
अभयं सत्त्वसंश्रुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः |
दानं दमश्र्च यज्ञश्र्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् || १ ||
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैश्रुनम् |
दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् || २ ||
तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता |
भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत || ३ ||
Translation
The Lord Krishna Says: Fearlessness, purification of one’s being, the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, acts of charity, self-discipline, participation in sacred rituals, study of the Vedas, embracing austerity and simplicity; practicing nonviolence, adhering to truth, relinquishing anger; practicing renunciation, cultivating tranquility, avoiding faultfinding, showing compassion, and eschewing covetousness; demonstrating gentleness, embodying modesty and unwavering determination; displaying vigor, embracing forgiveness, fortitude, maintaining cleanliness, forsaking envy, and abstaining from a passion for honor—these divine virtues, O descendant of Bharata, characterize those godly individuals blessed with a divine nature.
As evident from the discussion above, if we intend for children to establish a solid foundation to confront life’s challenges, they must be nurtured with the right attitude and qualities. Dividing these qualities into major sections, the following key areas emerge:
- Path of Righteousness
- Vedic Cultural Knowledge
- Empathy and Compassion
- Truthfulness
- Courage and Vigor
These qualities need to be embedded within children so that they develop characteristics that help them face any challenge or hurdle in their life. As parents are the first teachers, they must infuse these qualities in their children so that the latter can shield themselves from any obstructions.
Good parenting helps foster empathy, honesty, self-reliance, self-control, kindness, cooperation, and happiness. It helps protect children from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse. Positive parenting techniques work well to raise children with discipline and good moral values and are every parent’s dream. However, it is not an easy feat. We are lucky to be part of Santan Sanskriti where Scriptures and Saints have always been a guide for us paving our way to lead a happy life. Here are a few things that help in bringing these changes.
Knowledge through Literature
As we are aware, our senses serve as the doors to our mind and character. Therefore, what we see and read directly impacts our character and nature. Bapuji emphasizes that we become what we read and hear. Hence, he has shared his immense knowledge through his discourses and literature, serving as the guiding light not only for leading a happy and successful life but also for preparing to face any future challenges. Parents should utilize these pearls of knowledge for their own advancement and to nurture their offspring with courage, health, values, and compassion.
BalSanskar Kendra & Vidhyarti Anushthan Shivirs
It is a known fact that children learn more when they are in groups. This becomes even more beneficial when the group focuses on their cultural development, as it instills cultural values, knowledge, moral values, and good habits. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu initiated Bal Sanskar Kendra, which nurtures young minds with values and knowledge. Children from Bal Sanskar not only develop good moral values but also prepare themselves to understand future situations and handle them with courage.
Anushthan Shivirs conducted by Ashrams provide another effective way to instill moral values in children. These workshops focus on character building, making kids strong, courageous, and prepared to face all the hardships of the future.
Vedic Style Of Education
The modern education system primarily puts pressure on children. High fees and minimal cultural exposure make students heavily reliant on resources, hindering their ability to cope with real-world challenges. In such situations, they may succumb to anxiety, depression, drugs, or other harmful habits. Unlike earlier times, when instances of children committing suicide due to academic pressure were rare, this count is now increasing.
Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu has reintroduced the Vedic education style in our society by establishing Gurukuls. These Gurukuls offer a unique combination of modern-day education and the traditional Vedic style, fostering the holistic development of students. Here, children become responsible citizens equipped to face all challenges.
Teaching Through Example:
Children learn by observing, and teaching through example is one of the best ways to guide them on the path to righteousness. Sanatan Saints like Bapuji have shared immense knowledge that helps us lead successful lives by following the path of truth. If parents follow these paths, they can effectively guide their children through all phases of life.
Parenting: Not Always Bed of Roses
Parenting is a gift from God, but it is not without its challenges. A crucial aspect of successful parenting is two-way trust and love. Nowadays, a continuous clash of thoughts between parents and children has become a norm. Children are forgetting the sacrifices of their parents and building barriers against them. This not only breeds hatred but also leaves them unguided during challenges. To combat this concerning trend, Pujya Bapuji initiated the Parents Worship Day Celebration on 14th February every year. He designated this day as the Day of Eternal Love, where children worship their parents and express gratitude for their sacrifices. This event bridges the gaps between parents and children, strengthening family bonds. It fosters understanding, enabling clear communication of facts for the mutual benefit of both parties.
Prelude
Children are like boats sailing in the ocean; they need proper guidance, or they may dwindle or even drown. Parents are those guiding lights that can help them sail through this deep ocean and reach the destination of success. This is only possible when parents instill moral values and good character in them. As Bapuji says, enabling kids to achieve success is more precious than simply providing them with plenty of resources. With the right knowledge, children can always pave their path to success. In this scenario, Parents Worship Day appears to be a boon as it builds a strong parent-child relationship, encouraging children to respect their parents and utilize their experience for success. Bapuji’s vision is to create a Bharat where there are no old-age homes, no children are misguided, and everyone works towards the success of the nation. Parent Worship Day is his revolutionary step towards achieving this vision.
