Change The Vision

Once the late Shankaracharya of SWAHA was questioned on the topic of parenting. His response was: “If I were asked by the Divine which form of God I would want to see, I would ask to see my parents for they are my Gods. The kind of hard work and sacrifice they have endured for me, I owe everything to them.”

Indeed, this response is most instructive to all, especially today, where everyone speeds along opposite lanes on the busy highway of life, unmindful of the other. How often has it been emphasized that the institution of the family is the foundation of any society. It is not by chance then, that the seers of Hinduism, in structuring the syllabus of lifelong development for man, have placed the initial educators as parents, followed by the Guru. The natural inference, then, is that a society is as strong as the family unit.

A brief glimpse at the styles of leadership embraced by various national administrations in their efforts to stem crime indicates the global concern for man’s survival, morally. The many social and educational development programmes that have been initiated, may create some small dent in the ballooning whirlpool of adharma. In our country, past efforts to review the school’s curriculum, to harness early childhood programmes under the reins of improved constructivism, to focus more on the teaching of religion in school and to address burning social and health issues must be applauded.

However, such efforts are an attack on the symptoms of the ills and not the causes of degradation. In the drive to heal social diseases, we are simply attempting to change the scenery, not the vision. Such measures, though providing short-term relief, can be compared to repainting a dilapidated building. The tenets of Sanatan Dharma, namely, satyam (truth), soucham (cleanliness), dayaa (compassion) and daan (charity), are the foundation blocks upon which the house of social, intellectual, spiritual and physical development is built. These pillars can only be cemented within an individual from the stage of childhood. Naturally, the seed of growth takes root in the home.

Satyam maataa, pitaa gyaanam – Truth is mother; wisdom, father. Indeed, parents play a pivotal role in a child’s life. Mothers transmit the spirit of moral, virtuous and spiritual enhancement to their children. The father’s wisdom, like the dharma-rath, chariot of dharma, inspires his children to develop qualities of courage, valour, endurance and fortitude. Such qualities serve as a kavach, an armour, to keep them in good stead as they venture out into life.

Studies have shown that parents’ care and love of their offspring prevent issues such as psychological maladjustment, substance abuse, depression, emotional disruptions and other similar problems. Once parents recognise the important role they play in their children’s success, general uplift of the family and society is assured. Also, once children acknowledge the sacrifices their parents have made, and honour the divinity in them, the road to self-development, societal advancement and ultimately, national improvement will be a bright one.