Talk by Swami Nityasthanandaji

Today, the 8th day of November 2015,  Swami Nityasthanandaji who is currently serving as Acharya at the Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, the author of many books, a very learned and highly respected monk in the Ramakrishna order addressed the villagers in Chindegowdana Koppalu. This program was organised by SVIRM at Viveka Mandira. Swamiji was previously the head of Mysore Ramakrishna Ashram and was the key inspiration behind our village library project.

During his talk, Swamiji highlighted the following things

1) In India most people understand everything through religion. This religion should be practiced in three aspects and not just in temples. A person may be most religious in a temple but when he goes out to work and cheats people, that sort of religion becomes blind. You come to a temple and worship God. This is one step in religion. The second step is that when you go out, you should do good to others, see God in others and serve them. The third step is to have inner awakening. You should follow certain norms in your life and not become too materialistic. I don\’t tell you to not see Television but be not overly attached to it and be selective in what you see.

2. Especially mothers, you should bring up your children well and make them great and responsible citizens. You can\’t leave them to themselves. In Greece there was a great philosopher called Aristotle. Once a mother of 5 year old kid came to him and asked him on when should she start his training. When Aristotle came to know the age of the Child he told her that she is already late by 5 years and should start immediately. Bringing up children is a very responsible job. There\’s another incident in our Vijayanagara Empire. There was a well respected person by name Lakshmidhara who did noble works. He has sculpted what his mother taught him in his early childhood. From the very date his mother fed him milk, she told him, \”My Son, you should do good to others, become a noble man, a man of virtues, see God in everyone and never hurt and injure anyone\” This training had a profound effect on Lakshmidhara and he went onto do many good things for his empire. Such thoughts you should imbibe into your children from the earliest age possible.

3. In this village, don\’t quarrel among yourselves but instead work together, practice values and make this an ideal village. My best wishes to you.

It was nice when couple of children came to Swamiji at the end of his talk and repeated to him what he said and promised him that they will do good to others, won\’t hurt others and will become responsible members of this society.

We are quite satisfied with the program and I\’m sure such things every child and every mother should hear. Many thanks to all the volunteers for excellent coordination.