'Sanskar'

 There is a common misconception about imparting sanskar to young generation in India, these days. Many aged parents and grandparents complain that their children and grandchildren have deserted their family tradition, do not perform rituals, follow the good conduct (sadachara) samhita and adopted a wayward life, etc. They also quote how the Westerners are now adopting Indian traditions, perform rituals etc. to prove their point. The reality is far from all these!

  First, the present day generation is the product of circumstances. India has seen days of deprivations, poverty, hunger and abuse for a pretty long time and the present generation do not want to suffer any more like that? The Westerners are affluent and seek adventure and find Indian culture tradition values etc very interesting!

  Second, may be, the centers of higher consciousness, like the High and Low atmospheric pressure centres, have moved from east to West?

 Third, it may be a problem of investing valuable time in rituals, traditional, customary, activities which seem meaningless to the younger folks?

  Fourth, the most important thing is that the children are given the traditional sanskar, actually well trained in all family customs and traditions during their childhood days. we have seen how Bhagavad-Gita is beautifully sung by children ins school competitions. Hence, it is wrong to blame them. As the children grow, they come under pressure,  have lot of workload, and attention is naturally focused on career? Thus, they change their priorities.

Last, but not the least, it is very important to note that the five century-old imposition of foreign domination, education and the so called secular traditions (a misconception) have all contributed to the present situation. There are inter-caste and cross-culture marital relations and things have gone too far beyond any possibility of returning to Bharatiya samskruti, sanskar,  (culture and tradition)?

  But the most important thing that all elderly people who complain about the present state of affairs is that the very concept of family, children, parents, etc have lost their significance. It is also true that the jivatman that takes a mora\tal body acquires the guna of the  soil, water and food of the land! Each jiva comes here to fulfil its desire, complete the task left unfinished in previous birth and also, undergo prarabhda karma! This is a very important factor in the change of life style, living pattern of the so called, modern life, these days! So who do we blame?

  Children are just God's gift. Love them for what they are. Do not expect anything from them in return for the  love, affection and protection you give as parents and it is indeed our duty? There are always three types of children. One serves you in old age because they owe a debt of gratitude. Second, they just use you as an opportunity to fulfil their desire and leave? Third, some children give misery and take back what they had given you in past lives? So, do not bother and move forward? The purpose of life is not to settles scores. One should work for redemption, mukti, moksha so that will not come to this mrutyu loka again and again? Take to Gita and learn the ways of liberation, mukti through brahma-jnyan and yoga! God bless all!