Today's
world of education emphasis on the technology learning, personality
development, learning and knowing of many languages, communication skill etc.
But do these kinds of learning help in developing the inner personality of a
child? The answer is of course not satisfying. The reason is, although the
technology has put every aspects of life on a fast track, life itself is losing
its naturality. Although at the end of the course of “personality development”
the child is certified as outstanding, the development of inner personality is
almost completely ignored.
The
increasing numbers of children's psychological problems show that though we
have very advanced education system, it has become more and more difficult for
the parents as well as the teachers to understand the children's strange
behavior. Children themselves get confused and feel insecure. Due to these
confusions and insecurity they succumb to many dangerous paths.
The
only answer to these difficulties lies in "character building of
child'" or we can say the "inner personality development." We
need to conquer the child internally. For that understanding of the
significance of practising devotion to God from early childhood is essential.
In
Shree Ram Charit Manas Tulasidas states:
प्रेम भगति जल बिनु रघुराइ, अभि अन्तर मल कबहु न जाइ l
prem
bhagati jal binu raghurai, abhiantar mal kabahnu na jai
“Except
by cleansing with the water of loving devotion, O Lord of Raghus, the impurity
accumulated within can never be washed away.”
Why
should one start devotion to God right from the childhood? Some major aspects:
1.
Child's mind is highly impressionable:
“Children
are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” is a famous
quote by a well-known child psychologist. It is at this young age, that the
mind can be guided into the path of devotion very easily. As the quote
mentions, this will last forever as they are etched in concrete. Our scriptures
present numerous examples of how children who followed the path of devotion
attained God Himself!'
At
the tender age of five, Prahlad had darshan of Lord Narasimh! Despite being an
asur by birth, Prahlad’s transformation also happened due to the guidance of
sage Narad “to chant Krishna's name with full faith" and that too from the
very beginning of childhood! Pleased by his great devotion, God took completely
unimaginable form, just to protect His bal-bhakt!
Later,
Prahlad too instructs all his demoniac classmates to chant the Lord’s Name and
start devotional practices right from childhood. He says,
कौमार आचरेत्प्राज्ञो धर्मान् भागवतानिह l
दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म तदप्य ध्रुवमर्थदम् ॥
kaumara acharet pragno dharman
bhagavataniha
durlabham manusham janma tadapy adhruvam
arthadam
“Human
form is important because God-realization is possible only in human form. A
soul very rarely gets the human form and that too for a limited duration.
Therefore, the wise, without wasting a single moment, should engage in the
bhakti.”
At
the same age, a determined and courageous prince Dhruv performed intense
penance, thanks to the guidance of sage Narad. The Lord Himself appeared before
this little boy and blessed him that he would become a great king and live a
long life filled with devotion.
Meera,
a small instruction of her mother at her very young age, to serve Lord Krishna
turned her into a great Krishna devotee!
2. Child's mind is relatively free from worldly
attributes and responsibilities:
The intensity of worldly desires and impressions
are relatively on very shallow level in child's nature, and innocence is a helping mode
for devotion. Therefore it is very easy to grasp the sweetness of God and its
pastimes without unnecessary logic. Children are free from other distractions
such as survival, earning livelihood, etc., and due to freedom from such
responsibilities, they have more time, energy, and concentration for devotion.
3.
Prahlad's answer to his father:
When
Hiranyakashipu discouraged Prahlad not to divert his energies and time in
devotion to God, stating it to be a job for a person death bed, Prahlad
answered very politely but his answer is an alarm to everyone.
He
told his father “what is your definition for death?” Is there any guaranteed
life span which can be counted in years? Death can knock at any time and will
snatch this human birth which is an essential platform to practice the
devotion. I can't afford to lose a single moment!
Moreover,
the most important contribution of devotion is to inculcate virtues which are
the basic character of human being. Kindness, tolerance, truthfulness,
forgiveness, compassion are the byproducts of practicing devotion. When walking
through the world, children who practice devotion wouldn’t fall prey to vices
borne of competition such as jealousy, domination, depression, etc., but will
glide through it with proper understanding and approach. Similarly, in every
aspect the intention and motivation will be based on pure and serviceable
intellect! And there is no need to explain about the result of purity and
service!
Childhood
is a golden time for practicing devotion to God. Gradually it would be weaved
with inner personality so intensely that even while performing the worldly
duties brilliantly, the inner self will stay connected to God continuously,
forever!
