Prasang 71
Nourishing Young Hearts
The youths loved being around Yogiji Maharaj. He would talk to them, play with them, feed them, joke with them, and take a genuine interest in their personal lives.
Once, while residing in Kapolwādi, Mumbai, Dineshbhāi, a young student from Africa who was studying in Mumbai, came to visit Yogiji Maharaj. He had a great love for Yogiji Maharaj, but he was also fond of watching movies.
One day, Dineshbhāi came for Yogiji Maharaj’s darshan and then went to watch a movie. While bathing, Yogiji Maharaj noticed that Dineshbhāi was absent in the evening. He waited for him, even keeping a plate ready for dinner. After some time, when Dineshbhāi returned, Yogiji Maharaj, full of joy, asked him where he had been. Without hesitation, Dineshbhāi honestly replied, “Bapa! I went to watch a movie.”
With an innocent smile, Yogiji Maharaj asked, “Oh! What was in the movie? Tell me in detail.” Dineshbhāi said, “The world is selfish; there is no real happiness. Couples get married and then divorce.”
Hearing this, Swamiji enthusiastically said, “Oh wow! The movie teaches such great lessons. Then you should go every day!” Then, after a brief pause, he gently added, “But in the evening, be sure to attend the sabhā first. When it’s time, you can leave. If we ask where you’re going, just say ‘college’...”
With this clever yet kind way, Yogiji Maharaj began guiding Dineshbhāi. For the next few days, this continued. Every time Dineshbhāi left the sabhā, Yogiji Maharaj would jokingly say, “Dinesh! It’s time for college. Study well!” When Dineshbhāi returned in the evening, Yogiji Maharaj would ask him for full details about the movie.
One night, after watching a movie, Dineshbhāi had dinner and went to Yogi Bapa’s room. Seeing him, Yogiji Maharaj suddenly sat up and said, “Dinesh! My chest is hurting a lot. Please give me some medicine.” Dineshbhāi panicked and rushed outside to call a doctor. But Yogi Bapa held his hand and stopped him, saying, “No, you should give me the medicine! My pain is severe.”
Dineshbhāi was totally confused and did not know what to do. Then, Yogi Bapa calmly said, “If you stop watching movies, my pain will go away.” These words shook Dineshbhāi to his core. He had never imagined that his single bad habit could hurt his Guru. Deeply moved, he immediately apologized and made a firm vow never to watch a movie again.
In this way, Yogiji Maharaj, with his loving and unique approach, helped a young man overcome a bad habit. He first won the youth’s love and trust and then gently guided him onto the right path. This approach is an ideal example for today’s parents and guardians.
In modern times, parents often impose their own wishes on their children through force, strictness, or pressure, which only widens the generation gap. Instead, as a Sanskrit saying wisely advises: “Prāpte tu shodashe varshe putram mitra-vadācharet” (“When a child turns sixteen, treat them as a friend.”) By treating youngsters with understanding and friendship, they can be gently guided towards the right path. Through this unique method, Yogiji Maharaj created an ideal youth society filled with discipline, values, and devotion.
