Bapa was travelling by Singapore Airlines from Auckland to Singapore. During the flight, Kirtan, a boy of thirteen, asked Swamishri a few questions.

Kirtan : I get very angry! How can I overcome it?

Swamishri : Whenever you get angry, remember Shriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj and chant, ‘Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan,’ in your mind. If you think of God, your anger will subside. Now, just think, where is the need to get angry? There is no gain in getting angry with anyone. By getting angry, your work is not done. In fact the other person is left miserable and distressed. By singing hymns, chanting ‘Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan,’ the distress of the other person, and yours, is dissolved.

Kirtan : I am very lazy. How can I get rid of lethargy?

Swamishri : That you shouldn’t have at all. How can you be lazy at such a young age? If you have laziness at this age, then you won’t be able to study and will never get a good job. Laziness is your enemy. Think like this and get rid of it.

Wake up early in the morning. Engage yourself in prayer and study. You should not be lazy in any type of work. Don’t say ‘later’. Do your work ‘now’. Don’t leave your studies, lessons, your prayers for tomorrow or later. Do it today.

After a while, Swamishri asked Kirtan, “Now I’ll ask you a question. When you grow up will you be as good as you are now? Because children get spoilt when they grow up. They don’t come to prayer meetings, don’t perform puja and they get into bad company. God will be happy and grant you spiritual liberation if you attend religious assemblies in your life.

Kirtan promised Bapa that he would attend spiritual meetings all his life.