At all BAPS students hostels in India the attendance for morning and evening arti and katha (discourse) is compulsory for all students. A few sadhus looking after the administration of the Vidyanagar hostel (APC) gave a report to Swamishri. “Those who fail to attend the assemblies have to pay a small fine. But there are still a few who do not attend because they are lazy.”

Swamishri advised, “You must be more diligent. Those who remain asleep should be woken up by some other boys, or if need be you should go yourself. Some students do not attend because they are lazy and they do not like katha.”

Someone explained, “Students are generally habituated to reading late at night, so it is difficult to wake up early.”
Swamishri emphasized again, “You should not be just satisfied when they pay their fines. If they do not cultivate the habit of listening to katha they will lapse in life. You must explain to them that the purpose of the fine is not to collect money, but to make them sincere in attending the assembly. Are they not punctual at school and college! In that case they do not think it would be alright to pay a fine. You must habituate them into attending katha. Along with education it is important that they imbibe values in life.”

A sadhu who supervises the hostel praised the students, “Many observe fasts to please you.”

Swamishri reasserted, “That’s fine, but it is more important to attend the katha punctually. They should be nourished with the sentiment of regularly attending the discourses and arti. Then slowly they will become habituated and read and do katha wherever they go.”

Another sadhu who oversees the students informed, “We also see to it that the students memorise the arti and ashtaks.”

“That’s okay, but basically it is important to make them attend the katha regularly. Only then will they be able to remain steadfast and strong in other aspects of life.”