Mr. Chitaliya, the Bureau Chief of Divya Bhaskar, a Gujarati daily, asked Swamishri, “On the one hand we see an increase in mandirs and religious places of worship and on the other hand the attack on our culture has increased through TV and cinema theatres. Consequently people go astray. What thought prevents a person from straying?”

Swamishri replied, “People become morally wayward due to the immoral things shown on TV and in theatres. Man indulges in sense pleasures because it is in his soul. As a result it does not take long to lose virtues and good thoughts. There are vices in the soul, therefore one should make a person understand that these things are wrong. You should give them up. But the problem is he does it because of his desires. Those who screen or sell such things do it for money. Despite a ban on liquor people sell it. So, when the consumer resolves not to take it then there will be no problems. People should think that there is no happiness in doing immoral things. One learns this through spiritual education. Spiritual education is that which dissolves desires in one’s soul. And so the soul is transformed. To achieve all this one has to make an effort. We keep on talking to people to give up addictions and only a few give them up. We get 25% success. The main thing is not to give up. If one makes an effort then transformation takes place.”

Mr. Chitaliya asked, “What is your message for those who want to come out from the dirt of immorality?”

Swamishri replied, “Many love to remain in the dirt. A worm that wallows in faeces is not pleased to be in a garden. If a person wants to really come out then he would come out. If he gives up bad company then it is possible to give it up. It is because of spiritual ignorance that he wallows in it. But when spiritual knowledge dawns he has no problems.”