It was about 8.15 a.m. The drone of conversations, the shouts for tea or milk and the clatter of glasses and plates in the kitchen had become the normal orchestra every morning. Swamishri had just finished breakfast. He called a young man and gave him some prasad. Swamishri was well acquainted with the man and in emphatic tones told him to give up smoking and drinking. "You come from a good, cultured family but your habits are a blotch on the family prestige. A gold plate is very attractive to look at but imagine one having an iron nail studded through its centre. Would it be as valuable and attractive as before? Will your habits add a feather to your family's good name or will it be of disgrace?" A contour of repentance appeared on the man's face. Swami's words rang deep in the corridors of his heart. He bowed and promised Swamishri that he would give up smoking and drinking.