Swamishri was in Vidyanagar for a few days to inspire the students who stay at the BAPS student hostel. A couple of students, Sandip and Manish, who are studying for their Masters in Business Studies degree, were sitting in front of Swamishri during breakfast. Swamishri looked at Sandip and said, "Your friend does the tilak-chandlo, why haven't you got it on?"

"I want to do the tilak-Chandlo but I don't think I'm fit for it."

"What makes you think that?" enquired Swamishri.

"Well Swamishri, when I'm out on study tours, I have to eat in hotels and restaurants. The food contains onions and garlic so I feel guilty about doing the 'tilak-chandlo'." Swamishri listened to the youth's self-reproachful comment.

"Instead of thinking this way, why don't you think that you should stop eating such food? We can live on milk for weeks." There was truth in Swamishri's words but the youth admitted his weakness. "It is very difficult to resist the food when it is placed in front of me," he said. Having diagnosed the core of the youth's problem, Swamishri prescribed the medicine. "It's all a matter of training the mind. If we gain control over our mind we can observe all the rules without any difficulties. You have to be willing to apply the rules. As you make small changes in your life, you will get positive results that spur you to do more." Swamishri's advice instilled fresh vigor and strength in the youth's heart. He resolved to put up a fight against his mind.

Sometimes when we cannot fulfill our observances, we pour the blame on conditions and circumstances. But Swamishri teaches us that the real weakness lies within ourselves. If we strive to improve our ways, the circumstances and conditions will naturally take care of themselves.

This was the gift of Swamishri's advice to the youth.