This is a book in which the Acharya teaches how to understand and love one'sparents. This is a compilation of letters sent by persons facing problems with their parents and the remedies suggested by Acharya to get over their problems and usher in an era of true relationship with parents to whom all of us owe so much.
The first letter talks of differences of opinion between a youth and his middle-aged parents whose constant demands creates a rift and ill-feeling between the two. Acharya exhorts the youth by saying, ?Had your mother neglected you during your birth you might not have come to this world at all? Your life would have ended abruptly had they not cared for you?Now, introspect and prioritise: what should be given a higher value ? benevolence of your parents towards you in the past or their so-called nature at present??
The youth then writes back that after talking pleasantly to his parents, he sees the happiness in their eyes with the change in his attitude. He admits to Acharya, ?You compelled me to go back to my roots and now I want to learn the art of being there forever, i.e. with my roots, my parents.?
Acharya cites another instance in which a modern-age son sends his mother to an old-age home on the advice of his wife. Some four-five months later, the mother wakes up one night with tears rushing down her face. She rings up her son to greet him on his birthday. The son however reprimands her for waking him up at midnight. The mother tells him that the night of his birth was the most precious of her life when she and her husband had spent a long sleepless night awaiting his birth and when she remembered it she decided to call him. Acharya then enlightens him by drawing upon some facts of life. ?You must have heard of snakes killing their newborns immediately after birth?of dogs killing puppies as soon as they are born?of those cruel mothers who murder their child in their womb before even giving birth to it?? Acharya points out that such instances prove that blood relations cannot be taken for granted and emphasises that ?your existence is because of your parents? love for you.? The boy realises his mistake and returns to his roots.
Acharya concludes the book by saying that what is required in life is change in one'sattitude, way of thinking and change of heart. ?It'seasy to make one'smind remember the good qualities in others?But it'squite difficult to prepare it to remember the obligations of others.? He advises children to be benevolent towards their parents because every ?soul is destined to become God, i.e. to achieve salvation. The question that bothers all of us is when? It is when you are loving towards others, you have unconditional faith in love and affection. The heart is always full of gratitude for even the minutest favour done to you and you have the attitude of ?give and forget?. It is this attitude, which is required to begin one'sjourney in life towards the final destination?salvation.?
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