If you are a parent, you have been entrusted with one of the most sacred duties by God. You are a partner in God's work of bringing a soul into this world. This is not just a biological act; it is a divine project to guide that soul toward liberation.
As the Shreemad Bhagavatam (5.5.18) says through Bhagwan Rishavdev:
गुरुर्न स स्यात् स्वजनो न स स्यात्
पिता न स स्यात् जननी न सा स्यात्
दैवं न तत् स्यात् पतिश्च स स्यात्
न मोचयेद्यः समुपेतमृत्युम्
gurur na sa syāt svajano na sa syāt
pitā na sa syāt jananī na sā syāt
daivaṁ na tat syāt patiś ca sa syāt
na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum
“One should not become a spiritual teacher, a relative, a father, a mother, a worshipable demigod, or a husband if one cannot deliver one’s dependents from the path of repeated birth and death.”
In other words, a parent’s ultimate responsibility is not just to raise a child for worldly success, but to guide them toward spiritual awakening.
Sadly, many parents today, especially in modern societies, are busy enrolling their children in one skill class after another, missing the most important training: building a value system that will guide the child through life.
Children Learn More From What You Do Than What You Say
Your actions are under the constant observation of “two little eyes.” Words alone do not convince children, your behaviour does.
Example – Karl Marx:
Karl Marx, who later declared “God is the opiate of the masses,” was born to a Jewish family. His father, for business advantage, converted to Christianity because most businessmen around them were Christian. This act, observed by young Karl, convinced him that religion was a mere tool for convenience, rather than a source of truth.
Lesson: If children see inconsistency between what you preach and what you practice, they may reject the values you want to give them.
Lead by Personal Example
A famous story illustrates this:
A couple brought their child to a saint, requesting, “Maharaj, please tell our child to stop eating sweets.” The saint asked them to return in 15 days. When they came back, he told the boy, “Sugar is like white poison. Stop eating it.”
The parents asked why he waited 15 days. The saint replied, “At that time, I myself was eating sweets. I needed to first give them up before I could advise your child sincerely.”
Lesson: If you want your child to embrace devotion, don’t just send them to a Bhagavad Gita class while you watch movies. Show that devotion is the centre of your own life.
Create a Spiritual Family Culture
Every day, set aside at least 30 minutes for family spiritual time:
- Read from sacred scriptures
- Sing kirtans or bhajans together
- Discuss divine wisdom
This sends the message: “These are the values on which our family stands.”
Utilise the Early Years
Between the ages of 2 and 6, the brain may have fewer neurons than an adult, but it has double the number of synapses, enabling children to learn 20–50 times faster. Their minds are like sponges.
Fill those years with:
- Stories from the Ramayan, Mahabharat, and Puranas allow them to visualise and internalise divine personalities.
- Prayers and chants that they hear repeatedly become deeply ingrained in their memory for life.
Teach Through Rewards & Gentle Corrections
A child’s prefrontal cortex is still developing, so they initially understand right and wrong more through reward and consequence than through deep reasoning.
- Reward good behaviour: Praise, affection, or a small treat.
- Correct bad behaviour: Not harsh punishment, sometimes just withdrawing attention for a while can be enough.
Example – Akbar & Birbal’s Goat:
Birbal trained a goat to avoid grass by offering it and gently striking it when it reached out to eat. Over time, the goat learned to resist. Later at the court in front of King Akbar, when the goat was brought grass to feed, it resisted by looking at the stick. The same principle applies to shaping a child’s habits: consistent, patient reinforcement.
Birbal trained a goat to avoid grass by offering it and gently striking it when it reached out to eat. Over time, the goat learned to resist. Later at the court in front of King Akbar, when the goat was brought grass to feed, it resisted by looking at the stick. The same principle applies to shaping a child’s habits: consistent, patient reinforcement.
Inspire Them with Ideals
Showcase the lives of great personalities:
- Harishchandra’s truth and determination
- Meera Bai’s devotion
- Prahlad Maharaj’s unwavering faith
- Dhruva’s perseverance in devotion
- Hanuman’s strength and selfless service
As Prahlaa said (Bhagavat 7.6.1):
कौमार आचरेत् प्राज्ञो धर्मान् भागवतानिह ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म तदस्य ध्रुवमदर्थदम् ।।
kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatāniha
durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma tadasya dhruvamadarthadam
“One who is intelligent should begin practising devotion to God from early childhood, for human life is rare and temporary, yet it grants the highest benefit.”
Make Spirituality Natural, Not Forced
- Share stories in a way that sparks their imagination.
- Let them see you praying, chanting, serving others.
- Celebrate festivals with meaning, not just rituals.
When devotion becomes part of the family’s joy, the child will naturally embrace it.
In essence, be a living example, create a devotional family atmosphere, use the early, impressionable years wisely, guide behaviour with gentle reinforcement, and inspire with noble ideals. This will plant seeds of faith and values that will grow for a lifetime.
