Yuva Pidhi Ko Adhyatmik Guru Ki Avashyakta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Yuva Pidhi ko Adhyatmik Guru ki Avashyakta" (The Need for a Spiritual Guru for the Youth) by Kamla Surana:

The article "The Need for a Spiritual Guru for the Youth" by Smt. Kamla Surana emphasizes the critical necessity of spiritual guidance for the contemporary youth in order to instill life values and ensure their proper development. While practical education equips individuals for their livelihood, spiritual education makes life meaningful and provides correct direction.

The author highlights the pervasive confusion and moral degradation among today's youth, who are increasingly engrossed in material pursuits and superficial glamour. They are exposed to negative news, morally objectionable advertisements, and a general decline in societal values. This materialistic environment has eroded personal relationships, even within families, leaving individuals isolated and struggling to navigate life's challenges.

Several key areas where youth are falling prey to negative influences are identified:

• Erosion of Traditional Values and Languages: Western influence is leading to the decline of traditional Indian languages like Hindi, Sanskrit, and Prakrit, which are the repositories of ancient wisdom. The youth are becoming alienated from their cultural heritage due to the dominance of English in practical education. The author laments the fading of respectful greetings like "Jai Jinendra" and the adoption of superficial Western greetings.
• Fashion and Modesty: Modern fashion trends have unfortunately led to a disregard for modesty, with body exposure being mistaken for beauty and sophistication. The article notes a peculiar trend where boys are covering themselves more than girls.
• Modern Lifestyles and Technology: The trend of having fewer children means that the demands of these children are often met without proper guidance. The ubiquitous presence of mobile phones, while not inherently bad, leads to excessive time and money wastage through prolonged conversations.
• Co-education and Relationships: Co-education has contributed to societal anomalies, with young people entering into relationships and marriages impulsively, often leading to their breakdown.
• Dietary Changes: The purity of food is being compromised as more events are held in hotels, and home-cooked meals are neglected. External food habits, often laden with ingredients that cause obesity and the increased consumption of items like cakes (which may contain eggs), are deviating from traditional healthy diets. The adage "जैसा खाओ अन्न वैसा होगा मन" (as you eat food, so will be your mind) is cited to underscore the connection between diet and mental state.
• Substance Abuse and Addiction: The youth are falling prey to vices like tobacco, alcohol, and other narcotics, which lead to severe health problems like cancer and high blood pressure, ultimately debilitating them. The author quotes Acharya Shri Hirachandraji M.S.'s message, "Vyasan Mukt Ho Sara Desh" (Let the entire country be free from addiction), highlighting its relevance and positive impact on many young lives.
• Impact of Media and Entertainment: The age of science and materialism has led to excessive television viewing, with violent content being prevalent in serials. This exposure is seen as a contributing factor to the rise in suicides and homicides.
• Erosion of Ideals and Rise of Self-Centeredness: Concepts of idealism, realism, and socialism have been overshadowed by selfishness, egocentrism, and egoism. The author invokes the words of national poet Maithilisharan Gupt to reflect on the present state of the youth.

The article then draws upon historical and inspirational examples to illustrate the importance of spiritual guidance. It references:

• Acharya Shri Hastimalji M.S.: His mother, Rupadevi ji, provided him with spiritual education that illuminated Jain society and the world.
• Mahatma Gandhi: His mother, Putlibai, was his first guru, instilling in him strong moral values. He was also guided by a Jain guru before his departure to England.
• Veer Shivaji: His mother, Jijabai, provided him with such noble sanskaras that his life became an inspiration. The example of Shivaji's respect for Gauhar Banu, a captured enemy, exemplifies compassion and moral uprightness.

The author emphasizes that spiritual gurus can instill empathy and compassion in the youth, referencing the philosophy of Rousseau who advocated taking children to hospitals and orphanages to foster these qualities. By imparting sanskaras from childhood, spiritual gurus can guide the youth towards the right path.

In conclusion, the article strongly advocates for the crucial role of high-caliber spiritual gurus in shaping the youth into ideal individuals. These gurus can awaken in them an awareness of self-qualities and human values. Alongside practical subjects taught in schools, spiritual and moral education is essential for the upliftment of the youth. By providing them with correct direction, spiritual guidance can prevent them from straying and ensure they become assets to society, the nation, and the world. The youth are described as the nation's aspiration, the crown of society, a repository of knowledge, a source of strength, courage, and enthusiasm, and they require shaping through spiritual guidance for their "bedha par" (crossing over to salvation/success).