Self-Reliance as the Primary Training for Cultivating Noble Values
Human existence can be categorized into two primary aspects:
- Physical Body – which requires essential resources like food, clothing, and shelter.
- Consciousness – which thrives on education, training, and environment.
The greater the development of one’s personality, the fewer material resources are required. The lives of sages, monks, and yogis demonstrate this principle. A true seeker’s needs are minimal, yet their inner strength is immense.
However, even the most enlightened individuals require basic sustenance. A knowledgeable person cannot survive on nothing, just as even a saint like Vinoba Bhave needed food to sustain his life.
Balancing Spiritual Growth with Practical Needs
The goal is to usher in Satya Yuga once again—to revive the golden age of enlightened beings and manifest heaven on earth. But for this, the physical body must be nourished and maintained.
- Without fuel, a fire cannot burn.
- Without irrigation, a field cannot remain green.
- Without food, neither a wise man nor a fool can survive.
Spirituality cannot ignore the fundamental laws of nature. Even an ox and a donkey both require grass to survive.
Previously, I outlined the vision for Gāyatrī Nagar as an ideal environment for cultivating noble values and spiritual training. The structured daily routine at Śānti Kunj ensures that one’s character, actions, and nature are continuously refined. Here, there is no scope for negative habits to enter.
From the moment one wakes up until bedtime, every action is aligned with sādhanā (spiritual practice), swādhyāya (self-study), self-discipline, and service. This way, one’s personal and collective well-being are seamlessly integrated.
Addressing Livelihood and Practical Challenges
Modern society has largely forgotten the concepts of celibacy (brahmacarya) and retirement (vānaprastha āśrama).
- Today, people become parents at the age of 16-18 and continue to engage in procreation well into old age.
- Previously, strict moral guidelines controlled family life. Even great figures like Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa adhered to these rules and avoided excessive procreation.
- Now, people produce offspring indiscriminately, like animals, and suffer the consequences—poverty, stress, and societal disharmony.
Without proper cultural refinement, even a wealthy heir can destroy themselves. In earlier times, individuals in the house naturally cultivated virtues through their environment.
In Satya Yuga, people practiced lifelong celibacy (brahmacarya) or voluntary retirement (vānaprastha). Even householders (gṛhastha āśrama) pledged not to have more than two children. Large families were economically sustainable back then because:
- Many children in joint families served as sources of joy and moral discipline.
- Agriculture, cattle rearing, and craftsmanship sustained even small families.
Today, the situation is reversed.
To restore the golden era, a fundamental shift in lifestyle and thinking is necessary. Some potential alternatives include:
- Offering five years of service to Satya Yuga reconstruction after completing studies before settling into a livelihood.
- Encouraging older family members to assume household responsibilities while younger individuals embrace vānaprastha (retirement life) for spiritual and social service.
- Financial self-sufficiency through investment—placing earnings in banks and using interest income for living expenses while dedicating the principal towards social welfare.
- Reviving the ancient practice of charity (dāna) and offering support to spiritual seekers.
In ancient times, landowners allocated one-tenth of their produce to sustain spiritual leaders, monasteries, and education centers. This system ensured:
- The householders (yajamānas) provided material support.
- The scholars and ascetics (brahmins) nurtured intellectual and spiritual growth.
- Gurukula students and wandering monks sustained themselves through minimal alms (bhikṣā).
However, in today’s world, both charity and acceptance of donations have been corrupted. Many undeserving individuals exploit these systems, making traditional dāna-dakṣiṇā impractical.
Self-Sufficiency Model in Gāyatrī Nagar
To strengthen the Gāyatrī Parivār and develop Śānti Kunj, we have undertaken a plan to establish 240 families in Gāyatrī Nagar.
- Each family converts their wealth into a bank deposit, and they live off the interest while dedicating their time to spiritual and social upliftment.
- Any shortfall is covered by Śānti Kunj and Gāyatrī Nagar.
- Families that cannot relocate can still support the mission financially.
- The best option, however, is to bring willing children and train them in a structured environment.
Ensuring a Secure and Sustainable Future
- Gāyatrī Nagar has been designed to accommodate 240 families, with a dedicated infrastructure for cottage industries.
- A specialized education system ensures that children do not have to wander for jobs in the future.
- As they grow, they can support their parents while leading lives of moral and spiritual fulfillment.
This initiative serves as a model for reviving the values and structure of Satya Yuga, ensuring self-sufficiency, moral living, and the holistic development of individuals and families.