30 - Reformed The Bad Habit

Bhai was working as principal in a girls school. Each and every student of the school considered him an ideal teacher. Bhai was also fond of them like their father and guided them properly. Once, the parent of a girl came to Bhai with a complaint, ‘Someone is stealing things from the school bag of my daughter.' Bhai was surprised. He said, ‘Really! In this school, this has never happened earlier. I will inquire about it.' The next day another student came to Bhai and complained, ‘Sir, someone has stolen my compass box. Someone took it out from my school bag.' At that time another girl came. She said, ‘Sir, yesterday, someone had stolen my pencil.' Bhai was surprised. ‘Come with me. Which class are you studying in?’ The girls took Bhai to their class. Bhai inquired. He found out that a lot of things belonging to many girls were stolen from the class. Pencil, eraser, compass box, text book etc. were stolen. Bhai said, ‘This is very bad. Who must be the thief?’ Bhai asked two-three good students to keep an eye. And he asked the teacher also to inquire. The next day, they caught the thief. They brought her to Bhai. Bhai made her sit on a chair. He offered her water and asked, ‘Well! you know that it is a great sin to steal.' The girl began to cry. ‘Sir, I know it is not a good habit to steal.' Bhai asked, ‘Then why do you steal?' The girl replied, ‘I can not control myself. It is a bad habit. I steal out of compulsion. If I like someone's object, I steal it.' Bhai thought, ‘She is aware that stealing is not good. Even though she does it. Therefore, she should be tackled in a different manner. Scolding is not going to help.' Bhai asked her lovingly, ‘Do you believe in God?' The girl replied, ‘Yes, I have so much faith in God.' Bhai said, ‘Very good. Now whenever you feel like stealing, recite, Swaminarayan-Swaminarayan! You will be able to get rid of your bad habit.' The girl was happy. She asked, -‘Then would everyone talk to me in the class? Would they play with me?' Bhai assured, -‘Certainly. If you stop stealing, everyone will be your friend. You are a good girl. God also loves you. You should not behave in such a manner. Whenever you feel like stealing someone's object you must think that, would God like this! If we do something which is not approved by God, it displeases God. Then he does not help us. Do you wish that God should help you?' The girl replied, ‘Yes sir.’ Bhai said, ‘Then never steal anything.’ The girl asked, ‘Sir, if I remember God and recite Swaminarayan - Swaminarayan, I won't be able to steal, isn't it? I could get rid of my bad habit, isn’t it?' Bhai assured her, ‘Certainly, why not? If we try sincerely, we can definitely succeed.' The girl requested, ‘Sir, you are my ideal teacher. Please, bless me.' Bhai blessed the girl. After that, the girl never stole anything. She was reformed of her bad habit.

Difficult words:
To keep an eye - To watch closely
Sin - An act not approved by religion
To tackle - To handle
Compulsion - Strong, uncontrollable desire

Points to ponder:
- Bad habits acquired during lifetime could be reformed through the blessings of great Muktas and sincere efforts.
- Muktaraj always insisted that good habits and good values should be imparted to the children right from their childhood which is the foundation of their life.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What did each and every student consider Bhai as?
2. What did Bhai find out while inquiring in the class?
3. What did Bhai explain to the girl to prevent her from stealing?
4. What did the girl assure Bhai about?

Fill in the blanks:
1. It is a great ________ to_______.
2. I have a ________habit.
3. Whenever you feel like stealing, recite _____.
4. If we do something which is not approved by God, it _________God.