In Bhoj village, many Harijans quit drinking and other addictions due to the inspiration of Swamishri and his sadhus. Usually, on the day of Holi, the Harijans celebrated Holi in another village. Every year, according to tradition, they served alcohol to each other. However, the Harijans of Bhoj, after giving up their addictions, declared to their brothers, “We have become disciples of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, hence we will neither serve nor drink alcohol.” Drawing inspiration from them, the Harijans of other villages also pledged not to drink alcohol.
In 1985, on the occasion of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami’s Bicentenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad, a de-addiction camp was organized at the Swaminarayan Nagar for 59 days. Thousands of people pledged to give up addictions. Joseph Maturia, a former Kenyan Minister for Lands and Settlement, also took a vow of not drinking beer in the main celebration assembly before thousands of people. Swamishri said, “Maturia Saheb has given up drinking. Our celebration has served its noble purpose. Now, he will take this message of de-addiction to Kenya.”
Later, in 1988, during Swamishri’s visit to Kenya, Mr Maturiya thanked Swamishri and said, “Swamiji, you have entered my heart since you gave me the message of leading an addiction-free life. All my thoughts pertaining to addictions have been extinguished. Not only that, whoever I talk to about giving up addictions, he or she wishes to improve his or her life and so quits addictions. Here, in Kenya, we have an 86-year-old retired minister. He is the oldest retired politician in the world, having served the longest tenure in politics. He used to smoke heavily for 70 years. When I explained to him to quit, he gave it up.”
When Mr Maturia was asked what thought he kept in mind while talking to people to quit addictions. He replied, “First, I remember your festival celebrated in India in 1985. Then, I remember Pramukh Swami, and lastly I wish for the good of their souls, and so they are inspired to give up their addictions. This happens due to Swamishri’s inspiration. I have to attend grand parties, but I observe my pledge resolutely. The thought of drinking alcohol doesn’t arise in me; not even when I am in the State House parliament.”
Many people become addicted to TV and it makes even a hardworking person lazy. Today, TV is one of the causes for students to go morally astray. Swamishri made great efforts and took immense care that youths did not become lethargic due to TV.
Whenever Swamishri addressed the youths in a satsang assembly, he emphasized on the deleterious effects of TV. Once, the youths in Ahmedabad performed a drama called ‘Sugar-Coated Poison’. It highlighted the vices of TV. Then, Swamishri blessed the satsang assembly, “People know that TV is like poison, yet they watch it because it tastes sweet; but it ruins lives. How many have become virtuous after watching TV? On the contrary, whatever virtues one has are destroyed. Once you start watching TV, there will be no limits. So, don’t ever install it at home. It will be difficult to control your children from going to a neighbour’s or friend’s house to watch it. If you have to buy and install one at home, use it with restraint. Limit it to watching the news and wholesome programmes, and then switch it off. If you keep the company of sadhus and remain connected to the mandir, you will be able to save yourself from the poison of TV. It is also essential to do ghar sabha every night for at least half an hour. All the family members should sit together and someone should read a spiritual book and thereafter interact with each other. If the atmosphere in your home remains charged with satsang, then the pollution of TV and other things will not affect you. By watching TV, you often waste time and students spoil their studies. In the long run, it spoils your eyes, mind and intellect. It also delays one’s household work and may lead to quarrels and conflicts. Once you install a TV, you won’t be able to restrain yourself in watching the news only. Eventually, you will start watching everything. The neighbours will also come to watch in your house and it may lead to lapses in moral behaviour.”
Swamishri often discoursed about the harmful effects of TV and inspired countless to exercise restraint in watching it.
What was the secret behind Swamishri’s achievement in redeeming countless from addictions? Mr Lamberty, Mayor of Nora, USA, offered the ‘Key to Our Heart’ to Swamishri and said, “We present this ‘Key to Our Heart’ to a luminary, who is capable of ruling over the hearts of all. This is the key of honouring a highly beloved personality.” Then he added, “I declare today as ‘Pramukh Swami Day’.”
Shortly after, during a conversation with Swamishri, Mayor Lamberty said, “We ask for your special blessings to show us a path of success from the repeated failures we face in our campaigns against drug addiction.”
Swamishri blessed, “I will pray to God. He will do good to all, since he is the supreme ruler. If we don’t get the fruits of our efforts, then leave it to God and pray to him.”
Mr Lamberty was impressed by Swamishri’s reply. He had adopted three measures to shackle the demon of drugs: 1. To spread awareness about its terrible effects through TV broadcasts, 2. To have drug addicts treated by psychiatrists and 3. Through law and punishment. He said, “We have tried all the three measures, but you have shown us prayer as the fourth remedy. We have faith in prayers, and will indeed be successful.”
Swamishri added, “All tasks are accomplished through prayers. Pray for the completion of good works and not for bad ones. By thinking ill of others, misery will befall us.”
The secrets behind Swamishri’s accomplishments in weaning people from addictions were prayers to God, selfless love and effort.