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Sri Swami Chidnandaji
Question : Why do children born of the same
parents and brought up in similar manner turn out to be totally different
from each other? Given the identical training, surroundings, opportunities
and facilities we find frequently one turning out a wise man and the other
a fool. How is this?
Answer: This phenomenon results from the operation of several
factors. They may be classified into three types of factors. The first
of them is the fundamental physical and mental capacity of the individual
himself. Even though the external factors of training, of surroundings,
of opportunities, environment and other facilities are identical, yet
it is the individual's inborn talent, brain power and physical health
condition that lays down the limit of the extent to which the growing
individual can draw upon these factors, receive them and respond to them
in the shape of growth and development. Each mind in this universe differs
from the other. The brain capacity varies from individual to individual.
Health and strength also differ. Hence despite all external, social and
domestic factors identical, different individuals develop differently.
The second cause of factors is more psychological and hereditary. Herein
you have to understand a little of the law-governing conception of the
individual as also of prenatal paternal behaviour. The ancient Hindus
were adepts in this science and have laid down an elaborate system of
rules and regulations, do's and don'ts for the parents-to-be and also
for the expectant mother during the period of her pregnancy. The child
that is born is definitely affected by the physical health, the condition
of the nervous system and the mood and emotional and psychological state
of mother and father at the time of their marital relationship. This neuro-psychic
background may differ from child to child. Also the nature and later development
of the child is powerfully influenced by the food, the environment, the
occupation and the thoughts, emotions and aspirations of the mother during
the entire pregnancy period. According to these, does the child turn out
to be.
Now we come to the most essential and the fundamental
factor at the bottom of this phenomenon. It is the Hindu who is fully
awake to the significance of this factor. This is called vasana or samskara.
It is the impressions of the past experiences that gets stored up in the
conscience of the individual. Actions done in the past incarnations, experiences
undergone in the previous births-all get embedded as subtle impressions
called poorva-vasanas in the chitta of man. They form the seeds of his
nature. The individual carries them all from one incarnation to the next.
They are dormant in the infant and the little child. But they slowly commence
to manifest themselves as the individual begins to grow. Eventually these
basic qualities tend to manifest themselves fully, notwithstanding whatever
environment, training and opportunities the individual may be put into.
Ultimately this is the deciding factor which gives the direction to the
personality and the development of the individual to whomsoever he be
born, wheresoever he be placed and howsoever he be trained.
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