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Whenever you can, keep him on your lap, close your eyes, and do mental japa. Talk to him, think of him, feel for him, specifically in the manner you wish him to grow.

Swamiji, pranams. How can I inculcate spiritual values in my child? He is now only 3 months old. What surroundings do I have to provide him?

The child starts gaining his sensory imprints, first through the skin, next through the tongue, and then the ears. The other senses also will begin their work. Depending upon this, generate your wish and will in a sublime note.

While feeding the child, have the thought that the feed should instill in him good and sustainable health and inner stimulations. Whichever sense-organ of the child responds, through that provide the most sublime and elevating sensation.

The dress he wears, the bed on which he lies, the sound he hears, in all these have your own sāttvika wish and choice. The colour you choose, the manner in which you prepare and place him – these simple activities should have a touch of your deliberateness. This means your mind and attention have to be very vibrant. Your thoughts should have corresponding notes. Have you not heard? – “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”.

Keeping him close to you breathe very gently and slowly, feeling that through that breathing you are generating a sublime input for the child. Gaze at him with the best intent: May he have the right intelligence, noble mind, good and benign will, and feelingful heart. May he be receptive.

Your contact with him is now through your sensory expressions and sankalpas of the mind. Make these the best vehicle.

In the room, have such pictures of Krishna and others, which he will see gradually and gain impressions from. Sound of conch is good. Ringing of a bell, with the most sublime ‘jingling sound’ is also good. In fact, our culture of using these has such a deep basis.

As he grows, the inputs can be more expressive and vibrant. But do all this not so much with any personal expectation, but as an expression of a mother’s fondness.

Whenever you can, keep him on your lap, close your eyes, and do mental japa. Talk to him, think of him, feel for him, specifically in the manner you wish him to grow.

Is this not enough?

– Vicharasethu-Nov 2011