Bal Sanskar (First Step of Spiritual Development)

A person is measured by the value he brings to the people and the surroundings he interacts with. And only a person of character makes the world a better place. Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami sometimes mentions that most countries accept only a particular currency, but the currency of character is accepted worldwide. Hence a person should make his/her life free of the odor of detrimental behavior and wrong doings and fill his/her life with the fragrance of qualities such as honesty, trust, morality etc.

Just as an un-carved stone lacks value, an un-carved life lacks value too. In this world many people study and become highly skilled engineers or doctors or technicians or scientists or politicians but their ability holds no merit if their lives are not carved by values. Such people even though highly educated and smart can seldom be happy. So inculcation of moral, ethical, social etc values are very essential for a person to be of value.

The best possible time in which the foundation of a strong character can be laid is childhood. People who have had the seeds of values sown in their childhood reap the fruits of it all their lives. With this noble cause in mind Pujya Gurudev Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami founded Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul in Rajkot. This institution has lent and continues to lend itself to the molding of countless characters.

This book is intended to part such values to kids attending the Gurukul's `Bal Sanskar Sabha' classes in various centers. Shastri Mukundswarupdasji Swami, Sadhu Shantipriydasji Swami and the Gurukul Yuvak Mandal, Dallas have made valuable contributions to the book. Sanjay Chodvadiya and members Gurukul Arts and A. Srinivas, 'Indian Arts', Hyderabad both have served by using their software and artistic skills respectively. We are thankful to them and to everyone who have been of help in publishing this book.

**Contents and Sample Pages**