Swamy Sivananda was a famous philosopher and learned man. People used to visit him to get his advice in solving their problems in life. Once, Raja-lingam a typical family man visited him to seek his advice. He looked sober and confused.

He then said, “Sir, I come from a conservative family. I expect my children to be perfect in all aspects. Therefore I have to be very strict with them sometimes. On the other hand, my wife is very soft and is very lenient in her approach in upbringing the children.

Now my three children have all grown up and none of them care for me. They hate me as though I am their enemy. They don’t even respect their mother. We are worried and at this old age, I live fretting for their love and peace.

Swamy was having some holy water in a small vessel. He said, “I’m going to pour some water in your palm now. You have to stretch your palm open and hold the water” Raja lingam was unable to hold the water.

Then he said, “You can close your palm when I pour water this time”. He closed his palm quickly but, even this time he could not hold the water. Then he said, “Now you keep your palm half open and try”



Obviously, he was able to hold the water this time.

Swamy said,” this is the secret. You have to be tough enough to make them do their duties and live with good morals and soft enough not to lose their love.

That’s how we should raise our children to have them succeed in life without losing their love for you.