AKHNOOR, Aug 30: Sahib Bandgi’s Sadguru Shri Madhu Paramhans Ji Maharaj, while delivering a spiritual discourse at Sungal Road, Akhnoor, today, called upon people to preserve the noble values of the past while embracing the positive aspects of modern life.
Addressing the congregation, Sadguru Ji said that people in earlier times valued love, unity, honesty, truthfulness and strong moral character. Families remained together despite having many members, and mutual respect formed the foundation of social life. He said India’s social fabric was once exemplary and was built on strong cultural and ethical values.
However, he expressed concern over the gradual erosion of these values, particularly among the younger generation. He observed that the increasing influence of a Westernised lifestyle and excessive dependence on smartphones had adversely affected traditional family and social relationships.
Sadguru Ji clarified that he was not advocating a complete return to the past. Instead, he emphasised the need to harmonise the virtues of the past with the positive developments of the present. He said the past also had certain social evils that must be rejected, just as modern society has both positive and negative aspects that need to be carefully evaluated.
Recalling traditional childhood activities, he said children once enjoyed games such as Gulli-Danda, Kho-Kho and hide-and-seek, which encouraged physical activity and social interaction. Today, he said, children increasingly remain occupied with smartphones, reducing direct interaction and affecting cultural and social bonds.
Sadguru Ji also spoke about the growing dependence of society on technology and the internet. He said that while technological development has brought enormous benefits, excessive dependence on digital systems can create vulnerabilities. Banking, communication, transportation and business activities are increasingly dependent on internet-based systems, making technological resilience essential.
He further expressed concern over the weakening of family relationships and respect for parents. According to him, the growing emphasis on individualism has contributed to families becoming increasingly fragmented, with relationships between siblings and generations losing their earlier warmth and respect.
Speaking about moral values, Sadguru Ji said that society has also witnessed a decline in the fear of wrongdoing. Earlier, he said, people were deeply conscious of the consequences of sinful actions and believed that wrongdoing would ultimately lead to suffering. Today, he observed, such moral restraint has weakened, resulting in increasing deceit, dishonesty and selfishness.
Highlighting India’s glorious intellectual and cultural heritage, Sadguru Ji recalled the country’s historic reputation as the ‘Golden Bird’ (Sone Ki Chidiya). He referred to Nalanda, where thousands of students from different regions came to pursue education, saying that India was once a major global centre of learning.
He said that the country which once attracted students from across the world is now witnessing Indian students travelling abroad in large numbers for higher education. He stressed that this history should inspire the younger generation to rediscover India’s intellectual, cultural and spiritual heritage.
Concluding his discourse, Sadguru Shri Madhu Paramhans Ji Maharaj emphasised that material and technological advancement alone cannot ensure a fulfilling life. Devotion, moral values, family bonds and spiritual awareness must remain at the heart of human existence. He urged people to give greater attention to devotion and spirituality and to lead their lives with truth, compassion, discipline and inner awareness.