Young people should realize that the root cause of all their bad thoughts and bad actions is the food they consume. The nature of the food determines the state of the mind. Food does not mean merely what is eaten, but includes all that is received through the senses and stored in the mind. The mind, as Dr Subba Rao said, has the power of attraction. It attracts impressions of all kinds from the external world.
What we find in every home today? There is a television set. TV sets are installed in every room in the houses of the rich. From the moment television made its appearance, the mind of man has been polluted. Before the advent of TV, men's minds were not so much polluted. Acts of violence were not so rampant previously. Today, TV is installed in every hut. People watch the TV even while taking food. The result is that all the foul things seen on the TV are being 'consumed' by the viewer. Concentration on the TV affects one's view of the world. The scenes, thoughts and actions displayed on the TV set fill the minds of the viewers. Unknowingly, agitations and ill-feelings enter their minds. In due course, they take root and grow in the minds.
Hence, while taking food, you should not discuss dreadful incidents. No room should be given to subjects which excite the mind. Silence should prevail during eating. Even sound waves enter into us and affect our minds. Hence, people should avoid seeing TV while taking food.
There is now what is called 'Star TV'. It is doing great harm to human life. The temporary satisfaction given by it is followed by lasting damage. It is like a sword coated with honey. As you lick the honey, the sword will cut your tongue.
Not Bharat alone, but the whole world is suffering from the consequences of TV. The world is racked by disorder, discord and frustration.
(Sanathana Sarathi, February 1996, pg 45)
