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Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaḥ, Sarve Santu Nirāmayāḥ, Sarve Bhadrāṇi Paśyantu, Mā Kaścid Duhkha-Bhāg Bhavet. Om Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ. Blessings to you all. Welcome. Today we are here in the Bratislava ashram. An hour ago, we had a peace prayer in Bratislava Park, where we planted a peace tree about six years ago. Around the world, in many countries and famous cities, we have been planting peace trees. Today is a special day. It is the 1st of October, and in some countries, it is already the 2nd of October. The 2nd of October is the birth anniversary of a world personality from the last century: Mahātmā Gandhi. The life of Mahatma Gandhi was full of non-violence, understanding, and love. He awakened awareness in human consciousness about the protection of the environment, peace, and harmony among nations, societies, and families. Gandhījī was not only preaching; he lived according to his thoughts. He promoted yoga greatly, especially bhakti yoga, prayers, and Ayurveda, and he himself utilized Ayurvedic medicine extensively. Gandhījī's last word, which came from his mouth, was "Hey Rām"—oh God. He was a devotee of God Rāma. The last word that comes in your thoughts and voice from your heart—is that what you believe or what you love? In India, in New Delhi, where the Mahāsamādhi of Gandhījī is, an eternal flame burns. Every day, new flowers are offered there, and on the flowers is written, "Hey Rām." Many people visit, including official delegates, presidents, prime ministers, and others from many countries, to pay their respects. From the beginning of the last century, humans suffered greatly through two world wars and the Holocaust. Recently, the Discovery Channel showed that one of the biggest holocausts was in India, where millions were killed by the British. Many people were killed in the war. But Mahatma Gandhījī said we would gain freedom not through weapons and guns, but through non-violence. They did not use any weapons or force, only humbleness and kindness. Yes, Gandhījī succeeded in freeing India. His thoughts and philosophy were accepted and followed by many leaders worldwide. He preached brotherhood, love, and mutual understanding. He also worked to free people from using any kind of drugs. Gandhījī stopped alcohol in India, though unfortunately, it did not last long. If present-day India followed his teachings, it would be different. Speaking of non-violence, Gandhījī said, "Don't fight, but change yourself into what you want to be." So, be the change you want to see. Gandhījī said peace cannot be achieved through weapons or fighting, because there is no way to peace; peace is the way, and peace is within each and every heart. If you develop peace in your heart, problems will stop where they are. In Christianity, it is said: if one slaps you on your cheek, offer the second cheek. But unfortunately, these words remained only written in the Holy Book. Had we followed them, the world would be different today. Where there is greed, anger follows, and where there is anger, distractions arise. So Mahātmā Gāndhījī said, "O man, mother nature has enough for your needs but not for your greed." Greed is a thought that holds you down; whatever you put into it flows out. In the world, there is competition over who is the richest, the most powerful, who will hold the highest position. This is Kali Yuga. The competition should be: who will be the holiest? Who is the greatest in doing Seva? It is said in our Śāstras, in the holy Rāmāyaṇa, that if you want to protect humanity and dharma, then develop mercy. Compassion is the root of dharma. The foundation of sin is ego. Tulsī Dās said, "Never give up mercy from your heart as long as you have life in this body." After death, we do not know what will happen to our body. The past is gone; we learn from it. But now, the foundation for the future is the present. What you wish to see and achieve in the future must be founded now. Peace is not easy. It is said: kisī kabhī manā nahīṁ dukhānā chāhiye—do not trouble anyone in their mind. Our dear Gurudev Swami Madhavānandjī used to say, "Each and every living being would like to be happy. No one would like to be unhappy." The essence of all Holy Scripture is only two things: sukh diyāṁ sukh hotā, dukh diyāṁ dukh ho—if you give happiness to others, you will get happiness; if you trouble others, you will get troubles. In memory of Mahātmā Gandhījī, the 2nd of October is his birthday, and the United Nations has declared it the International Day of Non-Violence in his honor. Violence has many forms: physical, mental, sound, intellectual, social, political, financial, etc. There are many ways people can cause trouble for others. Politics was not created to give troubles but to protect. Politics was created by ṛṣis; in our language, it is called nīti (ethics). Rājanīti is the ethics given to kings. Rājanīti is what you call government—those who govern. The ṛṣis wrote beautiful principles for protecting the entire planet. Even the peace prayer we have is written for the protection of water, herbs, nature, air, the universe, this earth, and ourselves. They found someone capable of taking this knowledge and, according to it, supporting and protecting society. That person was given the title "Rāja" (king). "Rāja" comes from discipline, which is why we call it Rāja Yoga, the yoga of discipline, encompassing ethics and spiritual morals. They became kings and were given territory to help the people according to their capacity. Kings were those with knowledge of spirituality, philosophy, and yoga, so the yogī and the king were in oneness. But when kings lost these abilities, they became selfish, used their power for selfish ends, and lost everything. Now, in the modern world, the modern kings are the ministers, prime ministers, or presidents. Certainly, everyone wishes to do good for their nation, to protect the country and its people. But there are different powers and limitations, often from outside the country, preventing them from doing what they wish. Due to this, they have lost the principle of ahiṃsā (non-violence). Ahiṃsā means non-violence. If you are not using weapons but are producing and manufacturing them, you are the root of violence. You manufacture and sell; you are the cause of violence. And whoever buys from you, even from a small shop, is also committing a great violence. Then these weapons fall into the hands of others who are somehow forced to use them. No religion teaches us to produce weapons. There are two kinds of very powerful weapons. The first is our words, which come from our thoughts. Our thoughts are born from our own consciousness and intellect. Our thoughts come from our minds and our consciousness. It was the word that gave the command to use chemical weapons in Hiroshima. Atoms, soldiers are governed and given the order: "Kill or be killed." These are young people, young boys; you cannot blame them. The roots are elsewhere. So first, our word is the most destructive weapon, or it can be the most divine, full of love and peace. What you produce within your consciousness and thoughts is very important. From a coal mine, only black coal comes; a black crow, even washed with the best shampoo, will not become white. If within you there is violence, anger, and hate, it produces powerful negative words. A bee will always produce nectar, honey, from every blossom. The second weapon is the physical weapon, which is produced, manufactured, designed, placed in hands, and an order is given to shoot. If these two weapons are not used, world peace, love, and happiness will prevail. In front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, there is a monument made of metal—a gun twisted into a knot. If everyone did this, if guns were not used for killing... but it remains only a symbol. Weapons are still used, and money governs. Nevertheless, it is said each and every step will be counted; no thought will go empty or lost. We try. On the Indian flag, emblem, and government stamp, there is a beautiful word: Satyameva jayate—truth alone triumphs. Therefore, these beautiful thoughts have spread worldwide, making this a day of non-violence. Violence is not only towards other countries; it can be towards your family members—wife towards husband, husband towards wife. Look into your own families. What is happening now? Not to look far at your neighbor... Recently, there was a conference at the United Nations on the role of women in protecting the earth. Many great women thinkers attended. They are working, fighting against destruction to protect wildlife, water, forests, and mountains. Consider how many mountains are dug away and exploded for building highways. Driving from Martin or Bratislava to Banská Bystrica, there is a highway all the way. We say, "Oh, now it's a good road; we can drive quickly." But how much nature is destroyed? How many mountains? In India, mountains are disappearing completely. It is a painful vision, a painful experience. Rainforests are destroyed, replaced by commercial trees like eucalyptus. That is why a Native American said, "When the last tree is cut down and the last fish dies, O man, then you will see you cannot eat your dollars." Suppose this room were filled with tons of gold, billions of dollars, silver, and precious stones, and the door was bulletproof and locked with you inside, not knowing how to open it. You sit and say, "I am rich." After a few hours, you are hungry and thirsty; you cannot eat this wealth. You would die on it but could not use it. True richness is inner contentment and protection. We must protect wildlife, forests, rivers, lakes, oceans, herbs, and old seeds—seeds of different herbs that give long, healthy life to humans and animals. Now, all seeds are disappearing, replaced by genetically manipulated seeds that do not grow again; you must buy new seeds. Those consuming only such manipulated food may become unable to have children. That is why some think the human race will disappear. If you want a child, you may have to go to a bank, get seed, and have it implanted. This is the situation that may come. All men may become seedless, unable to give birth. You would have to buy from someone. That child, in consciousness, would have none of the qualities of the father who proudly thinks, "I am the father." There would be no genetic connection. In this conference, many wise women were present. Yesterday, CNN interviewed some ladies. When asked, "How will you change the world?" they said, "Yes, we can. We have to educate our children." Only a mother can do this properly. A mother can educate children beautifully, making them aware of protecting nature, animals, and instilling respect, love, and spirituality. This is the duty of mothers. But now, unfortunately, poor mothers have no time for children; they must go to work. In the old tradition, hard work was the husband's duty to provide food, clothes, and everything for the family. The husband worked all day and gave whatever money he earned to his wife. The wife was the finance minister and home minister. The father was the security minister and foreign minister. But now they are not happy with the little money they get, so both husband and wife must work. Children are forced into kindergarten and to babysitters. From whom will the children learn? Yes, women can do it. Women can change the world. That is why we call women Śakti; we do not call man Śakti. Woman is Śakti. If all women of the world made a saṅkalpa today—"My child will be great, happy, spiritual, divine"—but you are not able to give this education. And outside society, years of work with your children can be destroyed in one day. So, all young girls and boys sitting here, you should have many children but give them good education. You must prove that your nation will be one of the best. Finally, there is a poem, a nice saying: Mātā jene tū bhakt jan, ke dātā ke sūr. O Mother, if you give birth to a child, let it be either a bhakta (devotee) or a great, generous person ready to give everything for others, or a hero, not a coward. Otherwise, better not to give birth; do not damage your health. Because the seed... Three are a decoration for the nation: the first is the woman, the satī (virtuous woman). Women should live with discipline and do their best to educate children. Tī ne sajava deśko satī and sant—the saint. Satī, sant, or sūr (the hero). Tīn lajāvat deśko—and three are the shame for the nation: the cheater, the coward, and the person who has no mercy for others. Therefore, it is said, "O Mother, give birth to a saint, a wise person, not merely a rich person, because where there is a saint, millions of rich ones will bow down to him." So, to build the nation, society, and home is the work of great women. By nature, women have a mother's love. But it is said: when a stone leaves your hand, when a bullet leaves the gun, you cannot run behind and catch it. What has happened has happened in the past. Think of the present, for the foundation of the nation lies in the present. A new Yuga will come if all women make a saṅkalpa: now we will protect society, humankind, the nation, and nature. So today is a day to reflect on non-violence, ahiṃsā. Also, if you do not act when someone is fighting and causing destruction, that is not non-violence; it is violence. You must serve, you must help—not stone for stone. If someone throws a stone at you, throw a flower. The one who throws the stone will feel sorry in the heart, even if unable to express it. Inside, he or she will feel the shame such an action creates. Mercy... Today and tomorrow, millions pray for non-violence. There was a woman speaking about the misuse and torture of animals on farms. They use animals like machines—cows, buffaloes, pigs, chickens—only to give eggs and milk. A cow cannot sit down due to pain; her udder is so big that if she lies on one side, she must hold her leg in the air, then cannot stand up. Can you imagine? Animals also feel pain. She dreams of a day she could sit or lie on the ground. Animals are tortured in many ways. It is the mother who can teach children to protect them. My dear, I wish you all the best. Good evening. Try to think about bringing forth a new generation—good, full of love, harmony, and understanding. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.