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Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaḥ, Sarve Santu Nirāmayāḥ, Sarve Bhadrāṇi Paśyantu, Mā Kaścid Duhkhabhāg Bhavet. Om Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ. Welcome. We are in a park in Bratislava, where we planted a peace tree about six years ago. Around the world, in many countries and famous cities, we have been planting such 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 birth anniversary of a world personality from the last century: Mahātmā Gandhi. His life was full of non-violence, understanding, and love. He awakened human consciousness regarding the protection of the environment, peace, and harmony among nations, societies, and families. Gandhījī did not only preach; he lived according to his thoughts. He promoted yoga greatly, especially Bhakti Yoga and prayers, as well as Āyurveda, which he himself utilized. The last word from Gandhījī’s mouth was "He Rām!"—O God. He was a devotee of God Rāma. The last word that comes in your thoughts and voice from your heart reveals what you truly believe and love. In New Delhi, India, at Gandhījī’s Mahāsamādhi, an eternal flame burns. Fresh flowers are offered daily, inscribed with "He Rām." Many people, including official delegates, presidents, and prime ministers, visit to pay their respects. From the beginning of the last century, humans suffered greatly through two world wars and immense loss of life, including the Holocaust. Recently, the Discovery Channel highlighted one of the largest holocausts in India, where millions were killed under British rule. Yet, Mahātmā Gandhījī said we would attain freedom not through weapons, but through non-violence. With humility and kindness, without force, he succeeded in freeing India. His philosophy was adopted by many global leaders. He preached brotherhood, love, and mutual understanding, and worked to free people from addictions, even banning alcohol in India—though, unfortunately, it did not last. If present-day India followed his teachings, it would be different. Speaking on non-violence, Gandhījī said, "Don’t fight, but change yourself into what you wish to see." Be the change. He said peace cannot be achieved through weapons or fighting, for there is no way to peace; peace is the way, residing within every heart. If you cultivate peace within, problems cease. Christianity teaches: if one slaps your cheek, offer the other. But this teaching remains only in the Holy Book; had we followed it, the world would be different. Where there is greed, anger follows, and with anger come distractions. Mahātmā Gandhījī said, "O man, nature has enough for your needs, but not for your greed." Greed is a bottomless pit. The world competes over who is richest, most powerful, or highest in position—this is Kali Yuga. Competition should be: who is the holiest? Who performs the greatest Seva? Our Śāstras, the holy Rāmāyaṇa, state that to protect humanity and dharma, one must develop mercy. Compassion is the root of dharma, while the foundation of sin is ego. Tulsī Dās said, "Daya dharam kā mūla hai, pāpa mūla abhimāna. Tulasī daya na chāḍiye, jab laga ghaṭa me prāna." Never abandon mercy from your heart as long as life remains in this body. The past is gone; we learn from it. The foundation for the future is laid in the present. What you wish to see and achieve tomorrow must be built today. Peace is not easy. It is said: "Kisī kabhī manā nahīṁ, dukhānā chāhiye"—do not trouble anyone’s mind. Our dear Gurudev Swami Madhavānandjī used to say every living being desires happiness, not sorrow. The essence of all holy scripture is just two lines: "Sukh diyāṁ sukh hotā, dukh diyāṁ dukh ho." If you give happiness, you receive happiness; if you trouble others, you receive trouble. In memory of Mahātmā Gandhījī, the United Nations declared his birthday, the 2nd of October, the International Day of Non-Violence. Violence takes many forms: physical, mental, auditory, intellectual, social, political, financial, and more. There are countless ways people cause trouble for others. Politics was not created to cause trouble, but to protect. It was established by Ṛṣis; in our language, this is called Nīti (ethics) and Rājanīti (governance). The Ṛṣis wrote beautiful principles for protecting the entire planet, including a peace prayer for the protection of water, herbs, nature, air, the universe, the earth, and ourselves. They sought individuals capable of upholding this knowledge to protect society, bestowing upon them the title "Rāja" (king), derived from discipline—as in Rāja Yoga, the yoga of discipline, encompassing ethics and spiritual morals. These kings, knowledgeable in spirituality, philosophy, and yoga, were united with Yogīs. But when kings lost these abilities, becoming selfish and misusing power, they lost everything. In the modern world, the "kings" are ministers, prime ministers, and presidents. Certainly, most wish to do good for their nation and protect its people, but external powers and limitations often hinder them. Consequently, they lose the principle of Ahiṃsā (non-violence). Ahiṃsā means not using weapons, but if you produce and manufacture weapons, you are the root of violence. Selling them makes you a cause of violence, not non-violence. Those who buy them also commit violence. Eventually, these weapons end up in others' hands, who may be forced to use them. No religion teaches us to produce weapons. There are two powerful kinds of weapons. The first is our words, born from our thoughts, which originate in our consciousness and intellect. It was a word that commanded the use of chemical weapons in Hiroshima. Soldiers are given orders: "Kill or be killed." These are young boys; you cannot blame them. The root lies elsewhere. Thus, our word can be the most destructive weapon or the most divine, full of love and peace. What you produce in your consciousness and thoughts is crucial. From a coal mine comes black coal; a black crow washed with the best shampoo will not turn white. If one harbors violence, anger, and hate, it produces powerful negative words. A bee, however, always produces nectar from every blossom. The second weapon is the physical one—manufactured, designed, placed in hands, and fired. 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 of a twisted gun—a symbol. If all did this, not using guns for killing, it would be ideal. But it remains only a symbol; weapons are still used, and money governs. Nevertheless, every step counts; no thought is lost. We must try. Our Indian flag, emblem, and government stamp bear the beautiful words: "Satyameva Jayate"—truth alone triumphs. Therefore, these beautiful thoughts have spread worldwide as a day of non-violence. Violence is not only between countries but within families—between wife and husband. Look into your own family; what is happening now? Do not look far to your neighbor. Recently, a United Nations conference addressed protecting the Earth, emphasizing women's role. Many great women thinkers are fighting distractions to protect wildlife, water, forests, and mountains. Consider how many mountains are dug away or exploded for highways. We say, "Now we have a good road, we can drive quickly," but how much nature is destroyed? In India, mountains are disappearing entirely—a painful vision. Rainforests are destroyed and replaced with commercial trees like eucalyptus. A Native American once said, "When the last tree is cut and the last fish dies, man will realize he cannot eat money." Imagine a room filled with tons of gold, billions of dollars, silver, and precious stones. The door is bulletproof and locked, and you are inside, unable to open it. You may say, "I am rich," but after hours, hungry and thirsty, you cannot eat this wealth. You would die amidst it. True richness is inner contentment and protection. We must protect wildlife, forests, rivers, lakes, oceans, herbs, and old seeds—seeds that grant long, healthy lives to humans and animals. Now, seeds are disappearing, replaced by genetically manipulated ones that do not regrow, forcing people to buy more. Those consuming such manipulated food may become unable to have children, leading to fears that the human race will disappear. To have a child, one may need to go to a bank for seed or progeny implantation. This may be our future: men becoming seedless, unable to father children genetically. The child would have none of the "father's" qualities. In this conference, many wise women participated. In a CNN interview, when asked how to change the world, they replied, "We must educate our children." Only a mother can do this properly—making children aware of protecting nature, animals, and instilling respect, love, and spirituality. This is the mother's duty, but now, unfortunately, mothers have no time. They must work. In tradition, the husband worked hard to provide food and clothes for the family, giving his earnings to his wife. Thus, the wife was the finance minister and home minister, while the father was security and foreign minister. But now, with insufficient income, both parents work, and children go to kindergarten or babysitters. From whom will children learn? Yes, women can change the world. That is why we call women Śakti (power). If all women made a Saṅkalpa (resolve) today—"My child will be great, happy, spiritual, and divine"—it would transform society. But if you cannot provide this education, outside influences can undo years of upbringing in a single day. So, to all young girls and boys here: have many children, but give them good education. You must prove your nation can be among the best. Finally, there is a saying: "O Mātā (Mother), if you give birth to a child, let it be a Bhakta (devotee), a great and generous person ready to give everything for others, or a hero—not a coward. Otherwise, better not give birth; do not damage your health." Three are the ornaments of a nation: the first is a Satī (virtuous woman). Women should live with discipline and strive to educate children. Satī, Sant (saint), or Sūra (hero)—these three adorn a nation. Three are its shame: the cheater, the coward, and the merciless person. Therefore, it is said, "O Mother, give birth to a saint, a wise person, not merely a rich one, for where there is a saint, millions of rich people will bow to him." To build a nation, society, and home is the work of great women. By nature, women possess a mother's love. But it is said: once a stone leaves your hand or a bullet leaves the gun, you cannot run after it to catch it. What has happened has happened. Think of the present, for the foundation of the nation lies here. A new Yuga will come if all women resolve to protect society, humankind, the nation, and nature. Today is a day to contemplate non-violence, Ahiṃsā. Not acting when someone is fighting or causing destruction is also violence, not non-violence. You must serve and help. Do not return stone for stone. If someone throws a stone at you, throw a flower. The person will feel sorry in their heart, even if unexpressed, and feel shame for their action. Mercy is key. Today and tomorrow, millions pray for non-violence. A woman spoke of the misuse and torture of animals on farms, where cows, buffaloes, pigs, and chickens are treated like machines for eggs and milk. A cow cannot lie down due to pain; her udder is so large she must hold a leg in the air, unable to stand up. Can you imagine? Animals feel pain. She dreams of the day she could 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. Please reflect on bringing forth a new generation—good, loving, harmonious, and understanding. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.