When quite young, Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi witnessed along with his mother a drama on "Sravana and his devotion to his parents" and he resolved that he must also become a Sravana. He witnessed a play on Harischandra and that drama impressed him so deeply that he resolved to become as heroically devoted to virtue as Harischandra himself. These transformed him so much that he became a Mahatma. Gandhi had a teacher when he was attending school who taught him wrong paths. But Gandhi did not adopt his advice. As a consequence, he was able to bring freedom (Swaraj) to the country. There are in this land of Bharath thousands and thousands of prospective Mahatmas. The examples we have to hold before them are of those men and women who have learnt and practised spiritual education (Atma Vidya).

The ancient culture of Bharath, the Sanathana Dharma, is acclaimed as of supreme value, not merely by Bharathiyas (people of this country) but by people of all lands. The reason for its universal renown is that it is based on the Vedas. "Vedokhilo dharma moolam." The Vedas are the source of all the principles of morality or Dharma. Dharma implies all the prescriptions for actions and attitudes that are needed to preserve man in the status he has gained as the highest among animals and living beings. The Vedas are the treasure-chests which contain all the duties and obligations, rights and responsibilities that man has to accept and abide by in life.

In the ancient hermitages (Gurukulams), after the pupil had finished his studies under the Guru, the Guru gave him such exalted advice as no pupil in any other country received from his master: "Mathru Devo Bhava (May the mother be your God), Pithru Devo Bhava (May your father be your God), Aacharya Devo Bhava (May your preceptor be your God)," "Sathyam Vada (Speak the Truth)," "Dharmam Chara (Act righteously)," No Itharaani (Do not adopt other ways)." These were the commands. "Stop all acts that are unrighteous. Engage yourselves only in such activities as would promote your progress." This was the advice. The Vedas and the Upanishads refer to these commands only when they lay down that we should utter Saanthih, Saanthih, Saanthih, praying for peace on earth.