Small Family, True Happiness

 
In our country today, the government promotes family planning through the slogan “Ham Do Hamare Do” (We two, our two) to control the growing population.
 
From ancient times, religion has taught that having a son was considered a sacred duty of household life. A son was needed to repay the debt to ancestors, continue the family line, and preserve tradition. Chanakya says in his Niti Shastra:
 
“Even one virtuous son is better than a hundred without qualities.
Just as one moon removes darkness, thousands of stars cannot.”
 
This means the purpose of having children is not desire or numbers, but to raise a virtuous child who brings wisdom, strength, and goodness to the family, satisfies the ancestors, and gives meaning to life. A son is not a burden but a worthy heir who keeps the family light shining.
 
Saint Samarth Ramdas, while traveling across the country, saw the misery of families with too many children. In Dasbodh (Book 10, Chapter 4), he describes how large families fall into poverty, worry, and suffering. Through the story of a rich man, he shows that wealth was destroyed, the family became beggars, and life turned sorrowful because of too many children.
 
Samarth says:
 
“When children became too many, Goddess Lakshmi (wealth) left.
The poor family had to beg, with nothing to eat.”
 
Too many children increase expenses, salaries fall short, wealth disappears, and even food becomes scarce. Daughters’ marriages become difficult, valuables are mortgaged, debts rise, and begging begins. The father is forced to leave home and work in low jobs abroad. Hard labour brings stress and illness.
 
The lesson is clear: a large family becomes a centre of sorrow, not happiness. Constant quarrels and confusion destroy peace. The burden of worldly duties grows, but true joy is lost.
 

Indian War: Gandhara’s Final Cry

 

(Midnight. Shakuni sat in a corner of his camp, staring at the chessboard, lost in thought. Suddenly, a voice broke the silence and interrupted his chain of thoughts).

Shakuni (startled): "Sister? You here? At this hour of night? And tears in your eyes... surely not for the blind king’s sons?"

Gandhari (calm but firm): "Shakuni, I still remember the vow we took when leaving Gandhara. Though the Kauravas were born from my womb, they are like snake lings—enemies of Gandhara. I will not shed tears for them. Today, Shalya has been killed in battle. The war is nearing its end.

(sobbing)I came to see you one last time... Tomorrow, perhaps, on the battlefield..."

Shakuni (interrupting with bitter laughter): "Ha! Ha! Ha! So, I’m going to die tomorrow—is that it? We both knew this truth from the very first day of war. Why cry now? Eighteen divisions of Indian armies have been destroyed. Three generations wiped out. And what loss did Gandhara suffer? Only a handful of soldiers, including us. Has such a thing ever happened in history?

No army of Bhishma will ever enter Gandhara again. No Gandhari will have to sacrifice her life again. Gandhara no longer fears India. Foolish Indian kings dance to foreign tunes for power. Now the world knows this. Hastinapur was full of foolish intellectuals that’s why our mission succeeded. Gandhari, wipe your tears. Look ahead.

The selfish Hindu and Buddhist kings of the Spata Sindhu region will not help King Dahir of Sindh. See, Gandhara’s cavalry is ready to destroy the Spata Sindhu region..."

(Both shouts together) "Victory to Gandhara!"

Though this story is ancient, it hides the true history of India’s subjugation