The entire visible universe is a cosmic university. At birth, people are akin to animals. Then, parents teach the child how to develop its human faculties. If parents do not undertake this task adequately, the child will remain an animal. The great sages and saints felt that it was not enough to develop the human qualities alone, and therefore envisaged a system of Cultural Training (Samskaras) for the spiritual development of the child. What is Samskara? It is systems of practice by which the bad tendencies in a human being are got rid of and good tendencies are inculcated. They are intended to transform the outward looking tendency (Pravritti) into inward looking tendency (Nivritti). Samskaras also assist in developing human qualities and eliminating all remnants of animal nature in human beings.

- ‘My Dear Students’, Vol 2, Ch 8, June 15, 1989.