The essential nature of man being absolute Freedom, he detests any shackles being put on him. To him, injunctions and precepts are like a red rag to a bull; therefore, he revolts against the idea of any spiritual practice of self-denial. .
Little does he realize that freedom is essentially built on intelligent self-restraint and discipline. For instance, the traffic lights on our roads are undoubtedly a restraint laid down by the government on our freedom; but such restraint alone lends a meaning to the freedom of movement and checks its degradation into licentiousness.
This inability to distinguish between freedom and license is at the root of the modern man’s aversion to religion. The religious textbooks provide us with the material for a subjective scientific analysis, by which we can intelligently understand and appreciate the necessity for such voluntary self-restraint.
Man is given the liberty, either to eke out the maximum happiness for him, by following these instructions and harnessing his equipment, or to disregard them, inviting sorrow and suffering for himself. His alone is the choice to make or mar himself and his happiness.
Thus, the scriptural books provide an exhaustive science of better living and, in our maturity; we find in them a complete technique of self-development, culminating in the experience of the supreme Reality. In our attempt to develop ourselves to the stature of a well-integrated nation, why should we not bring this proved and well tested method into use?