Acharya Prashant begins by referencing the Mahabharata, explaining that Shri Krishna himself tried his utmost to avert the war, even going as a messenger to Duryodhana's court. However, once on the battlefield, the context changes. Before the war, the right action was to prevent it, as war means suffering. But on the battlefield, one cannot act like a peacenik or a dove; one must become an eagle and fight. The right action is now to fight. Responding to a question about what stops modern youth from seeking truth like Nachiketa from the Upanishads, Acharya Prashant states that the fundamental blockage remains the same as it was thousands of years ago: greed, ignorance, fear, lust, and envy. What has changed in the last century is the form this blockage has taken, which is now an abundance of industrial goods. The mind is always unfulfilled, and the senses are always looking for something to bring satisfaction. The industrial revolution has provided a plethora of objects for this purpose. The production industry's self-interest lies in promoting more consumption. Consequently, the consumer's mind is constantly bombarded with consumption-centric messages, not just through overt advertising but as a subliminal theme of the age. Happiness has become equated with consumption, making genuine inquiry very difficult. This proliferation of choices is presented as freedom, but it is a fraud, as the options are merely different facets of the same unsatisfying thing. One form of consumption is simply offset by another. Acharya Prashant identifies a second major issue: the youth's frustration and disappointment with religion. He asserts that while pure religion is the only thing that can save man, it has been corrupted over centuries into superstitions, traditions, and violent ignorance. As a result, today's youth are either indifferent to or actively hate religion. The few who are drawn to it often become bigoted and fundamentalist. Thus, the situation is doubly bad: the mind is besieged by objects that offer no true relief, and the one thing that could provide itâtrue religionâhas been taken away. The ego co-opts even those things meant for its dissolution, such as yoga. While Hatha Yoga can benefit the body, the body-identified ego is pleased with this physical fitness and gains no spiritual benefit. A 'yoga-carved body' can be used to gain social media followers, which the ego loves. Acharya Prashant expresses his dread that even Vedant might become popular in this consumerist manner, though he notes its austere nature has so far protected it from being co-opted.
