Acharya Prashant addresses the feeling of guilt after having children by explaining two distinct points. Firstly, he emphasizes that he has repeatedly stated that the Earth no longer has the capacity to happily bear the burden of even one additional person. With the human population approaching 8 billion, this limit has long been transgressed. Therefore, bringing more human beings into this world is not an act of wisdom but of great cruelty, especially when considering other species. He states clearly that there is no need to have children. He elaborates that if a couple feels a strong emotional urge to have a child, they should have at most one. A second child should absolutely not be had. In the current era, increasing the population is equivalent to a sin. However, his second point addresses the situation once a child is already born. He clarifies that once a being is born, they have a full right to life and are completely deserving of love and compassion. While it might have been better if the child had not been born, it is wrong to consider them a sin after their birth. Acharya Prashant points out that if any crime has been committed, it is by the parents, not the innocent child. Therefore, one should not project their guilt onto the child. He advises the questioner to provide their two children with the best and most beautiful upbringing possible, nurturing them in the most enlightened way. He encourages raising them to be capable individuals with a clear vision of life, deep compassion for both humans and nature, and an understanding that the world is like an inn where one must be mindful of their conduct and not forget their ultimate destination. He concludes by advising the questioner not to have a third child.
