The body needs to be maintained well in order to carry on our journey. But do not waste you time by constantly thinking of it and getting attached to it. Without Atma, the body cannot exist. So, the Atma is the fundamental basis of life. It is a grave mistake to repose faith in the body forgetting the Atma. You should have faith in the Self and make sacred use of your senses. Only then you can cultivate Lavanya. According to our ancients, Lavanya connotes beauty of character. Today we find many women bearing the name Lavanya. As one’s character develops, the splendour of one’s personality increases. Such a person will remain youthful even in advanced age. He will be ever blissful and beautiful. He will be the embodiment of Satyam Shivam Sundaram. This body (Swami points to His body) is approaching its 77th year. How is this body remains youthful and attractive? It is full of Lavanya due to the purity of My character and sense control. Whoever has sense control will have Lavanya. You do not find the pictures of Rama or Krishna looking old. They were ever young and full of Lavanya. Today youngsters lack sense control and consequently are aging very fast. A youth of 16 or 17 today looks like an old man of 60 or 70! Lack of sense control is the cause of their aging fast. You will have all physical strength and vigour when you have sense control. Put the senses to proper use and exercise control over them. You will then be endowed with Lavanya. Be cheerful and smiling. Do not laugh in an artificial manner. Man has no reason to be sad because it is contrary to human nature. Where is the need for him to cry when he has the ever-blissful spirit within? Never cry. Always be happy within? Never cry. Always be happy. You should lead an exemplary life and set an ideal to society by helping the poor, the sick and the needy. (SSB 2002, pp. 12-13)

Rama was full of lavanya Lavanya means control of senses. His character was the cause for His Lavanya. In fact, Rama and Krishna were ever youthful. Have you ever seen a picture of Rama or Krishna sporting grey hair? Have ever seen Him as a grandfather? All Avatars are ever youthful. (SSB 2002, p. 48)