Do You Watch TV???

Do You Watch TV???

During one of the Trayee sessions in Brindavan, one evening, Swami appeared to be displeased with people watching too many TV shows. He said that television is actually “TELEVISHAM” (visham means poison). Suddenly, He turned towards (I was seated very close to His jhoola (swing) and asked me (the whole conversation took place in Hindi)…

Swami: “Do you watch TV?”

I: “No Swami.”

Swami: “Aye…tell Me the truth.”

I: “No Swami, I don’t watch TV.”

Swami: “Look into My eyes and then tell Me the truth.”

I kept looking into His eyes and kept wondering in my mind that the Lord is omniscient and He knows that I do not watch TV, then why is Swami continuing to ask me this question. At the same time, I knew Swami’s utterances are full of significance, so there must be something He wants to teach me.

In a flash, my memory took me to an incident when I was 7 or 8 years old, when my uncle had taken me to a cinema hall for late night movie show. We returned home well past midnight and my grandfather had to wake up to open the door for us. He was very upset with my uncle and scolded him for being a bad influence on me.

The next evening I accompanied my grandfather for his usual visit to the temple. On our way, he lovingly explained to me that I should not waste any time by going to cinema shows. He said: “See… the whole world is like a ‘NAATAK’, meaning a drama, and is a source of continuous and frivolous entertainment. You, however, need to be careful for you know what is the meaning of NAATAK? It means ‘NAA + ATAK’, ‘Naa’ means ‘NO’ and ‘Atak’ means ‘Get Caught’, that is, you should not get entangled in the world’s drama.” The cobwebs of doubts that were lurking in my mind were now removed or at least that’s what I thought. I refocused my attention to Bhagawan Who was sitting right infront of me… and I resumed the interaction with Him thinking that I was smarter with this new understanding of what He meant by asking me ‘If I watch TV shows”.

I gathered some courage and said: “Yes Swami, I do watch TV?

Swami: (addressing the other members in the hall), “See… now he agrees…”

Swami: (back to me) “What do you watch in TV?”

I: “Swami, whole world is a continous TV show.”

Swami: (raising His voice) “Why do you switch it on?”

I: “It goes on itself Swami… (in my mind I told Him “Dear Lord, the switch is under Your control”)

Swami: “No. When you show an interest in anything, it means you have switched on a particular channel for yourself and you have thereby got yourself entangled into it. Isn’t it?”

I: “Yes Swami… Now I understand what You really mean by this question… “Do you watch TV?”

Do You Watch TV? – A Sacred Reflection On Awareness, Choice, And Inner Discipline

Do You Watch TV is a simple question, but it can lead to a deep reflection on how we use our time, senses, and attention. Television can entertain, inform, and sometimes educate, but it can also distract the mind, disturb peace, and fill the heart with unnecessary desires if used without discrimination. Spiritual life asks us to be watchful about what we allow into the mind.

The mind is easily influenced by what it repeatedly sees and hears. Images, words, emotions, stories, and sounds leave impressions within us. If we constantly watch content filled with anger, violence, greed, gossip, fear, and selfishness, those qualities may slowly affect our thoughts. If we watch uplifting, educational, and value-based content, the mind can receive better impressions.

Do You Watch TV teaches that the problem is not only the screen, but the level of awareness with which we use it. A knife can cut fruit or cause harm, depending on how it is used. In the same way, television can become useful when it supports knowledge, culture, devotion, and good values, but harmful when it steals time and weakens self-control.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized control of the senses and purity of thought, word, and deed. The eyes and ears are gateways to the mind. If these gateways are left unguarded, many restless impressions can enter. A devotee must therefore choose carefully what to watch, what to hear, and how much time to give to outer entertainment.

Do You Watch TV becomes meaningful when we ask whether our viewing habits help or harm our inner life. After watching something, do we feel peaceful or disturbed? Inspired or restless? Compassionate or judgmental? Focused or distracted? These questions help us understand whether the content is supporting spiritual growth or pulling the mind downward.

Time is one of the most precious gifts in human life. Hours spent without awareness can never be recovered. A little recreation is not wrong, but endless watching can reduce prayer, study, family conversation, service, reading, and silence. A balanced life requires discipline, so that entertainment does not become an escape from duty.

Children and youth need special guidance in this matter. Their minds are tender and easily shaped by what they see. Parents and teachers should help them choose content that builds values, kindness, courage, respect, and knowledge. If young minds are filled only with noise, glamour, and careless habits, character may become weak.

Do You Watch TV also reminds us that comparison and desire can grow through careless watching. Many programs and advertisements encourage people to feel incomplete unless they own more, look different, or live in a certain way. Spiritual wisdom teaches contentment. Happiness does not come from imitating outer lifestyles, but from purity, gratitude, love, and inner peace.

A devotee should not become harsh or extreme, but wise. The goal is not to condemn everything, but to develop discrimination. Choose what is clean, useful, educational, devotional, or truly refreshing. Avoid what increases anger, lust, fear, greed, or wasteful thinking. The mind becomes what it repeatedly consumes.

Do You Watch TV finally teaches that the best screen to watch is the screen of the heart. We should observe our own thoughts, desires, reactions, and habits. Are we becoming more loving? Are we using time wisely? Are we remembering God? Are we serving others? This inner watching is more important than outer watching.

Prayer, bhajan, namasmarana, meditation, reading noble books, and selfless service can give deeper joy than passive entertainment. These practices nourish the soul and make the mind steady. When the heart tastes inner peace, it naturally reduces its dependence on outer distraction.

Entertainment should never replace real human connection. Sitting together as a family, speaking with love, listening patiently, helping one another, and praying together create stronger bonds than watching silently for hours. A home becomes peaceful when screens are controlled and hearts are connected.

In the end, Do You Watch TV is not only a question about a habit, but a question about awareness. It asks us to use the senses wisely, protect the mind, value time, and choose what supports a noble life. When entertainment is guided by discipline and devotion, life remains balanced, peaceful, and blessed with divine grace.

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