A gentleman's son turned criminal. The son absconded with a lot of money which he had stolen from a relative's house. He was barely 15 and his father did not know what to do.

Some thought that the boy should be brought to book and an application should be made to the magistrate to have him sent to a Reformatory.

Swami Sivanandaji talked to the son for over an hour on ethics and morality. The son begged pardon and he promised both Swamiji and his father that he would never indulge in theft and pilfering. Swamiji said to his father, "Pardon him. Treat him with love. He has promised to live as an honest and dutiful citizen. Give him a chance to do so. Pray to God. He (the son) should also do regularly Japa and Kirtan. God will surely hear your prayers and mould the character of your son properly."