Mr. Koshi: It is the parents' responsibility.
Prabhupāda: Yes. Garbhādhāna-saṁskāra. These are stated. It is not secret matter. When the father goes to beget child, he has to perform ritualistic ceremonies in the presence of relative, brāhmaṇas. They will understand that "He is going now to beget a child." It is not a secret thing. It is garbhādhāna. And if in a brāhmaṇa family the garbhādhāna-saṁskāra is not observed, then immediately he becomes a śūdra.
Mr. Koshi: What is not a secret thing?
Prabhupāda: Secret... Just like when we go and have sex with wife secretly. It is not secret.
Mr. Koshi: There is a ceremony.
Prabhupāda: Yes. This is ceremony.
Mr. Koshi: Don't you think that the children should be given freedom to choose voluntarily?
Prabhupāda: Do you want to give freedom to your children?
Mr. Koshi: I am asking you.
Prabhupāda: No, no. What is the use of giving freedom to a child with a razor? He will cut his throat, that's all.
Mr. Koshi: But at a later age, perhaps when he is better...
Prabhupāda: Later age, yes. That is enjoined. When child is sixteen years old he can do as he likes, not before that.
- lālayet pañca varṣāṇi
- daśa varṣāṇi tāḍayet
- prāpte tu ṣoḍaśe varṣe
- putraṁ mitravad ācaret
This is the moral instruction of Cāṇakya Paṇḍita. Up to five years, don't chastise, don't take any action. Let him be free. Whatever he likes, he can do. Then after fifth year, for ten years you must be very strict. Then five years and ten years, fifteen. And when he is sixteen years, treat him like a friend. Prāpte tu ṣoḍaśe varṣe putraṁ mitravad ācaret. At that time, no stricture that he will break. "My dear boy, if you do this..." This is necessary. And from fifth year to fifteenth year you should chastise the sons and disciples just like tiger. After five years.
Mr. Koshi: Using the stick.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That's how you trained us, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Mr. Koshi: Did you get?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, by Prabhupāda. Even though we were not five years old, he treats us just like as if we were five. Because spiritually we are still like that. So he is very strict with us.
Prabhupāda: All these boys I chastise vehemently. Even a little mistake.
Mr. Koshi: You...?
Prabhupāda: They tolerate. They know.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We are afraid.