HINDU TOOLS FOR TEENS

Tools that help control the mind and emotions, improve focus and determination, build strong values and character, cultivate wisdom and willpower, and transform life to achieve blissful consciousness.

WHO ARE WE?

Hindu Tools for Teens (HTT) is a space for teens from all walks of life to learn, connect, and grow using Hindu principles rooted in timeless wisdom that emphasize personal growth, self-awareness, ethical living, and harmony. HTT offers a deeper understanding of Hindu teachings and practices, showing how they can guide us to be calm, compassionate, courageous, content, and to live a life of peace and purpose.

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

Hindu Tools for Teens (HTT) is an outreach initiative by Aran Malhotra, student of University of Chicago Laboratory High Schools.

Aran grew up in a devout Hindu family, however, it was his pilgrimage to the Kauai’s Hindu Monastery that deepened his understanding and cultivated genuine appreciation for Hindu teachings. Studying Hindu philosophy and practicing meditation, Aran realized how these teachings shaped his emotional stability, values, and resilience. Aran strongly believes that if teens apply Hindu values, including yamas (restraints) and niyamas (practices), they can become more mindful, and better navigate high school and modern life.

Aran decided to share Hindu principles and his experiences. In the fall of 2023, he launched the Hindu Students Club (HSC) at his high school. A year later, in the fall of 2024, he began working on HTT.

WHAT WE DO?

Hindu Tools for Teens (HTT) and the Hindu Students Club (HSC) both strive to inspire teens to lead more meaningful, values-driven lives. HTT empowers teens with life-management tools grounded in self-reflection and self-effort, cultivating qualities like kindness, tolerance, and acceptance. Likewise, HSC offers high school students a space to embrace goodness, engage in selfless service, promote cultural awareness, and celebrate vibrant festivals. Together, these initiatives foster respect, joy, and unity across diverse communities.

  • Words from the Masters

    “The man who rejects the words of the scriptures and follows the impulse of desire attains neither his perfection, nor joy, nor the Path Supreme. Let the scriptures be, therefore, thy authority as to what is right and what is not right.”

    Bhagavad Gita 16.23-24

  • Words from the Masters

    “Without a satguru, all philosophy, knowledge and mantras are fruitless. Him alone the Gods praise who is the satguru, keeping active what is handed down to him by tradition. Therefore one should seek with all effort to obtain a preceptor of the unbroken tradition, born of Supreme Siva.”

    Kularnava Tantra 10.1

  • Words from the Masters

    “Offer oblations in love, light golden lamps. Spread incense of fragrant wood and lighted camphor in all directions. Forget your worldly worries and meditate. You shall attain true and rapturous moksha. Worshiping thus, there is nothing that you cannot attain. Worshiping thus, you shall inherit the wealth of Indra, heaven’s king. Worshiping thus, you shall gain miraculous powers. Worshiping thus, you shall attain moksha.”

    Tirumantiram 1005-1006

  • Words from the Masters

    “According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action.”

    Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5

  • Words from the Masters

    “Like the prancing steed that leaps forward, the jiva also traverses near and far. Like those who doff and don one garment and another, the jiva, too, moves from one body to another.”

    Tirumantiram 2131

  • Words from the Masters

    “Let there be no neglect of Truth. Let there be no neglect of dharma. Let there be no neglect of welfare. Let there be no neglect of prosperity. Let there be no neglect of study and teaching. Let there be no neglect of the duties to the Gods and the ancestors.”

    Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittirîya Upanishad 1.11.1

  • Words from the Masters

    “He who is beyond all exists as the relative universe. That part of Him appears as sentient and insentient beings. From a part of Him was born the body of the universe, and out of this body were born the Gods, the earth and men.”

    Rig Veda 10.90