A Gita Perspective on Child Trafficking in Light of The Sound of Freedom

Q: What is the perspective on child trafficking as it has been exposed in the movie The Sound of Freedom?

Child trafficking—especially child sexual trafficking—is one of the most horrendous crimes imaginable. It reflects a terrifying descent into inhumanity that most people would shudder to even contemplate. Tragically, millions of children are abducted and forced into lives of sexual slavery. This horrifyingly dark underbelly of human society is what The Sound of Freedom brings to light.

The film especially highlights how Mexico has become one of the largest suppliers of trafficked children—some as young as four or five—and how the United States is one of the biggest consumers. Shockingly, this form of trafficking is becoming as profitable, if not more, than the drug trade.

In discussing this issue through the lens of the Bhagavad-gita, we can consider three “L’s” that help us understand the underlying causes and consequences: Lust, Loosening of Morality, and Losing Humanity to Ideology.

1. Lust – The Monster Within

The Bhagavad-gita describes lust as “the all-devouring sinful enemy of the world” (3.39). It is like a monster—the more we feed it, the stronger it grows. This powerful force can override all boundaries and moral sensibilities. While male-female attraction is natural and serves a reproductive function across species, in human society, it is often distorted into a pursuit of pleasure, and even the greatest pleasure.

In the Gita’s sixteenth chapter, Krishna describes the mindset of the demoniac, who believe the pursuit of sensual pleasure is life’s sole purpose. This worldview leads to a grotesque rationalization of even the most evil actions. Over time, through a thousand moral compromises and rationalizations, a person may start believing their depravity is not just acceptable—but their right.

Such people even rebel against social norms that inhibit their dark fantasies, leading us to the next “L.”

2. Loosening of Sexual Morality

As society becomes more modern—or postmodern—traditional boundaries that once regulated the powerful force of sexuality are rapidly dissolving. These moral guidelines are often seen as regressive or oppressive. For example, pornography is frequently brushed off as harmless fantasy. While it’s true that most viewers do not become abusers, there are some with dark tendencies who are emboldened and fueled by such content.

Even though pedophilia and child abuse remain widely condemned, the general loosening of sexual morality creates space for ever more extreme views. The fear is: will society one day attempt to normalize or excuse even these acts in the name of personal freedom or autonomy?

The Gita warns of intelligence in the mode of ignorance, where people see virtue as vice and vice as virtue. We see this confusion in various debates today—such as around abortion. While it was once said to be something “safe, legal, and rare,” some now openly celebrate it as a badge of pride. If such radical shifts can occur in one generation, what’s to stop society from one day “understanding” child predators as merely having a different sexual preference?

That’s why the popularity of The Sound of Freedom is encouraging—it shows that many people still have a functioning moral compass. The exploitation of children must be stopped.

3. Losing One’s Humanity to Ideology

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of The Sound of Freedom is not just what it portrays, but how it has been received. Because it was made by conservatives, liberal media outlets have dismissed it, linking it to conspiracy theories and attempting to discourage viewers from watching it.

But are we really so blinded by our ideologies that we cannot unite against the trafficking and abuse of children? Is there no moral baseline left that transcends politics? Isn’t there at least one evil—like child trafficking—that all of us can agree to stand against?

A movie that brings such a monstrous crime to light should be appreciated for raising awareness and promoting action, regardless of who made it. To dismiss it because of political bias is to lose our humanity to ideology.

The Bhagavad-gita (18.20) teaches us to see beyond external differences and recognize the underlying spiritual unity among all beings. While we may differ in appearance, opinions, or politics, we all share a common humanity—and that humanity must compel us to act for the good of the most vulnerable, especially children.

Conclusion: The Three “L’s” and a Call to Consciousness

To summarize, the Gita’s perspective on the issues raised in The Sound of Freedom highlights:

  1. Lust – When uncontrolled, it can lead to unimaginable perversions.

  2. Loosening of Morality – When society trivializes or demonizes moral boundaries, it creates fertile ground for evil to flourish.

  3. Losing Humanity to Ideology – When political bias prevents us from recognizing and addressing shared moral concerns, we all lose.

The wisdom of the Gita invites us to rise above polarization, to focus on our shared spiritual essence, and to unite on issues that matter for all of humanity—especially the future and safety of our children.

Hare Krishna.