Magazine - Year 2017 - Version 1
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Language: ENGLISH
A Collective Social, Cultural and Spiritual Endeavor to Usher in New Era - From Chief Editor’s Desk
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“Matrushakti Shraddhanjali Mahapurashcharan”:
A Collective Social, Cultural and Spiritual Endeavor to Usher in New Era
It is indeed rare in the history of mankind that the great souls like Bhagirath, Vishwamitra, Vashishtha, Yagyawalkya, Dadhichi, etc graced the Earth and safeguarded the roots of divinity by their tapa and sacrifice. Revered Gurudev Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya certainly belongs to this category of divine rishis. His noble thoughts and deeds are well-known across the globe. But the life of Param Vandaniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma, who was his soulmate and complemented his role on earth, ever remained a mystery. The simple life which she led and the motherly love that she showered on all the parijans who came into her fold was only the tip of the iceberg. Only a few close associates knew her as Shaktiswaroopa (the incarnation of Shakti).
As a tribute to Vandaniya Mataji, “Matrushakti Shraddhanjali Mahapurashcharan” – a collective social, cultural and spiritual endeavor to usher in a golden era of Truth, has been taken up by the parijans of All World Gayatri Pariwar. This era changing 9-year Anushthan has commenced on Guru Purnima, 2017 (July 9) and will conclude on Guru Purnima, 2026 (July 29). There are three wonderful co-incidences that align during the year 2026. The first one being that the year 2026 is the birth centenary year of Vandaniya Mataji. Secondly, the ‘Akhand Deepak’ that is incessantly kept lighted in Shantikunj (ever since Param Pujya Gurudev first lit it) also completes 100 years (on the Vasant Panchami of 2026, January 20). And, thirdly, 2026 marks the centenary year of the Bhagvat Siddhi Day (November 24) of Maharshi Sri Aurobindo. This 9-year Anushthan has been divided into three phases, each spanning 3 years. The first phase has already started from July 9, 2017 and will continue up to July 5, 2020. The second phase spans from July 5, 2020 to July 3, 2023. On this same day, the third and final phase will commence and conclude on July 29, 2026. About 120 million Gayatri Pariwar parijans across the globe are expected to join this collective Anushthan. Throughout this period, all the participants will undertake three spiritual practices as per their capabilities. They are Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana. These are explained as follows:
Upasana – We should wake up before sunrise and do Atmabodh Sadhana first thing in the morning; that is, meditate on the idea that each day is a new birth and a new start. One may contemplate for 5 to 6 minutes and focus on the thought that one has to do something new in this new birth and new day. We need to write down new resolutions for the day in our diary. At the end of the day, we should do Tatvabodh Sadhana, where we imagine that each night is the new death. In 5 to 6 minutes, we will recall what we were not able to do that day and also think if those tasks could be accomplished the next day or not. Let us record this too in our diaries before going to bed. Finally, thanking God for giving that day’s life, become relaxed and go to sleep. 6 AKHAND JYOTI Sept.-Oct. 2017 “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Along with these Sadhanas, after completing daily morning chores (bath,etc), we need to do 5-mala Jap (chanting) of Gayatri Mantra or write 50 Gayatri Mantras in Mantra Lekhan book, or recite Gayatri Chalisa 5 times. Before or after the japa, 15 minutes of meditation should also be done. One may choose any of the following as per one’s liking: Pran Sanchaar Meditation or Panchkoshi Jagran Meditation or Meditation of the three bodies - physical, subtle and causal. The audio files of the instructions for these meditations (in Gurudev’s voice) are available on our website (http://www.awgp.org/media_gallery/ audio). This needs to be carried out for next three years continuously. By doing this, each participant will be able to do japa of 1 lakh, 82 thousand, and 500 mantras in one year. (In three years it will be japa of 5 lakh, 47 thousand, and 500 mantras). The collective figure of all the parijans would be enormous.
Sadhana - Our Mission’s objective is to lay the foundation of a new era of peace, progress and bliss. This requires refinement of thoughts, sentiments, and emotions of the masses. Of the many wonderful faculties bestowed upon human beings, the faculty of emotions is supreme. More than the circumstances and the availability or the lack of resources, it is this faculty which is responsible for one’s joys or sorrows in general. Refinement and righteous use of the power of emotions can solve most of the problems faced by the world today. Therefore, regular swadhyaya (study of inspiring literature) is mandatory for all sadhaks in order to maintain the positive thought vibrations. Swadhyaya can be done at the individual level or it can be done in groups of 5 to 10 people. The list of books for individual and group study is given elsewhere (see page 46 of this issue).
In order to proceed properly in our upasana-sadhana and get their benefits, it is advised that we should all follow the advice of Param Pujya Gurudev in this regard. (Excerpts of his discourses are given in Amrit Vani on page 40 of this issue).
Aaradhana – For social welfare and awakening of the masses, following activities are recommended for the youths, women and the pragya parijans:
Youth Power: 1. Through the youth power, we will organize ‘Yugsahitya discussion sessions’ in schools, colleges and universities. Material and topics for the discussion may be taken from the books of Param Pujya Gurudev.2. Various workshops and seminars are proposed to be organized to integrate science and spirituality. The themes for such workshops / seminars may be taken from the immense literature of Gurusatta. Help and guidance from professors / teachers of different disciplines may be taken to conduct these workshops. This will provide scientific basis to the insights of spirituality. 3. Efforts will be made to expand the youth organization at tehsil, district and provincial levels. The plan carried out during Youth Revolution Years (2016 and 2017) will be further expanded. Effort should be made so that youths from all walks of life join our activities. 4. In order to spread Yoga to every house, young boys and girls will be trained. The students who have graduated from Dev Sanskriti University will help in this venture. Camps for educating the people in the Science of Yoga and Yoga Therapy will be organized throughout the country. 5. All youth forums working for the mission must get registered with Shantkunj Youth Cell, so that they get proper guidance from time to time. It is urged that all such forums will stay away from politics and engage only in the activities of nation building.
Women Empowerment – 1. Stalls of Yugsahitya will be established in girls’ schools and colleges so that swadhyaya mandals (study groups) may be formed there. 2. Kanya Kaushal Camps will be organized in each state. Such camps will improve women’s overall personality. Thus their understanding of the mission will deepen and opportunity for jobs will also be created. 3. Yoga training camps for women will be organized at various places. Training will also be provided in Marshal Arts, Tai Kwando, and self-defense mechanisms so that women can be made healthy, happy and self-dependent. 4. Plans of social-service projects will be given to the employed women and women entrepreneurs in business. The number and strength of such organizations will increase manifold.
Pragya Parijans - This is the core of our mission. Its official consortiums will be formed at various places. These Pragya parijans need to participate enthusiastically and vigorously in the activities of Yug Nirman Yojana. Detailed guidelines for the next three years are given elsewhere (read articles titled ‘Birth Centenary Padyatra (Walking Tour) for Mass Awakening’, page 46 , and ‘3-Year Plan for Phase-I According to Youth Vision’, page 48 of this issue). The goal is to enhance the visibility and stature of our Shaktipeeths / Chetana Centers and develop them as centers for mass-awakening. We should create the desire for selfless service in the minds and hearts of the masses. This is an ambitious plan and we solicit the ideas and suggestions of our readers for its efficient implementation. (Pranav Pandya)
A Collective Social, Cultural and Spiritual Endeavor to Usher in New Era
It is indeed rare in the history of mankind that the great souls like Bhagirath, Vishwamitra, Vashishtha, Yagyawalkya, Dadhichi, etc graced the Earth and safeguarded the roots of divinity by their tapa and sacrifice. Revered Gurudev Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya certainly belongs to this category of divine rishis. His noble thoughts and deeds are well-known across the globe. But the life of Param Vandaniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma, who was his soulmate and complemented his role on earth, ever remained a mystery. The simple life which she led and the motherly love that she showered on all the parijans who came into her fold was only the tip of the iceberg. Only a few close associates knew her as Shaktiswaroopa (the incarnation of Shakti).
As a tribute to Vandaniya Mataji, “Matrushakti Shraddhanjali Mahapurashcharan” – a collective social, cultural and spiritual endeavor to usher in a golden era of Truth, has been taken up by the parijans of All World Gayatri Pariwar. This era changing 9-year Anushthan has commenced on Guru Purnima, 2017 (July 9) and will conclude on Guru Purnima, 2026 (July 29). There are three wonderful co-incidences that align during the year 2026. The first one being that the year 2026 is the birth centenary year of Vandaniya Mataji. Secondly, the ‘Akhand Deepak’ that is incessantly kept lighted in Shantikunj (ever since Param Pujya Gurudev first lit it) also completes 100 years (on the Vasant Panchami of 2026, January 20). And, thirdly, 2026 marks the centenary year of the Bhagvat Siddhi Day (November 24) of Maharshi Sri Aurobindo. This 9-year Anushthan has been divided into three phases, each spanning 3 years. The first phase has already started from July 9, 2017 and will continue up to July 5, 2020. The second phase spans from July 5, 2020 to July 3, 2023. On this same day, the third and final phase will commence and conclude on July 29, 2026. About 120 million Gayatri Pariwar parijans across the globe are expected to join this collective Anushthan. Throughout this period, all the participants will undertake three spiritual practices as per their capabilities. They are Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana. These are explained as follows:
Upasana – We should wake up before sunrise and do Atmabodh Sadhana first thing in the morning; that is, meditate on the idea that each day is a new birth and a new start. One may contemplate for 5 to 6 minutes and focus on the thought that one has to do something new in this new birth and new day. We need to write down new resolutions for the day in our diary. At the end of the day, we should do Tatvabodh Sadhana, where we imagine that each night is the new death. In 5 to 6 minutes, we will recall what we were not able to do that day and also think if those tasks could be accomplished the next day or not. Let us record this too in our diaries before going to bed. Finally, thanking God for giving that day’s life, become relaxed and go to sleep. 6 AKHAND JYOTI Sept.-Oct. 2017 “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Along with these Sadhanas, after completing daily morning chores (bath,etc), we need to do 5-mala Jap (chanting) of Gayatri Mantra or write 50 Gayatri Mantras in Mantra Lekhan book, or recite Gayatri Chalisa 5 times. Before or after the japa, 15 minutes of meditation should also be done. One may choose any of the following as per one’s liking: Pran Sanchaar Meditation or Panchkoshi Jagran Meditation or Meditation of the three bodies - physical, subtle and causal. The audio files of the instructions for these meditations (in Gurudev’s voice) are available on our website (http://www.awgp.org/media_gallery/ audio). This needs to be carried out for next three years continuously. By doing this, each participant will be able to do japa of 1 lakh, 82 thousand, and 500 mantras in one year. (In three years it will be japa of 5 lakh, 47 thousand, and 500 mantras). The collective figure of all the parijans would be enormous.
Sadhana - Our Mission’s objective is to lay the foundation of a new era of peace, progress and bliss. This requires refinement of thoughts, sentiments, and emotions of the masses. Of the many wonderful faculties bestowed upon human beings, the faculty of emotions is supreme. More than the circumstances and the availability or the lack of resources, it is this faculty which is responsible for one’s joys or sorrows in general. Refinement and righteous use of the power of emotions can solve most of the problems faced by the world today. Therefore, regular swadhyaya (study of inspiring literature) is mandatory for all sadhaks in order to maintain the positive thought vibrations. Swadhyaya can be done at the individual level or it can be done in groups of 5 to 10 people. The list of books for individual and group study is given elsewhere (see page 46 of this issue).
In order to proceed properly in our upasana-sadhana and get their benefits, it is advised that we should all follow the advice of Param Pujya Gurudev in this regard. (Excerpts of his discourses are given in Amrit Vani on page 40 of this issue).
Aaradhana – For social welfare and awakening of the masses, following activities are recommended for the youths, women and the pragya parijans:
Youth Power: 1. Through the youth power, we will organize ‘Yugsahitya discussion sessions’ in schools, colleges and universities. Material and topics for the discussion may be taken from the books of Param Pujya Gurudev.2. Various workshops and seminars are proposed to be organized to integrate science and spirituality. The themes for such workshops / seminars may be taken from the immense literature of Gurusatta. Help and guidance from professors / teachers of different disciplines may be taken to conduct these workshops. This will provide scientific basis to the insights of spirituality. 3. Efforts will be made to expand the youth organization at tehsil, district and provincial levels. The plan carried out during Youth Revolution Years (2016 and 2017) will be further expanded. Effort should be made so that youths from all walks of life join our activities. 4. In order to spread Yoga to every house, young boys and girls will be trained. The students who have graduated from Dev Sanskriti University will help in this venture. Camps for educating the people in the Science of Yoga and Yoga Therapy will be organized throughout the country. 5. All youth forums working for the mission must get registered with Shantkunj Youth Cell, so that they get proper guidance from time to time. It is urged that all such forums will stay away from politics and engage only in the activities of nation building.
Women Empowerment – 1. Stalls of Yugsahitya will be established in girls’ schools and colleges so that swadhyaya mandals (study groups) may be formed there. 2. Kanya Kaushal Camps will be organized in each state. Such camps will improve women’s overall personality. Thus their understanding of the mission will deepen and opportunity for jobs will also be created. 3. Yoga training camps for women will be organized at various places. Training will also be provided in Marshal Arts, Tai Kwando, and self-defense mechanisms so that women can be made healthy, happy and self-dependent. 4. Plans of social-service projects will be given to the employed women and women entrepreneurs in business. The number and strength of such organizations will increase manifold.
Pragya Parijans - This is the core of our mission. Its official consortiums will be formed at various places. These Pragya parijans need to participate enthusiastically and vigorously in the activities of Yug Nirman Yojana. Detailed guidelines for the next three years are given elsewhere (read articles titled ‘Birth Centenary Padyatra (Walking Tour) for Mass Awakening’, page 46 , and ‘3-Year Plan for Phase-I According to Youth Vision’, page 48 of this issue). The goal is to enhance the visibility and stature of our Shaktipeeths / Chetana Centers and develop them as centers for mass-awakening. We should create the desire for selfless service in the minds and hearts of the masses. This is an ambitious plan and we solicit the ideas and suggestions of our readers for its efficient implementation. (Pranav Pandya)
