All World
Gayatri Pariwar

From Chief Editor’s Desk

Vasant Parva marks the advent of spring – surging forth of vibrant life in nature; which was lying dormant during the chilly, cold and constrictive winter. With the coming of spring the fields turn yellow with the blossoming mustard crop. The whole of nature is filled with exuberant life and laughter. In the cycles of nature’s moods the joy and warmth of spring follow the bone breaking shivering cold of the winter. Nature expresses this joy in the form of multihued flowers. Advent of Vasant is a significant milestone in the cyclic journey of nature emerging from the drabness and darkness of winter to the dawn of spring. This year, the period of Vasant will span about 40 days, from Vasant Parva (January, 26, 2004) to Holika Parva (March 6, 2004). It is the season of joy festivity, enthusiasm and youthfulness – an auspicious period for a renewed vigor and vibrancy.

Vasant Parva is of special significance to Gayatri Pariwar. This is the holy day of Self-realization by our Guru Satta Poojya Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya on Vasant Parva of 1926 and we have been celebrating it as the Foundation Day of the Mission for the last 78 years. Hardwar, being located at the doorsteps of Himalayas, remains relatively cold even at this time, but the warmth of the arrival of new season is felt by one and all. Entire Shantikunj (Head Quarters of Gayatri Mission), Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya and Brahma Varchas Sansthan, along with lakhs of parijans who congregate at Hardwar on this holy day, celebrate this festival with zeal and devotion. During this spiritually surcharged period, innumerable divine blessings have been received by Param Poojya Gurudev and Vandmiya Mataji and through them by all of us parijans. Akhand Deepak was lit on this very auspicious day in the year 1926. Since then it has been kept lighted uninterruptedly. In June 1971 it was brought to Shantikunj, Haridwar by Vandniya Mataji. All the plans and decisions of our Mission are made in the light of this Symbolic Lamp of Enlightenment. This Akhand Deepak, which is now kept in the main building of Shantikunj, is source of inspiration to millions of  Pragya – Parijans.

With this issue the English edition of Akhand Jyoti magazine is entering its second year of publication and its Hindi counterpart is stepping into its 68th year. During this period All-World Gayatri Pariwar has taken giant strides towards the accomplishments of its aims and objectives. Notable among these are the foundation of three prominent Teerthas at Shantikunj-Hardwar, Mathura and Anwalkheda; incorporation of Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya at Hardwar and setting up of more than three thousand Shakti Peethas in India and abroad, which are serving as the nerve centers for dissemination of Mission’s message of moral and spiritual upliftment of humanity. The legion of parijans is campaigning with full vigor, against the ‘crisis of faith’, which has overpowered the human psyche at present. Today the number of parijans, who are directly or indirectly linked to and are following the ideals set forth by the Mission, is more than ten crore. We can be legitimately proud of these achievements, but these are only milestones of the ongoing journey; the destination is still far away. Our Gurudev has given us the responsibility of Yug Nirman (ushering in the global new Era of Truth, Love and Understanding), which has yet to be accomplished.

Yug Nirman Yojana is not a mere wishful dream. It is decreed to manifest in human consciousness soon. We still have to spread this message amongst more than ninety crore Indians and five hundred crore people of other countries. This means that we have to spread this message in all the languages (spoken or read) in the world. This target has to be achieved during the next 15-16 years. Its accomplishment demands from us unalloyed wisdom, honesty, dedication and rock-like faith. We must be charged with an unshakable faith that our Guru Satta, who has bequeathed to us, parijans, this responsibility, is working incessantly and unerringly from the higher invisible realms towards this accomplishment and we are only his pliant instruments.

Whosoever has imbibed the essence of Vasant in his life has become great indeed. To name a few: Samarth Guru Ramdas, Vivekanand, Bhagat Singh, Banda Vairagi have been such great personalities. On this auspicious occasion of Vasant Parva (January 26) let us resolve to be able to strive hard to still further refine ourselves so that superconsciousness- force of our Aaradhya Satta flows freely and unhindered through us as clear channels for the establishment of the Golden Era on Earth.

This year our main target is to effectively implement the seven-point programme of integrated development of society launched earlier by the Mission. The “Youth Cell” has resolved to awaken and positively energize the youth of India and “Brahma Vadini” sisters have made a plan to morally and economically uplift half the populace (the women) of our country. India has one of the highest numbers of youth in the world and, fortunately, majority of them are free from any addictions or vices. If they are given the right direction to get connected to the dormant spiritual vibrations of nobility within them, they can do wonders for themselves as well as for society.
The all-pervasive, perverse western culture of “eat, drink and be merry” has adversely affected humanity at large. But its days are numbered. Its destructive effects in the western countries have worked havoc with social order and harmony and inner individual and collective peace. People around the world are turning to spirituality for genuine peace and joy. In fact Dhyan (meditation) is going to be the therapy of the future because there is no other authentic way of achieving inner peace in the midst of the present day tensions and tribulations.

From the next issue (March-April, 2004) onward, we propose to introduce our readers to various simple and effective methods of Dhyan. In fact, it is the introspection and refinement of our inner selves that can give true peace to the individual and the society at large. Keeping this in mind the next issue has been planned to be a special issue on Sadhana. We hope that our perceptive readers will be benefited by the contents of this issue and will pass it on to others. Let us resolve to enroll as many new readers/subscribers as possible in this two-month period of January-February 2004 so that many more people get the benefit of the contents of our next Special issue on the art of Sadhana.

With love-filled prayers and best wishes for a purposefully happy New Year,

Dr. Pranav Pandya
Shantikunj   Head- All World Gyatri Pariwar  and Chancellor DevSanskriti Vishwavidyalaya
Haridwar (Uttaranchal)                          
India