Gayatri and Yagya1

This ancient tradition of Yagya incorporates the principles of theoretical knowledge and applied science and contains in it all the elements of material elements in seed form. It is a sacred process conducive to the welfare and happiness of the individual as well as the society.

The meaning or purport of the word Yagya is an act or celebration of self-giving which aims at the highest universal good, an act which is generous, magnificent, noble and magnanimous. Yagya is a Sanskrit word which has three meanings; divinity, organization and charity. These three virtues can be said to be triple divine currents of individual and social transformation. Divinity means refined personality, divine virtues. Organization implies unity, cooperation team-spirit. Charity implies generous sharing, devotion to society, and considering the entire universe as one's own family. All these three tendencies are thus combined in Yagya and it can be said to be the flaming torch of knowledge. It inspires man to translate higher sentiments and motives into righteous deeds. Coordination of knowledge and action created the ground for making progress. Righteous deeds, which is known as tap, and true knowledge, which is known as Yoga, are the basis of spiritual progress.

The philosophy underlying Jeevan (life) - Yagya is to make a man great by adopting the philosophy of self-sacrifice. It has been stated in the Geeta that a man who eats without giving to others is a thief, he commits sin. A man should eat the leftover of Yagya.

According to Geeta 3/31 Devtas (divine beings) attain divinity only by Yagya. This is nothing but propounding the fact that in individual life man should not be selfish or self-centered and in his actions and behavior, he should demonstrate sincere devotion for the welfare and upliftment of the society. This is a highway leading to all-round happiness, progress, peace and tranquility of the individual as well as society.

There is no other religious medium as powerful as Yagya to educate the public mind by explaining the subtle implications of sacrifice, generosity and benevolence for purifying the individual and making the society capable and competent. According to Rig-Veda, the fire of Yagya, although speechless, acts as Purohit (spiritual priest) and inspires people in achieving all-round progress, happiness and peace. If the philosophy of Yagya is fully understood and assimilated in practical life circumstances can be created for the emergence of divinity in man and descent of heaven on the earth. These ideals have to be lived for changing the present era and building a bright future.

It is said that Devtas performed Yagya and attained divinity. Emergence of Brahman elements in man is possible only by Yagya. Otherwise, devoid of it, man is no better than an animal. Performance of Yagya has been said to be the main function of a Brahman. The essence of Yagya is common good, universal peace and happiness. The chariot of human life runs smoothly so long as different parts of the body work in cooperation with each other. Every thing will be topsy-turvy if selfishness or non-cooperation pre-dominates in social life. Take, for instance, the example of the cycle of water. Clouds get water from the sea, earth gets water from the clouds, rivers get water from the earth, and sea gets it from the rivers and thus there is growth of vegetation and greenery everywhere and the thirst of all living beings is quenched. If there is any interruption anywhere in this cycle of unhindered giving or sacrifice this earth will become like a hot iron plate. Similarly, living beings thrive on different vegetations which get their nourishment nad diet from urine and feces (excrements) of the former. Living beings inhale oxygen emitted by the trees and the latter thrive on carbon-di-oxide exhaled by the former. There is also a similar mutual give and take between human beings and animals. This is the philosophy of Yagya, of give and take, around which the entire universe revolves. 

Fulfilling Married Life

Among all the streams of yoga, grahastha Yoga (yoga of married life) is also one. If one gives a serious thought to it, one would realize that raising a family is indeed a very important, and yet relatively simple yoga. Accomplishing this yoga renders enormous joy and illumines the path of worldly fulfillment and spiritual progress. Here we cite some tips for adept practice of this unique yoga.

Fundamental Tenets of Grahastha Yoga

A child learns several primary activities at home. More than half of the skills that are needed in life are also learnt at home. Our sadhana of inner-refinement must also begin at home. The best laboratory to train life to attain greatness, self control and selflessness and to become cultured and service oriented is home itself. It becomes very convenient to do all this at home because in family life there is natural love, sense of duty, mutual dependence and cooperation. Home is a stable place and is secure from the prying eyes of strangers.

A disciple of Grahastha yoga must always contemplate in the following way:

·         My family is my hermitage - the most holy place for my sadhana.

·         The rituals prescribed to me are - devote my energies and best efforts always to develop my home like a beautiful, fragrant, fertile garden.

·         My devotion to God is to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to me by God for watering, and maintaining this garden and help it flourish.

·         I do not consider any member of my family small and unworthy of deserving of my service, and I do not take undue pride in being the owner, master, leader or the breadwinner of my family.

·         My benevolence and selflessness is in devoting my service to the upbringing and personality development of each member of my family.

·         My self-surrender is to serve others with absolutely pure feeling of dutifulness, without expecting anything in return.

·         My penance is to provide happiness and comforts to my family members even at the expense of my personal happiness and comfort.

·         My yagya is to enhance peace and happiness in this world by making each and every member of my family a refined, truthful, honest and responsible individual.

·         My religious vow is to make my conduct and behavior so pure and idealistic that it would silently inspire everyone to follow me and become virtuous.

·         My self-restraint is to raise my family within the rightfully earned means of income.

·         My aradhana (service to society) is to be always filled with love, benevolence and compassion, and to enhance happiness, joy and unity in the family and my neighborhood.

·         My worship is to have complete devotion towards living idols of God in the temple of my home and to adorn them with ornaments of virtues, noble nature and good conduct.

·         My sadhana is true, my feelings towards my sadhana are genuine and sincere, and my soul knows that I am truthful.

·         Like a true unattached karmayogi I draw my happiness and satisfaction from the sincere efforts I put into my sadhana without worrying about their success or failure.

·         I have taken an oath to be truthful and righteous, and I would forever try to uphold it with all sincerity.

Gayatri Philosophy, the Basis for the Transformation of the Era

The great power necessary for the total uprooting and expelling of the undesirable beliefs and in their place to establish enlightened thinking, good thoughts, good deeds and humane sentiments, has manifested in this era in the form of Gayatri. The task of the incarnations in the past ages was comparatively easy because they had to fight individuals, but in this era when wickedness has taken dominance over men's minds and beliefs, that bright and profound power was required which can do the work by going into the depths of human sentiments.

To wash away the poison of immorality, dishonesty, lack of character, desires, avarice and mean arrogance which has spread in the society, widespread revolution will have to be created of Yagya (prayers over the holy fire) Gayatir's prayer and studies. This is the basic aim of the manifestation of 'Yug-Shakti Gayatri' (this era's spiritual power of Gayatri) and the alert souls must consider it their duty to fulfill this aim.

Gayatri worship has the outstanding power of replacing untruth with truth, darkness with light and ignorance with knowledge. Not only does it benefit the individual worshipper, but by collective worship of Gayatri, the entire society, nation and the era are influenced. No one can deny this solid truth.

Ordinarily Gayatri-mantra is looked upon as a prayer in routine worship, in which the Supreme has been requested to grant Sadbuddhi (good intelligence) but people knowledgeable about the power of the word know that the 24 letters of this great mantra are seeds of 24 great powers which are capable of creating an upheaval in the entire universe. People have faith in Gayatri because they are familiar with it. Gayatri worship has been giving power and strength to the people of this country from time immemorial, and for this era it is like "Sanjeevani Booti" (resuscitating miraculous herb). Therefore its manifestation must be vigorously welcomed. If once the atmosphere is purified (with Gayatri Mantra's vibrations) then the nation and the world will automatically get the dynamism of restrained, healthy and capable divine sentiments. This responsibility lies on those alert souls whose discretionary intelligence is capable of understanding a situation and who have the determination to fight traditions and orthodoxy. Once a person is released from that prison, then the all- powerful Mother goes on showering her blessings. All the elements that go to make the country prosperous, happy and progressive are all present in Gayatri. The only necessity is to carry the message to every person in each and every home and vigorously inspire people to come into contact with this great power. That itself is to be done these days.

A part of this special knowledge is present in crippled form. Its aspect of special knowledge is very very powerful and capable. This manifestation of Gayatri will be successful and meaningful if the light of this knowledge is taken to every home and the atmosphere all over the world make Gayatrimaya (immersed in the vibrations of Gayatri mantra). Then the energy will evolve which will be capable of keeping this country and the world clean, healthy and capable for a long long time. Every person in close proximity with Gayatri-power should consider it his virtuous duty to commit himself whole-heartedly to spread the knowledge of Gayatri mantra to others. If this is done, then the manifestation of this great power will certainly be successful and meaningful.

Gayatri Mantra is the Divine Culture

Every human being can refine his character, thoughts, talents and actions and transform himself into a great personality, become a world leader like George Washington, an intrepid warrior like Napoleon, a sage like Vivekananda and reach still higher realms of self-evolution. God has bestowed divine potentials in everybody, one only needs to realize, recognize and raise these by spiritual enlightenment. Gayatri sadhana can make it possible in this very life. I have researched and experimented myself on the philosophy and science of this mantra and found that all that is stated in the scriptures about its supreme spiritual force and cosmic radiance and divine power of evolution of consciousness is absolutely true. This is why I can tell you so confidently about it. I want you all, the whole world, to benefit by the divine grace of Gayatri. It will accelerate both your worldly progress as well as spiritual ascent. It is important for us. We need neither renounce the worldly life nor should we neglect our spiritual growth and wellbeing. The support of Gayatri Mantra guides our intellect and orients our capabilities for righteous progress on both the fronts.

I have been explaining and guiding you in different kinds of upasana-sadhana of Gayatri Mantra. Regular sessions for practice in this spiritually vibrant ambience of Shantikunj are also run here throughout the year. Everybody is welcome here. Now, let me tell you something about the siddhis (supramental achievements) bestowed by Gayatri. When and what does the Mother Gayatri bestow upon us?

Well, a mother loves every child but she gives only small toys and toffees and things like that to the tiny kids. She does not give precious gift or valuables to them unless they mature and she is convinced that they can take proper care of those things. What if a five-year old Ramesh asks his mother to give him the key of the lockers! Will she give it to him? No, instead, she would hide it carefully so that the kid won't see it. Yes, but once Ramesh is grown up and starts sharing the responsibilities of the household and is wise and capable enough to transact his duties, the mother would one day herself hand over the keys to him and his wife. When Ramesh was a child he would cry for sweet and expensive toys, and break them in no time. As a teenager he was wayward and would like to imitate whatever good or bad his friends were doing. Show-off, mischief making, quarreling were his interests then, but now things are different. He has matured not only in age but also in wisdom. Earlier he would compel his parents to purchase milk-care of 20 Rupees and eat half and throw away the remaining. But now he himself earns. He knows the value of hard earned money. He would even drink tea without milk if there is some scarcity at him, as he understands that the little children and the elderly need it more. He earns respect in the society because of his good nature and dutiful conduct. What if he were a drunkard, a hoodlum, or a lethargic chap who would do nothing except watching cinema and day dreaming? Then? Even his near and dear ones would not have believed him. No one would like to lend money or extend support to him. One earns his status in worldly life in the society as per his qualities and deeds.

Spiritual attainments are more precious than anything else in this universe. They can't be bestowed upon just anyone. Gods bless only the deserving devotees. What you achieve depends upon your purity, sincerity, and devotion in the sadhana. Siddhis will gradually emerge from within as you progress in the sadhana. A guru (spiritual master) helps you march along the path of spirituality only if you deserve it and only if you are dedicated towards this noble cause. He certainly guides you on how to become a deserving disciple and also initiates you in the sadhana and commences the journey on the path of knowledge. But your success will depend upon your own endeavors. He shows the path but it is you who has to step ahead. There is nothing like a magic wand in spiritual practices, as many of you might think. You may wish that the guru, or a great yogi, will put his hand on your head and you will attain some siddhis. But this is all your delusion.

Freedom from fear and identification of "I"

Not only does the exercise of visualization elevate the status of the soul above the body, it further creates an awareness that the former is beyond the reach even of those five primary elements (Panch Mahabhoot), which constrain its (body's) activities and existence. The embodied Being thus becomes aware that, besides having far greater potentialities than the body, the soul also transcends all five primary elements, which constitute the physiology of all animate forms. On entering into this state of transcendental consciousness, one feels as though one has had a rebirth. There is a perception of revitalization with a supernormal inrush of energy. At this stage the Sadhak feels freed from the fears of disease, decay and even death. Nothing, not even the most tragic of events, can frighten him any more.

(According to psychology, fear is only a distress signal of and impending danger to the "body". Thus, fear is exclusively a phenomenon concerning the body. In the supernatural soul, there is nothing subject to harm. Hence the question of fear does not arise).

Identification of "I" as soul is the key to unalloyed and eternal bliss

Remind yourself repeatedly that the key Mantra of Sadhana towards Self-Realization is identification of "I" is generally referred to. Only after developing full conviction of this Truth, can the seeker progress on the path of Self-Realization. The seeker will have to develop a perception that the Inner-Self has an immortal existence of its own, independent of the mortal body and that the soul is an effulgent Star around which life and events related to the seeker's world are revolving like planets around the Sun. Such a perception will fill the seeker with a higher order of vitality and vibrancy, which will also be reflected in reactions and activities of the people around him. In addition, the Sadhak will develop an inner unshakable poise and peace which cannot be disturbed by the trials, tribulations, tests and storms of the world. With progress in Self-Evolution (Atma Vikash) (i.e. with enlargement of concept "I" to include all beings), the seeker will acquire such a capability, an enlightened person (Atma Gyan) continues to be steadfastly calm in moments of great calamities in life. Waiving his hand he bids farewell to worldly problems saying, "Good Bye! Go away! Go and get lost in that darkness of illusion which had created you." Blessed is one who has mastered the key Mantra of immortality of his "I-ness" - one with the Supreme Source. Seekers! Now start putting into practice with faith and enthusiasm, the primary lesson towards Self-Realization. If your progress is slow, be not over-anxious for quick results. While moving forward, if sometimes you slip backwards, do not be disappointed. Later you will make up for the loss. If you are serious, sincere, single-pointed and steadfast, you are sure to be crowned with ultimate success - Self-Realization. Remember: A journey of hundred miles begins with a step.

Affirmations of this article:

"I" am the powerhouse of talents and energy.

"I" am the inexhaustible source of divine thought and visions.

My world (people, events and things related to my person) are revolving around (working under the influence of) "ME" i.e. My Inner-Self, a spark of the Divine Effulgence)

"I" have an immortal self-identity of my own - independent of this mortal body.

"I" am indestructible.

"I" am indivisible. None can harm "ME"