2011 Yug Vasant Deepotsav Celebrated - cherish these memories

2011 Yug Vasant - Birth Centenary Celebrated at SATSANG Center 

On a severe wintry evening, about 400 people enthusiastically converged in the sanctum of SATSANGCenter. They all looked excited be part of a once in a life-time opportunity to celebrate the Birth Centenary Yug-Rishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (1911-2011). They came to enjoy a vibrant spiritual celebration of Vasant Panchami (वसंत पंचमी) on February 5th, 2011.

This is the Birth Centenary year of a world-visionary (युग-दृष्टा), who did exactly that amazing discovery of the root-cause of gravest human problems and gave away solution too. Born in 1911, Yug-Rishi, Ved-Murti, Taponishtha Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, selflessly devoted his whole life to the greatest of all time experiment of  'Thought Revolution' (विचार-क्रांति). Acharya-ji created  the 'Yug-Nirmaan Yojanaa' (युग-निर्माण-योजना) and rolled out a massive campaign through a 'Movement of Though Revolution' (विचार-क्रांति-अभियान). This is unparalleled in the history of human thought. To investigate the validity of his ideas, Acharya-ji created a unique laboratory which he aptly named 'All World Gayatri Pariwar' (अखिलविश्व गायत्री-परिवार www.awgp.org ). This he did after dedicating 24 years of his prime life (starting at age 15) in researching and testing his theories on his own body-mind-complex, exactly in the spirit of a scientist. And, then, when he had fully satisfied himself and validated the root-cause of the human crisis and its fix, he rolled out a huge mass based movement to spread the gems of his discovery. His life touched and transformed millions of lives. Acharya-ji wrote over 3000 books on every aspect of individual, family, social and world life. He Also established a university named 'Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya' (देव संस्कृति विश्वविद्यालय www.dsvv.org ) to train a new generation of  expert ambassadors of the Hindu Thought.

This spiritually charged evening started rolling with the chanting of  Sri Hanuman Chalisa. Then flowed  “Pragya Geets” (intuitive-inspirational songs), melodiously rendered by Neeta Rathi and Sangeeta Saxena. Both enchanted the devotees with their sweet voices.  Master ParamVyom (Swami) ably supported the vocal artists, with his skilful accompaniment in percussion department.

The main feature of the evening happened to be “Deep Yagya”, done as a 'Nav-Yug-Deepotsav'. Deep Yagya is a contemporary version of traditional Yagya, that Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya had developed for popularizing the philosophy of Yagya in the busy lifestyle of modern times.

Prior to the lighting of lamps for Deep Yagya, puja-yajmans performed shodshopchaar Puja of Devi Sarasvati. Which followed the puja of Vadya-Yantra (musical instruments), Mayur (peacock)  and Vasant (spring flowers). In the hands of expert musicians, musical instruments can potentially move the human emotions/sentiments and hearts. The Veena in the hands of Devi Sarasvati signifies this fact. The Mayur (peacock) symbolizes the sweet voice and beauty and happiness. Human appreciation of nature’s beauty and gifts is expressed with the  puja of  Vasant (spring flowers).

After the parva-pujan, all the devotees offered the “Gayatri Mantra Aahutis”.  They also offered “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Aahutis” for those whose birthday’s and marriage  anniversaries fall in the current calendar month. This felt like a real family festival in true spirit of Pariwar as in 'Gayatri Pariwar'.

During the celebration, Sanjay Saxena  rendered event commentary based on  the philisophy of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Sangeeta-ji officiated and conducted the Yagya/Pujan ceremony. 

Yagya concluded with all participants taking vows to give up one bad habit and develop one good habit for the continued progress and refinement of their lives. That was the offering of  “Dev-Dakshina Purnahuti”. With the active support of lots of volunteers the program turned out to be a huge success. With heartfelt love,  Sumedha Shrikant Joshi and Sri Asaram Bapu Parivar led by Lalita and Ashok Prajapati  sponsored and prepared the mahaprasad.

Gayatri Parivar celebrates the Vasant Panchami  as a “spiritual birthday” (Atma Bodha Divas) of its founder Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Acharyaji pioneered the revival of spirituality through creative integration of modern science and ancient Dharmic Traditions relevant for challenging circumstances of modern times. According to Him, the “perversion  of thoughts” is the root cause of  crisis in individual, family, social and world affairs in contemporary times. The only way out of  this desperate situation is “total thought revolution”, which He termed as “Vichar Kranti”. 

Volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts are actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought after family ceremonies which are integral part of Hindu tradition. Please check www.Gayatri.info for more information.