(Post 09)
(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)
Tirthas are not the sites where people congregate out of religious faith and do nothing except crowding the place with cars, buses and modern–day gadgets of tourism; bathing in the ponds or rivers there, offering some customary worship in the shrines, and distributing some alms to beggars.
Such a pilgrimage is no different from a picnic trip.
After spending all the money and time, you may have the satisfaction of completing a pilgrimage to a 'popular tirtha', but reality is that doing a pilgrimage in this manner is not genuine and worthwhile.
You must understand the correct meaning of pilgrimage.
While going to a tirtha, you must remember that your journey and stay there are meant for getting deep inspiration for self-refinement and self-upliftment.
Pilgrimage is for:
- introspection,
- practice of penance and selfless service, and for
- resolving to single-pointedly strive for an enlightened future.
The devout endeavors of self-discipline and self-transformation of today, lay the foundation of a brighter tomorrow.
Pilgrimage should be a milestone in this ascending uphill climb of the individual self.
(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)
Tirthas are not the sites where people congregate out of religious faith and do nothing except crowding the place with cars, buses and modern–day gadgets of tourism; bathing in the ponds or rivers there, offering some customary worship in the shrines, and distributing some alms to beggars.
Such a pilgrimage is no different from a picnic trip.
After spending all the money and time, you may have the satisfaction of completing a pilgrimage to a 'popular tirtha', but reality is that doing a pilgrimage in this manner is not genuine and worthwhile.
You must understand the correct meaning of pilgrimage.
While going to a tirtha, you must remember that your journey and stay there are meant for getting deep inspiration for self-refinement and self-upliftment.
Pilgrimage is for:
- introspection,
- practice of penance and selfless service, and for
- resolving to single-pointedly strive for an enlightened future.
The devout endeavors of self-discipline and self-transformation of today, lay the foundation of a brighter tomorrow.
Pilgrimage should be a milestone in this ascending uphill climb of the individual self.
