The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 10)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)    

You have come here to the Gayatri-Tirtha (Shantikunj) for a sadhana camp.

You must understand that this kalpa - sadhana experiment is not going to transform you from a physically old or weak person into a young and stout one; rather, it is actually meant to transform your inner personality.

You should therefore make the best possible use of your free time here in -
- introspection
- swadhyaya
- contemplation
- japa-upasana, and
- discussions with enlightened sadhaks around.

Go over to the banks of Ganga nearby, take a stroll there in the evening, sit and meditate, or relax and energize yourself in the purifying vicinity of the holy river.

Don't let any part of your routine be wasted in wayward activities and thoughts.

This is what would justify your being here in a real tirtha.

I have attempted to make this tirtha as a living replica of the tirthas of the ancient times.

It has been established in the sacred Saptasarovara region on the banks of Ganga, right at the place where Maharshi Vishwamitra's Tapasthali was located in the Vedic Age.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(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.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 08)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)  

The monasteries established by Lord Buddha were also like Aranyaks.

Those who used to renounce their worldly attachments, and were dedicated to selfless service and dissemination of the divine teachings of Lord Buddha for the welfare of all, used to be the permanent inmates of these monasteries.

Well, you may call them as "Bauddha-vihars" instead of Aranyaks; it hardly makes any intrinsic difference.

Such sacred centers of learning and training, where every moment of life is dedicated to tapa-sadhana and service, are tirthas indeed.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 07)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)  

This place is like a sanatorium for spiritual healing.

Doctors and medical experts may be there in any conventional hospital, but sanatoriums are equipped with a distinct additional facility – viz., health restoring atmosphere in a natural setting.

What patients now a days gain in good sanatoriums in terms of health benefits, used to be provided in the Gurukuls and Aranyaks to the aspirants in ancient times, in terms of virtuous and spiritual growth.

In ancient India, Gurukuls were educational tirthas for young children, where they used to gain in-depth knowledge of life and existence, from their mentor Rishis, on all aspects of life.

They also used to get thorough training for activation, refinement and growth of their talents, and for overall development of their personalities.

Aranyaks also used to serve as centers for training of the elders (vanaprasthis) in the sadhana of altruistic service and social welfare.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage) 

If you regard Shantikunj as Gayatri-Tirth (a Tirtha for Gayatri Sadhana), you must follow the disciplines here and make the best use of every moment of your stay for your spiritual enlightenment.

Here we have strict timetable from the moment you get up (early in the morning at 3:30 am) till you go to bed (at 9pm).

The arrangements, activities and time-schedule are so designed that if you follow them sincerely, within a few days, you would imbibe a regimen of self-restraint and moral discipline.

Interaction with people here will also inculcate in you, the art of living a truly civilized and cultured social life.

You will get an opportunity to know the fundamentals of spiritual Sadhana and Indian Culture, and also gain an experience and practical guidance for imbibing an austere, ascetic life, with dignified simplicity.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 05)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage) 

If you go for pilgrimage, you must keep this purpose and importance of tirthas in mind.

If you are lucky to reach and stay at a tirtha, where the spiritual vibrations of the Rishi Age are still active in some form, you must devote yourself to cultivating an attitude of quietude to the uplifting vibrations pervading there.

You must know that tirthas are not meant for merely going through some mechanical rituals and beseeching worldly favors from the deity.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 04)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)

But what about the actions?

What is required to be done on this front of spiritual development?

Refinement of personality by dedicated sadhanas, and selfless service for the welfare of others, adoption of generous, altruistic attitude in daily life are essential components of the yoga of action.

It is these kinds of karmas that correspond to what is referred in the religious terminology as punyas.

Progress on both fronts is necessary for washing out the sins, and attainment of auspicious qualities and divine grace.

Connection between the two poles of electricity is essential for the flow of current in a circuit. Similarly, the harmonious conjunction of both Gyana and Karma leads to fulfillment of devotion and righteousness, which then effectuates the supernormal attainments or siddhis of spiritual elevation.

Tirthas were created in the ancient times to provide the motivating energy and atmosphere for transcending and transmuting both Gyana and Karma into the supreme state of self-realization.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 03)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)

You think that just worshiping the God, and chanting some mantras, or reading devotional epics like the Ramayana would do everything towards your self-realization.

No!

This itself is not sufficient to inculcate the susanskaras.

Sentiments, thoughts and corresponding actions – only the integration of all of these can complete the process of cultivation and sprouting of the noble sanskaras.

In fact, spirituality also means awakening and expression of susanskaras.

And, these are generated only by the righteous integration of knowledge (Gyana) and deeds (Karma).

- Divine prayers,
- worships,
- devotional practices,
- japa (rhythmic enunciation or chanting of mantras),
- meditation,
- swadhyaya (self-training through study of sagacious thoughts / teachings, and works of elevated souls), and
- satsang (being in good company; attending enlightening discourses, discussions on different aspects of life) pertain to what is essential for the knowledge aspect of sadhana.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 02)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)

I do not know whether bathing the physical body in the water of holy rivers like Ganga washes away your sins or not.

But, I can assure you that if you take a deep plunge in the spiritual Ganga of divine knowledge at a vibrantly alive tirtha, it would not only cleanse you from within, but also enable you to keep the 'cloth' of your life always 'clean' in the future as well.

Why?

How?

Because, you have practiced penance and devotion at such places, and performed sadhanas in the spiritually empowering ambience there.

You seek guidance of the elevated devotees and sages there to solve the problems of your worldly life, to get rid of your shortcomings.

You derive inspirations and mental strength from their ennobling and enlightening company, teachings and blessings.

All these help in cultivating virtuous tendencies (susanskaras) in you, which become an intrinsic and integral part of your nature, if you also assimilate these teachings and inspirations in your conduct and deeds, if you follow an altruistic, duty-bound life imbued with high moral values.

The Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 01)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2005/Mar_Apr/v1.SignificancePilgrimage)

(Translation of a discourse on "Tirthasevan Ke Mahatva Aur Prayojan")

Let us begin with the collective chanting of the Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Bhoor Buvah Swah, Tatsaviturvareñyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi,
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat ||”

Sisters and Brothers,

"Tirtha" – a holy place of pilgrimage – hearing this word itself is so soothing! It fills our hearts with sacred feelings and joy.

Just, imagine! How divinifying the tirthas must have been in their original forms, when the transforming spiritual vibrations of the Tapa-Sadhanas of great Rishis and siddha saints were intensely present in these places.

Pilgrimage to such places used to cleanse the pilgrims' inner selves, wash out their evil tendencies and open up before them the path of righteous living.

It must have been truly purifying and enlightening to live there for some time!