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 Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 17)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jul_Aug/v1.SignificanceGayatriMantra)

How can our personality sparkle unless we remove the mist of vices and smog of ignorance? The sadhana courses that you will undergo here from time to time are meant to help you in this essential process of self-refinement. You all know that no crop can grow on barren land; ploughing it is a sheer wastage of effort. The same is true about heartless practice of devotion. If your mind and heart are filled with ego, selfish attachments, jealousy, hatred, and similar filth, where and how will the serene sentiments of devotion find place? How would you attain the nectar of devotion of the Gayatri Mantra without paving the way for its descent? The Guru, the noble spiritual master, alone can diagnose the inner ailments, and help in the cleansing, curing and refinement of the disciple’s life.

The Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 16)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jul_Aug/v1.SignificanceGayatriMantra)

Spiritual development can’t begin without purifying the body, the mind, the sentiments, and adopting a moral conduct. The gamut of ascetic disciplines and yoga sadhanas, etc., were devised and practiced by the rishis for this noble purpose. They had accomplished absolute self-refinement and moral elevation through Gayatri Sadhana. They had conquered the ego and desires. They wanted to work for the welfare of all beings. A seed cannot germinate and grow into a fructifying tree without dissolving itself in the soil and water; it is only after breaking and softening that it can absorb the fertilizing substances. Blossoming of divine realization is also not possible without the immersion of the identity of the individual self in the cosmic self.

The Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/May_Jun/v1.SupremeSignificanceGayatri)

The Gayatri Mantra is given paramount recognition in the Vedic science of spirituality. The sadhana (devout spiritual endeavor aimed at inner refinement and elevation) of this mantra illuminates and opens up the inner treasure of intelligence. It has the ability to inspire the human self towards great ideals, and eventually elevate and transmute it into divine self. Each syllable of the Gayatri Mantra enfolds tremendous energies of spiritual knowledge, enlightenment and wisdom.

The Vedas, Upanishads, Darshanas, Smritis, Gita, Ramayana, and other Vedic Scriptures are all derived from it, and are, so to say, detailed commentaries on this mantra.

Gayatri is said to be the Mother (origin) of the Vedas. The scriptures describe that the commentary of the four segments of the Gayatri Mantra through the four mouths of Lord Brahma has been compiled into four Vedas as indicated below:
The segment of Gayatri Mantra and the Veda generated from it:
Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha - The Rig Veda
Tatsaviturvarenyam - The Yajur Veda
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi - The Sama Veda
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat - The Atharva Veda

Later on, the in-depth understanding, detailed explanation of and discussions on the Vedas by the Rishis gave rise to the six Darshanas, ten Aranyakas, hundred and eight Upanishads, eighteen Puranas, twenty Smritis, etc.

The microscopic sperm and ovum contain the complete genetic blueprint of a human being. A seed possesses the information (DNA) for the development of a tree. Similarly, each letter of the Gayatri Mantra comprises all the elements of knowledge, sciences and philosophies. Be that the knowledge of the visible or the invisible world, that of making gold, or that of the divine empowerment of life, all is subliminally present in this mantra.

Gayatri Mantra also provides the supreme method for the upasana (worship) of God, as its meaning is a universal prayer for the enlightenment of the human intellect towards the righteous path. The awakening of this pure intelligence brings boons for the spiritual as well as worldly progress of life.