TRANSFORMATION OF THE ERA BY THOUGHT-REFORM

The foremost requirement of this era is reformation in thinking. If man's thinking is not changed in time, then this world will be destroyed. As long as the present condition of man's way of thinking is not altered and straightened up, all the efforts for establishing peace and happiness will prove unsuccessful.

The only reason for all the perversities, obstacles, grief, sorrow, dualities, conflicts, wants, crimes, and diseases is that our thinking has been vitiated. The reason for all the wars is vitiated, wicked thinking. Even if all the facilities are available and still our way of thinking is not proper, then the individual will receive only unhappiness and cause unhappiness to those in his contact. The reason for our physical, mental, economic, familial, social, national and international problems and troubles is the impure thinking of the people. If the reasons for the mistakes are not tackled, then the effort for reformation is like watering a dried-up tree.

Therefore if a real solution is to be found for the current problems, then we have to conclude that it is essential to change the prevalent pattern of thinking in the world. Moral and cultural revival is possible only on this basis. Except for this there is no solution for world - peace. The foremost requirement of this era is an all-round revolutionary - thinking, a complete change in our thinking. Whether achieved today or after a thousand years, there is no other way except this. All of us must make effort in this direction according to our capacities.

Spiritual Development

Creating a new order should start with one's own self. 'Preach others but practice not' may be alright in other matters, but when it is a question of cleansing people's minds, the cleansing must start with one's own self. The sooner we learn the truth in depth that excellence is not achieved by preachment but by conduct, the better. Speech and writings can be effective to an extent for teaching others. The real influence comes from the preacher's conduct. People do not have the courage to tread a thorny path unless they have an ideal before them. Physical information can be obtained though speech and writings, but not so with subtle and spiritual information.

One must think seriously every day for a long time on the following four basic philosophical principles of spiritual development.

1.   The first truth of looking at one's own self i.e. the soul, is to think of oneself as a very pure part of the Supreme and to think of the mind and the body as completely separate from the soul and to think of them as merely  the vehicles and instruments of the soul.

2.   The second spiritual truth is to think of the human life as the pure gift of God for the purpose of public good.

3.   The third big truth is - to achieve the life's objective of achieving completeness from incompleteness. The chasm between God and the soul can be filled only by removing one's faults and deficiencies. Only by adopting the policy of excellence in thinking and ideal behavior, does the person get the opportunity of spiritual elevation to the level of God.

4.   The fourth big truth is to think of this vast universe as a concrete manifestation of God and to make sincere efforts in spiritual endeavor for spiritual enlightenment.

 Only these four truths are the central points of the science of spiritual Endeavour. If we want to usher in a new era, we will first have to concentrate on spiritual development.

VITAL ROLE OF GAYATRI SAKTI IN HUMAN LIFE

There is no way of glorious success in human life without Sadbuddhi. The support of Gayatri in this form is inevitable for all aspirants of progress and blissful prosperity. There is no path to spiritual evolution, realization of God, or ultimate salvation that does not emanate from the spiritual element of Gayatri Sakti. The Sadhaks or seekers of God should also note that thee is infinity, beyond all perceptions and thoughts. Thou is omnipresent and loves all without any discrimination. No one could have direct reach to thy realization. The subliminal shield of wide separation between the individual self and thy-self could be pierced only by the spiritual force of the enlightened soul. The gamut of the science of spirituality, devotional practices and ascetic endeavors are devised for the sole purpose of arousing this force. Absolute evolution of the Satoguna in the individual-self alone can revoke the hidden spiritual force of the soul and enable its linkage with its divine origin and thy realization. Gayatri Sakti, being the genesis and eternal power of Satoguna is therefore revered as the cosmic impulse of divine conjugation between the soul and the God.

Gayatri Sadhana is the ideal medium for reaching thy realms. Indeed the ultimate realization is attainable only in the sublime core of Gaya tri Sakti. Before entering it, it is only the sentient perception; and beyond it there remains nothing - the subtle senses of the subtle and the astral bodies too get concealed in the absolute void.

Thy devotion and thou realization also attained by the Sadhana, Upasana of Adi Sakti Gayatri and its manifestations in Parvati,-Shiva, Lakshmi-Narayana, Rhadhe-Krishna or Sita-Rama. The devotion of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali, Mahamaya, Savitri, Pravati, Sita or Radha is also the Upasana of Gayatri only.

Lord Krishna identifies thyself in the holy Bhagwat Gita as - "Gayatri Chandamaham" (I am immanent in the Gayatri Mantra). Gayatri Mantra is the universal Mantra of the Upasana of God. People might argue otherwise because of their ignorance and prejudices against a particular 'name' (manifestation) of thee, but every spiritually enlightened Sadhak, true devotee of divinity experiences and knows that there is no path isolated (insulated) from the sublime domains of Gayatri that could lead to spiritual illumination, divine attainments and realization of the Brahma.

Worshiping the Motherhood by Gayatri Upasana

Gayatri Upasana is the Upasana of the Viswa-Mata, Deva-Mata, Veda-Mata; it is the devotion of the eternal mother. The deity Gayatri is worshiped in the idol of a Goddess -the divine mother. Mother's love for the child is the most sacred, pure and supreme expression of love. Love experienced in other relationships, howsoever intimate or closed might be is not totally devoid of the influence of selfish attachments and expectations. But mother's love is truly selfless and free from all constraints and perturbations.

Fight from the stage of conceiving a child to raising and training him, she bears a lot and gives what all she has of the welfare of the child; she continuous to bless the child with abundant care and love. Her warm love demands to returns, has not expectations. The saying that "sons could be bad and ungrateful but the mother is never short in her love." Elucidates the limitless grandeur of motherhood. Worshipping God in a mother-form is a salute to the divine nature of motherhood. It also has great psychological benefits. Devotion develops an emotional relationship between the devotee and the deity. Needless to say, the intensity of this intimacy is most deep and natural when the devotee regards the deity as divine mother. The latter also responds accordingly and bestows motherly love upon its child - the devotee. As a child feels most secure and happy in the lap of his mother, the devotee also experiences the same while worshiping the omnipotent divine mother. The immediate psychological impact of this feeling induces soundness in his devotion and liberated the devotee from all tensions, doubts and illusions. When the Sadhak takes shelter in the lap of the Almighty Mother Gayatri and devotes himself, thou too embraces him with equal warmth and endowers the nectar of divine motherly love.

Womanhood is worshipable by men in all its expressions. What a woman gives him as a wife, sister, and mother at least deserves his acknowledgement in terms of amity, affection and respect in the respective relations. The science of psychology reveals that man would have been a cruel, harsh, desperate creature living in the primitive state (of civilization), had he not been fostered by the peerless love and aid of woman. The dry and thirsty land is delighted by the cool lashing of rains and expresses its joy by sprouting fresh greenery. The serene love and sympathy enshowered by woman similarly nurtures and helps excel the potentials of the man. However, the poison of uncontrolled lust, erogeneity and carnal desires often spoils the nectar-like effect that could be generated by healthy cooperation in a couple. The familial and social relations between men and women would have been far more beneficial for mutual welfare and progress had the purity of thoughts and affectionate emotions been insulated from the insidious sensuous passions. The toxic of licentious attitude and eroticism converts the nectar-fruit (of fulfilling relationship) into a deadly poisonous seed.

Gayatri Sadhana is an excellent spiritual remedy to naturally pacify the untoward passions and mental perversions and to purify the emotional fields. Worshiping Mother Gayatri as Vishwo-Mata - the genesis of motherhood the symbol of pristine womanhood gradually invokes sacred feelings and intrinsic respect for womanhood. The Sadhak's sincere attempts of continence over the sense organs, eliminating mental ailments - especially those driven by concupiscence, and his strive for mental concentration over constructive thoughts succeed effectively with the progress of this spiritual-conditioning. Beastly instincts cannot survive in the heart of a true devotee of motherhood. The Upasana of Gayatri as Viswa- Mata is the supreme experiment to educe this spiritual elevation.

WE DON'T REQUIRE LEADERS, WE REQUIRE CREATORS

Outstanding persons are required for raising the level of the society and the country and for its progress in the right direction. Ordinary persons cannot bear this heavy burden. For this purpose, talented great men with leadership qualities are required. Only they are capable of giving good direction to the society. A person does not become an impressive leader merely by speeches from the dais - he has to perform certain deeds and discharge certain responsibilities.

To make the society progress, the leader himself has to be of pure character and raise the level of character of the society. In the absence of the above two, no society can go forward on the path of progress. A society can not exist without a leader and vice-versa, but to-day in every street - corner, we find a 'leader'. Just like the sudden flood of frogs during monsoon, we find the flood of 'leader' in our democracy to-day. To-day we are not able to get the fruits of democracy because the 'leaders' do not allow us to be at peace. Even when there is no problem, they create new and new problems and do not allow us even to breathe in peace.

One thing is certain and that is that the society's and country's uplift depends upon the leaders. If the leaders become corrupt, then the country heads towards downfall, therefore at least from the point of our own protection, we should select our leader after proper inquiry, scrutiny and investigation. The root of many of our troubles can be the wrong leaders chosen by us. Therefore the leader must be such who has the qualities of purity, friendliness, abnegation, truthfulness, remembering obligations and similar other qualities. The leader will be only that person who observes morality in conduct and makes others tread the path of morality. The leader is one who knows morality, which means the policy of going on the right path. One, who cannot enforce his morality with discipline, cannot be a leader.

One feels that the generation of selfless leaders which served the country selflessly with their talents has vanished. To-day the so-called leaders are found chattering away-like frogs suddenly coming out in the rain - in streets, hotels, bazaars and clubs, chewing betel-leaves and giving spirited speeches. They are getting their sustenance from some post or a shelter of some political party. The crowd of such leaders is increasing whereas the number of citizens in the real sense is decreasing. The intention of those persons will naturally be suspect when they say that nothing can be done without the authority of a post or power or money. Gandhi, Vinoba, Loknayak, Jaiprakash, Ishwarchandra, Raja Ram Mohan Rai and innumerable leaders like them remained miles away from any prestigious post and yet worked for society and culture. Thus the demand of the times is not for revolutionary leaders, but of such public teachers who involve themselves totally and work without rest for the effort of creating enlightenment in the public mind. Therefore it is the demand of the times that not leaders but creators are required.

Needless to say that this great work is not possible by selfish, greedy and power-hungry leaders but by sentimental creators who can be like the corner-stone or dissolve like the seed to sprout forth, and maintain their role for NavNirman (resurgence of a new era and order of goodness) and who have no personal ambition nor any desire for name and fame. For permanent benefit, inner peace and satisfaction, there cannot be any better Endeavour or worship than this for the society and the country. All of us must ask our leaders to be creative persons rather than leaders in name only and we must honor and support such creators only.

WHAT IS GAYATRI?

Being the source of ultimate evolution and beatified salvation of Prana, the Adi Shakti is called Gayatri. The Vedic scripture "Aitareya Brahamana" describes this meaning as - "Gayan Trayate Sa Gayatri; (meaning - That, which protects the Gaya (Prana) if Gayatri). The scholarly as - "Shankarcharya Bhashya" further explains the meaning of Gayatri as - "Giyate Tatva Manaya Gayatri". (Meaning: the discerning, pure intellect Ritambhara Pragya), which unfolds the ultimate truth and absolute knowledge, is Gayatri.

Sadbuddhi - the enlightened intellect that enables prudent distinction between the truth and the false, the right and the wrong and guides the righteous decision making, is indeed a unique power, which proves to be superior and more beneficial than any other power or resource in the world. Wisdom or brilliance of mind trained and talented in worldly affairs might serve excellent achievements in materialistic developments. But the glittering success, haughty possessions and luxurious comforts attained thereby do not assure reduction of ego, jealousy, worries, tensions, and other complications; and on the contrary, often gravitate the burden of the untoward tendencies and problems in life. No wisdom, no intelligence - howsoever trenchant, soever or erudite it may be, can nurture real and viable progress with peace and joy if it is not endowed with Sadbuddhi.

The sharp intellect if deprived of Sadbuddhi turns out to be a negative talent in many respects. Such a power of mind may appear fascinating on several fronts and offer rapid materialistic gains and powers but it is also true that it steals the peace of mind and thereby encourages psychosomatic disorders and varieties of related problems. In extreme cases, it might trigger detrimental decline by accumulating egotist cruelty and immoral use of talents. The sharper such skilled minds, the greater would be the insidious effects. It thus appears better to have a dumb head than such Drubuddhi.

The divine light of Gayatri generates Sadbuddhi, which illuminates righteous intellect and inoculated virtuous and saintly tendencies. Every step guided by its inspiration is a forward move towards welfare, peace and happiness. The Sadbuddhi educed by the grace of Gayatri strengthens one's virtuous, talents, enlightens the Prana and gradually bestows greater success and glory in ideal direction. Durbuddhi, on the contrary weakens the vigor of Prana by draining it in untoward thoughts and activities driven by selfish passions and addictions. It plunges one's life deeper in the mire of ignorance, confusion, perversion and sins. Cravings, avarice, fear, ego and self-obsessive ambitions shield the inner light by Durbuddhi and eventually diminish the mental strength and talents too., thus leading to endless sufferings, sorrows and decline.

Gayatri is the savior force and pious light for those entrapped in the vicious cycle of Durbuddhi and evil instincts and those loosing the invaluable human life in shear ignorance. It kindles the spark of Sadbuddhi and thus provides a divine support, a courageous hope and liberates and saves the Prana of people from the smog of illusion and perversion. The path to righteous evolution opens up with the inspiration of Gayatri and the silver line of peace, progress and true joy begins to shine with soothing glow in the devotee's life.

Gayatri is not any mythological deity or imaginary power. Rather, it is the source of divine luminescence, the evolutionary impulse of thy will that is expressed in human self as Sadbuddhi and that enables enlightened progress and glorious accomplishment of life.

The spiritually illuminated acumen of the Rishis had found, while in the depths of their Sadbuddhi that the subliminal powers of Gayatri are active in the cosmic vibrations of Sabda (eternal sound). This realization was expressed by Rishi Vishwamitra in the unique Mantra of twenty-four specific symbols (syllables) associated with the corresponding currents of Sabda. This Mantra, being a representation and carrier of the sublime power of Gayatri - the eternal savior of Prana, is called the great Gayatri Mantra.

YAGYA THERAPY INCREASES IMMUNITY AND VITALITY

Yagya is the main process of refining mind. It helps to protect us from the unhealthy environment. This process may increase our lower immune from its air. This is the special medicine for the increment of various types of disease, bacteria etc. In this context the main disease is known as AIDS. Yagya can prevent this also.

AIDS as well as low immunity disorder syndrome (LIDS) have posed unyielding challenges before the world today. As a result, a patient of these syndromes practically becomes host to any kind of disease. Even minor infections or diseases would continue to persist, aggravate and gradually weaken his body so much so that he might eventually die in few months unless due precautions in terms of careful diet, protection from all kinds of bacteria and viruses and from insect bites, and strict meditation under the guidance of specialist doctor are taken.

Bio-fluids being the carriers of the noxious HIV virus that causes these syndromes are spread through transfusion of infected blood and sexual intercourse with infected person. It is perhaps to prevent the chances of such pathetic health-hazards, that our sagacious ancestors - the rishis, had repeatedly cautioned (c.f. original texts of Ayurbeda, for instance) against undisciplined life-style. They had emphasized on prudent control of ahaar, (eating and drinking) and vihara (sensual pleasures).

Unfortunately, our life-style today is dominated by comforts and quick and easy pleasures. Most people are not even aware of the fact that their ahara-vihara decides the fate of their health. Experts too seem to be focused more on cure than prevention. Best laboratories the world-over are researching today to develop a vaccine to prevent the activation of the viruses that are the cause of AIDS or LIDS and to produce effective medicines to kill these or stop their growth. In spite of some encouraging steps, the goal is far from sight. Incorporation of complementary medicines therefore seems essential in the given circumstances, especially in the developing and highly populous countries like Nepal where significantly increasing the number of HIV-infected people or people suffering are among those deprived of medical facilities and are the ones living under highly infection-prone conditions.

Among the time-tested complementary therapies, Ayurveda has proved to be the best choice, as the Ayurvedic texts present powerful remedies against ojaksaya. The prescribed preparations are mostly rasa (+rasayanas), bhanma, avaleha, pake and ghrata and churna of selected herbs plant medicines. These preparations consists of - churna, (fine powder) of aswagandha, satavara, vidarikanda, giloya, numa, panchanga, tulasi, musali, akarakarna, mulahathi etc. avaleha of aswagandha and chyauanprasha, chopachimi paka, jivantadya ghrata, triphala ghrata, panchatikta ghrata, bhallataka rasayana, brahmi rasayansa, asavas of kaisora guggal, kanchanara guggal and sariva etc. dasamularista and combined bhasma of mercury and sulphur bhasmas of gold, cupper, yashad, naga, hartaal and kasisa, kalyana sundarabhra rasa, swarnabasant-malati rasa. These should be taken with zaharmohra pishti and prabal pisti.

Except the fine powders, all other preparations listed here required specific expertise. Only countable number of vaidyas (Ayurvedic doctors who follow original approach of this Vedic science) today would know the exact methods of preparations of bhasma and rasayanas. Moreover the methods of preparations require no use of machines and are so tedious that even under proper guidance of such Ayurveda experts hardly any herval pharma-lab would be able to produce these medicines in precise form. (Most of the terms used here are technical pertaining to original texts of Ayurveda. Therefore, English analogues are not available). Another major constraint is that the dosage, mode of consumption, necessary diet restrictions etc vary from patient to patient, depending upon the latter's natural constitution and the type and extent of the disease/syndrome. The treatment should thus proceed under adept guidance of an experienced vaidya.

However, Yagya-therapy does not require such constraints because only coarse powders of specific herbs/plant medicines - as listed underneath - are to be used in the special havan samagri. So any one who has ever participated in a havan or yagya, can do it without any difficulty or risk. The special havan samagri should be mixed with equal proportion of the common havan samagri. Little amounts of ghee (clarified butter) prepared from cow's milk, molasses, til (sesamum seed), barley and rice grains are also mixed in it. At least 24 ahutis (sacxrifices in the yagya-fire) of this preparation should be made with chanting of the Surya Gayatri mantra.

YAGYA THERAPY (COMPOSITION OF THE MIXTURES)

This yagya experiment should be performed by the patient (s) twice a day _ once around the sunrise time and later little before the sunset time. Soon after the ahutis, the patient(s) should practice the deep breathing exercise of Pranakarsana pranayama for 15-20 minutes sitting at the same place. While exhaling one should feel as though all the weakness, viruses, bacteria and their harmful effects are being thrown out and are being eradicated by the yagya output. Inhalation (breathing in) should be accompanied with a sincere feeling that the vital spiritual energy and medicinal output generated by yagya is entering the body and being absorbed by its every component and elevating the ojas. Healthy persons may also participate in the same yagya, as sitting near the yagya-fire and breathing in the yagya treated air would benefit everyone.

For faster remedial effects the patients should also drink of the decoction of 5-6 teaspoons full of fine powder of the Ayurvedic medicines used in the preparation of the special havan samagri. The decoction should be prepared fresh in the morning. Some honey may be mixed in it if the patient finds the taste bitter. The patient should drink half of it empty stomach in the morning and remaining half around 4 pm. (Care should be taken to keep the decoction in cool condition so that it remains fresh till that time. Else, fresh decoction should be prepared for the second dose as well). The method of preparation of the decoction has been described in several articles of series on Ayurveda. If necessary readers may send their queries to Shantikunj@awgp.org or write to Manager, Shantikunj, Haridwar: 249411 India.

List of herbe/plant medicines used in the above referred special havan samagri: aswagandha, satavara, vidarikanda, giloya, nimachala, panchanga, syama tulasi, saphead, musali, kali musali, akarakaram mulahathi, bacha, saptaparni, chikrakchhala, sontha, kalimircha, pippali, anvala, haritika, baheda, haldim daruhaldi, punarnava, gorakhmundi, durva, jatamansi, brahmim jalanima, makhana, utangana, kalamegha, kutha, patola patra, indrayana mula, trayamana, kutakim ativala, bhui, talamakhana, kayaphala, kanchabija, bhunjataka, chirayata, khadriachhala, vidanga, motha, manijistha, devadaru, murva, indrajau, padmakha, gugala, tuvaraka bija, sala chhala, mesasrangim goksura, arjuna, palasa, pittapapada, chiraunji, sankhapuspi, rasna, padhata, jivaka, jivanti, chhoti kantakari, badi kantakari, arani, sonapatha, bharangim bilva, kadavi atisa.

All these should be well cleaned and dried before grinding. Equal amount of all these medicines is used except hadavi atisa, the amount of which should be one-fourth of that of the others. Doing yagya regularly at the same time, at the same place as described above would gradually enhance the ojas; on an average, within a month the patient will begin to regain the resistance and strength to counter the diseases. Following adequate disciplines of ahara and vihara, she/he will enjoy healthy and hearty life.

[Maa Sharadamani, the soul mate of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, used to run a separate satsanga (a congregation of women). The majority of women in it was of religious temperament and belonged to reputed families. A prostitute also started coming to the satsanga. This displeased the other women and they started insisting on the Mother (Sharamamani) not to let her join the satsanga. Maa replied with gravity - "Satsanga is the Holy Ganga. Its sanctity is not undermined even when fish and frogs dwell in it. Recognize the purifying potential of Satsanga and consider yourself equivalent to the waters of the Ganga".]

YAGYOPATHY-MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS OF YAGYA

Amidst the fascinating achievements of the modern era of science and technology in improving our comfort levels, stress and pollution have posed the major challenge for man. The world is beginning to realize that the comforts provided to us by modern science and technology of not necessarily always make life easier. In fact, apart, form greater stress and tension, more unknown diseases, untold anxiety and fear is caused by the highly polluted environment and ecological imbalance. This has raised alarming call for rethinking and guiding the common life style. Yagya appears to be a boon of the ancient Nepalese sciences for achieving this purpose.

It is to be noted here that the traditional systems of treatment of physical diseases employ medicines which are mostly administered orally. They, therefore, produces effects only after they have been digested and absorbed into the system. Most part of the medicine taken orally is not utilized by the digestive system. Such medicines may also upset digestion seriously. The same is more or less true for medicines directly injected into the blood. They produce results quicker, but their advert side effects are often more pronounced. White corpuscles of the blood, and sometimes the reaction of the system to the sudden, massive and direct intrusion of foreign matter into the blood through injection prove most serious, and even fatal. In a Yagya, medicines and herbs are vaporized by offering them into the sacrificial fire, and they enter the human body in a gaseous form through the nose, lungs and the pores of the skin. This might be proved to be easiest, least taxing, least risky and most effective method of administering a medicine so as to reach every single cell of the body.

The possibilities of curing mental diseases by Yagya are even more alluring. Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is still in the infancy in the modern systems of treatment. There are neither well established diagnostic aids, not any recognized system of treatment of diseases like Neurosis, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Depression, Tension, Melancholia, Mania, Hysteria, etc. On the other hand, psychosomatic diseases are even more rampant than physical diseases and they wreck the man more than the latter.

Manifestations of psychosomatic diseases except in extreme and advanced cases are not so apparent, and that may explain why enough attention has not been paid to them. The stress and strain of modern life, degradation of social behavior and fall in moral values all around are contributing to an alarming increase in psychosomatic diseases. Yagya might offer a solution to this serious problem as well.

The technique of Yagya for the treatment of physical and mental diseases does not comprise mere vaporization of the constituents or herbs to be employed, but various Samidhas are offered into the sacrificial fire of Yagya to create the desired effects. Research on all these aspects of Yagya is being conducted in the laboratory of Brahmvarchas. It might well lead to the development of a scientifically established Yagyopathy, which may find not only an honored but a leading place in other therapies of the world like Allopathy, Homeopathy, Chromopathy, Naturopathy etc. Looking to the high intellectual caliber and attainments of those who are engaged in research, Yagyopathy may come into being sooner than expected, and it may rank an unique achievement of the modern age.