Vishwa Sangh Prarthana’s message of World Peace during the Hindu Heritage Month
27 Oct 2023 14:52:27
In the United States of America, October has been celebrated as “Hindu Heritage Month” for the past few years to increase awareness and appreciation of Hindus. This recognizes the presence of the Hindu diaspora in the US and reminds the mainstream American community of the contributions made by Hindus in North America. Since important Hindu festivals, such as Navratri, Dassera, Deepavali, etc. fall in or around October, many American civic leaders at the city and state levels provide “proclamations” calling for their constituents to celebrate Hindu Heritage and Awareness during this month each year.
Due to the uniqueness of the Hindu jeevan paddhati (way of life) and mulya (values) that are eternal and universal, the West is increasingly looking at Hindu thoughts and behaviors for peace and sustainability. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s Prarthana, which is recited by thousands of Hindus during weekly shakhas around the world, provides a roadmap for achieving lasting peace. The prayer goes like this –
The prayer starts with vandan, i.e., obeisance to Bhoomi – our Mother Earth. Earth sustains all living beings and fulfills our needs. It deserves our gratitude and respect. The concept of the earth as a mother exists in many cultures. The United Nations also celebrates April 22nd as the International Mother Earth Day each year (source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day). In performing Bhoomi vandan, two emotions get awakened. First, that of brotherhood and sisterhood, all being the children of Mother Earth. Second, that of being trustees of its finite resources. As stated in the Ishavasya Upanishad,
We should enjoy whatever is given to us, while also keeping in mind the needs of others. This is also the secret behind environmental awareness and combating climate change by recognizing one’s own individual responsibilities. The beginning of the prayer instantly “grounds” the individual seeker to this context.
In the next stanza, the prayer salutes this Supreme Spirit, Satchidananda, who is responsible for the wellbeing of the entire universe, and who is the genesis of virtuosity and eternal principles of existence. Here the Supreme is not identified with the common Hindu Gods but as Sat (truth), Chit (conscience), and Ananda (bliss). This signifies a transition of the human psyche between the koshas (energy layers around the soul, as defined in the Ayurveda). One moves outward from the annamaya (body) and pranamaya (self-awareness) energy layers to the manomaya (conscience/community), vijnanamaya (cosmic principles), and anandamaya (joy/spiritual oneness) energy layers.
Achieving this collective goal requires invoking a set of qualities, unique to humankind. These are –
1) Strength, which includes a fit body, an indomitable spirit, and mental fortitude to overcome obstacles
2) Integrity of character, which others can role model
3) Knowledge to provide clarity and connectivity with the fellow travelers
4) Discipline for simultaneous material and spiritual growth
5) Belief in and devotion towards the goal
The unity and organization of well-meaning individuals can work wonders for such a lofty goal, as world peace. Virtuous teachings of Hinduism, such as mutual love and respect, service, sacrifice, integrity, perseverance, and a sense of duty, provide the steps leading to the goal. They transcend time, space, and artificial walls of division and guide us to a righteous path in life, irrespective of lineage, age, race, gender, or vocation. The prayer concludes and the people reciting it – the members and volunteers of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) – disperse with a renewed purpose.
HSS volunteers around the country consciously imbibe positive qualities and values in themselves at their weekly gatherings through fraternal, community-building activities. Through programs, such as Yogathons, Teacher Appreciation, Interfaith Dialog, Universal Oneness Day, SewaDiwali, etc., they collectively put their mission of world peace based on Hindu teachings into practice.
During this year’s Hindu Heritage Month, let us remember and honor the core Hindu teachings that lead to a coherent, unifying (yogic), fulfilling, and meaningful life –
• Anyone can achieve greatness and divinity through individual virtues, social service, an environment-conscious lifestyle, and progression on a spiritual path,
• Everyone can contribute to the well-being of others around them when they develop a compassionate and socially benevolent character, and
• Establishing sustained peace and harmony is a collective, inclusive endeavor
Due to the uniqueness of the Hindu jeevan paddhati (way of life) and mulya (values) that are eternal and universal, the West is increasingly looking at Hindu thoughts and behaviors for peace and sustainability. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s Prarthana, which is recited by thousands of Hindus during weekly shakhas around the world, provides a roadmap for achieving lasting peace. The prayer goes like this –
sarvamangala mangalyam devim sarvartha sadhikam
sharanyam sarvabhutanam namamo bhumimataram
The prayer starts with vandan, i.e., obeisance to Bhoomi – our Mother Earth. Earth sustains all living beings and fulfills our needs. It deserves our gratitude and respect. The concept of the earth as a mother exists in many cultures. The United Nations also celebrates April 22nd as the International Mother Earth Day each year (source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day). In performing Bhoomi vandan, two emotions get awakened. First, that of brotherhood and sisterhood, all being the children of Mother Earth. Second, that of being trustees of its finite resources. As stated in the Ishavasya Upanishad,
īśāvāsyamidaṁ sarvaṁ yatkiñca jagatyāṁ jagat |
tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasyasviddhanam
We should enjoy whatever is given to us, while also keeping in mind the needs of others. This is also the secret behind environmental awareness and combating climate change by recognizing one’s own individual responsibilities. The beginning of the prayer instantly “grounds” the individual seeker to this context.
sacchidananda rupaya visvamangala hetave
visvadharmaika mulaya namostu paramatmane
In the next stanza, the prayer salutes this Supreme Spirit, Satchidananda, who is responsible for the wellbeing of the entire universe, and who is the genesis of virtuosity and eternal principles of existence. Here the Supreme is not identified with the common Hindu Gods but as Sat (truth), Chit (conscience), and Ananda (bliss). This signifies a transition of the human psyche between the koshas (energy layers around the soul, as defined in the Ayurveda). One moves outward from the annamaya (body) and pranamaya (self-awareness) energy layers to the manomaya (conscience/community), vijnanamaya (cosmic principles), and anandamaya (joy/spiritual oneness) energy layers.
After such a profoundly meaningful remembrance of the earth and the divinity, the act of praying is no more an individual and intimate endeavor… a bigger, collective spirit has been awakened. The prayer outlines the “big goal” for the gathered – to work together to project these universal principles before the whole world and illuminating the pathway to peace through them.
Achieving this collective goal requires invoking a set of qualities, unique to humankind. These are –
1) Strength, which includes a fit body, an indomitable spirit, and mental fortitude to overcome obstacles
2) Integrity of character, which others can role model
3) Knowledge to provide clarity and connectivity with the fellow travelers
4) Discipline for simultaneous material and spiritual growth
5) Belief in and devotion towards the goal
The unity and organization of well-meaning individuals can work wonders for such a lofty goal, as world peace. Virtuous teachings of Hinduism, such as mutual love and respect, service, sacrifice, integrity, perseverance, and a sense of duty, provide the steps leading to the goal. They transcend time, space, and artificial walls of division and guide us to a righteous path in life, irrespective of lineage, age, race, gender, or vocation. The prayer concludes and the people reciting it – the members and volunteers of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) – disperse with a renewed purpose.
HSS volunteers around the country consciously imbibe positive qualities and values in themselves at their weekly gatherings through fraternal, community-building activities. Through programs, such as Yogathons, Teacher Appreciation, Interfaith Dialog, Universal Oneness Day, SewaDiwali, etc., they collectively put their mission of world peace based on Hindu teachings into practice.
During this year’s Hindu Heritage Month, let us remember and honor the core Hindu teachings that lead to a coherent, unifying (yogic), fulfilling, and meaningful life –
• Anyone can achieve greatness and divinity through individual virtues, social service, an environment-conscious lifestyle, and progression on a spiritual path,
• Everyone can contribute to the well-being of others around them when they develop a compassionate and socially benevolent character, and
• Establishing sustained peace and harmony is a collective, inclusive endeavor