The Jayanti
of Maharishi Veda Vyasa is celebrated since time immemorial in our country as
Gurupoornima. His whole life was to organize the Vedas and our Vedic heritage
in such a way that its continuity and purposefulness is maintained. The message
of Oneness given by Vedas is essential for the well-being of the world which is
getting disintegrated because of excessive materialism and individualism. The
humanity for its further spiritual evolution needs this Vedic Vision of
Oneness. It is the work of Ishvara. But to be able to do that we Indians need
to shake off our confused understanding of Dharma which is limited at present
only to religious practices; we also need to shake off whatever lethargy,
jealousy and selfishness that has entered due to the invasions and the colonial
rule.
Since the
testing times of invasions and more since the time of Swami Vivekananda,
various organized efforts are being taken up, for establishing Dharma.
Vivekananda Kendra is also one such effort. While explaining Swami
Vivekananda’s message, Mananeeya Eknathji used to tell that, “Intense practice
of Dharma means experiencing the presence of God in one’s own self and in the
world. That makes one conscious of the divine within and urges him to work for
its unfoldment and enables him to grow spiritually. Simultaneously, it
generates in him a sense of oneness with God’s creation and, consequently, an
intense fellow-feeling for the members of his own species – the human race –
and prompts him to work with zest for human welfare and progress… If, and as
long as, the spiritual awakening intensifies on these lines, it is dynamic and
full of tremendous potentialities for the transformation of humanity into
higher and higher planes of existence. But, if it remains limited to rituals,
forms of worship and offerings to God, or prayers and praises addressed to Him,
it becomes static and has hardly any role to play in human advancement.” Being
aware of the need of the society, Eknathji envisaged a thought movement which
would take into account the natural god-wardness of our people and channelize
it in man-wardness for practicing Dharma which helps one manifest one’s
divinity and also propels him to work for the society.
For
Eknathji, the Memorial for Swami Vivekananda was not limited to the one at the
Rock but he wanted a vibrant memorial to Swami Vivekananda ‘in an organized
efforts’ so that India becomes capable in delivering her mission. Therefore,
Eknathji founded Vivekananda Kendra, a spiritually oriented service mission.
Explaining about the need of such organization Eknathji said, “The remedy for
the ills of our country, therefore, lies in launching a mighty movement of
right thought sweeping the entire country. It has to be a two-pronged move. On
the one hand, it is to be aimed at (1) transforming our people’s inherent
God-wardness into the right spiritual urge rising out of the teachings of the
Upanishads, namely, (a) each soul is potentially divine and (b) faith in God,
in turn means faith in one’s self, i.e. in one’s potentiality to rise to divine
heights. On the other hand, it is (2) to convert the spiritual fervour thus
released into works of national reconstruction."
To continue
with vigour such spiritually oriented work, a timeless source of inspiration
and guidance is required. A source which represents all that India has stood
for; a source to which Karyakarta has to surrender and also can draw succour
for oneself; a source which can motivate a karyakarta coming from any region
and tradition of India; a source which would link Karyakartas to the hoary past
of our ancient land and yet has the potentiality to embrace the whole world is
to be accepted. Obviously a personality howsoever great could not be chosen for
the same. In this Ishwariya Karya – God’s work -who should be our guide other
than Ishwara? Our Kendra prayer also focuses on Tavaivakaryartham Iha
Upajatah – we are born to do Your work only. Our guide in doing this work
of God is none other than God Himself. How is God understood? How will He speak
to us? Tasya Vachakah Pranavah says Patanjali. The God speaks to us
through Omkar. Omkar is verily the expression of God. Thus, Omkar Upasana is
necessary for those who work for the well-being of the whole universe.
Therefore, in Vivekananda Kendra, Omkar is our Guru.
Omkar
encompasses all the names and forms of God. When we say God is our guide what
do we mean? God is not going to tell us directly to do this or do that. The
whole universe has come out of Omkar, thus God has manifested as this universe.
Swami Vivekananda says, “When He is less manifested, it is called darkness,
evil; and when He is more manifested, it is called light. That is all. Good and
evil are only a question of degree: more manifested or less manifested. …The
difference is only in degree. It is all a manifestation of that Atman; He is
being manifested in everything; only, when the manifestation is (covered) very
thickly we call it evil; and when it is (covered) very thinly, we call it good.
It is the best, when all covering goes away. So everything that is in the
universe is to be meditated upon in that sense alone, that we can see it as all
good, because it is the best.”
Where there
is thought for others, service of others, absence of selfishness, absence of
jealousy; Ishwara is manifested more explicitly. Thus, Ishwara is manifested in
our Karya, our dayitva and also in the team of Karyakartas with whom we work. When
we worship our Guru, it means actually we are reiterating our resolve to be steadfast
to our goal, to work in an organized way. Therefore, Omkar as our Guru gives us
the understanding that individual opinions are to be submitted for collective
wisdom; the collective decisions are taken as the guidance of God; each
Karyakarta becomes precious to all; organizational functioning and discipline
is followed as sacred Sadhana.
Omkar means
affirmation, creation, inclusive approach and self-effacement. Thus, every
Karyakarta by Omkar Upasana strives for self-effacement and is constructive and
positive in his approach. Omkar Upasana has been followed in India since time
immemorial and thus India has been inclusive in her approach. To maintain and
nurture this all inclusive and all-embracing spiritual tradition of India many
Rishis, saints, warriors have lived and died for it. Thus, Omkar Upasana also
means all those personalities, incidents become the source of inspiration for
us to keep the flame of this spiritual land alive and vibrant.
In this 'Vishesh Prashikshan Varsha', celebrating Gurupurnima gives added significance as it enables us to inculcate the vision and values with which we should work. We can focus this year on the practice of self-enrichment as we celebrate Gurupoornima in our branch centers so as to strengthen ourselves as a right instrument in the hands of God.
Some of the quotes picked from different sources that we can ponder upon for self enrichment are :
The best way to change the world is in concentric circles: start with yourself and work your way out from there.
The other best way to change the world, start celebrating others' success, and learning to listen.
You're never ready for what you have to do. You just do it. That makes you ready.
Success is better when credit is shared with the team.
Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.
The myth is that there isn't enough time. There is plenty of time. There isn't enough focus with the time you have. You win by directing your attention toward better things.
It's hard to remember that this day will never come again. That the time is now and the place is here and that there are no second chances at a single moment.
A happy life consists not in the absence of
hardships, but in the mastery of hardships.
Nivedita Raghunath Bhide
(Vice-President)
