Amrit Vani: What Should be the Focus of Devout Faith? — II

(Translation of a discourse given by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya in early 1970s on the topic "Shraddhā Siddhānton Ke Prati Ho" — continued from the previous issue)

Friends,

As you know, our mission (Yug Nirman Yojna) aims to awaken the divine sentiments indwelling the inner self of every human being, and thus initiate creation of a bright and happy future for all. Starting with a single person and without any external help, our organization (Gayatri Pariwar), our mission, has expanded so vast! Apart from five major establishments, we now have 2400 Shaktipeeths spread across India and in several cities/towns abroad. So many 1000-Kundiya Gayatri Yagyas and equal number of Yug Nirman conferences have taken place. I have initiated this major phase of Yug Nirman Yojana; now I want to hand over the responsibility to you.

If you turn out to be a kapūta (careless, arrogant, irresponsible child), it would spoil your image as well as mine. Saintly poet Kabir's son Kamaal chose a life contrary to his father's. Large number of people used to love and respect Kabir. But Kamaal earned anger and disrespect from all corners because of his wrong deeds. I don't want my followers to create such a future from their misdeeds.

Two Inspiring Examples

You might have heard the name of Swami Shraddhanand. He had sold his house — his only property — and used its price to start a small Gurukul (resident school of ancient Indian tradition) in a village called Kangdi. It was only like a makeshift arrangement. The school began with ten students without any charge of fee. As Swami Shraddhanand did not have enough money to hire another teacher, he did all the work himself. He meticulously taught the students with care and affection. He used to cook for them and wash their clothes. It was the magnet of his Shraddhā that attracted people's respect and cooperation. Gradually the funds and other help started pouring from all directions and the school expanded into the well-known "Gurukul Kangdi University."

Another example: Prem Mahavidyalaya, located close to our Gayatri Tapobhumi on Vrindavan Road, Mathura. King Mahendra Pratap had donated the land and funds. But what made it distinct and memorable in Indian History was the people who constituted its first teaching and management board. Erudite people of great character — Babu Sampurnanand, Acharya Jugal Kishore, and Brahmachari Krishnachandra — founded this college. They cultivated such values, courage, knowledge, and patriotism in the students that the first several batches took lead in the non-violent freedom-movement of U.P. Congress. More than sixty percent credit of all the Satyāgrahas in this state were mobilized and made successful by those students. So much so that the British Government ordered closure of this college in fear.

These two examples illustrate that Shraddhā and determination motivated in any positive direction can achieve unimaginable heights. Âsthā shows the direction and Shraddhā inspires the motivating force, which coupled with nishthā can produce amazing results.

If you have āsthā for the ideals of humanity, if you walk along the path of upāsanā, sādhanā, and āradhanā with Shraddhā and nishthā, I am there to help you. My writings, my works, my legacy will continue to guide you even if I am gone. Irrespective of whether I am alive or not, I will always be there to support and elevate you along the virtuous path. Whether you call it spirituality, sādhanā, or altruistic service, this has been the key focus of my life. There has not been even the slightest deviation in my march along this noble path.

|| Om Shanti ||

Notes:

Âsthā, Shraddhā, Nishthā: Âsthā — trust/belief that inspires faith; Shraddhā — deep reverence that generates pure devotion; Nishthā — sincerity, loyalty coupled with integrity.
Upāsanā, Sādhanā, Ârādhnā: Upāsanā — devout worship or devotional practice; Sādhanā — process of self-transcendence beginning with self-discipline; Ârādhnā — altruistic service of the world.

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind." — Albert Einstein