It has been more than fourteen years since our Teacher, Inspirer and Way-shower, Poojya Gurudev voluntarily shed his gross physical sheath and withdrew into his subtle, sublime, invisible body of Light on June2, 1990, so that he could simultaneously enlighten, inspire and guide millions of aspirants through his divined self. Vandaniya Mataji, his divine consort, joined him in the invisible realm four years later in September, 1994.On September 28, this year, is her 10th Mahasamadhi anniversary and 4 days later, on October2, will be her 78th birth anniversary. Poojya Gurudev’s birth anniversary this year also falls on October 12; and 2 days later, on October 14, starts Navaratri Parva (Oct. 14 -22). Thus it is that this Ashwin Navaratri is especially auspicious for us.

Navaratri Parva (Oct.14 -22). Thus it is that this Ashwin Navaratri is especially auspicious for us.

Those of us who have the living faith and intuitive vision are certain that both of them have been working through the Gayatri Parijans and independently through their bodies of Light as concrete presences amongst us for accomplishment of their epoch-changing tasks, bequeathed to Gurudev by the immortal sages of the Devatma Himalaya, including his own Divine Teacher.

Looking back, we feel assured that the Mission’s message of life-affirming spirituality as propounded and lived by the Vedic Risis, has spread not only in all corners of India but also amongst millions of people abroad, especially those of Indian origin.

As indicated above, this year’s Navaratri Parva (heralding the change of season) will be increasingly and still more densely surcharged with vibrations of divine energies; and intensive Gayatri Sadhana (a mini anusthan of japa of 24000 mantras over the nine-day period), done with conscious focus and faith, will have long lasting and very propitious, ennobling and cleansing effects on the sadhak’s body, emotions and mind.

Poojya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji have been the pioneers and revolutionary propounders of a simple, novel and easily practicable Gayatri Sadhana which can be profitably done by all sections of society; elites, semi-literates and illiterates; young and old; men and women cutting across all divisions of education, age, caste, creed, gender, etc. The basic and only pre-requisites are: firm faith and focused concentration on the underlying meaning of Mahamantra.

Let all Gayatri Parijans undertake Ashwin Navaratri Sadhana with living faith. It requires daily japa of 27 malas (27 108) over a period of nine days. It takes about 3 hours to complete the japa. It is advisable to do it in two or three sittings to avoid boredom, lethargy, hurry and inattentiveness. The japa must be done in a relaxed, attentive and unhurried manner. To keep the ninth day free for Purnahuti yagya, japa of 30 malas per day over a period of 8 days will be more appropriate.

Self-discipline and self-control of body, speech, mind and emotions are essential to be able to derive maximum benefit from this Sadhana. Light, satwik food (fruits, semi-liquids or liquid preparations with minimum of solid stuff) should be taken once or twice a day with minimum amounts of salt and sugar to control the sense of taste. One should observe Brahmacharya, sleep on the floor, have as much solitude as possible; and study inspiring literature / scripts during the period of Sadhana.

We also call upon Parijans to take some solemn pledge at the time of Purnahuti to concretely contribute towards furtherance of the Mission’s aims and objects, e.g. making fixed and regular monetary offerings; motivating a fixed number of persons to subscribe to Mission’s periodicals, namely, Akhand Jyoti, Yug Nirman Yojana, Pragya Abhiyan, etc and promoting the sale of Gurudev’s Sahitya.

2004 is also the Silver Jubilee celebration year of the Mission’s research center Brahmavarchas Sodh Sansthan. We have planned to organize a number of yoga-oriented workshops / seminars in different parts of India and abroad as part of these celebrations. Apart from this, the zonal workshops (at Shimla, Jaipur and Siliguri) have created a new wave of enthusiasm amongst the parijans to get organized and take up their duties seriously. We have also sent teams of senior sadhaks abroad for extensive and in-depth interaction with parijans and friends three to USA and Canada and one each to UK, Russia and Mauritius. Our special target groups are the elites and youth associated with the Mission as parijans and well-wishers. We have also recently released a set of curriculum books on youth moral and ethical education at a youth convention held at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

We feel encouraged by what has been achieved so far through Divine guidance and blessings. It gives us hope and confidence to be able to contribute our mite as humble inheritors and torchbearers of integrative spirituality, towards regeneration, rejuvenation and upliftment of humanity to a higher realm of enlightened consciousness, suffused with all that exists. We look forward to active cooperation from all persons of good will everywhere in our humble efforts, which are part of similar efforts being made throughout the world in other countries and cultures towards the same objective.

Shantikunj, Hardwar
(Uttaranchal) India, 249411

Dr. Pranav Pandya

Chief Editor
Head, All World Gayatri Pariwar
Chancellor, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya