Aradhana-2 = Pujya Gurudev

Aradhana that was uninterruptedly pursued

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

God is conceived as �Sakar� (with form) for the purpose of meditation according to one�s liking and belief and it resembles a human figure. This conception is definitely essential and useful, but it has to be borne in mind that it is imaginary and not real. God is one and cannot have so many forms as have been visualized by various religions and sects. The utility of form should be kept confined to practicing concentration of mind. The principle underlying idol worship is that effort should be made to understand, visualize and assimilate the Invisible God through the medium of a visible symbol. The omnipotent God can only be �Nirakar� (formless). God is known as Parmatma which means that which includes and exceeds all living beings (Jivatmas).

 It is Virat-Brahma or Virat -Vishva. Shri Krishna had shown a vision of this cosmic or universal God to Arjun and Yashoda. Kaushalya and Kakbhusundi had also seen a glimpse of God in the form of entire universe. According to this conception public service becomes aradhana of Virat -Brahma. Man has been sent by God as his prince and has been endowed with a precious life to make this universe, a garden of God, happy and prosperous. The significance of human life lies in fulfillment of this aim, which is known as aradhana. I have been doing this. Out of the twelve hours of night, four hours are spent regularly in upasana and the rest in sleep and other daily routine. If a person is lazy and careless, his whole time is spent haphazardly and in a disorganized way, but if he girds up his loins, remains vigilant, marvelous works can be accomplished. During twelve hours of the day, leaving two hours for food, rest and other routine, a net period of ten hours remains in hand. I have been using this period of the day regularly in doing work for the welfare of the people. These activities of aradhana can be classified as under: (1) Writing and publication of magazines, books, literature etc. for refinement of the minds and attitudes of the people in accordance with the ideals of Yug-chetna. (2) To inspire and provide guidance to truly aspiring souls to adopt a way of life in accordance with Yug-dharma (needs of the Time Spirit); (3) To give advice to those who have turned to me for guidance and counseling for elevating their souls to enable them to overcome their personal difficulties and build a happy future based on high principles

Innumerable persons came in my contact and a majority of them were changed, enlightened and benefited. It is not possible to describe the events and mention the names of such persons, since it is not my habit to do so. Moreover, it will become a voluminous book even if only certain events, which I still remember, are reduced to writing. But the persons concerned may object to it. The practice of expressing gratitude is almost extinct now. It will, therefore, not be proper on my part to say anything about these events. Besides, by disclosing the bounty of good deeds, the efficacy of the virtue gets diminished. There is, however, no doubt that these services have been very effective. Uptill now (1989), more than twenty-four lakh persons are associated with Prajna parivar. However, the number of those who have been deeply influenced by the principles, and ideals of the mission would be around one-third. Majority of them consists of those persons who have received enlightenment, affection, help, advice and divine gifts from me in their personal life. They had come rushing to me greatly worried and afflicted with grave problems and returned with solace and peace. This is the reason that such a large family has been built up. If it was all based on mere ideology and principles, the membership of Gayatri parivar would have remained limited like �rya samaj and Sarvodaya samaj and the atmosphere of personal intimacy and cordiality would not have been established. There had been much pressure on Mataji on account of rush of visitors, their arrival at odd times and in making arrangements for their stay, food etc. Despite all these inconveniences we have been amply rewarded by the affection and love which we have earned in return. All that we have done for the people is being repaid with interest in the form of this affection and love. Thus it cannot be said to be a losing proposition. Capital is needed for aradhana (public service). How can a person who is hungry himself distribute food to others? Wherefrom would this capital come? Gurudev had told me on the very first day of my meeting with him, "Whatever you possess, learn to sow it in the form of seed in the field of Supreme Spirit, the Virat Brahma." On sowing, one grain is bound to multiply hundred times. Gurudev quoted the instance of Jalaram Bapa who was a cultivator. He used to spend all his savings in feeding the needy. God was extremely pleased with him and gave him such a perennial bag, the contents of which never got exhausted. Free kitchen, which he started, is still working at Virpur, a village in Gujarat in which thousands of devoted people take food every day. A person who invests his money for public weal gets ready and glad cooperation. However, a person who accumulates and keeps his money unused and goes on amassing more and more is always cursed and ridiculed by the people.

Thanks GOD,Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma