SATSANG Center celebrated  â€œVasant Panchami / Sarasvati Puja” on February 2, 2013, with over 250 devotees participating in a joyous spiritual event.  Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of spring season in Bharat. There, it appears as if the whole nature is offering a floral tribute to Devi Sarasvati on Her birthday (Avataran Divas). Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami to affirm the prominence of  Vidya  (knowledge) and continuous learning with renewed vigor in their life. 

Sangeeta Saxena, a volunteer priest of Gayatri Pariwar, officiated the Puja/Deep-yagya ceremony. She opened the celebration with a soaring rendition of Sri Hanuman Chaalisa, followed by pragya-geets. Neeta Rathi provided melodious vocal support and Swami Saxena delighted the congregation with his vivacity of spontaneous table rhythms.

“Deep Yagya” turned out to be the anchoring feature of this devotionally surcharged evening. Which is a contemporary version of traditional Yagya, that Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya had pioneered for popularizing the philosophy of Yagya in the busy lifestyle of modern times.

Prior to the lighting of lamps for Deep Yagya, yajmans performed shodshopchaar Puja of Devi Sarasvati. Which followed the puja of Vadya-Yantra (musical instruments), Mayur (peacock)  and Vasant (spring flowers). In the hands of expert musicians, musical instruments can potentially move the human emotions/sentiments and hearts. The Veena in the hands of Devi Sarasvati signifies this fact. The Mayur (peacock) symbolizes the sweet voice and beauty and happiness. Human appreciation of nature’s beauty and gifts is expressed with the  puja of  Vasant (spring flowers).

After the parva-pujan, all the devotees offered the “Gayatri Mantra Aahutis”.  They also offered “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Aahutis” for world peace and for those whose birthday’s and marriage anniversaries that fall in the current calendar month. This felt like a real family festival in true spirit of Pariwar as in 'Gayatri Pariwar'.

The entire celebration was lucidly interspersed with the coherent philosophy behind all the Puja activities performed throughout the evening. Sanjay Saxena, rendered this commentary based on the teachings of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Which professes that the real Dharma in practical life entails Noble thought (पवित्र à¤µà¤¿à¤šà¤¾à¤°), altruistic emotions for  well-being of all (सर्व हितकारी à¤­à¤¾à¤µ) and a committed sense of duty/responsibility (कर्तव्य à¤ªà¤°à¤¾à¤¯à¤£à¤¤à¤¾). 

Towards the conclusion of the evening, all participants took vows to give up one of their flaws or undesirable habit in their lives and also took the vow to infuse and grow a new strength/good habit for the continued progress and life changing transformation. The event was a huge success with the active support of Satsang and Gayatri Pariwar volunteers, who poured their heart and hard work to make this event a memorable one. The evening concluded with Aarti and Mantra Pushpanjali followed by mahaprasad that Vandana and Vivek Sharma generously sponsored.

All World Gayatri Pariwar , also celebrates the Vasant Panchami as spiritual birthday (आध्यात्मिक जन्मदिवस) of its founder  Acharya Shriram Sharma. Acharyaji pioneered the revival of spirituality through creative integration of modern science and ancient Dharmic Traditions, relevant for challenging circumstances of present times. According to Him, the “perversion of thoughts” is the root cause of crisis in individual, family, social and world affairs in current times. The only way out of this desperate situation is “total thought revolution," which he termed as â€œVichar Kranti." “Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya” is the most effective techniques or technology for pulling the humanity out of this current crisis as a prime enabler of â€œVichar Kranti."  Acharya-ji created  the 'Yug-Nirmaan Yojanaa' (युग-निर्माण-योजना) and rolled out a massive campaign through a 'Movement of Though Revolution' (विचार-क्रांति-अभियान). This is unparalleled in the history of human thought. To investigate the validity of his ideas, Acharya-ji created a unique laboratory which he aptly named 'All World Gayatri Pariwar' (अखिल à¤µà¤¿à¤¶à¥à¤µ à¤—ायत्री-परिवार www.awgp.org ). His life touched and transformed millions of lives.

The volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts are actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought-after family ceremonies, which are integral part of Hindu tradition. Please check www.Gayatri.info for more information and upcoming events' flyers.

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