While he was leaving for the Himalayas in June 1971, Pujya Gurudev had formulated seven key precepts that he required all his disciples to abide by. At this time, Vandaniya Mataji was also moving from Mathura to Shantikunj in Haridwar. These precepts were published in the monthly magazine Yug Nirman Yojna and were also distributed in leaflet form. We are presenting them again here as guiding principles of our mission which should be spread among all members. Every member of our Gayatri Pariwar must adhere to these in order to stay focused on the righteous path. Notes have been added to account for the revisions that were made after Gurudev and Mataji left their physical bodies. It falls to our dedicated senior parijans in particular to make sure that these precepts are being followed correctly. Confusion, indiscipline, and deviations often occur due to lack of knowledge and understanding of the Pujya Gurudev’s instructions.
Organizational structure
There must only be one central governing body, and all associated individuals must be in direct contact with it. The formation of regional or intermediate centers should be kept to a minimum, as such centers are usually established to bolster individual ambitions or compete against the central body. The central body’s strong foundation allows it to provide guidance not only to mission activities in India, but also worldwide.
Note: The mission has grown over time, and several local units now exist in the form of branches, mandalas, and peeths. However, there should not be a hierarchy of command here. All units must communicate with and report to the center directly. One or more units can work together depending on local needs and circumstances; such efforts will be appreciated. However, they should not dictate or interfere in each other’s direct functioning. Their goal should be to build a support system as needed, by cooperating with each other.
Guru Diksha
Initiating someone into Guru Diksha is a great responsibility, which only a true guru can perform. The ritual of Guru Diksha can be performed by anyone; however, the person conducting the ritual must not proclaim himself to be the guru. Someone who does so may actually end up causing more harm than benefit, both to the follower and to himself. Instead, the red torch should be recognized as the guru while initiating someone in to the Gayatri Mantra Diksha.
• As the Granth Sahib in Sikhism and the saffron flag of the RSS both symbolize the concept of the guru, all Guru Diksha initiations should proceed via the symbolic guru of our mission –the Mashal symbol.
• Pujya Gurudev, who is responsible for making Vedmata-Devmata Gayatri reach everyone, will be the acharya of these ceremonies. Through him, the light of Gayatri Mantra will truly initiate the person being given the Guru Diksha. Once initiated, the devotee will receive blessings, protection, and divine guidance from Pujya Gurudev.
• The parijans performing the rituals for the Guru Diksha ceremony should only consider themselves to be respectable representatives.
Functions which involve yagya
Irrespective of the size and scale of the program, efforts should be made to have yagya using only up to nine kunds. In exceptional cases where a grand program is being planned, the approval of the central governing body is required. Large yagya programs may produce better results, but they also carry more chances of irregularities and problems, so it makes sense to opt for a middle path involving fewer kunds.
Pujya Gurudev had encouraged organizing yagya programs to promote certain specific aims, such as:
• Bringing the science and philosophy behind yagya to light and reviving the original tradition of yagya for the benefits of the masses.
• Making the people aware of the disciplines and thoughts that yagya promotes.
• Disseminating revolutionary thoughts in public gatherings through yagya programs.
In order to reach out to the maximum number of people and achieve these goals while also keeping in mind the constraints of modern lifestyles, Pujya Gurudev introduced the concept of Dipa Yagya and integrated it into Gayatri Pariwar programs. Dipa Yagya is actually more effective in achieving the above-mentioned goals in an inexpensive manner, yet covering wider grounds. Normal (kundiya) yagya may be conducted by devotees at their own expense only as part of the concluding ceremony (purnahuti) of a collective sadhana. The philosophy and benefits of yagya can be propagated to households only by observing these guidelines carefully.
Presiding priest of a yagya (yagyacharya)
There will not be a presiding priest in any yagya conducted under the banner of the Gayatri Pariwar. Pujya Gurudev will preside over such programs in his spirit form and will provide the necessary guidance and protection. Anyone proficient in religious rituals is free to conduct the yagya.
Ceremonial processions
Any procession being organized by the Gayatri Pariwar, such as the Kalash Yatra, Visarjan, etc., should only carry, with due respect, the symbols of Gayatri Mata and the red torch. There should be no hype or procession for any individual (the leader, head of the center, etc.). This will help prevent unnecessary accumulation of arrogance, ego, and jealousy.
Blessings and boons
Individuals should refrain from seeking or offering blessings at a personal level. Nobody should play the role of a mediator between the Supreme Power and the individual soul. When those who are incapable begin something like this it always ends with deception. Members of the Gayatri Pariwar should not misguide anyone by illusory attractions or false claims.
Monetary donations
Gayatri Pariwar members should not accept monetary donations for personal use. All financial transactions should be processed through the central governing body. This includes seeking financial assistance from the center in a time of need, as well as receiving contributions of money from donors. This will help eliminate the petty tradition of begging in the name of religion.
Money from donors should only be spent on welfare activities. So-called loksevi lose much of their credibility in society by the misuse of charity funds for private gain. If the disciplines stated above are followed this can easily be avoided, and the smooth functioning of the organization will be sustained without hampering its authenticity. Transparency and accuracy in financial transactions are the keys to maintaining credibility in today’s materialistic society, and they should be practiced religiously.
Source: Guidelines for the Aspiring Loksevi
