The holy festival of Gayatri Jayanti and Ganga Dashahara will be celebrated on 20th June this year. In (Vedic) Indian Culture, this particular day1 is of great spiritual importance. It marks the epochal occasion of the sublime emergence of the supreme divine light of Adyaïakti2 Gayatri and the beatifying day of the descent of the holy river Ganga on the earth. The Vedas sing paeans in reverence of Gayatri. Several Indian scriptures pay tribute to the holy Ganga as a divine boon for the earth.
It is on this day in the Vedic Age that the transcendent effulgence of absolute divinity was realized in the spiritual acumen of great rishi Vishwamitra as the sacred Gayatri Mantra — Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah|Tat Saviturvareñyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yonah Pracodayat || He attained this state after arduous, devout sadhana (spiritual endeavor) of self-purification and cultivation of divine virtues that led to his self-transformation from an arrogant king Vishwarath to a rishi — sagacious spiritual yogi, a saintly friend of the entire world (Vishwamitra). The descent of the holy Ganga on this earth also took place only after the dedicated long-term tapasya (ascetic endeavor) of Rajarshi (a rishi like king) Bhagirath, the descendant of king Sagar in the dynasty of Ikshvaku.The Gayatri (Mantra) is revered in the Vedic texts as “Vedamata” — the origin of the Vedas. It is said that after the absolute sadhana of Gayatri, one can attain the deep knowledge of the Vedas. Gayatri Mantra is a symbol/the identity of the grandeur of the wisdom, sagacity, and the limitless treasure of mystic knowledge (jnana) of Vedic India. “Ganga” represents the holy spirit and the sacred culture of Vedic India. Lord Krishna glorifies the piety of jnana as supreme (Na Hi Jnanenam Sadrasam Pavitramiha Vidyate| — Bhagvat Gita 2|3|). Thus, Gayatri and Ganga both are the source and manifestations of piousness.
Gayatri sadhana purifies the mind (including intellect and emotional core), intrinsic character, and the inner-self of a devout sadhaka. River Ganga purifies a devotee externally. Gayatri (Mantra) is also called “Tripada” (word meaning: having three legs), as there are three main components in the mantra after “Om”3 and the vyahratis4; see the segments of the mantra after “|”; three segments are separated by commas. Ganga is described in the scriptures as “Tripatha” (word meaning: moving along three paths), as it is supposed to flow on the Earth, Heaven, and Hades (Hell), where it is respectively referred to as “Dhara-Ganga” (or simply as “Ganga,” as we know); “Akash-Ganga,” and “Patal-Ganga.” Wherever Gayatri Sadhana is performed and river Ganga flows naturally, they generate divine purity in the sublime and the physically manifested environment, respectively.“The body is purified by water; ego by tears. Intellect is purified by knowledge, and the soul is purified with love. – Ali ibn Abi Talib”Gayatri, Ganga, Himalayas, and the Indian Culture: As Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya used to cite, Gayatri is the source of awakening the divine possibilities subliminally rooted in the human self. Ganga lands support to the Gayatri Sadhakas, who are devout seekers of this awakening. The rishis (Vedic sages) were accomplished yogis who succeeded in this endeavor. They propounded the divine Indian Culture from the Himalayan region around Ganga.The origins of Gayatri sadhana and Ganga lie in the Himalayas. Gayatri sadhana, Ganga, and the Himalayas are inseparable from the Indian Culture (the culture of divinity hidden in the human beings) and the Indian civilization (the most ancient and evolved civilization on the earth). India is the sacred land of enormous investigation and absolute experiments, and achievements in the deep science of spirituality. It is also the distinguished country where higher values of humanity originated and prospered in a great culture.The spiritual ascent of India and the expansion and dissemination of jnana (and consequent development of the culture of the evolution of humankind and the civilization of prosperity with the spirit of peaceful co-existence and global welfare) originated here, are intrinsically associated with Gayatri and Ganga.
The Indian Culture is the culture of higher values and righteous development of character. It is the culture that cultivates and nurtures the fine qualities that lead to spiritual ascent and motivate noble deeds. This is why the “Divine Mother” Gayatri is revered as the eternal mother of this culture, and this culture is also referred to in the ancient texts as “Divine Culture.” Indeed, it is the culture of enlightenment of humankind and welfare of all. The purity and enormous resources associated with the river Ganga manifest these tenets of the Indian Culture. Worship of Ganga practiced in Indian Culture marks an expression of gratitude in this regard. Good character and dedication for duty-bound good deeds naturally lead to viable progress in consonance with Nature and worthy prosperity. In the ancient times when every citizen of this land was a true devotee of Gayatri and Ganga, a true follower of this culture, India was the most prosperous and advanced country and an adept guide of the entire world.
“It’s a fact – everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepest secret. And it is one of the scariest things out there, because those of us who are most ignorant are also the ones who often don’t know it or don’t want to admit it. Here is a quick test: If you have never changed your mind about some fundamental tenet of your belief, if you have never questioned the basics, and if you have no wish to do so, then you are likely ignorant. Before it is too late, go out there and find someone who, in your opinion, believes, assumes, or considers certain things very strongly and very differently from you, and just have a basic honest conversation. It will do both of you good.” – Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
Auspicious festivals of Gayatri Jayanti and Ganga Dashahara should be regarded as the occasions to recall and celebrate this divine bequest. It should be the day of our sincere introspection and tribute to our great rishis, who were the mystic investigators and founders of the super-science of s³dhan³ and virtuous culture. It should also be the day of pledging to follow the ideal path shown by them. For this, it would be worth recalling some relevant and essential points for necessary guidance to the seekers of Vedic knowledge and culture.
Prevailing Convictions and Reality of Gayatri Sadhana: The near-total destruction of many ancient texts and original scriptures by the foreign invaders and consequent cultural devolution in medieval times led to wide-spread delusions and distorted convictions like — “Gayatri Sadhana is cursed/blocked by the rishis Vashishtha and Vishwamitra and Lord Brahma.” This is due to misinterpretation of the linguist meaning of the Sanskrit word “kilita” used by some scholars in the context of Gayatri Sadhana. The literal meaning of this word is — to lock, to put restrictions, or to draw boundaries. Well, so it is like opening the secure locker of an invaluable treasure. It is only after opening several locks, crossing several layers of security, that one can reach the treasure. Indeed, the precious sadhana of Gayatri can be accomplished only after succeeding in the essential sadhanas of self-purification and self-development.
Rishi Vashishtha’s life epitomizes supreme levels of patience, tolerance, forgiveness, generosity, and divine faith. Opening the lock (i.e., fulfilling the prerequisites) imposed by him implies that a true devotee, a true sadhaka of Gayatri, should have these virtues. Rishi Vishwamitra was able to endeavor realization of the supreme spiritual light (of Gayatri) only after arduous endeavors of self-refinement and building virtuous character so that no attraction, adversity, or hindrance could perturb him from the path of devout sadhana. Every seeker of Gayatri Sadhana has to follow this path shown by him. Lord Brahma, one of the trinity gods, is revered to have first uttered the Vedas. So, passing the eligibility test laid by Him means — only those devotees can accomplish Gayatri Sadhana (and hence attain Vedic wisdom), whose thoughts and speech are divinely pure and benevolent like the sacred chants of the Vedic Hymns.
“It may be difficult to understand why a test comes our way, but we must never forget that the test is accomplishing refining and purification. – Billy Graham”
The three components of the Gayatri Mantra are associated with the three bodies — sthula sarira, suksma sarira, and the karaña sarira3. Refinement and enlightenment of these abodes of the sadhaka’s being are essential for the success of his/her Gayatri Sadhana. As the meanings of these three segments/components of the mantra respective imply — we need to adopt benevolence in our aspirations and actions in worldly life. Only then can we awaken and retain spiritual radiance (in our mind and the inner self). This inner illumination activates the real soul-power indwelling within us and firmly excels us on the saintly path that eventually leads to divine transmutation.
Prevailing Convictions and Reality of Ganga-Worship: The introduction of the Indian Culture is incomplete without the reference to the holy river Ganga. It is the lifeline of millions of Indians. In its natural form (near its origin, at “Gomukh” in the Himalayas), the water of Ganga is pure with healthy medicinal properties; it is worshiped and used for purification before important sacraments; it is also offered as an oblation to the deities. Some Puranas warn that during the peak of Kaliyug (Dark Age of celestial phase/changes), this holy river may dry, as the filth of the ambiance of life and environment and the malice of people’s thoughts and conduct would not be compatible with its purity. If things are not improved, there are significant chances that the holy river would dry. This grave blunder of humankind would eventually lead to an end of humane culture and prosperity.Indeed the present scenario of excessive exploitation of natural resources for selfish motives, all-round pollution of air, water, and soil, uncontrolled population growth, global warming, consequent threats of water-shortage along with the scarcity of other vital natural supports, reminds us of the scriptural warning. It is pathetic to see that many of us, the so-called devotees, who respect the holy river as “Mother Ganga,” are polluting it by our mindless customs and rituals of worship.
The river Narmada was in full flow in joy and enthusiasm with melodious burbling sound. There was a pond in the way whose water had been stagnant for long. The surrounding atmosphere was full of foul smell. The pond told Mother Narmada – “Why are you wasting your energy in continuously running and flowing. Just look at me. How I keep sitting at one place in comfort.”
The Narmada replied – “It is by adopting the path of progress and flow that my appearance is so clean, pure, and pleasing. That is why my every drop is put to some use or the other. You have closed both the path of flow and the door to progress. So, your very existence is in danger. It also does not appear likely that your existence can serve any purpose of the public good.”
Ganga is the source of prosperity and progress. It is high time we wake up and purify and protect our sacred Ganga and other rivers, and the mountains and forests around them, and all our precious natural resources. We all have to fight the war against pollution collectively. This should not only be our pledge on the sacred day of Ganga Dashahara, but this day should also mark the constructive beginning of our transformation. Ganga is a symbol of purity with prosperity. As a mark of our tribute to the holy river, we have to remove the pollution of not only our environment but also that of our thoughts, outlook, and character. A joint celebration of “Ganga Dashahara” and “Gayatri Jayanti” imply purity of the outer and the inner domains of life.
In simple terms, the gist of the philosophy of Gayatri is that — our good thoughts and aspirations would awaken and empower our good sentiments/feelings and culminate into our righteous, altruistic deeds. The lives and works of great personalities affirm this universal truth. Ganga and the cultural significance associated with it provide natural support and inspiration in this endeavor.
On the unique occasion of Gayatri Jayanti / Ganga Dashahara, we must recall and adopt this noble teaching of “Vichar Kranti” (Thought Revolution) mission of the Yugrishi and thus, step forward towards its epochal objective of — awakening the divinity inherent in our souls and descent of heaven on the earth.Notes:1. 10th Day of the bright lunar fortnight of the month of JyeÌÚha -the third month of the Hindu Calendar year (Vikram Samvat).2. Âdyasakti (Âdi-sakti): Eternal, Omnipotent Divine Force; the Origin of all divine powers, the Absolute Source of all manifested and sublime existence.3. “Om”: The absolute self-existent original sound/syllable (of the evolutionary vibration of the Brahm); Brahm – the Omnipresent, Eternal, Consciousness-Force.4Vyahratis: Sacred interjections; in the Gayatri Mantra, these are Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah, indicating the Omnipresence (of the eternal, supreme divine light of Gayatri) in the three lokas (realms of existence).5. Sthula sarira (the physical body), Suksma sarira (the subtle body; it consists of the vital energy and the mind (with intellect)), and the Karaña sarira (the causal body – the deep core of the inner self and the transcendent source of its existence; it is also the sublime domain of the soul-presence in a life-form and therefore also described as the “astral body”).“What drains your spirit drains your body. What fuels your spirit fuels your body. – Caroline Myss”
“You are never at any time nearer to God than when under tribulation, which He permits for the purification and beautifying of your soul. – Miguel de Molino”
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine May-June 2021